The Worst Curly Hair Routine on the Internet: A Step by Step Guide
The viral routine explained and broken down into a step by step guide.
September 15, 2025
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If you’ve stumbled across “The Worst Curly Hair Routine on the Internet,” you’re probably wondering what it actually is — and whether anyone should try it. The routine comes from hair influencer Anna Primavera, who shared it on Instagram and TikTok.
Since her videos move fast, I’ve broken down each step here (with links to the products) so you can see exactly what it involves.
This is an ideal routine for high or mixed porosity hair that's wavy or has loose curls.
Why is it the "Worst" ?
Anna calls it the “worst” routine because it breaks several curly hair “rules”, especially those popularized by the Curly Girl Method. For example:
- Dry brushing before washing is often framed as one of the worst things you can do for curls.
- Flipping and diffuse scrunching are usually labeled as frizz-causing no-nos.
- Skipping leave-ins/creams also goes against the grain. (Though honestly, the heat protectant she uses basically is a lightweight leave-in. I often recommend spray leave-ins that double as heat protectants for people who find creams too heavy.)
On top of that, Anna’s routine includes products that are not Curly Girl Method–approved, especially the heat protectant, which contains multiple silicones. You could try a CGM-friendly alternative, but the truth is that silicones remain uniquely effective for heat protection and shine. Check out our guide to help you decide if you need CGM or not.
Should you use the "Worst Curly Hair Routine on the Internet"?
TL;DR: Best for wavy or loose curls with mixed-to-high porosity.
Anna says this routine delivers volume and bounce that lasts for days. I’d agree, but it’s not for everyone.
- Best for wavy/loose curls: Dry brushing is less damaging for looser patterns since less force is needed to get the brush through the hair. (If you struggle to get a brush through your hair, try a special detangling brush or try with a detangler spray to reduce tension.)
- Porosity matters: Anna’s hair seems wavy-to-loose curly, long, and color-treated — all signs of mixed/high porosity. That hair type needs protection but gets weighed down easily.
- How this routine works for her: She balances heavy and light products, leaning on strong-hold stylers. The silicone-rich heat protectant is especially good for protecting high-porosity hair from hazards like heat and brushing.
- If you have low porosity: You might want to swap the mask for a regular conditioner to avoid weighing down your hair.
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Can you do the "Worst Curly Hair Routine on the Internet" while following CGM?
Yes — but you’ll be missing out on the biggest strength of this routine: silicones.
Silicones are uniquely effective for high-porosity hair. They:
- Provide superior heat protection compared to other ingredients
- Smooth the cuticle to make it easier to manage and shinier
- Add a layer of general protection without heavy buildup for most people
- Protect from friction (like brushing)
You could swap in CGM-approved alternatives, but they likely won’t offer quite the same level of protection or performance.
The Product List for The Worst Curly Hair Routine on the Internet
Curious what actually makes up this so-called “worst” routine? Here’s the full lineup of products Anna used — from shampoo to stylers — so you can see exactly how it all comes together.
Tangle Teezer Ultimate Detangler Brush
A chelating treatment with multiple active ingredients
Olaplex N.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
A gentle shampoo designed for damaged hair
Sulfate Free
Briogeo Superfoods Avocado + Mega Moisture Mask
A deep conditioning mask focused on moisture, which Anna uses as a conditioner
Rizos Curls Curl Defining Mousse Lightweight Foam
A lightweight mousse that useful for building volume
Kinky Curly Curl Custard
A thick gel that has a strong hold
Redken Quick Blowout Heat Protectant Spray For All Hair Types
A silicone-containing heat protectant
Sulfate Free
Dyson Supersonic™ Hair Dryer
A high-end hair dryer that is known for minimizing frizz
The Worst Curly Hair Routine on the Internet (Step by Step)
- Dry brush to detangle (use a detangler if needed).
- In the shower, shampoo twice.
- Use a hair mask instead of conditioner.
- After showering, apply 4 pumps of mousse. Flip hair forward, smooth from roots to ends, then scrunch.
- Apply a tiny amount of gel. Flip hair forward, smooth root to ends, then scrunch.
- Put heat protectant on your hands and scrunch it in.
- Diffuse on medium heat/medium speed, actively scrunching with the diffuser.
- When hair is ~60% dry, repeat gel step. Then flip side to side and glaze a little over the top layer to smooth frizz.
- Continue diffusing until fully dry.
My Review of The Worst Curly Hair Routine on the Internet
I have wavy, low-porosity hair and tried this routine back when my hair was long. The results? Tons of volume — but also a bit on the poofy side. To be fair, I was using a cheap travel dryer at the time, which probably created more frizz than the Dyson Anna uses.
My hair looked kind of poofy when I tried the routine
The Dyson is known for minimizing frizz compared to regular dryers, so it might be a key part of why this routine works for her. I’ve since upgraded to a slightly better dryer, so I may give the routine another shot and see if the results improve.
I personally wouldn't use a mask as a conditioner, I think because my hair is low porosity it just weighs it down.
Another thing is if you want even heat protection, just scrunching it in is likely not enough. I would recommend sectioning and spraying an even coat on each section.
Other Products You Can Use
Want to try this routine with what you already have at home? Here’s how to adapt it:
- Shampoo: Look for one formulated for damaged hair with moderate cleansing power.
- Mask/Conditioner: Use a mask that works as a regular conditioner (not a once-in-a-while treatment). Ideally low- or no-protein and not too heavy (like I'd avoid Shea Moisture masks).
- Mousse: Choose a mousse made for curly hair, as it has lightweight conditioning, like the Rizos Lightweight Mousse.
- Gel: Go for a hard-hold gel that feels light in the hair.
- Heat Protectant: Any good heat protectant works, but silicones will give the best protection and shine.
Curls Monthly Products
I know Anna has her own recs but these are the products I would pick that you can sample on Curls Monthly, a monthly subscription service that lets you try a bunch of products to see if they work for you!
Rahua Hydration Shampoo
The Olaplex shampoo is available on Curls Monthly already but if you're looking for a CGM alternative try Rahua
Sauce Beauty Honey Chia Smoothing Mask
A moisture-focused mask
Pattern Curl Mousse
A luxurious mousse that is great for volume and shine
Eva Mane Magic
A spray leave-in that offers 10 benefits including heat protection
Sulfate Free
Drugstore Products
There are tons of drugstore products you can pick up to use for this routine. Here are some I think are pretty similar to Anna's product lineup:
Garnier Nourishing Banana Hair Food
A moisture-rich mask that is formulated to also be used as a conditioner
Herbal Essences Curl Mousse
A popular budget mousse you can use to build volume and smooth frizz
Why The Worst Curly Hair Routine Is Good for the Curl Community
I’m glad this routine has caught people’s attention, because it proves an important point: there isn’t just one way to care for curly hair. Just as curl patterns vary, so do the routines that work best for them.
Traditional methods often overlook wavy and looser curl types, which need different approaches. That’s why I wanted to break down Anna’s routine here, and why I get so many questions about alternative routines for hair like mine. The more we share routines that actually reflect our diversity of textures, the more helpful the curly community becomes for everyone.
💌 If you loved (or hated!) the 'worst curly hair routine,' stick around — I share more routines, tips, tricks, product features, and tools in my mailing list. Sign up here and get the good stuff straight to your inbox.
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