I just started my natural hair journey again and am having some struggles. My first wash day was pretty defined until a shook out the root of the curls and then they just lost all their volume and definition on the right side of my head (photo 4). I have issues with the top layer not curling. Styling with a brush on my second wash day helped the pattern start closer to the root, but I was running late to work and couldn't dry/gel cast properly (photo 3). I'm testing out some products to see what works for me but can use any help I can get!

Things I know: my hair is low porosity, very thick and heavy, not fine. I've been told I have a combination of 2b and 2c. I style it for waves but can always improve! It has only 2 wash days so far lol

My routine:

1. Shampoo and conditoner: ichikami moisturizing line. I shampoo twice.

2. Rizzo curl defining cream: a half palm amount on my entire head. Sometimes more if I feel it needs it. I do praying hands then scrunch this in.

3. The doux mousse def foam: around 2 handfuls of this on my head. I like this but around halfway full the bottle always stops foaming. I tried the rizzo curl defining hair Mousse today and wasn't a huge fan. Felt like I needed to add more and more to get definition and my hair felt dry after. I might try this before cream next.

4. Gel- the first 2 pics do not have gel. I used to use uncle funky curl stimulator, liked it ok. Tried ouidad humidity control gel today and liked it, but was late to work and couldn't let it form a cast. I will be trying this again.

5. Sea salt spray, liberally on entire head. Scrunch in. Scrunch again with old t-shirt. Air dry.

I got about 4-5 days of definition and then needed a wash. Usually wash my hair 2x a week. 

I do not protect my hair while I sleep, and I do not refresh. Usually don't need to. I will be getting a bonnet soon thought, as well as a diffuser, which I think will help a lot with the definition. Thanks in advance!

Help with routine?