After tons of research and FINALLY going through my routine, I feel like I could actually pull this off with a bit more practice!
BTW, this is Day 2 hair. I tried to fashion a bonnet out of my scarf, but it obviously came off while I was moving around in my sleep. The clumps still stayed for the most part! I'm dealing with some frizz and residue, but I'll solve that :)

Product Research + Findings

1. Get minis or second-hand hair products because this ish can be priceyyy. I don't want to be broke during my trial-and-error phase, although I say this after spending €105 on dumb products — but hey, at least I learned. Second-hand can be risky, ofc, but you make the call.
2. There’s always that one product that helps with curl clumping and retention, and for me, that turned out to be mousse. I'd used Innersense's 'I Create Definition' mousse, which did the job in terms of curl formation, but left each curl feeling rough — even on Day 1. So I used ChatGPT to find mousses that prioritised curl formation + hold while still leaving my hair soft (The Doux Mousse Def, Umberto's Curl Whip, TréLuxe, Camille Rose Spiked Honey, and Rizos Curls topped the list). I think the right mousse is everyone's BFF, and I would recommend that it be the heart of your routine.
3. Since I opted for a mousse with hydrating and softening ingredients, I opted for regular wash products that wouldn't overdo it (ChatGPT helped me analyse a bunch of products, and I finally arrived at the UG Jelly duo). I also did a dry run with just shampoo and conditioner to see how my hair felt after a regular wash and air-dry/quick blow-dry, without any styling. The UG Jelly duo worked well: my hair felt clean and a bit soft, but not silky or smooth, which was good, as I didn't want every step of my routine to slather my mane with butters.
4. A lot of curly-hair videos and posts will tell you to condition your hair to combat frizz. But with curly hair, frizz is simply a strand that didn’t find a home within a curl clump, so curl formation is more important. Butters and silicones may work well for some people, but I didn’t want ingredients that could weigh my hair down — especially not while I was trying to bring out my curls. My philosophy was: you can always make hair feel softer, but first you need to understand what shape and size your curls form into, and loading your hair with heavy conditioning agents can make that harder. I stayed away from creams and leave-ins for this very reason.
5. People really go to town with that spray bottle thingy, but again, water weighs down your hair. I only used my spray bottle towards the end of my styling session (around 40 minutes after I took off my towel turban) when the hair started feeling 'wet/damp rough'.

Products:

1. Shampoo: Purple L'Oreal shampoo and Umberto Giannini Jelly Shampoo (I had to mix them because my UG sample had pretty much run out)
2. Conditioner: As I Am Rice Water (this has both hydrating and moisturising ingredients, but it doesn't leave your hair feeling 'silky', even when it's on). I know I mentioned UG's Jelly Duo before, but their conditioner wasn't hydrating enough for me.
3. Mousse: The Doux Mousse Def (this is the stuff)
4. Gel: Umberto Giannini Jelly Gel

Process:

1. I did a regular wash with my shampoo and let the conditioner sit for a while (4-5 minutes).
2. I wrapped my hair in a towel for about five minutes while I got dressed. When I took it off, my hair was still wet and clumping up randomly, but it definitly wasn't sopping wet. Then sectioned it into four parts: the top half was divided into three sections — two on either side and one at the back — while the bottom half was left as is.
3. I started with the bottom section, working in about 3-4 pumps of mousse through it first. I then used the Bounce Curl brush to create ribbons throughout and gave each ribbon a quick twist. Since this section would eventually be covered by the others, I didn’t worry about getting every curl perfect.
4. I repeated the same process with the other three sections. The only difference was that, when brushing and twisting the curl strands, I worked with smaller amounts of hair within each section at a time, as doing the entire section at once was too much work (my elbows were screaming, I had to take breaks even while working with the smaller sections).
5. Once I was done, I did a quick diffuse (medium heat and speed) all over. After 2-3 minutes of this, I flipped my hair upside down GENTLY and started diffusing (low speed, high heat) properly. This is essential so that the hair that people will see won't have as much frizz. Then I remembered I had gel and rubbed a coin-sized amount between my palms and applied it all over with the praying hands method. I repeated that while standing up straight as well, just on the outer hair. Then I flipped my hair over again and diffused until it felt dry. I took breaks as needed because this was WORK.
6. After I was done diffusing, I let my hair be for at least 30-40 minutes so it could continue to dry. Then I started breaking the cast curl by curl. I didn't do it all at once, and I don't think I got them all — aka, don't touch them for as long as possible. I put on my scarf wrap and went to bed about 2 hours later.

Next steps (tips welcome!)

1. I'll stick with my conditioner, mousse, and gel, and might consider the As I Am Rice Water shampoo. I do have some frizz, so maybe a hydrating shampoo will help.
2. I'm dealing with some residue today, and I'm pretty sure it's from the gel, so need to figure that out.
3. I need that bonnet and also a haircut; I might ask for the back to be shorter and therefore easier to style. As of now, I don't know how to make the curls pop there 😄

I’m 33F, around 45 kg, and my main fitness goals are to build my glutes and get defined abs.

Current routine:
- Glutes (2x/week): Hip thrusts, RDL or GDLs, 45° hyperextensions, and hip abductions.
- Abs (3x/week): A fixed mat routine with about six exercises.
- Cardio (1x/week): Spin class. White it definitely works my quads and calves, I mainly go for the cardio.
I also do upper body on my ab days but I don’t have Qs on that :)

Current meal plan:
- Breakfast: Oats + whatever berries
- Lunch: 3** **veggies grilled, handful of chickpeas, around one cup of cooked bulgur, plus some store bought dressing for flavour.
- Dinner: Brioche bread sandwich with hummus, one mashed veggie, and grilled tofu (I let it marinate in an Asian sauce mix).
- Extras: One protein shake with a bananas. I also take creatine, after my workout.
I just keep changing the veggies for variety. Right now lunch entails sweet potato, broccolini, and zucchini, and dinner features mashed peas.

I have a couple of questions 😊
- Is one spin class per week enough cardio for my goals, or should I be doing anything else?
- I’m naturally lean but not very toned, and most of the little body fat I have tends to sit around my lower stomach. Are my ab workouts on the mat enough or do I need to incorporate some other form or torture?

I’d appreciate any advice, especially if there’s anything I’m overlooking in terms of training or nutrition. Thanks!

I’m 33F and around 45 kgs. I want to get abs and build a booty. This is going to be my before pic 😊
- Glutes (2x week): Hip thrust, GDL/RDL, 45°
Hyperextensions, and hip abductions.
- Abs (3x week): I have a set of 6 mat exercises that I do, too lazy to type it out.

My Qs:
- I go to spin class once a week to mix things up, and while it def works my quads and calves, I’m there for the cardio - is that enough though?
- I’m lean all over, but not toned. Most of my fat is in my belly - it’s not a lot so it doesn’t feel flabby or soft, but it could def get there. Are ab exercises on the mat enough or do I need to incorporate some other form of torture?

In case it helps, my metabolism is quite high and I’m a vegetarian. I eat clean (three proper meals) and I have one protein shake a day (26g or so).