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Known for breathtaking tries and equally as impressive hair, Ellie Kildunne is surely one of the most electrifying figures in modern women’s rugby.
Bringing a certain flair to the pitch that’s impossible to look away from, the full-back has had viewers hooked with her unwavering skill and stunning, coiled curls.
That’s why, when watching the Red Roses open the Women’s Rugby World Cup with an incredible win over USA last week, I found myself googling her haircare routine to find out just how she gets her hair looking so stunning.
We’re talking big, bouncy curls and coils – effortless definition that’s to die for off the pitch, let alone on it.
And alas, dear reader, I found it. Ellie Kildunne uses (and I can’t say I’m surprised) Only Curls – specifically five Only Curls products.
Only Curls Ultimate Bundle
Snap up all of Ellie Kildunne’s favourites (plus a nourishing hair oil and microfibre towel) for less with this Ultimate Bundle. Featuring the All Curl Cleanser, Conditioner, Hydrating Curl Creme & Enhancing Curl Gel, Volumising Curl Mousse, Nourishing Hair Oil and Grey Microfibre Towel, you’ll have everything your curls need for a perfect wash day.
While her Instagram video titled ‘Due to popular demand… my hair routine xxxxx’ was posted in May of 2024, I’ve found no update since and went with this for simplicity.
Ellie’s curls are naturally stunning, but these products will be what brings the hydration and definition, ensuring her style lasts through tackles, tries and beyond.
Her routine begins with the Only Curls All Curl Cleanser and All Curl Conditioner – a curly hair shampoo and conditioner that help to cleanse, hydrate, detangle and soften strands for optimal curl prep.
She gives her hair a brush out the shower then follows up with the Hydrating Curl Cream, which she finger combs through her hair.
This curl cream is a best-seller for very good reason, boasting a nourishing and hydrating formula that works to smooth and build curls while minimising frizz.
Following this, Ellie finger combs through the Enhancing Curl Gel, which she tells us ‘doesn’t leave your hair crispy’ – a huge plus for us.
This oil infused, medium hold gel provides the ultimate curl definition without stickiness or crunch, helping to nourish hair and minimise frizz while it’s at it.
She gives her hair a scrunch and a dry with a t-shirt, which is ideal for reducing frizziness usually caused by towels. Alternatively, a microfibre hair towel will do equally as great a job.
After this, she applies the Volumising Curl Mousse which she scrunches into her curls.
This volumising, conditioning, protein-rich mousse helps to boost volume, smooth frizz and define curls – all with weightless hold.
And then onto the drying stage. Using a hair diffuser, Ellie’s self-proclaimed ‘best friend’, she gently dries the curls from the bottom up, drying the sides and flipping her hair forward then back to dry each area.
Finally, she teases her hair with an afro comb to define the shape and ‘Bob’s your uncle’! Her staple coils and curls are complete.
I tried it out for myself
I’ve got wavy/curly hair myself- nowhere near as coily and tight as Ellie’s but definitely with some definition and a lot more length.
As a hardcore lover of Only Curls’ Hydrating Curl Cream, I was more than ready to love this curly hair routine – and spoilers, I absolutely did.
The All Curl Cleanser and All Curl Conditioner prepped my hair perfectly for the styling products, and while there’s not too much to say about shampoo and conditioner, my hair felt clean and hydrated after stepping out the shower, which is all I can ask for.
As I knew it would, the Hydrating Curl Cream was the perfect first step out the shower, priming my hair perfectly for a grippier hold from the Enhancing Curl Gel, which built my curls up without any crunchiness or stickiness.
I could’ve stopped here in truth – my curls were already looking defined and bouncy. However, in true Ellie fashion I followed with the Volumising Curl Mousse, which I scrunched through easily, and plopped my hair up in a microfibre towel as I got ready for work.
While diffusing my longer hair with the hair dryer took a lot longer than it took on Ellie’s shorter hair, the results were just as impressive. I was left with big, bouncy and defined curls that truly blew me away.
My hair felt hydrated without feeling greasy or overburdened with products and stayed looking gorgeous and full-bodied all day.
Ellie Kildunne’s curly hair routine is 100% approved by me, that’s for sure.
Shop Ellie Kildunne’s Only Curls routine
Only Curls All Curl Cleanser 300ml
Make this All Curl Cleanser your everyday shampoo pick. This sulfate-free, gentle foaming shampoo has been designed for curly hair, working to hydrate as it cleanses to leave hair nourished and frizz-free.
Only Curls All Curl Conditioner 300ml
Perfect for all curl types, the All Curl Conditioner works to detangle, add shine and reduce frizz, leaving hair soft and ready for styling in seconds.
Only Curls Hydrating Curl Creme 250ml
This curl cream is a best-seller for very good reason, boasting a nourishing and hydrating formula that works to smooth and build curls while minimising frizz.
Only Curls Enhancing Curl Gel 250ml
This oil infused, medium hold gel provides the ultimate curl definition without stickiness or crunch, helping to nourish hair and minimise frizz while it’s at it.
Only Curls Volumising Curl Mousse 200ml
Finish your look off with the Volumising Curl Mousse, perfect for scrunching into your curls for a final flourish. This volumising, conditioning, protein-rich mousse helps to boost volume, smooth frizz and define curls – all with weightless hold.
Curly hair made easy.
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