Curlies always talk about getting frizz under control. Getting your curls into nice clumps also means getting rid of frizz: If you get your strands of hair to stay within one clump and go along the same curl pattern your hair won’t look frizzy.
The problem of not getting your curls to clump nicely can either mean not having any clumps at all or having too many small clumps. If you’re not one of the lucky ones automatically getting nice clumps I’ve got some tips for getting your curls to clump nicely:
- If your curls don’t want to build any clumps at all making your hair look like “one piece” you need to get your curls to form smaller clumps. You can best achieve smaller clumps by raking in your products while washing and styling your hair. Make sure to rake in all your conditioner getting your hair into small clumps and then don’t rinse your hair after raking it anymore. Continue by adding your styler by raking it in your curls to split up existing clumps even further.
- If your curls always split up in very small clumps you need to apply some clump-enhancing techniques: After you’ve detangled your curls by raking in your conditioner you need to rinse your curls again with water making them soaking wet. Be careful when adding your styler as not to rake your hair at all! This will make your clumps split up and you’ll be ending up with lots of small clumps. Applying your styler works best by just adding it to the “outside” of your curls by moving along your hair (make sure not to split up any curls with your fingers)! To make sure all your curls are coated with your styler put your head upside down and scrunch your curls a few times before drying your hair.
Depending on how you like your curls to look you can try the first or the second tip or feel free to experiment with a combination of these tips. Remember there’s not a perfect degree of clumping – however you like your curls to clump is the best way for you. As far as I’m concerned I don’t like my curls to all be perfectly clumped, but I like having some of them not going along with my clumps to make my hair look more voluminous.
September 14, 2014
I have thin, curly, color treated hair. I do not use a hair dryer anymore and let my hair dry normally. Any tips on how to make my hair look fuller?
September 14, 2014
I suggest you to diffuse your curls. For me this makes a huge difference in volume! Blow-dry your curls upside-down until they’re totally dry, add some clips to get more root volume (I’m planning a post about this) and then shake your hair a bit to loosen it up. Also make sure you use a styler that won’t weigh down your hair (even a leave-in conditioner can weigh fine hair down). Let me know it any of these tips worked for you 🙂
September 18, 2014
Hi there! Can you recommend a leave-in conditioner for fine hair? I have fairly similar hair to yours (3A) but I think it might be a little bit thinner and finer. Also, can you describe what you mean by “raking” a little better? Do you mean finger-combing? I’m new to your blog so I’m sorry if you already explained this on another post (I clicked the link on this post but still don’t quite understand). I’m happy I found your site, my hair has been driving me crazy so you might see me asking questions here and there 😉 Thanks for the advice! P.s. I follow you on Instagram now too!
September 18, 2014
Thanks for your feedback! It’s nice to hear you like my blog 🙂
I think the Curl Junkie leave-in is pretty light. Are you sure you need a leave-in? If you like to get more volume I suggest not using a leave-in (of course only if you’re curls have enough moisture).
Yes, by raking I mean finger-combing! I’m planning a post on how to best detangle your curls.
September 18, 2014
Thanks for your response. You raise a good point – I’m not sure I need a leave-in conditioner since most of the time my curls are able to retain moisture (I don’t color treat my hair), but I DEFINITELY need a detangler. I’ll be looking forward to your post on this topic. Product suggestions too please 🙂
May 10, 2015
So, my issue is that my curls (2c-3a) are so baby fine that when I rinse, whether upside down or right side up, it basically clumps into one chunk – essentially one lovely, full ringlet! Clearly, I need to break that sucker up. But as soon as I do, whether by scrunching or raking (with product, usually KCNT)), the frizz starts. My other issue with having baby fine long hair is that even if I get the clumps broken up nicely (I’m finding a rake and shake is working best these days), I then stand up and my hair falls down, and the wet curls stick to my back, which destroys the pattern – it doesn’t take much! Enjoying your blog!
May 25, 2015
Hi there. Is there a video about the clumping technique?
May 25, 2015
Hi Angela, no I didn’t do a video on how I get my curls to clump. But you might want to watch my video about applying gel, because it also shows how you can apply gel to your curls without combing it in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q03iMYHSDdo
June 25, 2015
so do yozu wash your hair everyday? because my hair is curly swell but i just can’t preserve nice curls overnight…
June 25, 2015
Hi Carla, no I don’t – I wash my curls about every 3 days! Read these posts to see how I style them on second days: https://www.justcurly.com/curly-tips/revive-your-second-day-curls-without-heat/ or https://www.justcurly.com/curly-tips/how-to-get-perfect-second-day-curls/ hope one of these techniques work for you!