Clumping Help

Vanesha

Hi, I'm a 3b/3c, with high porosity and medium density. I need help finding a product to make my super frizzy hair clump more and frizz less. I read that since I have high porosity hair (and I live in the South) that I should use an anti-humectant. But should I use it on top of other products since it keeps moisture out and my hair gets dry? Idk! Help please!?

I've also tried the L.O.C. method, and I don't care for it. But it's the only thing that "works" so far. My hair is just dry and really poofy at the end of the day.

Vanesha

I've thought about trying an anti-humectant on top of the L.O.C. method and using a denmans brush to finger curl for more definition. But would that work?

Firefox7275

Are you confident of your hair properties, have you considered a microscope hair analysis from Komaza Care or Goosefootprints on Etsy? Note that the DIY porosity tests are junk science.

Have you clarified and chelated recently?

Are you using enough of a leave in conditioner rich in the major emollients (fatty alcohols, cationic surfactants)? These aid clumping and frizz control, for me far more than any styler.

Vanesha

Hi, Firefox! Thank you for the information. I didn't even know a hair analysis existed! Lol I'm definitely going to order that! I have recently cleansed my hair. I normally cowash once a week and cleanse once a month. And I'm not sure about emollients in my products. So far I've been using the L.O.C. method with:
L - Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk
O - Shea butter with tee tree and argan
C - Shea Moisture Curl Enhacing Smoothie

And I do that after using As I Am Cowash. I've also been only finger detangling.

Firefox7275

That sounds like a lot of oils and butters and few water soluble conditioning agents. Butters especially can build up. The major emollients (fatty alcohols, cationic surfactants) are responsible for softening, slip for detangling, some shine and are weak humectants so attract water. They can also act as emulsifiers (mix oil and water so cleanse hair of sebum), AND aid frizz control so really multi functional.

I am no expert on LOC but my understanding is it is to find a balance between water attracting ingredients/ moisturisers (humectants, major emollients) and occlusives/ sealants (oils, butters, waxes).

There is a list of common ingredients in categories in an article on the main NC site by 'curl chemist' Tonya McKay.