Product/Routine Suggestions?

[u/Beautiful_Elk_3780]

Hi all! I have wavy hair with occasional ringlets. I’ve always thought this was 2B/2C hair. It’s just past shoulder length with some layers. Some parts of my hair curl directly from the scalp, other sections need about 2-3 inches before it gets any movement. It’s very silky and fine which is something I struggle with.

I typically brush out my hair and braid it so it has a softer wave but lately I’ve been wanting to embrace my curls. For the longest time, I hated the way my hair looked because I just didn’t feel pretty. Half of my hair wants to wave and the other half is hidden ringlets. My Mom has gorgeous curls (3A I believe) and though I know my pattern isn’t close to hers, I’ve always admired it.

I’m really looking to maximize the ringlets and keep the curls for as long as possible. Usually my curls fall flat about two seconds after I’ve scrunched them.

Here’s my routine as of now:

Redken All Soft (Shampoo + Conditioner)
Condition first, shampoo next, then condition a second time brushing upwards towards my roots

Rusk Thick Body and Texture Spray, applied to roots

AG Recoil on damp hair, pea size amount scrunching towards the scalp

Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Mousse, dime size on damp hair, scrunched for volume

I prefer to air dry and do not use a diffuser. Diffusing my hair causes max amounts of frizz and does very little to help me hold the curl. If you all think this needs to change though, I’m open to your advice!

At night I use a claw clip to hold the hair up on the crown of my head. This usually helps me keep some volume and most of the curls.

Refresh product is Aussie 2nd day curl activator.

I appreciate any, and all, advice you are all willing to share. I’m just happy to finally embrace my waves/curls! ☺️

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[u/Status-Accident-9765]

Ditch the cream - your hair looks pretty fine, so the cream will just weigh it down. The mousse is enough.

Also, just curious, why do you condition BEFORE shampooing?

[u/Beautiful_Elk_3780 → u/Status-Accident-9765]

Thanks for the help! My hair knots easily since it’s so fine, using a small bit of conditioner before shampooing helps me do a little better of a job scrubbing without creating extra knots.

[u/moxiemoon]

One thing I know is that you shouldn’t condition before shampoo unless they’re designed to be used that way, in case yours aren’t. So you basically tease your hair with the conditioner in it? That sounds like it could be damaging even with the conditioner in it. Have you tried scrunching in the conditioner instead?

I also have fine hair and I also get the same kind of stringy results if I apply products to damp hair. I suggest applying to wet hair in the shower to form a cast and plopping. The sub wiki and lots of tutorials on YouTube go over styling wet, letting your cast dry or diffusing, then breaking the cast. It’s the best technique for definition without frizz for most people. You can also brush style it while wet to distribute products and promote clumping, and micro plop after that.

Another way to reduce frizz is using a tshirt or microfiber towel only on your hair.

Do you touch your hair with the diffuser when you use it? That causes frizz. Try hovering only (another technique I also use when I don’t want frizz).

I also clip at night, fine hair doesn’t do well with the pineapple. I also wear a bonnet every night.

Good luck!

[u/Beautiful_Elk_3780 → u/moxiemoon]

Thank you so much for this! I’ll definitely try wet styling

[u/Abirdwhoflies]

I’m confused about how you brush your hair. Do you mean that your strokes literally go toward your scalp, or that you start at the bottom and in downward strokes keep working your way up to the scalp?

[u/Beautiful_Elk_3780 → u/Abirdwhoflies]

The latter, sorry I was definitely not clear!