Once you curl your entire head, let it cool for a few minutes. “Letting curls cool in the curled position allows the hair to take shape,” Spino says. After this cooling period, go in with a bit of hairspray for extra layer of hold.
If you’re going for a looser, lived-in look, then you’ll probably want to shake out the curls a bit. Instead of using a brush, Spino recommends your own digits (consider them built-in tools). “You can now rake your fingers through to separate each curl,” she says. Only separate what you need and remember that the curls will fall a bit as the hours pass.
After you run your fingers through your strands, they’ll likely separate enough to reveal new area that hasn’t been touched by your finishing spray, so you’ll want to spritz one more time.