CurlyNikki: Fluffing Natural Hair

Dear CurlyNikki:

When fluffing the hair after doing a braid/twist-out, what is the best technique to use in order to not over-fluff the hair style (comb, fingers, hair pick, etc..)?

Dear Catrise:

I’ve slowly come to the realization that allowing my hair to ‘just be’, allows it to fluff up naturally with minimal frizz. The day after my styling session (usually a Twist-n-Curl), I remove the curlers and gently unravel the twists. Since the twists are so chunky, I sometimes break them apart to help it look more natural, but that’s all I do . . . no finger combing, picking or massaging the roots. This no-fluffing routine gets me to four-day hair, which I greatly appreciate.

The problem is that my hair is fine, and walking around for a day with a flat Twist-n-Curl drives me insane—it’s scalpy, and overly defined. However, come day two, it’s twice as big, still chunky, defined and frizz free!

There are times when I need it to be the three F’s (funky, fabulous, and fly) on Day One, so I do the following:

• Remove the curlers
• Unravel the twists
• Break twisted sections apart (turning one crinkle into two and so on)
• Spread my fingers and use them as a pick/comb to gently break up the roots
• Sometimes I’ll flip my head over, still using my fingers as a pick . . . running them from my roots to 1/4 down the strands
• Massage the roots at the crown to help hide any parts
• I never use combs or any other tools to fluff . . . just my fingers
• Finally, for easier fluffing and bigger hair, remember to use less product— preferably no styler and only a silver-dollar-sized amount of your ‘styling conditioner’

What about you? How do you fluff?! Tell me in the comments area below!