Okay, this may sound like a dumb question, but I have to ask it.

Okay, this may sound like a dumb question, but I have to ask it. I read all the time about methods of acheiving the best curls. One method I see mentioned all the time is where you put a quarter-size drop of gel in your palm and "finger-curl" your hair. Also, they mention that you shouldn`t scrunch your hair ever, because it supposedly breaks up the natural curl/wave of your hair. Now, how am I going to get a quarter-sized amount of gel all throughout and into my curly, thick, type2c/3a (see naturallycurly.com for more info on hair types) shoulder-length hair? And most importantly, what is finger-curling? Is it where you take the gel and slide it down the length of your curl? Or do you just do the ends? If that`s the case, how do you keep the amount of gel so small? (hahaha) I have found great success with L`oreal products, and I can`t imagine not rubbing mousse or gel into my hair. So, all you saavy curlies, please help clarify this for me! I`m pretty satisfied with my hair, just wondering on this. Thanks for your time!