Welcome!
I'm am so glad that you decided to give the Curls products a try. I am a 3B, with naturally dry medium-to-coarse curls. And, I have been rotating back and both forth now between the Curls Milkshake and Whipped Cream. And, I have the Curls Quenched to use as a base product before applying either styling cream or as a next day hair refresher by itself.
The temps have started to warm up now, so I try not to put styling cream in my hair everyday, as I try to get away with just moisturizing my curls with the Curls Quenched and going. However, I now that there are alot of curlies out there that need styling creams and/or gels applied to their hair on a daily basis for it to be tamed and look their best. So, I would suggest you spraying the Curls Quenched on to freshly cleansed and conditioned hair first. The Curls Curliscious Cleansing Cream and Asian hair Tea Conditioner work perfect for cleansing and conditioning naturally curly hair, by the way. Second, you would section off your hair into parts. Four should be enough, but if you need to do more then that is certainly okay. Third, you would detangle a section of your hair. Now, you can of course use either your fingers, wide-toothed comb, or a brush. My favorite tool to detangle with is a Denman No. 4 Brush. But, you can of course use whatever makes you comfortable. Fifth, you will detangle the first section working from the bottom up to the top. Sixth, you would apply Curls Souffle to the section, making sure to thoroughly smooth it through. Seventh, after smoothing the Curls Souffle through the first section of hair, you would next move on to your next section and repeat the same process over.
Once, you have completed detangling, applying product, and smoothing it through, you would then let your hair airdry. While your hair is airdrying, do not touch it at all! As, this will cause unneeded frizz to occur.
I would suggest that you start doing deep treatment to your hair with the Curls Asian Hair Tea Conditioner(or your favorite deep conditioner of choice) at least 1-2 times a month w/heat. As, this will act act as a great hair strenthening and deep moisturizing treatment for your hair. Also, the Curls Asian Hair Tea Conditioner can be used w/o heat on a weekly basis as well.
Also, everyday to style your hair, ust re-spray it with the Curls Quenched and then apply a little bit more of the Curls Souffle to your hair. You would make sure to thoroughly smooth it through and then scrunch your curls lastly to finish off the style.
I agree, pulling your hair back all the time isn't good for anybody's hair. So, letting your curls down and using the proper products to keep them looking their best will go a long way.
I have tried the Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner and that stuff left my hair feeling like straw and my curls utlimately ended up looking all wiry and such. So, I am certainly not an advocate of that line at all!
PJ stands for "product junkie" and DT stands for deep treat/deep treatment. Hope all of this helps!