While I know many curlies who would love loose flowy curls, grass being mostly greener on the other side, there are many curlies who look for ways to enhance their curls and therefore dread it when their curls look looser.
Please note that this post is aimed at explaining why your curls have become looser than the way they were before – it is not a post to change your natural hair pattern.
Here are 6 reasons your curls have become looser and ways you can get them to bounce up like before.
1. Build up – The ingredients in your products (even if you are following a CG friendly routine) can build up on your hair causing it to be weighed down. A good clarifying can help get ride of build up. Read more about it here – Clarifying Curly Hair – What, When and How
2. Heavy products – If your hair is fine or wavy, it can easily get weighed down if your conditioners and styling products have a lot of silicones, oils, butters . It is the reason I stopped using silicones. Use light water based products from brands like Devacurl, BounceCurl, Boucleme, Innersense, MopTop etc.
3. Over moisturised hair lacking Protein – I keep saying this often : We curlies can get so obsessed with hydration & moisture that we forget that protein is an equally important part of a healthy hair regime. Read all about it here –Â How Protein Helps Your Curls + Protein sensitivity
4. Styling Technique – I find that raking products in gives me wavier hair while scrunching them in gives me more ringlets-y curls. That may not be the case with everyone. Experiment with many techniques to see which you like the best.
5. Hair length – In most cases, the longer the hair, the looser it gets because of the weight. It’s best to get your hair cut in layers to make them bounce back up. But in some cases, if you go too short, it can cause your hair to almost look straight. The reason is that the curl clump may have been cut at a length just before it start to loop into a curl.
6. Damage – Heat damage and damage from hair colouring can drastically loosen your curls. Though some deep conditioning and protein treatments can help it a bit, nothing is going to give you back your old curls like growing out the damage and cutting it off little by little.
7. There’s actually 1 more reason – Hormones/ long term medication – Hormonal changes like puberty, pregnancy can change the pattern of your hair. It is not known why this happens. Unfortunately this change is permanent and nothin can be done about it. Long terms medicines can cause it too, especially things like Birth Control Pill that mess with your hormones.
My friend Lindsay Wilson mentioned a really important point I missed, Humidity – Humidity has always weighed down my curls because of absorbing all the water. And as a coincidence, the article I always refer to for humidity is Lindsay’s! Here you go – How to Choose the Right Products for the Weather for Curly Hair . Mainly, avoid leave ins and include a good hard hold gel.
I hope that helps 🙂
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Hi! I am Anjana and I fell in love with my curly hair after years of hating it. YOU can too!
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Sarah Cummings
July 6, 2018 at 2:58 am
I don’t have curly hair but some friends of mine would love to read this. Thanks!
Niharika Marella
July 11, 2018 at 9:20 pm
This post came at such a great time! I recently had such an amazing curl day that lasted till my next wash, where my waves (I’m 2B) curled just right and fell perfectly, and I’ve been trying to replicate the same results for around three washes now. However, my curls have become looser, even though I’ve conditioned well (I use the Loreal Smooth Intense Conditioner), clarified to remove product buildup, used enough product (I use just one styling product: Arata Hair Cream, and it’s worked well till now), deep conditioned with the Mamaearth Argan hair Mask (a protein rich mask), scrunched to heaven and not changed the products used at all. Neither has my hair suffered from heat damage (I never use heat on my hair, simply because I can’t figure out how to work it) nor am I going through any drastic hormonal changes (I’m 19). My hair is a little way past shoulder length, and I doubt my length is an issue.
I didn’t consider humidity, however. We’ve been having cloudbursts in Mumbai for the past couple of weeks, so that could be a reason. I don’t use a gel because I haven’t felt the need to use one for now, but perhaps I may just get one if it helps my shape stay. Do you have any product recommendations for cheap glycerin-free gels that I might be able to use? I’m a college student and I really can’t spend much, and I’ve heard that flaxseed gel absorbs moisture, so even that might be out of my way.
Anjana
July 16, 2018 at 1:21 pm
Check this Niharika L’Oréal Homme Strong Hold Gel 6 Review
Kiranjotkaur Valecha
July 19, 2018 at 4:32 pm
Hey Anjana!
Your blog certainly helped me get more defined and beautiful curls. But I had a concern. Whilst the length of my hair is getting better with proper care, my roots are still flat. My hair forms beautiful curls from ear down but above that it is almost straight.
What do you reckon the reason for this could be? Is it possible that that’s my hair type? I cleansed my hair with sulphate shampoo once to remove any buildup and have been using sulphate free and silicone free products thereafter. I even do protein treatment once a week by oiling my hair and using Palmer’s Deep Conditioning treatment or applying an egg hair mask.
