My Exact Wash Day Routine for Defined Summer Curls

Wash day doesn’t have to take all day—and it shouldn’t leave you with stiff, crunchy curls. In this post, I’m sharing my full summer wash day routine for type 4 hair: soft, defined coils with zero flaking and zero buildup.

Step 1: Pre-Poo Like a Pro

Before shampoo, I always apply a pre-poo with slip to protect my strands and make detangling easier.

What I Use:

Natures Little Secret Fenugreek Detangling Pre-poo

PATTERN Beauty Detangling Nectar

Step 2: Gentle Cleanse

Sulfate-free shampoo or a co-wash—depends on how much product I’ve used that week.

Go-To Products:

Miche Beauty Detox Shampoo

PATTERN Beauty Cleanse Shampoo

Step 3: Deep Condition = Non-Negotiable

Summer sun can be drying. I deep condition every wash day, no excuses.

Faves:

Adwoa Beauty Baomint Deep Conditioning Treatment

The Doux Sweetest Thing Honey Moisture Mask

Miche Beauty Indulge Moisturizing Deep Conditioner

Step 4: Define and Style

After rinsing, I go in with the LCO method (Leave-in, Cream or Mousse, Oil) and define with my favorite combo:

• Leave-in: PATTERN Beauty Palo Santo Leave-in or Miche Beauty Lavish Leave-In Conditioning Styler

• Cream: PATTERN Beauty Palo Santo Styling Cream or Adwoa Beauty Baomint Curl Defining Cream

• Mousse: The Doux Crazy Sexy Curl Honey Setting Foam or Miche Beauty Gel-to-foam Styling Mousse

• Oil: Donna’s Recipe Strength Hair Oil or Khalida Naturals Kinky Hair Growth Oil

Step 5: Dry with Care

I air-dry or sit under a hooded dryer on low heat to set my curls. Then I fluff at the roots for volume. My favorite hairstyle is a fluffy defined twist out.

Final Results:

Soft, bouncy, juicy curls that last for days—no white flakes, no crunch, no drama.

Shop my LTK (affiliate link) for products mentioned: https://liketk.it/5laCv

xoxo Charrisse

My signature defined fluffy twist out.