Clump Size and Curl Pattern

So lately I made a major change in how I did my hair. Instead of letting the hair dry clumped together (I thought it needed it for strength), I broke apart the clumps more with my hands before applying product. The end result is that my hair is less weighed down and curlier. I can scrunch more with less fragility to the curl. I consistently get 3a pieces, and when I properly clarify my hair I can (apparently) be an out and out 3a. Am I the only one whose pattern can be so influenced by clump size?
Also, another Q: how many clumps do you have when drying your hair (esp for my fellow low density hair curlies)? I have been using the ice queen method (which apparently works better when you break up the clumps). I have my hair upside down, and on each half of my head I have between 5-8 clumps. Is this about right for someone with low density hair? How do you decide how thick the clumps should be? Do you all break up your hair with your fingers to form the clumps?
Also, another Q: how many clumps do you have when drying your hair (esp for my fellow low density hair curlies)? I have been using the ice queen method (which apparently works better when you break up the clumps). I have my hair upside down, and on each half of my head I have between 5-8 clumps. Is this about right for someone with low density hair? How do you decide how thick the clumps should be? Do you all break up your hair with your fingers to form the clumps?
3A/f/i
Super baby fine hair, low porosity
Shampoos: SM Fruit Fusion (mostly), Avalon lemon (to clarify). Occasional aloe vera and glycerin to wash.
Stylers: Intelligent Nutrients Perfect Hold Hairspray
Treatments: Catnip tea, IA girl's PT, Fermented Rice Water, Catnip Tea, Amla tea, Irish Moss, SS PT
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however, i apply products in the shower so don't even see my hair/clumps til after products are in. and i rake my products thru, so... i would guess am breaking up clumps? then i blot excess water, plop just for a few minutes while i dry and moisture, then shake my hair out and scrunch. this is when i must not break up any clumps. (and i have to add that if left totally on its own, i think my hair would be one clump going forward! ) i never counted the clumps, but i have mostly few clumps, then break it up when dry.
3a, some 2c & 3b, medium texture, porosity normal, low elasticity :-(
washing/cowashing, conditioning, protein tx: curl junkie products
leave in:curl junkie conditioners and treatments as leave in
styling: curl junkie
sealants - jane carter nourish & shine
One problem is that when I do a routine and I need to see how it will work in high dews, the weather doesn't cooperate! For example, I can't see if I need to use a hard hold gel if the dews turn out to be low:confused3: But that's another thread.
Thanks for posting!
Highly porous. Color over grey.
I love all the Curl Junkie products. Still experimenting with gels and curl creams. Still hoping for 2nd day hair....
Every day is a gift :flower:
I find that I get the best looking curls when I rake my conditioner through my hair. I used to be scared that it would make my hair stringy or pull out the curl but it doesn't; it works great to make my clumps medium sized rather than massive. Sometimes I'll have to break a few big ones up after it dries. And on days when my hair really wants to be crazy with the clumping, I'll very carefully finger comb (or I admit, not so carefully when I'm really frustrated with my hair :P). I don't know how many clumps I get though; I have never counted and I have a ton of hair
2b/c, thick, medium/coarse, low-medium porosity
full Chinese Canadian
:bunny:
NP/LP: CJ Daily Fix, KMF Whenever / Giovanni TTTT
RO/LI: Aussie Moist, CJ Argan & Olive Oil, Hask Keratin Protein
DC/PROTEIN: KC Stellar Strands / CNPF
STYLER: CJ Curl Queen
COLOR: henna, amla & indigo
:thumbdown:: glycerin in high/low dews, polyquat-10 & 11, parabens
My hair is exactly the same way. I noticed that you're hair is fine (as is mine) and I wonder if that has something to do with it. I know my hair will lose curl easily if it's weighed down at all, so the smaller clumps keep my hair from getting weighed down by huge clumps.
3a/f/iii
Modified CG since 11/5/11
CLEANSE: CJ Daily Fix, DevaCare No-Poo, CHS Treatment Shampoo
RO: SS Caitlin's Conditioner, CJ Beauticurls Strengthening
LI: SS Repairing Protein Treatment, CHS Silk Leave-In
STYLE: Re:Coil, Curl Keeper, Deva Ultra Defining Gel, Curls Rock Amplifier,Sweet Curls Elixirs Okra Gel and Hard Hold Gel, SS Curl Enhancing Jelly and Firm Hold Gel