The condition of my hair is otherwise not bad, and the curl formation is great too, but the roots are flat. Please help me out here. 🙂
Anjana
July 20, 2018 at 3:10 pm
Check this 10 Ways to Prevent Your Crown from Lying Flat – Curls from the Roots
Pooja
July 24, 2018 at 10:08 pm
Hi anjana! I have a doubt ..🙋🙋 i have got 3a-3b curl pattern.. the Shea butter leave in conditioner which I use now is slightly weighting down my hair.. i want you to suggest me a leav-in which would give me weightless, popping curls…?
Anjana
July 25, 2018 at 12:58 pm
Check this Pooja – As I Am Leave In Conditioner Review
Hima
July 26, 2018 at 9:11 pm
Hey Anjana !
Following your blog regularly and it’s working out well.
Had few questions for you :
My curls are good for 2days but post which it is badly tangled ! Is that common ? Or is it because of frizz.
Because of which I guess the hair fall is too much with each wash .
Is it okay for conditioner and gel to touch your scalp ? Will that cause any damage ?
Look forward to hear from you ! Good day
Anjana
July 29, 2018 at 12:38 am
It is kind of common because curly hair tend to get dry faster. Ya it is ok – won’t cause any damage.
Juliana
August 16, 2018 at 2:40 am
I don’t have curly hair but rather have very very tight waves. When it dries I get several clumps but the back stays frizzy. My hair naturally has an almost straight underlayer and even though my hair is heat damaged it still shrinks some to where you can see my straight hair.
Do you have any tips for consistent hair clumps? And any ideas on how to help with my different underlayer? Thanks
Anjana
August 16, 2018 at 2:31 pm
You should get rid of the damaged hair
Deepika
August 21, 2018 at 9:35 am
Hi Anjana, I recently started my curly hair journey. I have a habit of oiling my hair every night before shampooing. Can I still continue this? and can oiling be considered as deep conditioner?
And as I am applying products on my hair I can notice some starnds not following any curl pattern and just standing there.. when dried these hair starnds are becoming Frizz. how do i avoid this? I use The Body Shop Rainforest moisture as conditioner. Shea butter coconut and hibiscus as leave in and bblunt gel. I use scrunching method while applying products. TIA
Anjana
August 21, 2018 at 1:28 pm
You can do it as long as you aren’t applying too much. How much conditioner do you use?
deepika
August 21, 2018 at 4:52 pm
I think I am using good amount of conditioner. I saw your video on youtube. I first condition my hair, leave for 3-4 mins, wash of the conditioner, take some more conditioner and then do squish to condish.
do you think its because of the amount of conditioner I apply?
Anjana
August 21, 2018 at 5:34 pm
yes or because of coarse hair
Jasleen kaur minhas
November 17, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Hi Anjana. I have very curly hair. 2C type. Plus it’s very frizzy and often turns into a bush after it dries. Could you suggest a hair cut to reduce the volume to a major extent, and also certain products to improve the quality and softness of my hair.
Anjana
November 19, 2018 at 2:37 pm
Layers below the chin.
As for the products, check this – https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/start-here-curly-hair/
Sandra
January 3, 2019 at 9:36 am
Hi Anjana,
I live and work in UAE where the weather is generally hot and dry. I’ve come to Kerala for a holiday and noticed a few things which I don’t quite get:
1) My hair generally tends to be quite ringlet-y but since coming here it seems like the shape of the curls have changed to more S shaped curls.
2) my hair seems to be laying more flat to my scalp than before, though my routine has not really changed.
Any ideas why this could have happened? Please let me know.
Thanks!
– Sandra
Anjana
January 3, 2019 at 1:56 pm
Yes Sandra, excess humidity can cause both of those issues
Kakisha
February 25, 2019 at 2:26 am
Hi Anjana!
It has been over 6 weeks since I started your curly hair routine, and I am already seeing great results with great reduction of frizzy hair. I use Cantu shampoo, conditioner and leave-in. I use Au Natural Gelee.
On days 2 and 3 the ringlets at the bottom gets tighter whereas the curls at the top get looser and almost straight, especially around my neck area. What can I do to avoid this? I tie my hair up in a pineapple and use a satin turban to cover before I sleep.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Anjana
February 25, 2019 at 2:59 pm
That’s just the tendency of day 2 or day 3 hair Kakisha. I face the same 🙂
Kakisha
February 25, 2019 at 6:24 pm
Thanks for the prompt reply. Appreciated.
Neha
March 29, 2019 at 10:46 am
Hello Anjana, I am new to the CG routine.
I am staying in Mumbai, India which is pretty humid. I went through all your blogs to understand the process in detail. I hope to clear all my doubts here before buying the products and starting the routine. Based on my type 2c hair, I have narrowed down a few products.
Need your suggestion if they are ok –
1. Shampoo (once a week) – please suggest a mild shampoo available in India
2. Conditioner for Co wash (every 2 days) – Enliven / Loreal smooth intense
3. Squish to condish – same products as conditioner
4. Curl cream – cantu curl activator cream
5. Gel – Aloe vera gel / Schwarzkopf Taft marathon look 48 h / B Blunt gel
Also, need to ask when and how can I use the ACV in the CG routine ?
