Curl Definition and Porosity

BellaPetite

Are you all having issues with curl definition? The roots of my hair are super frizzy but the ends of my hair are super defined curls. What's the deal? Is there a product (yes i'm a PJ) to fix this?

*Marah*

Hello there BellaPetite,

Hope I can help you. I personally don't have issues with curl definition or frizz but I DO have high porosity hair. My trick is to close cuticle, moisturize, then seal. I'm not a PJ so I can't tell you nine gillion products in this and that line.

What I can tell you is that for some high porous hair..frizz is often an issue not only at the roots but everywhere. High porosity hair can look very frizzy if the cuticle is not closed and the hair isn't sealed in some way. What could be the cause of your frizzy roots but super defined curls is that you aren't moisturizing and sealing your hair closer to the roots enough.

A lot of people are really into focusing on their ends which is great because that's how you retain length but I'm an advocate of focusing on the ENTIRE head of hair (as well as the scalp) because growth begins growing down from the roots. So I actually moisturize all my hair and seal all of it root to tip. What I'm careful about is NOT getting any product on my scalp.

I make sure my hair cuticle is closed (I use cold water or you can use a small amount Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with water.) Then I use regular water based silicone free conditioner as a leave-in and then I apply a natural oil. I personally use an organic castor oil and organic olive oil mixture to seal. For me, it's the perfect combo to seal my hair and keep in moisturized for many many hours. I use other oils sometimes though specifically almond oil, macadamian nut oil, etc.

I never seal with Coconut Oil or Jojoba Oil.


Best wishes with everything and I hope this helps you out some.

sapphirestarr14

I've tried sealing my hair because I get the same problem as the op, but it didn't really do anything... Then I realized I needed to increase my moisture levels also. My hair was really dry and I was just putting water then an oil on top... Big mistake. Now I take a little of my moisturizing dc and seal with some evoo and it works pretty well.

Sent from my Evo 4G using CurlTalk App

QtBoutique

Honestly, I think that might have more to do with your hair's age than your porosity. I have the same issue and I've come to the conclusion that curl units don't grow in exactly the same pattern (or close enough to the same pattern that they can actually clump together) until they reach a certain age.

I made a post about this very subject on my blog if you wanna check it out. http://aaliyahlanae.blogspot.com/2011/08/naturally-curly-hair-growth.html That's the exact post, but you can also get to my blog through the link in my siggy. HTH!!

BellaPetite

Thanks ladies!! This was helpful...I've been doing twist outs lately to get a more defined look. And to keep my hair soft and looking more natural i use the shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie. Olive oil works wonders for my hair as well...Thanks again. and i am def. checking out the blog as we speak!

coco_bunny

BellaPetite wrote: »

Thanks ladies!! This was helpful...I've been doing twist outs lately to get a more defined look. And to keep my hair soft and looking more natural i use the shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie. Olive oil works wonders for my hair as well...Thanks again. and i am def. checking out the blog as we speak!

If you hair loves olive oil I recommend also Almond and Safflower oil. I get them from my local super market. My hair is highly porous and adding these other oils with my olive oil has helped me out tremendously with cutting frizz and dryness. I put these oils on right after I wash my hair and before any leave-in or gel.

Also I agree with the others about ACV rinses. That's probably the one thing that's corrected my porosity the most. It's also helped me a ton w/ my dandruff, keeping my hair from losing moisture, and breakage.

Hope this helps

bellavie

I have the same issue but I've never tried the cold water and or apple cider vinegar. I'll have to test that one out.
Julie

Curly Sara

coco_bunny wrote: »

BellaPetite wrote: »

Thanks ladies!! This was helpful...I've been doing twist outs lately to get a more defined look. And to keep my hair soft and looking more natural i use the shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie. Olive oil works wonders for my hair as well...Thanks again. and i am def. checking out the blog as we speak!

If you hair loves olive oil I recommend also Almond and Safflower oil. I get them from my local super market. My hair is highly porous and adding these other oils with my olive oil has helped me out tremendously with cutting frizz and dryness. I put these oils on right after I wash my hair and before any leave-in or gel.

Also I agree with the others about ACV rinses. That's probably the one thing that's corrected my porosity the most. It's also helped me a ton w/ my dandruff, keeping my hair from losing moisture, and breakage.

Hope this helps

What is "ACV" rinse?



Sent from my HTC Desire using CurlTalk App

Samanthascurlz

Everyone is using this word: "porosity," what is it exactly? And how do you know?

Honeycurls

bellavie wrote: »

I have the same issue but I've never tried the cold water and or apple cider vinegar. I'll have to test that one out.
Julie

Me, too. Well, I don't know about the cold water, though...maybe in the summer! I've had ACV on my shopping list for about a week...I've been worried in the past about it drying my hair out. I thought that conditioners were supposed to close the cuticles...?

Will try the ACV and report back.

curlypearl

Definitely post back and tell us what way/how much you used. I've never tried ACV - I'm always afraid it will dry out my hair.

Talma

OMG Finally someone who has the same problem that I have been dealing with for the last 3 years! I have what I believe to be 3C/4a mix (not sure though) high porosity hair that is waist length when fully stretched but boomerangs right back up to arm pit length when worn in a WnG.

I've tried the Curly Like Me method to deal with this problem but it gave me bullet proof hair if I applied enough conditioner to kill the frizz that goes from roots to mid-shaft and left my hair fro'ed out if only a moderate amount of conditioner was used. You may think I exaggerate but it felt like plastic coils. Literally the upper half of my hair will frizz out to the point of being an afro and the bottom half of my hair will lie in cute little ringlets just like Side Show Bob...my hair's mocking me I tell you! :tongue1:

Anyway, ACVs when I tried them in the past left my hair super dry and feeling like straw. Cold rinses gave me headaches. Moderate hold gels like LA Looks Nutra Curl (#8 hold) gave me similar results as the Curly Like Me method but not as stiff and still with frizzy roots...I would apply the gel over a LI (Shea Moisture)

I'm now starting to use a protein conditioner for the porosity problem and will try coconut oil as a sealer to see how my WnGs look. So far the protein LI alone isn't the best but I've only tried it once. I haven't worn my hair unstretched in over a year but have been using coconut oil for heavy oiling the night before wash day, Co washing (or lo-pooing), apply heavier conditioner as a LI, detangle with a paddle brush for more defined curls, set in 6-8 braids and air dry overnight. Braid out and go. This leaves my hair moisturized and my curl pattern stays pretty close to what it is when wet. (for some reason the curls don't conform to the shape of the braids too well.) This is the best way that I have found to counteract the frizz and shrinkage. By day 4 the curls are stringy but it's time to wash again anyway.

I've also just read a thread about spritz & condish and it supposedly helps with frizz a lot. I was planning to give it a go next wash day.

frmpresstocurly

I am having the same problem. Frizzy roots defined ends. I do the CG method, different gels and I did the aphogee two step yesterday nothing has seemed to help. This is very frustrating. Help please

Greatcurls

This was frustrating to me as well, but I learned that making sure the roots are covered is just as important as the ends.

**Use a leave-in before styler (If your hair is very dry)
**Make sure the styler makes your hair (roots)
feel slippery.

Choosing the right products makes a difference as well. Sometimes using two styling products may be needed as well.