Kristina is the founder of Lockenbox & Lockenexpertin. She has been intensively involved with the topic of curly hair care since her youth, when her straight hair suddenly turned into curls.
Perfectly defined curls are the dream of many curly-haired people. If it weren't for this one thing that all too often gets in the way and ruins the beautiful curly look: frizz! But don't worry, there is a solution! The Praying Hands method promises to help with flyaway and frizzy hair.
We will not only take a closer look at the Praying Hands technique , but also introduce suitable products and give you valuable tips to get the most out of your curls.
Whether you're already an experienced curl artist or are just starting to care for your natural curls, this guide will help you rediscover and optimize your curl styling technique .
What is the Praying Hands Method?
The Praying Hands method in German could be translated as "praying hands" method. This is because this styling technique for curls involves bringing the hands together as if in prayer. The hand position helps to easily distribute the curl products in the hair.
The Praying Hands method is used on wet hair . By gently pressing and gliding the palms of your hands over the strands of hair, frizz is reduced and curls are optimized.
Unlike other curl styling methods such as raking or scrunching, the Praying Hands method does not involve crunching or kneading the hair.
The curls are not pressed together to reinforce their curl shape. The Praying Hands method relies more on straightening the curls to effectively prevent frizz.
This has the advantage that the curl product is worked in intensively by the palms of the hands facing each other and gliding over the hair, ensuring very good distribution.
How to prepare for the Praying Hands Method
Whether on wash day or as a refresher for your curls in between, the Praying Hands method is versatile. It is important to know that your hair should be as wet as possible before using the technique.
Start with freshly washed, wet hair and use the “Praying Hands” to distribute your favorite curl product into your curls, section by section.
The Praying Hands method is also a great way to freshen up your curls . Especially between wash days, you want to prevent the curls from coming apart so that your curls don't lose definition and look unattractively puffy.
This is where the Praying Hands method can perfectly demonstrate its advantages.
- Wet the hair thoroughly with a spray bottle
- and reapply the desired product to refresh using the Praying Hands technique.
This will keep your hair free from frizz and your curls will be revived in no time and will stay beautiful until the next wash.
What products do I need for the Praying Hands method?
For the Praying Hands method, you first need a suitable hair product that will help you define your curls and reduce frizz. This can be a curl cream, a curl mousse, a leave-in conditioner for curls or a curl gel .
We find these products simply wonderful for applying the Praying Hands method:
- Bouclème - Curl Cream 300ml
- Fix My Curls - Weightless Whip Volumizing Foam 100ml
- Curly Angels - Hallelujah Curl Activator 250ml
- Curl Girl Nordic – Curling Gel Curl Activator 150ml
Always make sure that the products are suitable and tailored to your hair type, thickness and porosity. The quality of the curl products is also crucial. Avoid ingredients that are harmful to curls, such as synthetic silicones and sulfates.
If you want to be sure that you are only using good and safe hair products, then it is best to only use products that are suitable for Lorraine Massey's Curly Girl method . Our product recommendations are all CGM-approved and free of ingredients that damage curls. :)
If you are still unsure which products are right for you, then the Lockenbox is your perfect opportunity to get to know new products from the world of curls every month at a special price, without any worries and without any complications: Show me the Lockenbox!
Praying Hands Method - Step-by-Step Guide
- Whether it's wash day or not, your hair should be well moisturized because the Praying Hands work best on wet hair.
- Put the desired amount of hair product, such as curl cream or curl gel, into your hand. Then distribute it between the palms and the insides of your fingers by rubbing your hands together.
- Take a section of your hair between your palms and start as high up as possible at the hairline.
- Now gently pull your hands with your palms closed from the roots down to the ends of your hair so that the product is distributed over the entire length of your hair.
- Move on to the next section of hair and repeat this method until the product is distributed throughout your entire head of hair. Depending on the length of your hair, you can of course add more product to your hands before rubbing it in and applying it to your hair.
What are the benefits of the Praying Hands method?
The Praying Hands method has the advantage over other curling methods in that frizz and flyaway hair are effectively prevented by "smoothing" the curls. Especially if your hair often suffers from frizz, you should definitely try this styling technique.
For curls that are difficult to tame and have too much volume rather than too little, the Praying Hands method can be a great way to control your hair and make it easier to manage.
The definition of the curls can also be enhanced by the Praying Hands method, as the curl bundles are not separated when the product is applied.
Although the curling effect is not as effective as with the scrunching method, you should still try the effect on your hair. Perhaps you can achieve your dream curly look with the Praying Hands method.
A real bonus of the Praying Hands technique is definitely the very even distribution of the curl product . By sliding the palms of your hands over the curls, the hair is evenly covered with product from the roots to the tips.
This even distribution is hardly achieved with other styling methods. Very caring and nourishing products can do the best for your curls effectively and deeply with the help of the Praying Hands method.
Typical Mistakes of the Praying Hands Method
As with any curling technique, it is important to use it correctly and, above all, gently . We all know that curly hair is generally more sensitive than straight hair.
Therefore, avoid pulling or tugging on the hair too hard when you run your palms over the curls. If it still tugs or doesn't work well, you may have put too little product in your palms.
But too much product or too heavy hair care can also lead to a disappointing result . If your hair is rather fine, then use lighter leave-ins or water-based curl creams rather than very rich products, which are more suitable for thick curly hair.
Otherwise, your hair could become too heavy and the smoothing action of your palms could leave little of your curls in the end. If the volume is completely lost , then this method alone may not be right for you.
Expert tip: If you're worried that the Praying Hands method will flatten your curls too much or take away too much volume, here's the good news: You're not limited to just one method in your hair styling routine!
So why not combine the best of several methods? :) For example, you can work a nourishing leave-in into your hair using the Praying Hands method and then knead in a curl-defining gel using the scrunching method. This way you can really make your curls bounce!
Conclusion
Defined curls are the dream of many curly-haired people, but frizz often gets in the way of the perfect curly look. Luckily, there is the Praying Hands method, which offers a simple but effective way to style your curls and reduce frizz.
However, it is important to remember that every head of curls is unique and benefits from different products and curl styling techniques. The Praying Hands method is just one of many.
The great thing is that as a curly girl you have the freedom to choose from a wide range of methods and techniques and can also combine them with each other. Take a look at our Lockenbox magazine in the Styling & Techniques section and discover the best tips and tricks on the subject of curly styling and curly care.
Trying things out is what makes being a curly-haired woman so exciting and fun! We hope you have lots of fun trying things out and discovering your ultimate dream curl styling routine!
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The best part? The value of this box far exceeds the price you would pay for the individual products. What are you waiting for? Click on the curl box now and immerse yourself in a world full of curl care!
FAQ
What products should I use to apply the Praying Hands Method for curls?
It is recommended to use a curl styling product that defines the curls and prevents frizz, such as curl creams or curl gels . It can also be helpful to use a heat protectant spray to protect the hair from heat damage when using a curling iron or curling wand.
How long do curls created using the Praying Hands method last?
The length of time the curls last depends on various factors, such as hair texture and the type of curling product used. However, in general, the curls can last from a few hours to a day, especially if they are set with a hairspray. To make the curls last longer, you can also use a diffuser on your hair dryer to dry them or wear a curler overnight.