As a curl stylist who’s tried almost every routine under the sun, I had to test the one making waves on the internet: Zendaya’s minimalist curly hair routine. No pre-treatment, no styling tools, no layering — just wash, curl cream, and go.
But does this routine work for all curl types?
Let’s break it down.
What is Zendaya’s Curly Hair Routine?
Here’s what she does (based on her viral video):
- Washes her hair
- Detangles with a wide-tooth comb on soaking wet hair
- Applies a generous amount of Miss Jessie’s Multicultural Curls Hair Lotion
- Wraps with a microfiber towel
- Diffuses till dry
That’s it.
No leave-in conditioner.
No gel nor sectioning or brush-styling!
It’s incredibly simple — and in a world full of 10-step routines, that’s refreshing.
But also… potentially problematic for certain curl types.
What Worked — and What Didn’t
❌ Detangling Without Conditioner?
One of the first things I noticed: she detangles without any product on soaking wet hair.
If I did that with my coarse, thick curls, I’d cause breakage.
Her texture is finer and low density, which makes this possible. But for most of us?
Always detangle with conditioner — ideally something with slip.
Pro Tip: If you want to mimic her routine, detangle during conditioning instead.
❌ Too Much Cream for Coarse Hair?
Zendaya uses a LOT of the “lotion”. Think of this product as being thinner than a cream, but thicker than a leave-in conditioner. While that might work for her finer hair, it’s not ideal for low porosity or thicker curls.
Especially because this product Miss Jessie’s Multicultural curls contains silicones — which I personally avoid near the scalp.
Silicones aren’t inherently evil, but they do:
- Build up over time
- Coat the strands and repel moisture
- Sometimes lead to scalp issues if not clarified properly
✅ Try a silicone-free cream instead. I love TreLuxe Curl Supreme or Bouncecurl Clump & Define Cream.
My Adjusted Version of Zendaya’s Routine
If you’re tempted to try this minimalist method, here’s how I tweaked it:
- Used an SLS-free clarifying shampoo
( Curly hair needs clarifying occasionally; coarse hair textures need more often) - Detangled with a hair mask in shower (if you have fine hair you can detangle with a conditioner)
— No tugging! - Used a smaller amount of a lightweight cream
— Suited for my low porosity hair (like Bounce Curl Clump and Define Cream)
— Helped lock in shape and reduce frizz - Diffused completely for volume and longevity (I used my Satin Diffusing cap instead, to save the effort!)
What About Zendaya’s Ends?
As a stylist, I couldn’t help but notice — her ends looked damaged.
That’s normal for celebrities constantly under heat and glam squads.
If your ends look dry, stringy, or dull, consider:
- Bond Repairing treatments like K18 or Olaplex in your wash routine
- Trimming regularly (If you don’t have a stylist you can trust, book a virtual haircut with me!)
- Using styling products with more protein (See the list in my products guide)
- Avoiding blowouts without protection
Does Zendaya’s Wavy Curly Routine Work?
Yes — but only for certain hair types.
Great for:
- Fine, low-density color treated and/or heat damaged curls
- Beginners just starting their curl journey
- Lazy wash days or travel-friendly routines
Needs tweaks for:
- Coarse or high-density curls
- Transitioning or color-treated hair
- Those who want definition or longevity
Zendaya didn’t mention how long her curls last or if she refreshes on Day 2.
For me, this routine gave nice volume, but not much longevity.
Final Thoughts from HonestLiz
I love that Zendaya shared her real self. No glam, no filters. That part? I’m all in.
But as a stylist, I know that one size doesn’t fit all. What works for her may not work for you — especially if your hair has a different texture, porosity, or density.
Still, there’s something beautiful about a stripped-down routine. If nothing else, it’s a reminder that curls don’t need to be over-complicated to look beautiful.
🔵 Products used in this video: Everything from BounceCurl! Use my code HONESTLIZ10 to save 10% Buy here.
Washing: Clarifying Shampoo , Hydradrench Conditioner, Ayurvedic Mask
Styling: Define EdgeLift Brush with Clump and Define Cream
• Microfiber cloth and the Diffusing Cap – code: HONESTLIZ
Tried This Routine?
Tell me how it went for you! Did you tweak anything?
DM me on Instagram — I’d love to feature your results.
And if you’re still figuring out what your hair needs, check out the links below for more info. I offer:
Digital Product Guides
1:1 Coaching for your exact hair type
Here’s to curl confidence—your way!💛
– HonestLiz