Also, can you suggest some oil which I can massage before the co-wash ?
Also, is washing once a week ok ?
Thanks a bunch 🙂
Anjana
April 1, 2019 at 7:44 pm
https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/apple-cider-vinegar-acv-rinse-curly-hair/
Oil blend is in this – https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/7-ways-to-grow-healthy-hair/
Yes, washing once a week is ok
Curly Blogger Top 10 List - Kozma Curl Blog curly blogger
April 3, 2019 at 12:44 pm
[…] 5. Curls And Beauty Diary […]
Smitha Seetharam
April 18, 2019 at 5:39 pm
Hi Anjana,
You are amazing and your blog is as amazing as you are. I am yet to start my curly hai journey and i am in Florida where the temperature is humid. What products do you suggest, i have a 2b/3c type of hair and a lot of frizz with long hair. . Also, does using a lot of products makes the hair stiff and hard. i feel way too weight on my hair and its crunchy to touch which i hate.Please help me start with the right product
Please advise.
Thanks
Smitha
Anjana
April 23, 2019 at 3:03 pm
Hey have you seen this https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/beginner-friendly-simple-curly-hair-starter-kit/
Mehak
June 2, 2019 at 3:44 pm
Thanks a lot. I was so confused as to why my hair was curly at the crown and sides and straight on the back. I am growing out a pixie and have hair just above my shoulders.
Looking forward to starting a curly routine.
Thanks
Mehak
Anjana
June 3, 2019 at 3:18 pm
I am glad Mehak 🙂
Sandra
July 26, 2019 at 8:07 pm
Hi Anjana, I’ve been on the curly hair journey for nearly a year now and am just starting to see results.. but for the past few weeks some of my curls (which used to be ringlet-y) just seem to be confused and curling in any which way and sometimes even going straight mid length before curling up at the end again. I think an appropriate term would be wonky curls… Not really sure what is causing that. Any ideas what it could be?
Anjana
July 29, 2019 at 3:11 pm
Hi Sandra, could any of the points mentioned in this post be applicable to you?
Sandra
August 13, 2019 at 4:36 pm
Hi Anjana,
I thought lack of protein may be the cause and did a gelatine treatment, but it doesn’t seem to have changed it much.. though the curls did get a little tighter than it was previously.. still stumped
Dalia
June 26, 2020 at 6:38 pm
Hi!
I can testify to hormonal birth control. In the many years i took the pill (around 7, was taking Yaz) my hair gradually went from 3a-2c to almost 2a!
guess what? I stopped the pill 1 year ago and my hair is just now starting to grow back as 2c. It looks crazy now, with super curly roots and 2a on the lengths but hey I’m glad it’s coming back and hope it stays curly.
the amount of changes my body went through while on birth control is scary, will never take something like the pill again!
Anjana
June 29, 2020 at 12:39 pm
I am sorry you had to go through that Dalia, but glad that you’ve come out if it 🙂
Kristen
January 8, 2021 at 7:44 pm
My hair was pretty long, and curly. I thought that when I cut it, the curls would get better, but they didn’t. Idk why. It was my exact same hair routine as when I had long hair, but for some reason it’s not curly.
Anjana
January 8, 2021 at 9:20 pm
Hi Kristen, Wavier hair types can become straighter when short
tansu
March 29, 2021 at 12:15 am
Hi there,
I was wondering if you had any advice. I’m going crazy trying to think of a solution.
Last summer i cut my hair very short. The sides and back were shaved while the top was cut with scissor to almost 1cm. When my hair started growing back, the shaved parts grew in almost straight and very glossy while the top is still curly,frizzy,kinky and dry. its almost like the shaved parts are from someone elses head.
Everything ive researched says its all the reasons you have also listed but its not for me. My last resort is to shave the whole thing equally and start again.
any thoughts?
Thank you for your time
xx
Anjana
March 29, 2021 at 9:26 am
Hi Tansu, shorter hair can be straighter than longer hair in some people. It most likely will get curlier as it grows longer but if the multiple patterns bother you, it would be good to shave it all and start afresh.
Michelle
July 1, 2022 at 8:38 pm
I just started my curly hair journey, and what I’m experiencing is that on the first day my curls are beautiful, but on the second and third days they are a flat mess. I also prefer to wash my hair in the evenings, and what often happens is that I wake up with the same flat mess, even though the curls were great the night before. Do you have an idea why this is happening and what i could do to make my curls last longer?
Anjana
July 4, 2022 at 12:45 pm
Hi Michelle, do you protect your hair at night? do you refresh hair the next day? do you use hard hold gel?
Jessica
March 25, 2024 at 9:48 pm
Always had curly hair & love it. After having my child & many seizures & surgeries. I’m now in my 40’s & starting to lose curl in the naps of neck in the back & the rest is losing. No consistency. I’m missing it. I have highlights & is mid-long. How can I restore my bouncy curls?