After washing your hair, styling is crucial to get well-defined and shiny curly and wavy hair, a fundamental step in your haircare routine. Start by applying Leonia styling cream. In general, the curlier your hair is, the more styling cream you will need. If your hair is more curly, one or two walnut-sized amounts of product will be enough, so as not to weigh down your hair. If your hair is very curly and the styling technique is more demanding, you will need up to 5-6 walnut-sized amounts of product. After applying the cream, choose a styling technique that best enhances your hair depending on its type.
In fact, each technique is suitable for different hair types, desired final effects and time available. Let's discover the main styling techniques together:

1. Scrunching - Scrunching curls and waves with your hands

Time required : 5-15 minutes
Final effect : Natural, defined and voluminous waves and curls
Hair that lends itself : it is the most versatile technique as it lends itself to all curly, wavy or coily hair (from type 2A to type 4C)
Advantages: it is a fast, practical and versatile technique. Perfect for those who have little time available for their haircare routine but want to keep their hair in order without too much effort.
Description : Scrunching means "crumpling" the locks with the palm of the hand from the bottom up, squeezing the hair in the hand, but always delicately, to avoid frizzing the hair and without rubbing. This technique is done on wet but towel-dried hair, so not dripping.

2. Plopping - Curls and waves defined with a turban

Time required : 30-60 minutes
Final effect : Soft and elongated curls, natural and with little volume
Suitable hair : Medium or long hair, with a wavy or slightly curly texture (2A hair to 3A hair).
Advantages: it is the simplest technique to perform and it is convenient because, even if it takes a little longer than scrunching, it allows you to do something else in the process (you can work, do housework, cook, relax, all things that are not at all obvious in the rush of the daily routine!)
Description : Plopping consists of wrapping wet hair in a microfiber towel in "turban" mode, for 30-40 minutes. It is an ideal haircare technique for drying hair without damaging its natural shape. You can then continue with a natural drying (more natural effect but less voluminous and more prone to frizz), or with a diffuser drying (for greater definition and volume).

3. Praying Hands - Apply styling cream with clasped hands

Time required : 5-10 minutes
Final Effect : Soft, defined and frizz-free curls. Similar effect to plopping but with more definition and volume. Excellent for emphasizing the waves of wavy hair.
Suitable hair : Wavy and curly hair of all lengths, with textures from 2A to 3C.
Advantages : simple and fast technique, which respects and enhances the hair structure.
Description : The "praying hands" technique consists of applying the styling product to the hair with clasped hands, as if in a prayer position. The product is distributed evenly between the palms, then passed over the locks, pressing them gently to help define the curls and reduce frizz. It is particularly useful for maintaining the natural pattern of the curls without separating them too much, but eliminating frizz.

4. Finger Coiling - Styling with your fingers

Time required : 30-90 minutes (depending on hair length and density).
Final effect : Well-defined and separated curls, with reduced volume but with a more "curly" effect.
Suitable hair : Curly hair of any length, with textures from 3A to 4C.
Benefits : This styling technique gives high definition and can be ideal for having well-groomed and tidy hair during an event or special occasion.
Description : Divide your hair into sections and make sure you have applied styling cream to all the strands. In this case, you will also need 5-6 walnut-sized amounts of product. With this technique, each strand is wrapped around a finger to create well-defined curls. Leave each strand twisted around your finger for a few seconds to maximize the styling effect. The hair must be soaked in water to be able to perform the finger coiling move more easily and without frizzing the curls. Especially for type 3 curly hair, once the hair is dry, you can open the curls to have a more natural and voluminous effect. Be careful, however, to do this step delicately, without removing the structure of the curl created and therefore without frizzing it.

5. Rake and Shake - Comb and shake

Time required : 10-20 minutes.
Final effect : Natural and soft curls, with movement and volume. The curls will be smaller and less "curly" than with finger coiling.
Suitable hair : Wavy and curly hair of type 3 and 4, whether medium or long.
Advantages : as with finger coiling, this technique also gives an excellent result in defining curls and waves, but with more movement. It is ideal for those who want defined curls but with a natural and "spontaneous" appearance.
Description : After applying the styling cream to your hands, divide your hair into sections and run your fingers through your hair like a comb or a "rake". Then gently shake each "raked" section of hair to encourage the natural formation of curls through shaking. You can also perform this technique using a styling brush for curly hair, such as the Denman brush.

Then proceed with your haircare routine with drying. In general, it is good to use the diffuser to maximize the definition of curls and waves and avoid frizz as much as possible. During drying, bend your head at different angles, so turn your head upside down, tilt your head to the right, to the left, backwards, all movements that will give an extra volume effect to your hair.