Summarize:

When you're curling with braids or buns, it's best to start with wet hair. Wash your hair as you normally would, and then towel dry it slightly so it's not dripping. If you don't want to wash your hair, use a spray bottle with water to get your locks fairly damp before you start the curling process. If your hair doesn't hold curls well, you may want to spray a texturizing spray on your wet hair before moving on. That added texture in your hair can help it curl more easily. In order for the curls to take hold, your hair must dry completely. That's why you may prefer to braid your hair or put it in buns at night, so you can leave them in place overnight to ensure that they're totally dry. You don't necessarily have to start the process at night. Because braids and buns are hairstyles that you would wear out of the house, you can also go out while you're waiting for your hair dry and curl. If you need your curls in a hurry, you can help the drying process along by using a blowdryer on your hair.
Wet your hair. Allow your hair to dry completely.