Hair not curling :( (pics)

stine

Ok, I haven't been here in forever, so I hope this is the correct thread. I am going to go for a cut soon but as of now my 2c/3a hair isn't curling very much in the past year or so, especially on the top.
Its curly on the bottom, some ringlets in places, but the top layers are now 2c waves, some strands are almost straight. I seriously hate this right now, I miss when my hair was almost entirely ringlets nearly to the root (2 or 3 years back).
I currently condition with Aussie 3 min deep conditioner. I then scrunch about 2 small bouncy ball size blobs of Kinky-curly curling custard, then I scrunch in 2 nickel size puddles of Jessie Curl rocking ringlets. I plot overnight and am ready to go the next morning. With this, I have almost no frizz but little curl.
BTW, my hair loves protein, and its very, very fine and quite thin.
Any suggestions? As I said I'm going for a cut within the next 2 weeks, so maybe I need much shorter layers? I would like to keep my length if possible. Or should I try different styling methods/products? I would really appreciate any advice, I'm stumped!

Corrina777

I have hair that is very similar, so I can relate. The problem with hair on that wavy/curly border is that length can also play a huge part in curl pattern. 3a hair typically needs length to show ringlets, so short layers might not give you the results you're looking for. But long length can also pull out the curl pattern. I always found long plopping times to be a disaster for my hair- I ended up with all kinds of wonkiness. In general, I got the best tips from waives, who have the similar issue of water weight pulling their hair straighter.

[email protected]

Since your hair loves protein, have u tried a protein treatment? Is your hair mushy? It might be over conditioned. I also have fine hair and it get's weighed down easily. Maybe try less or lighter products? These are all just suggestions:-) i hope you figure things out:-)

stine

All you ladies have such gorgeous hair!
Corrina77, I'll check out the type 2 boards and try out some tips for water weight. And I'll try showering in the morning so I don't plop all night. Thanks!

[EMAIL="[email protected]"][email protected][/EMAIL], its not over moisturized, or protein lacking. The conditioner I use has the right amount of protein for my hair. But I could try a protein treatment, I'll do some looking for a good recipe.

If anything else, does anyone have any suggestions for lighter weight products with a lot of hold? I did back off a on product last night on my canopy and saw some curl improvement all over, but my hair needs a lot of hold or else it frizzes like no other.

laura1982

My hair seems very similar to yours....

Pics of shorter & longer hair...
ImageUploadedByCurlTalk1376424672.469574.jpg
ImageUploadedByCurlTalk1376424681.943153.jpg

Corona is right - length and cut can make all the difference.

I only used light weight products - they tend to be the more runny/thin products (curl creams, gels, mousse) - I only ever use one styling product on my hair - it's my golden rule!

My products contain protein but I still do a protein treatment every week - it makes a noticeable difference...

I've given up on long hair as I don't want to sacrifice the volume and bounce I get with shorter curls!

HTH

Corrina777

My favorite hold products have three things in common: they're gels, they're thinner in consistency, and they have protein. My current favorites are Curl Junkie Curl Queen, Deva Ultra Defining Gel, and GVP Liquid Sculpting Gel (at Sally's). I find the thinner gels encourage thinner clumps, which keeps my curls from being weighed down.
I also second the idea of more protein. I've been amazed at how protein-craving my hair is. I use protein rich conditioners every time I cleanse, usually use protein in my styling products, and have been using Spiral Solutions Protein Treatment as my LI. When I do the gelatin PT, I use 4 packets of gelatin in 1/4 cup water and add NPF an ION Effective Care and blow dry it into my hair. I have never been over-proteined, even when I intentionally tried.

wavydaze

I second trying a PT!

I also second thinner/runnier styling products. You may think you need more hold (as in hard-hold gels, pv/pa polymers) but actually you may find your hair springs up more with lighter styling products... while the heavier gels may weigh it down too much. At least this is what I've found and I have fine hair too. Have you tried FSG? I love it because it doesn't weigh me down. Look into gelly-gels (film-formers) as opposed to hard hold gels. You may or may not need a leave-in conditioner.

You may also have some buildup which is effecting your curl pattern, whether mineral or otherwise. Maybe not a bad idea to reset.

wavydaze

laura1982 wrote: »

My hair seems very similar to yours....

Pics of shorter & longer hair...
ImageUploadedByCurlTalk1376424672.469574.jpg
ImageUploadedByCurlTalk1376424681.943153.jpg

Corona is right - length and cut can make all the difference.

I only used light weight products - they tend to be the more runny/thin products (curl creams, gels, mousse) - I only ever use one styling product on my hair - it's my golden rule!

My products contain protein but I still do a protein treatment every week - it makes a noticeable difference...

I've given up on long hair as I don't want to sacrifice the volume and bounce I get with shorter curls!

HTH

Your hair is adorable!

curlicious13

My current HG gels are: aloe Vera gel & Softee olive oil conditioning gel. I like them because they're light weight & give great hold.

stine

Wow thank you all!
I did shampoo (which my hair only seems to need once in a great while) and use an ACV rinse last Friday. Maybe I should ACV rinse more often? Right now I do it every month or so.

I will definitely try a PT later this week when I finish my summer class and have more time. Although, I have over-proteined before. And I will look into these products, now I'm wondering if my problem is the kinky curly weighing down my hair.
I will experiment with products, and a PT before I get my hair cut. I'm just afraid I could make the problem worse if I chop it all off.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Jessie Curl rocking ringlets like FSG?

At time like this I wish there was a manual that came with my hair.

curlicious13

I would be very careful using an acv rinse because it can damage your hair if used too often. It used it once to clarify & afterward my hair was dry & crunchy. I only used 1/2 tablespoon of acv & a half sink full of water. It also made my hair shed. Instead use a clarifying shampoo.

chupie

That seems like a looooot of KCCC to me...

Korkscrew

Yeah, I think there's something to the idea of pulling back from the KCCC. KCCC is great for locking in moisture but can really weigh down hair that's fine and/or doesn't have a naturally strong curl pattern. ... I'd try drastically reducing the amount used, or maybe just walk away from it for a minute to see if your curl pattern returns.

stine

I'll stop using KCCC for a while and see how it goes. I'll give an update in a few days. I'm going back home to terrible internet coverage so it may be a while before I get back on.

Katiestringp

Aw I hope you figure it out. I just saw this post and am having the exact same issue. I honestly have 3b hair and on the top now it's not curling at all, however I have curls on the bottom layer and just at the front of my hair!

stine

Good news!! (sorry for the long delay)
I did a protein treatment, stopped using KCCC, even washed my hair in the morning, and I saw no improvements. However, Friday I had to wash my hair at night, but right after I plopped I realized that I forgot to do some stuff, so I took my hair out of the plop for about an hour after plopping for 5 mins. Since sleeping on my wet hair would damage it, I decided to plop again for the night and went to sleep. The next morning I found volumous curls, and I could see improvement to the roots. I styled with mouse and a little hair spray. I've done this 3 times and my hair has withstood wind, humidity, 100 degree heat, all about a normal Nebraska summer. I am currently experimenting with times and products as it's still not quite curling at the roots, but its much better.
I do not have a picture at this time, hopefully tomorrow! Thanks all!

chupie

Hey I'm in NE too! Glad the curls are back.

Korkscrew

Happy to hear it