Depends what result you want.
when i want really big hair- i apply a leave in or leave some conitioner in, let it air dry or diffuse a little until about 90% dry. take some aloe or ecostyler and rub in palms and smooth on crazy areas, for me the crown and my edges, adding only enough product to tame it a week bit cause i want big bouncy hair, then take a shine serum or oil and rub on hands and scruch through curls finish air drying or diffusing.
when iwant really defined long lasting curls -I add the leave in and rub a good amount, 3 fingers worth of aloe or eco styler to wet hair, use infger shower comb or demnan to define and seperate, flip head- diffuse air dry, flip hair again when 80% dry, add serum or oil finish drying
when i want a molded style- not normally- i will leave a little conditioner in my hair take a fat wad of ecostyler- not aloe- wont really work as well- distribute and style, air dry with a scarf or sit under a drier spray with sheen ( this is when i wear a low bun with a side part or something and my texture is still evident but the curls arent out.