The “Bowl Method”, Or How To Create Beautiful Curls

For all curlies who struggle to style their hair, this gone-viral hairstyle tutorial reveals an unusual technique for sculpting beautiful curls using a simple accessory: a bowl.

“Every time I share this technique, so many people tell me how much it has helped them with their curls,” says “curlyzia” in her hairstyle tutorial that surpassed 14 million views on TikTok.

Unlike straight hair, curly hair is difficult to manage. It must be treated with extreme care and according to a challenging hair routine. However, to obtain beautiful silky curls with a good definition and a nice bounce, this very simple and accessible to all beauty hack is the answer.

The idea? "Lock in" moisture and shine by submerging the curls several times in a bowl filled with water. "It works best on wavy or loose curls, but it's still worth a try if you have a different hair type," advises the creator of the post.

The bowl method, step by step

If we are to believe the beauty tutorials that abound on the #bowlmethod hashtag on TikTok, this technique is relatively easy to do at home and only requires one tool: a basin, a large bowl, or a salad bowl.

Start by washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner as usual, then rinse and get out of the shower. Keeping the head down, apply a leave-in hair treatment and finishing cream to your curls. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water, then dip your lengths in it for a few seconds. Lift the head out of the water, then grab the strands in the palms of your hands, compressing them to create curls, always above the bowl. Repeat the same process four times. Finally, leave your hair to dry naturally.

A pro-approved method

“We always advise our clients to apply curl products to wet hair,” confirms Lizzie Carter, Founder & Director of Only Curls, in an interview with UK Stylist magazine. She says it helps "create smoother, frizz-free curls" that clump together better. So far, nothing revolutionary. So, what exactly is this this bowl method?

“The bowl method helps create beautiful tufts of curls,” says the expert, “because some of the product you apply will be rinsed out in the process, but since it goes back to the bowl you reuse, it will apply to the hair again". Consequently, the product penetrates into the hair fiber and is gradually diluted without completely evaporating, until the hair is well dried. Instead of being completely eliminated, the product stays on the lengths maximizing the benefits. But this is not the only benefit, according to the hairstylist: "The water will also help better absorb the formula in the hair, which will provide additional hydration."

The thousands of comments on the video are divided between fans of the bowl method and those just looking to believe it. “I did it once and everyone thought I had a perm. Thank you”, comments one user. “I did it and it made my dry hair so much healthier,” adds another.

Judging by the photos posted on Instagram by the creator of this beauty hack, who says to practice this gesture “with every wash”, the result looks rather convincing. It's important to note that this isn't the only hair routine she uses to tame her hair, since her TikTok account is packed with plenty of other hair care tutorials.