Does your wavy hair lack definition or look “poofy” at times?
A common problem among wavies is to have either poofy hair that has no distinction between waves or to have stringy waves that seem to not be cohesive at all. The key to fixing this problem is not only taking better care of your waves but it is also by encourage clumping.
What is clumping?
This is when strands of your hair work together and seem to become one wave or curl together rather than a lot of independent curls.
How to Squish to Condish
To achieve the best clumps of waves in your hair, the most important thing is to make sure you have well-moisturized hair. I found the best results from doing a method called “squish to condish”. For this, you:
1. Cleanse & condition
Shampoo or cowash followed by your rinse-out conditioner.
2. Squish in conditioner – upside down
Flip your head over while still in the shower and squish in additional conditioner. Essentially, this is scrunching, except you want to use a flat palm and try not to squeeze out all the water. What you are looking to achieve is the perfect water-to-conditioner ratio.
This is something that will take trial and error but you need to listen to what your hair is telling you by how slick or dry it feels. For squish to condish, I like to use either a thin conditioner like Yes to Coconut Ultra Moisture Conditioner, or you can use your favorite leave-in. After getting out of your shower, you will notice your hair starting to form into natural clumps.
3. Add your product to try to keep those clumps together!
4. Allow your hair to dry.
5. Scrunch out the crunch/cast
What NOT to do to keep your waves clumped
Never brush your hair when dry.
If you must use something more than your fingers to detangle, I recommend a wide-toothed comb. Do this while you are using your rinse-out conditioner.
Don’t comb while squishing
Once you’ve started doing the squish to condish method, a comb should not touch your hair.
Don’t manipulate your hair while it’s drying
Let your hair dry without manipulating it. I know it’s hard not to play with your hair when it’s still drying, but the more you touch it and move it around the more frizz and the less clumps you will have.
This article has been updated for grammar and clarity.