Curly hair was amazing for ages - don’t understand what’s changed?!!

[WhamBamMam85]

I pretty much follow whatever Welshiecurlgirl on Instagram recommends because her hair is like mine and she’s brilliant, her advice is always spot on. So for more than a year, I have used exactly the same products every wash -

• I wash twice with a strong shampoo that makes my hair feel squeaky and clears any build up
• a light rinse out conditioner OR a leave in (which I rinse out)
• hard hold gel

My hair has been amazing and consistent - I knew what I’d get every wash. Light, voluminous ringlets and I could feel just by swishing my head how bouncy it was.

But for some reason, it’s now changed. When it’s washed, it doesn’t quite feel as squeaky clean anymore. I get a good cast but the curls are a limper and sometimes stringy. It sometimes looks a bit fluffy as it’s drying rather than big “juicy” curls like before.

I’ve changed nothing so what could be going wrong? I’ve started trying a stronger shampoo but that’s done nothing and a couple of times, I’ve tried a deep conditioner (although my hair hates DC or too much moisturising normally) and…nothing.

I’m so fed up. I know it’s only hair but it makes me feel so meh when I get ready to go out and I know my hair is going to look crap.

Any ideas?

Have you tried clarifying? I use a detox shampoo every couple of weeks.

It might be that you need some protein? I get mine from Boucleme.

Yes, I use a strong clarifying shampoo every wash as my fine hair gets build up quickly.

I suppose it could be protein - but I don’t understand why I’ve had such good results for over a year - that’s by far the longest I’ve gone with consistently good hair. In the past, routines have been ok for maybe a few washes before my hair has started looking rubbish and I’ve realised I needed to change something?

Do you use the Boucleme drops? If so, how do you use them?

My first thought when reading your OP is that you need some protein. Try a protein heavy mask or even a protein conditioner and see if that helps.

Thank you.

I’m a bit wary of deep conditioners as I’ve definitely learnt that my hair gets over moisturised very, very easily. Is there a light protein conditioner you’d recommend?

Yes, I use the protein drops.

Sometimes my hair just needs a change of routine, at the moment it's fluffier than usual, I think because there's so much moisture in the air? I've been using a bit more product, but also gone for products that are good for humidity.

I think definitely protein

Mine is fine and wavy and I have to use protein every wash day
Mostly I use Aldi volume conditioner for protein or joico liquid reconstructor spray

Thanks @HappyKatieA yes, I’m normally the same - having to frequently change up my routine but it’s been so consistent for such a long time and throughout all weather, I thought I’d really cracked it after soooo many years of experimenting.

Do you put the drops in your shampoo or conditioner?

Thanks @pelotonaddiction
Do you mean this one?

Yep that's it
My hair hates deep conditioners and anything heavy! I use that one a lot

My hair varies from season to season. I use that Aldi conditioner btw. I also realises the (artificial) fur trim on my hood caused my hair to go really static.

@pelotonaddiction same as me! The curly girl method was a disaster for me for that reason - too much focus on moisturising/conditioning (although it took me ages to realise!)

@mitogoshi really - curly hair is such a sensitive PITA isn’t it?!! 😆

Either in shampoo or conditioner. Pop the drops into it (in your hand) then wash or condition. Leave the shampoo in for 5 mins, or the conditioner for 10.

Could the clarifying shampoo be stripping your hair too much? Maybe try apple cider vinegar once/twice a week and then use a less harsh shampoo and conditioner designed for fine hair (although avoid volumising ones as they can make hair go puffy in my experience). For the acv, dilute 100 ml in 500 ml warm water, pour over your head in the shower and then shampoo out and condition. Doing this and then using a curly hair mousse leaves my fine curly hair bouncy and shiny with good curl definition.

To add the acv is to clarify, in case that wasn’t clear - I find once per week sufficient generally.

I think you're clarifying too much. It's very harsh on the hair so swap one out for a protein shampoo and conditioner. I like the umberto ones. Always on 342 at boots 😊

We’ve had a lot of rainfall recently, sometimes it changes the composition of the minerals, more hard water etc that can affect your hair. I notice the difference in my hair when I go to the alps - my hair looks fantastic because of the fresh mountain water.

Thanks all. The shampoo I’ve been using is Umberto Giannini Scalp Restore which isn’t actually labelled as clarifying but it does have that effect- (it would be considered not curly-girl method friendly but like I say, I don’t follow that method - although I don’t use silicones).

I was using that for over a year, every wash day (every 3 days). When my hair started to look crap and not feel as squeaky clean, I swapped to Noughty Detox Dynamo which is actually clarifying. But like I say, no difference.

So yes, maybe I should try a gentler shampoo (although I’m confused that my hair seems to feel less clean at the moment which is why I tried a stronger shampoo?) @GinandGingerBeer which UG protein shampoo do you use?

I’ll maybe try adding protein first for a while and if that doesn’t help, then a different shampoo…I hate all the trial and error of curly hair…always having to change things slowly, one product/technique at a time…

@Mayflower282 yes that’s true. My water has always been very hard.

My first thought was you need protein too.
my hair is also fine (but a lot of it) and more wavy than curly. I use that Aldi conditioner. And once a month a protein treatment that makes it much curlier/ bouncier. I always known when it’s time to do it, my hair feels limp.

If you have really hard water perhaps you need a chelating shampoo, not just a clarifying on. But, like you say, it seems really hard to work out what on earth is going on with hair!

I use a conditioner instead of shampoo and use shampoo about twice a month.

I use a curl booster moose like Wella or a curling leave in conditioner applied when hair is soaking wet and allow it to drip through.
Then towel scrunch dry and leave to dry naturally.

Sone of the Lush solid shampoo/ conditioners work well along with their curl- boosting leave-in.

On occasions it’s gone limp, I’ll use a protein hair mask and it seems to get the spirals bouncing back.

I find if I use the same product all the time I get build up though.

age

@SeeingRainbowsInTheGloom yes, I believe the UG and the Noughty one are both chelating.

@Poshcatwithbigears i tried cowashing for a very long time when I was trying the CG method - it definitely doesn’t work on my hair at all, unfortunately and made my scalp awfully dry and flaky but I know it works wonders for some curly hair.

Thank you all those who suggested protein was the problem and specifically PPs who recommended the Aldi conditioner - I’ve used it once and it’s made an instant difference! My hair has its shine, bounce and ringlets back with just one wash - it’s amazing! Best £1.39 I ever spent!

Hooray 🎉