As someone with curly hair, I know the fickle promise of wash day. Will my curls dry with bounce, shine and just enough definition? Or will they tangle and frizz, resembling a triangle living its most triangular life? Often times it’s the latter. 

However, over on TikTok, women with curly, coily and wavy hair are guaranteeing a good hair day every day – and it’s all thanks to the burgeoning ‘bowl method’ trend. 

Characterised by the use of a bowl, leave-in styling products and a fair amount of patience, women are locking hydration and shine into their curls by repeatedly submerging their hair after washing. One video by curly hair influencer Zia (@curlyzia.xo) has over 37 million views: 

Part hydration, part method, using a bowl instead of a steady stream of water from the shower helps to keep the hair saturated during washing – a technique that ‘clumps’ the hair together for maximum absorption. 

“We always advise our customers to apply curl products onto soaking wet hair, not only because curls clump together better but also because hair is smoothest when wet,” explains Lizzie Carter, founder of Only Curls. “So, by applying products to soaking wet hair, you can create the smoothest, frizz-free curls. In short, the bowl method helps create amazing curl clumps and forces more water into the hair for extra hydration.” 

“Some of the product you apply will be rinsed off in the process, but since it goes back into the bowl that you reuse, some will reapply to the hair. The water will also help the product absorb better into the hair resulting in extra hydration,” says Carter.     

1) First wash and condition your hair as normal. Comb through the conditioner while your hair is wet. Rinse and step out of the shower.

2) Apply a curl cream and leave-in conditioner.

3) Fill a bowl with warm water and put it down. Dip your hair into the bowl and scrunch the water out. Allow the water to fall back into the bowl.

4) Repeat four times and lovely smooth curl clumps will have been created.

5) Scrunch in a styling product, like the Only Curls Enhancing Curl Gel or Mega Hold Gel to add hold and definition for long-lasting curls.

Main image: Getty