It can be difficult to create defined curls. And you seem to do everything according to the curl method, but unwanted fluff still forms. So why does it happen?
Here are 10 reasons for frizz ⬇️
1. Dry brushing: just say no
Not everyone realizes that running a comb through dry, styled curls will turn them into fluff. When brushing, the hair electrifies and the structural curls “break” into small, individual, unruly hairs that are called “fluff”. If you don't want that fluffy cloud on your head, it's best to set the comb aside. (But it can be used on wet hair while moisturizing).
2. Poor moisturization
More often than not, fluff is the result of dehydration.
Poor moisturization is one of the main causes of frizz. Don't spare water: conditioner helps with detangling the hair, but only a lot of liquid 💧 will provide good moisturizing 💧
Let's remember the moisturizing technique:
We'll need conditioner and a lot of water - it is this (and only this) that can infuse your curls with moisture.
💧 Gently detangle your hair without jerking, letting the product and water glide through your locks.
If the balance of product and liquid is right, there's no need to break up tangles. Just gently separate the curls into strands by adding plenty of water.
💧Brush the curls thoroughly with your hands, adding water. But not with the pressure of the shower, but a drip rinse from the palms of your hands.
It is at this stage that the hair will become like “seaweed” and “cooked pasta”.
3. Applying products to nearly dry strands
Hair is most prone to frizz when it is 70-90% dry. If you start doing a full-fledged style, for example, after a very long plopping, it can turn out frizzy.
Therefore, you should not wring out your curls before applying products. It is better to make sure that water drips from your hair.
Curls are very thirsty!
4- Using film-forming products
These are oils and silicones that accumulate on the hair, forming a dense, airtight film. This blocks moisture from entering the hair, making it very difficult to moisturize. If this happens, you should wash your head and hair with a deep-cleansing shampoo and remove products with film-forming ingredients from your care.
5. Bildup (overweighting) with proteins
Proteins are good for our hair. But if too much of them are present, curls can become drier, frizzier and tangled.
In the case of protein build-up, you also need to wash your scalp and hair with SHGO and minimize products that have hydrolyzed protein (proteins) in them. It can be recognized by the word “hydrolyzed” in the ingredients.
6. Sloppy drying process
Fluff forms during drying when we start fixing our hair, flipping it from side to side and pinching it. It is better to minimize such touches until it is completely dry.
During diffuser drying, the movements should be gentle and relaxed. Try not to touch the hair too vigorously until it is completely dry, so as not to prevent it from forming into defined curls.
An unsuitable diffuser can also cause frizz.
There are nozzles (e.g. with a flat platform) that blow out the hair a lot. In this case, it will be very difficult to achieve shaped curls.
7. Inappropriate textile
Pay attention to the fabric that touches your beautiful curls. Wear a silk scarf to protect against the collar of your jacket, choose satin or silk pillowcases.
Towels have an even greater effect on frizz. The pile of textiles absorbs moisture and products. The rate of absorption depends on the material of the towel, for example, cotton absorbs water from the curls very quickly, drying them out. This is what leads to the formation of fluff.
It is better to abandon standard terry towels in favor of microfiber towels. They will absorb excess moisture and products, leaving the right amount in the hair.
But you have to be careful with them, too. For example, classic plopping is best done for 5-15 minutes. The longer you leave your curls in a towel or hood for plopping, the less product and moisture you will get out, and the more fluff you will get.
Read how to choose a towel and how to plopping here.
8. Damage caused by hot styling
Heating temperature of irons, flat irons and other stylers = 180-220 degrees. A household hair dryer can heat up to 130 degrees. But even this is considered a critical mark, if we talk about continuous exposure in the drying process.
When the hair is exposed to the device heated to 180-220 degrees, we get evaporation of moisture + lipid protective layer from the surface and traumatize the hair. As a result: curls become dry and frizz is formed.
9. Increased humidity.
Strong winds and rainy weather require extra attention to styling. When hair is frizzy, it is literally reaching for the moisture that is in the atmosphere.
Unobvious but important: for curls to look wonderful during the raging elements they need to be well moisturized. Porous and dry hair frizzes and loses its curl when moisturized.
But in addition to quality moisturizing with plenty of water, you need to pay attention to the means you use for styling. In such weather, it is better to make a choice in favor of strong stylings that hold moisture in the curls. For example, like Curl Rock and Roll Firm Hold Gel.
The more water retained in the hair after washing, the more defined the curls will be. Curl Rock and Roll Gel seals water into your curls, leaving them supple and shaped.
Lifehack: to keep your hair free of moisture and unwanted frizz while bathing, you can wear a shower cap.
10. Incorrect haircuts and more....
Past haircuts that included filleting can cause hair in the same strand to be different lengths. This can also be a feature of curl growth.
In such a case, you should not actively pinch the curls. Try to apply products with your hands so that the dislodged hairs are “smoothed”. The technique of applying the product called “Praying Hands” will help - you need to put your palms together and iron the strand from top to bottom. In this way, styling is applied superficially, and the fluff is as if “stuck” to the main mass of hair. But this technique can slightly lengthen and straighten the curl.
Fluff is a natural occurrence on curly hair. Don't be afraid of it, rather learn the right techniques to minimize it and love every bit of your curls 🌀❤️