I'm an outlier here for several reasons, but I "do" mine everyday in some manner or other. And since you asked, I'll answer!
My hair is waist length, layered, medium thick, acts thicker. Never colored. Naturally wavy, and it holds curl well. I wash it on average once every 6 days, set it in hybrid pincurls/rag curls without the pins, and brush/style each morning. I'm hoping to grow it to about tailbone length.
When washing, I use Tresemme Climate Protect Shampoo (which is discontinued, and I am SO sad - I haven't found a replacement anything like it) and either the same conditioner or L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Balm. After washing, I turban my wet hair for some minutes, then comb out. Then add some product (Lottabody setting lotion, FrizzEase, and a few drops of oil on the ends), then set the curls. I take fairly large sections, roll over a 1" pipe, remove the pipe and tie a rag through the roll to hold the curl. I do only 13 curls for my whole head. I also set my bangs with a side-sweep. (Because my bangs are CRAZY if not set.) Then I sit under a bonnet hair dryer for 30-60 minutes while watching a TV show, and go to bed. These rag curls are the softest for sleeping on.
The first morning after setting, I take out the rags and carefully brush through with a Denman brush. My hair likes to tangle but the Denman is like a cross between a pick and a brush. I'll usually add just a little bit more product to smooth the frizz, either a few more drops of oil or something else.
Styling is the whim of the day, depending on what I feel like, what my hair wants to do (or doesn't!), what my outfit looks like, what the weather is doing, etc. In cool weather I like to wear most of the length down, though I almost never wear it completely down. Recently I've been using the real "Grip Tuth" combs to pull up the sides.
On successive days, with wind and humidity and brushing and sleeping and other handling, the curl relaxes from long tight ringlets to soft curls to loose curls to big waves ending in curls. It's fun to brush it each morning and play with it, and see what will work best. Sometimes on Day 4 or 5 I will use dry shampoo, if it's relaxed a lot but is "sticking" a little more than I'd like up by my scalp. Or sometimes I do braids. I just started combining updo braids with combs, and really like how face-framing it is. In summer I tend to put it all up, because of the heat, and because I love the look of a big high bun. I still curl when planning to put it up, because the curl gives it a lot of body and resilience to work with.
The big question you asked: I do this routine because I think it gives me the biggest bang for my buck. I do have to set aside an evening to wash and set, yes. But that's not really a problem to me. I watch something on Prime in the bathroom while actually setting the curls, and I watch TV and play computer games under the dryer. It's relaxing. And in the mornings, I don't ever have to fuss with tools. It's just a brush and comb and whatever pins or things I want to use. I rarely do something that takes more than 10 minutes, including the brushout. Not going to lie, it's not always easy; I do get bored with styles, I'm picky about what looks and feels good, and sometimes I try new things that fail and then I run a little late. But I've had very long hair most of my life. I'm happy with it and I enjoy doing different things and finding new looks.
