What to do to hold my waves/curls??

I need help!! My hair is about shoulder length, with long layers, but it also thick. I've always blow-dried my hair until recently when I decided to try something different. My hair has some natural curl, so after I washed it, I used some gel and scrunch dried it. The curl/wave looked cute for awhile, but as it dried it sort of fell out and became frizzy. What to do??? Should I blow it dry with a diffuser and add more gel?? Any product or styling suggestions?!?!? thanks.

Having curly hair forever, I have found that EVERY single step I take in styling my hair can make a big difference in my results. Let me start with briefly describing my hair. It is to my waist, and I have layers from above my chin down. My hair has been permed until 5 years ago, when I discovered the natural wave I had, could replace the perms I had been getting for years - I will explain what I have to do though. My hair and texture is normal, medium in thickness. Honestly between me and you (not trying to sound conceited - for reals) I know I must be doing something right because I am always getting compliments on my hair.

I wash my hair with Suave (yeah, I know but it REALLY works and I don't buy it because it's cheap either - but hey that parts a plus!) 2 in 1 Moisturizing (red label and it's the Salon Performance edition) then I condition my hair with Suave Salon Performance healthy shine (green label). I usually leave the conditioner in while I shave or wash the rest of my body - I always rinse with lukewarm water as really hot water strips your hair.

I get out of the shower and I comb out my hair with a double rounded comb (it's very gentle on hair and it seperates the strands better for bigger defined curls). I have found that when you brush out your hair prior to styling, it makes a difference on how your style turns out. So if you brush with a bad comb, your hair may look unhealthy due to tangles or from too much pulling on your hair. Also, if you brush your hair back instead of parting, this eleminates a part, and it may give you more volume on top. Or you can even try doing a zig zag look at this point, or a part on the side, middle, etc if you prefer.

Okay, so after my hair is brushed out, I flip my hair over and scrunch with my towel just a few times. This helps give it extra curl (if this is what you need). Then I put my hair up in the towel. By the time my makeup is complete, my hair is ready to be done - or ready to begin I should say.

First I take the towel off of course. It should not be dry anywhere at this point, just completely damp. Then I use mousse and scrunch scrunch scrunch. I'm using Aussie right now, but there are many that I like... then I put gel in my hair (not too much), from my roots to the ends. Again, just a small squeeze. Then I spray with a very good max. hold non-areosol hair spray. A real good one my stylist uses is Alterna Enzymetherapy Max. hold finishing spray. All of this is done without flipping my hair upside down yet. Now I'm ready to blowdry. A MAJOR must for curly hair is a diffuser. I can not stress how crappy my hair would look if I did not own one. Trust me!! I'm scruching and diffusing now like crazy. When my hair is practically dry, that's when I flip my hair upside down and do more scrunch and diffuse, especially to get more curl on my roots. Okay, now I'm done and I just pick through my hair and spray.

This way of styling gives me long lasting curls and alot of volume sicne my hair is so long. Also, it doesn't give a ratted or wet look, instead the scunching gives it a bouncier natural curl. I hope if other's try it, it works just as well for them. I know it sounds like I go to drastic measures, but it is not as crazy as it sounds. Please let me know if it does or doesn't work!!!!