This is the bowl method, the latest viral trick to curl hair without frizz

Water and curly hair have a complicated relationship. Although environmental humidity is one of the main causes of frizz, thousands of tiktokers are claiming that completely saturating the hair with water before brushing it helps define the curls. The trend, #bowlmethod, is flooding TikTok with countless tutorials that have more than 493 million views, and it is on the rise. Praise abounds on the social media platform; for many, this has been the definitive solution to end frizz and tame their curly hair, especially during the winter. Additionally, unlike many viral tricks, this is not a quick method; it actually requires time and patience. But what is it, and how is it done? Expert hairdressers explain it all.

What is the bowl method?

It is a perfect way to hydrate and define curls. It is also quite simple: all you need is a large container full of water to wet your head in it. Then you apply styling products while your hair is super wet, and start dipping and squeezing so that the products penetrate well. The process of soaking and squeezing is repeated about four times. “This technique respects the nature of curly hair and provides deep hydration with water and conditioners that prevent dryness and frizz. I like it because no product is wasted, because the hair is soaked in the same container repeatedly until the water becomes cloudy. It works on porous and frizzy hair, but it is important that the water be cold or warm; It should never be too hot,” explains hairdresser Eduardo Sánchez. In short, this is a useful method to reduce frizz, define curls and evenly distribute leave-in conditioner.

How to do it, step by step

The analyzed tutorials follow the same pattern. After preparing a large container of water, they wash, condition and rinse their hair. Then they detangle it with a brush and apply a leave-in conditioner. Next, they apply a curl-defining cream, brush the hair forward and dip the ends into the water, continuing until they reach the scalp. Then they lift their head, wring their hair so that the water drips, and repeat the process of soaking and wringing three or four times. After that, you can shake your hair and let it dry, or wrap it in a microfiber towel until it is dry. The process ends by adding a moisturizing oil.

Conchi Arias, founder of Campos Curlyhair, advises the following: “This is a technique that works well on wavy hair because it groups the hair and controls frizz. By soaking and removing the hair from the bowl so many times, you get what in the curly world is known as ‘seaweed,’ which is a very beautiful type of wave. To squeeze the hair well, I recommend pulsing, which consists in putting the ends of your hair in the palm of your hand and squeezing from bottom to top until the water is gone. After that we do microplopping, that is, we remove excess water with a microfiber towel, without rolling it. To do this, we spread the towel on a smooth surface, put the hair in it, press the towel upwards and wrap it around the head so that the waves are well placed. If you roll your hair, the curls will not look good. Honestly, the method works, but it seems quite cumbersome and time-consuming to me. The results are good, but it depends on the time you want to put in. It is not for the impatient types.”

Does it really work?

Although this process adds several more minutes to the hair routine, most of the experts consulted believe that it is worth the extra time. Raquel Aguilera, stylist and head of hairdressing at Tacha Beauty, strongly agrees: “This is the best method that exists to achieve good curls, as long as you use good washing and styling products. It is essential that they don’t contain sulfates, parabens or silicones, and that they hydrate and nourish curly hair well. With the bowl method you achieve marked curls, without frizz and very hydrated. Curly hair is usually dry and porous, which is why water combined with moisturizing products that can seal the cuticle works so well. In addition, it helps a lot to dry with a turban or a microfiber towel without using a heat source.” Sánchez adds: “This method is perfect for wavy or curly hair. In addition, it controls frizz and helps reduce the volume and the effect of electricity. With this technique we get curls with a very natural finish and a longer-lasting effect. It’s a very simple technique that leaves dry hair more hydrated, nourished, combed, soft and shiny.”

Can it be harmful?

In principle, this is a very effective, safe technique, but you still have to be careful. “It can be harmful if we don’t follow the steps properly, or if we don’t rinse our hair well. We should also not use the wrong products, because using sulfates would be a big mistake,” says Sánchez. If this method is done with products with sulfates, parabens and silicones, “we’ll achieve just the opposite: it will become dry and frizzy,” says Aguilera.

Wringing your hair can also have consequences. “If we do a lot of pulsing when our hair is so wet, we can damage the cuticle. That’s why you have to be careful not to overdo it and to squeeze only as many times as necessary, so that the cuticle and hair are not damaged,” says Arias.

Alternatives to the bowl method

For those who do not want to put in so much time into achieving defined curls, there are effective alternatives. “One of the best ways is to do it in the shower. You apply the product directly to the wet hair, detangle it and wring it. It looks good and is much faster than the bowl method,” says stylist Juanjo Gabriel.

If the idea of using a lot of dripping water to style your hair sounds too overwhelming, Arias suggests using a leave-in conditioner. “I prefer to use a mist to wet my hair until it clumps, then apply a leave-in conditioner with defining products. You don’t need something as elaborate as the bowl method. There are other solutions to avoid frizz, if we know the cause of the problem. For example, on humid days, our hair – which has a negative charge – is sure to frizz. To avoid this, before applying the defining gels we can put a layer of light oil on our wet hair, so that the water does not penetrate as much. If the cause of frizz is dehydration, it is best to nourish it. In addition to the mask, I recommend using a leave-in conditioner and sealing with a light oil. This creates an oily film around the cuticle that prevents moisture from escaping.” For Sánchez, controlling frizz depends on several factors: “It is important to use moisturizing and nourishing products, natural oils, a good shampoo, conditioner and mask. In addition, it is essential to cut the ends every three months and avoid heat tools.”