Super-Soaker Method for Promoting Clumps -UPDATED/Video Link

[rudeechick]

OK, so at the request of one of my fave Curlys, I am posting this method. FYI: I have very, very thick, 3a (b in spots) med porosity, medium texture hair.

Anyhooooo. I have ALOT of hair; I have always found that when I scrunch product in, while it does promote curl formation, it also breaks them up, resulting in massive volume, with thinner separated curls. Last summer I had success with the Denman as far as creating clumps, but they were generally "pulled out" clumps, due to the brushing. I wanted both my coils AND my clumps - I have found that with this method I can have both! And with pretty much any product combos that are "good" for my hair.

OK, here goes:
-Basically, I do my thing in the shower (CO wash, rinse out condish).

-Next I rake thru my leave in (if I am using one) and then my curl cream (I refer to these as "base coats").

-I step out of the shower and to the sink; I brush my base coats thru my hair thoroughly with the Denman: first the nape, then the back of my head (some sectioning/lifting is required due to my volume), then the temples and crown.

Always brush (wether with this method or otherwise) with CAUTION: Use products with slip, good quality brushes and combs and if you hit a knot/snarl DO NOT PULL. This is even more important for those who may be more prone to breakage (those with fine/dry/damaged hair etc)

-Next I use the Denman to "place" my hair (ie: Left Part, Right Part, etc.)

-Next (this is important) I do a final brushing of the crown OUT AND AWAY FROM MY SCALP. This is CRUCIAL to avoid the dreaded Flat-Top.

-Last step (this is where the clumps come in), I lean over the sink to one side, cup my hands under running water, and gently scrunch palmfuls of water into my hair. Repeat to the other side (those with bangs/shorter crown layers get those too!). Don't scrunch firm and tight like your creating curls, but slowly and softly to really soak the hair.

At this point my hair is more soaked than it would normally be when I step out of the shower, so its kinda drippy. I scrunch in my gel of choice and plop (I guess you could towel scrunch instead). I don't plop long (5 - 10 minutes), but that's just me. Then I either air-dry for a few and then diffuse or diffuse straight away.

I find that the base coat I use affects my success. (Please remember that I have ALOT of hair and can afford to uber-clump; this might overly clump those looking for volume.)

The best base coats for me are those that provide light emollience. I have tried NO basecoat, I have tried heavy (ie butters), I have tried my gel as a base coat. While my hair WILL initially clump upon soaking with those, these clumps break up by or before drying, resulting in frizz of stringy/broken up curls. My greatest success has come with basecoats that are creamy yet light (think CJSG or CJCCC).

For those who find their hair gets so wet that it increases drying time: I have played with a double plop with great success. I saturated my hair excessively (after CJCCC) and then went into a plop without scrunching in gel (thereby not squeezing out a DOT of water). I plopped for 5 minutes then came out, got a dry Curlease and went into a plop again. Plopped for another 5 then came out; my hair was no worse for the wear and much drier. My next trial will be applying a gel between plops.

I have found that certain areas of my hair (the underside) that have always tended to clump on their own can get overly clumpy with this method. I avoid this by gently running my hands thru those few areas before I diffuse (while still wet!). But the best part is that I am getting consistent canopy clumps which I have never had before!

My kids call this the "Super Soaker" because they are dying for me to let them do it to my hair with their water guns Not happening....

I hope this was semi-clear. And I hope this helps someone!

Update - Put some pics in my photobucket 9/27/09

VIDEO LINK Rudees Super Soaker Method

[wavy wonder]

very cool. Will definitley have to try it!

[rudeechick]

Let me know how it works for you please

[onethousandcurls]

RUDEE!! Thank you! I am constantly in search of anything and everything that will deliver clumps. If this works...I'll post a thread devoted to my gratitude to you.

P.S. Do you still have the bangs in your avi? Just wondering.

[rudeechick]

Originally Posted by onethousandcurls

RUDEE!! Thank you! I am constantly in search of anything and everything that will deliver clumps. If this works...I'll post a thread devoted to my gratitude to you.

P.S. Do you still have the bangs in your avi? Just wondering.

LOL - please do let me know how it worls for you. Play with the variables as per your hair.

And yes, forever the bangs

[DEL2C]

LOL!!! I knew OTC would be all over this thread!! rudee, I did a variation of this using the denman for my conditioning/co wash only. I'm always hesitant to comb, rake too much or brush in stylers. My hair was bigger once it dried and the underneath lost a lot of definition

So I'm thinking if you want lots of body go for it, or if you have a nice strong curl pattern like rudee evolved on her head overnight go for it. I swear I can't do anything but scrunch...picky picky PITA hair I have I'm glad you started this thread though, this could help a lot of those seeking more clumps!! Maybe I'll try adding water and scrunching after product app? I notice when I take down my initial plop it's when I have the best clumping and then as I add product I start to lose it more and more.

