Cocktail or Combo?
Unlocking the Best Curl Results
Curly hair is beautifully unique, but it also comes with its own set of challenges—frizz, dryness, definition, and hold (just to name a few). That’s why so many curlies use multiple styling products in their routine. But when it comes to styling, you’ve probably heard two approaches: cocktailing and combining ( also known as layering) products.
So, what’s the difference, and which method is best for your curls? Is there a right and a wrong way to love on your curls and get the results you desire? Rizos Curls lets you in on the routine we live by but don't worry, if it is different than what you do to acheive the best curls of your life...do you! If you like it, we love it!
What is Cocktailing?
Cocktailing means mixing two or more products together in your hands before applying them to your hair. Think of it as creating your own custom formula.
Example: Blending and mixing a cream styler with a holding gel in your palms, then applying the mixture throughout your curls.
Proposed Benefits of Cocktailing:
Saves time by applying fewer steps.Creates a unique blend for your specific curl needs.Helps balance texture—for example, mixing a moisturizing cream with a gel for softness + hold in one step.
Things to Keep in Mind:
Not all products mix well—sometimes ingredients clash, causing flaking or a sticky feel.Harder to know which product gave you the results you loved (or didn’t love).Can dilute each product’s performance.
Proposed Benefits of Cocktailing Products
Cocktailing products definitely saves time by applying fewer steps in your overall routine. If time is of the essence, caoktailing can be a game changer. Especially when you are running behind and need to trim a few minutes off your morning getting out the door!
When cocktailing products , this can create a unique blend for your specific curl needs. Some find that mixing their products together in their hands before applying give them a very personal blend of stylers to address their specific needs.
Do the most with the least amount of steps! Some feel cocktailing helps balance texture—for example, mixing a moisturizing cream with a gel for softness + hold all in one step.
Things to Keep in Mind When Cocktailing
⚠️ Not all products mix well—sometimes ingredients clash, causing flaking or a sticky feel. The water and oil ration in each product can cause the mixture to react making it undesireable to use.
✨If you are a fan of cocktailing, but are unsure if certain products play well together, mix a small amount of each product on the back of your hand. If it gets chunky and begins to resemble a cottage cheese type texture, the products do not work well being mixed together. They may be great products, but best results will be acheived when applied separately and given their own time to shine.
⚠️ Harder to know which product gave you the results you loved (or didn’t love).
✨This is especially true with allergic reactions or skin irritations. If products are mixed prior to application and you have a reaction, it is a challenge to narrow down the culprit.
⚠️ Can dilute each product’s performance.
✨With mixing products, you never are sure how individual product or ingredients enhance or decrease overall results. Narrowing down a routine can be a challenge if pre-mixing your styling products into one application.
What's a Custom Curl Combo?
A custom curl combo or in simple terms, combining products (sometimes called layering) means applying them one after the other, letting each product do its job.
✨ Example: First applying Rizos Curls Refresh & Detangle Spray for moisture, then Curl Defining Cream for definition, and finishing with Strong Hold Gel for long-lasting hold. Giving each product their moment by applying in sequence.
Proven Benefits of a Custom Curl Combo
✅ Each product works at full strength with full perofmance benefits.
✨Products are typically formualted to provide ingredient benefits and performance results and are tested individually to earn their claims. Rizos Curls prioritizes consumer opinions and clinical studies where applicable, and aim to get detailed feedback and findings on each individual product in their collection. We want you to geth the most out of every drop of Rizos Curls!
✅ Using the combo style of application is easier to troubleshoot you curl issues—if your curls need more moisture or stronger hold, you’ll know what to adjust.
✨ If applying each product by layering one at a time, you can also be through with your application making sure every strand receives product. Layering paired with techniques like rake & scrunch, prayer hands and curl clumping with a brush can ensure even coverage and optimal results.
✅ This application style helps to keep things predictable, and give consistent results.
✨Once you find what works, you want to be able to count on that combo time and time again. Finding that lock in routine is critical for eliminating the stress and axiety that can come with styling textured hair.
You have a big event and want to recreate the perfect curls you had last week...solidify your Custom Curl Combo for the same results time after time!
Custom Curls Combo: Step by Step
STEP #1: MOISTURE
Start on wet hair ( not damp) and apply a moisturizer to jump start banishing frizz & detangling. Think of this as your prep step.
Refresh & Detangle Spray or Heat Protectant Multivitamin Leave In (or both!) Those with medimu to thick hair can use both. Those with thinner, finer hair that weighs down easily may opt to use one.
STEP #2: STYLER
Curl Defining Cream
Curl Defining Mousse
Curls Custard
Apply stylers by raking in to ensure even application and finishing by scrunching up towards the roots to encourage definition. Scrunch, scrunch, scrunch!
✨Want your waves wavier and your curls curlier? Spray Beach Waves Texturizing Sea Salt Spray to roots and length of hair after adding styler.
STEP #3: HOLD
Light Hold Gel
Strong Hold Gel
With the prayer hands technique, glaze the length of the hair with a gel to give the hold you desire. Make sure you glide hands down hair all the way to the ends. Don't forget to scrunch, especially because prayer hands can stretch out your curl pattern.
Step #4 DIFFUSE
Pink Collapsible Diffuser
For max volume and max definition, you must diffuse your curls and waves. Low to medium heat is best and do your best to not disrupt the curls while drying. Diffuse in sections starting with your head flipped upside down to dry your roots off the scalp. Flip hair side to side, diffusing each side until dry.
Step #5: Finishers
Alcohol Free Hairspray
Sleek Styling Cream+ Taming Wand
Nourish Oil
Polish off your look by setting it with hairspray that will still give volume with flexible hold. Edges and any frizz that needs taming are perfect with the taming wand and seals your end and add brilliant shine to your hair with our essential oil blend.
Cocktail or Combo...My Curls Ain't Curling!
Using your tried & true combo and curls aren't the same? It's time to clarify!
1-2x a month, clarifying your hair with Rizos Curls Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp & Hair Rinse will restore the pH to your scalp, remover build up and excess oil that can weigh hair down and hinder your styling results. This gentle clarifying rinse also restores shine and radiance to your strands.
The Bottom Line
Cocktailing = Mixing together before applying.
Combo = Layering products in steps.
There is no wrong answer if you are happy with your results. However, Rizos Curls suggests layering products or using a Custom Curl Combo to acheive your best waves, curls & coils.
Each individual application step allows you to get the most from every formula creating the hair you love. All Rizos Curls products are compatible and complementary and work well together.