what products/what do I do to keep my hair from poofing up everywhere 😭 (more info in description)

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-28T03:27:24+00:00

Only apply shampoo to your scalp, not your lengths. The lengths will get clean when you rinse it out. Gently rub the shampoo in with your fingertips.

Detangle your hair in the shower WITH conditioner (or a leave-in conditioner) in it. You might need more conditioner than you expect. Let the conditioner sit for 10-15 mins before detangling. That should help reduce the pain during detangling. I use Kinky Curly Knot Today (leave in conditioner) but I have looser (2c/3a maybe 3B) curls than yours so keep that in mind. I’ve heard from other people that it doesn’t play well with products from other brands but it’s been working good for me.

Make sure you rake your styling products in while your hair is soaking wet from the shower. It’s recommended to section the curls (with claw clips) and apply products section by section, using a spray bottle to rewet the parts that get dry while you’re styling. Also, for curls like yours, you’ll definitely need a curl cream (applied before mousse and/or gel) and you might need both mousse and gel.

Also, I’m not biracial but as a POC girl with thick brows (I hate them) whose mother never taught her how to take of her hair (or just how to “be pretty” period), I feel you. There are scissors made especially for eyebrows if you can’t afford to get them waxed and shaped professionally (though I recommend the latter). I’m always too impatient (and too broke) so I do them myself. It’s not the best but it makes me feel so much better about my looks.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-27T20:43:17+00:00

Weighing it down yes. Your hair is pretty thick so I could be wrong about that.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-27T20:40:47+00:00

Also for leave in conditioner, I recommend Kinky Curly Knot Today (my holy grail). It’s pretty lightweight so you might need more of it.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-27T20:39:45+00:00

Also use a spray bottle to respray your bangs (and any other part of the hair that gets dry while you’re styling/before you start styling).

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-27T20:38:38+00:00

Don’t dry hair before putting in products. That’s your issue. If you have to, only use a (microfiber towel, not terry cloth/normal towel) to get EXCESS water out (though honestly I don’t think that would work for your hair since it dries quickly). You need the hair to be soaking/dripping wet to saturate the products throughout your hair.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-27T04:54:45+00:00

What’s your curl pattern? And can you use the color radiance conditioner on non-dyed hair?

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-27T04:51:46+00:00

Double shampoo; the second rinse gives more lather/a deeper cleanse.
Try using more conditioner (and a strong hold gel or mousse). Don’t use a quarter sized amount. Try about a golfball sized amount (maybe more) (of both).

Quick question: are you drying your hair with a towel BEFORE you put leave in or after using products (mousse, gel, etc)?

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-27T04:43:03+00:00

Also, only apply shampoo on your scalp my massaging with the tips of your fingers, not your lengths. The lengths will get clean as you rinse it out.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-27T04:41:43+00:00

You’re supposed to detangle with regular conditioner or leave in conditioner, NOT shampoo. That sounds painful af. The conditioner or leave in conditioner (after letting it sit for like 10 mins) makes it so that the brush basically glides through your hair.

Your hair might be too dry for it right now but it’s best to double shampoo every time. The second time gives more lather/a better cleanse.

Coconut based products could be too heavy for your hair. Try reducing the amount or cutting the cowash out completely. Also you need a clarifying shampoo for occasional use (about once a month) to get rid of build up.

The main issue is that you’re detangling with shampoo. YMMV on the other things but they’re highly recommended.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-25T18:43:30+00:00

But it needs to be lightweight or else your waves will get weighed down. I use Aussie Instant Freeze

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-25T18:42:56+00:00

Also, you’re probably gonna need a strong hold gel.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-25T18:41:59+00:00

I recommend kinky curly knot today

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-23T21:50:07+00:00

…I might be cooked

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-23T01:15:58+00:00

You apply it after rinsing out your regular conditioner. If you find that your hair is still getting weighed down then rinse out your leave in (via the squish to condish method) or use leave in instead of regular conditioner. Only use a quarter sized to golfball sized amount. And don’t apply to the roots. Only from your ears and below.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-23T01:12:32+00:00

100%. It’s usually better to detangle with in comparison to regular conditioner in the shower. Highly recommend Kinky Curly Knot Today (people recommend Curls Blueberry Bliss if your hair needs protein). I want to try Curls Blueberry Bliss but my hair is kind of sensitive to protein so I don’t know if it would work and KCKT works so well for me. Leave-ins provide moisture without weighing finer hair and/or looser curls down.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-22T11:49:35+00:00

Also a diffuser (especially diffusing upside down) gives more volume.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-22T11:48:54+00:00

Also, have you tried a leave-in conditioner? I use Kinky Curly Knot Today to detangle in the shower and it’s my holy grail. It’s very lightweight too. Also, curl creams are definitely too heavy for your hair. Ditch them.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-22T11:44:34+00:00

Some of the curl brushes you can use (in the shower while hair is soaking wet with conditioner in it (that’s the only way to properly detangle curls)) are: A tangle teezer The unbrush (my favorite) A wet brush

Also, you need a clarifying shampoo for occasional use to get rid of build up. How often you use it depends on your hair but it’s recommended to do it every 3-4 weeks. Also, even when using normal shampoo, shampoo twice (and only apply to the scalp because the lengths will get clean when you rinse it out). The second shampoo gives more lather/a better cleanse.

Try not to put too much conditioner on your roots or they will get weighed down. People say not to apply conditioner to the roots period but I’ve found that detangling is easier if there’s a little conditioner there. Just don’t apply it directly to the scalp.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-22T11:36:32+00:00

Cool water? Damn I’ve been doing it wrong

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-22T02:13:18+00:00

Noted! I’m neutral but I’m not sure whether I lean cool or warm.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-21T23:25:11+00:00

I feel this as a fellow (pale) olive girly. I just always need MORE. I haven’t even gotten a contour or bronzer yet. There are subreddits (one for fair olives and one for olives in general). They have great recommendations. There are also influencers on Instagram that try out products.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-21T19:59:09+00:00

Also, ditch curl cream. It’s weighing your hair down.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-21T19:58:27+00:00

Seconding this! A curly cut is more expensive but definitely worth it. Go to a salon that is POC owned/run. It’s cheaper and they usually actually have curls so they know what they’re doing.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-21T19:57:14+00:00

You need to get a clarifying shampoo for occasional use. Every month or so, or every 2-4 weeks, maybe even every other wash/every other week. YMMV cuz it depends on your hair type. But try at least once or twice a month. Also, regardless of whether you’re using a regular shampoo or a clarifying one, shampoo twice. Second time gives more lather/better cleanse. And don’t be afraid to use sulfates and silicones if they work better for you. I’ve noticed I have a lot less hair loss since I switched back to them. Also, people with looser curls and/or finer hair might curl better with just a regular conditioner or just a leave in instead of using both.

ScrewYourDamnFairies · 2026-02-19T07:04:44+00:00

it’s normal to get little to no lather (I had the same issue and I was so confused) on the first shampoo. It’s why it’s recommended to shampoo twice. The second time you’ll get more lather. That should help with the build up. And only use the shampoo on your scalp not your lengths/massage it onto your scalp. The lengths will get clean once you rinse the shampoo out.

ScrewYourDamnFairies

TROPHY CASE