[astromom]

Which denman do you have?

[msgiblet]

This shall forevermore be known as "THE RUDEE CLUMPER"! At least that's what I'm calling it.

I tried it this morning and I have fabulous clumps BUT I think from now on I will practice this method while still in the shower. I get just about the same results working with soaking wet hair while still in the shower and I don't have to mop up the bathroom after I get through throwing palmfuls of water around. Plus, I'm able to get more water into the back of my hair. I sure have some happy, clumpy hair this morning!

ETA: I am going to experiment with this method using the sink to see if it might give me any success with 2nd day hair.

[redcelticcurls]

I tried this today and had to get back in the shower and get my head wet again, lol.

It just made me all tangly. For whatever reason, I just need to do this all upside down.

[rudeechick]

Originally Posted by DEL2C

LOL!!! I knew OTC would be all over this thread!! rudee, I did a variation of this using the denman for my conditioning/co wash only. I'm always hesitant to comb, rake too much or brush in stylers. My hair was bigger once it dried and the underneath lost a lot of definition

So I'm thinking if you want lots of body go for it, or if you have a nice strong curl pattern like rudee evolved on her head overnight go for it. I swear I can't do anything but scrunch...picky picky PITA hair I have I'm glad you started this thread though, this could help a lot of those seeking more clumps!! Maybe I'll try adding water and scrunching after product app? I notice when I take down my initial plop it's when I have the best clumping and then as I add product I start to lose it more and more.

Del, Just want to be clear: If you brush thru your base coat(s), THEN soak and AT THE SINK WHILE ITS DRIPPY AND CLUMPY PUT IN GEL then plop, would your curls still pull out?

And fyi - it took a over a year not a night to grow these suckers!

[rudeechick]

Originally Posted by astromom

Which denman do you have?

That basic old school denman - someone help me out with a thumbnail here pls.

Originally Posted by msgiblet

This shall forevermore be known as "THE RUDEE CLUMPER"! At least that's what I'm calling it.

I tried it this morning and I have fabulous clumps BUT I think from now on I will practice this method while still in the shower. I get just about the same results working with soaking wet hair while still in the shower and I don't have to mop up the bathroom after I get through throwing palmfuls of water around. Plus, I'm able to get more water into the back of my hair. I sure have some happy, clumpy hair this morning!

ETA: I am going to experiment with this method using the sink to see if it might give me any success with 2nd day hair.

I tried doing it in the shower and it works decently clump wise. The catch for me is that I need to see my hair when I am doing the soaking and the final brushing/placement step (if I miss soaking a spot it will not clump like the rest of the head and remember I need that cause I have lots of layers!) I can get better palmfuls of water from the sink than the shower to really soak it.

Originally Posted by redcelticcurls

I tried this today and had to get back in the shower and get my head wet again, lol.

It just made me all tangly. For whatever reason, I just need to do this all upside down.

Gee thats odd - tangly?? Is your hair prone to tangles?

[CantFightCurls]

I really need clumps.... but does this work for short hair?

[DEL2C]

I think rudee should post a video if enough of us ask she just may do it

[rudeechick]

Originally Posted by CantFightCurls

I really need clumps.... but does this work for short hair?

I dont know, but I do know that it works like magic on my shortest layers (some on the crown are just 3-4 inches).

[curlypearl]

I have thinnish hair. What variation of this technque should I try?

[jeepcurlygurl]

Originally Posted by redcelticcurls

I tried this today and had to get back in the shower and get my head wet again, lol.

It just made me all tangly. For whatever reason, I just need to do this all upside down.

ditto. I think all this brushing doesn't play well with most 3B hair.

[misspam]

Originally Posted by DEL2C

I think rudee should post a video if enough of us ask she just may do it

Excellent idea, DEL!

[rudeechick]

Originally Posted by curlypearl

I have thinnish hair. What variation of this technque should I try?

Gee, I dont know - I just invented this 2 weeks ago... If I had thinnish hair I dont know if I would want clumps.... I think I ight look for maximum volume as I described in my "before" hair

Originally Posted by jeepcurlygurl

ditto. I think all this brushing doesn't play well with most 3B hair.

I dunno... these days my hair is very 3b-ish. It is, however, medium in texture and porosity and not tangle prone.

Can you gals describe what you did?

[Czechfan]

Hi,

I'm curious I see alot of people on this forum are using BRHG, what is that? I'd like to know. I've tried some of the less expensive products recommended on this site and its been extremely helpful. I'm having consistant good hair days now, thanks to you all.

Hugs!

[rudeechick]

Czechfan- BRHG Biosilk Rock Hard Gellee. Not as intimidating as it sounds. Its a standard HG for all hair types, especially those who need extra hold or want hard hold.

IMO its GREAT in humidity.