At Curly Cuts Canberra, we’re all about curl education—and one of the most valuable techniques you can learn is the wet refresh. It’s a game-changer for maintaining curls between washes without overloading your hair or wasting product.
What Is a Wet Refresh?
A wet refresh means reactivating the products already in your hair by soaking it with water outside of the shower. This saves time, product, and effort—no full wash needed!
We use this technique often in the salon to demonstrate how water-soluble, non-building products can make curls bounce back with minimal effort.
Why Water-Soluble Products Matter
The wet refresh works best when your styling products are water-soluble and non-building. These products can be reactivated with water alone—no need to pile on more gel.
Using heavy, non-soluble products? You’ll likely end up with buildup, stickiness, or limp curls.
Step-by-Step: How to Wet Refresh Like a Pro
- Soak Hair Thoroughly
- Use a continuous mist spray bottle to fully saturate your curls—no shower required. You want your curls soaking wet to reactivate the existing product.
- Detangle with the right tools.
- Use a wet detangling brush to gently remove shed hairs and distribute product evenly. Follow with a Bounce curl define edge lift brush for frizz control and definition.
- Microplop to encourage curl clumps.
- Lightly blot with a microfiber towel or cotton tee to enhance curl shape and remove excess water.
Who Needs What to Refresh With?
- Kids & Long, Thick Hair: A richer product like Clever Curl Curl Cream offers excellent slip, making detangling easier and more comfortable.
- Coarse, Dry Hair: Use a small amount of curl cream to add much-needed moisture and softness.
- Fine to Medium Hair: Clever Curl Wonderfoam is your go-to—lightweight, non-greasy, and perfect for refresh days. It adds back moisture lost to heat, wind, or dry air without weighing the hair down
Other Refresh Methods
◾️Dry Refresh
Apply one or two pumps of Clever Curl Wonderfoam to dry curls and scrunch for grip and volume.
◾️Light Mist Refresh
Spritz water or a leave-in conditioning spray for a soft reactivation of product. Want to DIY? Mix water with a pump of curl cream in a spray bottle.
◾️Oil Refresh
For added shine, try Clever Curl Oil over problem areas. Best for thick, high-porosity curls.
Real-Life Tips from the Salon
- On the go? Wet your hands slightly in a restroom and smooth flyaways for a fast refresh.
- Cold mornings in Canberra? Saturate hair fully and layer a humidity-resistant gel to combat frizz.
- Need more hold? Try the EverEscents Volumising Mist as a finishing spritz.
🚫 Avoid Product Overload
Over-refreshing or overloading with too much product causes limp, sticky curls. Less is more—focus on reactivation, not reapplication.
Final Word
By understanding the wet refresh method, you empower yourself to maintain gorgeous curls every day without starting from scratch. Learn the technique, choose the right products, and master your refresh game.
Want to see it in action? ✂️
Book a Curly Cut with a refresh at Curly Cuts Canberra to experience the technique hands-on, or dive into our online curl education sessions to learn from home at your own pace. Whether you’re a curl beginner or a seasoned stylist, we’ve got something for every curl journey.
👉 Book now or explore our free online training options.
