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?

Following with interest as used to follow CG method and then mine went a bit lank/grim. Maybe need to try again.

@hailholyqueen CG method did not work for me. Cowashing was too much for my fine hair and made it lank, straight and dull. I think CG just assumes that ALL curly hair needs ALL the moisture but that’s not true! There’s such a thing as hair being too soft!

As I mentioned, I use a strong shampoo every wash, very light conditioner (or sometimes I use a leave-in as a rinse-out) then a strong hold gel. I and never DC. And as I’ve just learnt, don’t forget to include some protein!

So glad to find this thread, I'm going to go and splurge 2euro on that conditioner straight away. I am also reverting back to shampoo having not used it in a while. I currently use Bumble and Bumble Sunday shampoo weekly / every ten days, but would like something gentler in between as I think conditioner isn't cutting it and I'm swimming a lot. Any recommendations?

My hair is fine and wavy and I need protein practically every wash. The Aldi conditioner is good, but I really recommend the curlsmith protein cream. One of the few products I won't be without.

An update: after the Aldi conditioner working well on my first try, on my next washes, my hair reverted back to being limp and straight.

It was feeling really spongy when it was washed and wet, and not feeling clean at all so I finally realised that it must be over moisturised (god knows how as I use so little conditioner). But no matter how little I used, it was just going fluffy and limp.

So I decided to wash it with a strong shampoo and no conditioner at all and my goodness, what a difference! It’s like I’ve got my lovely hair back. It feels light, clean, curly and bouncy. I don’t think I can skip conditioner forever as it’ll obviously eventually dry out my hair but on my next wash, I used not even a pea sized amount of leave-in conditioner which I rinsed out and again, it looks and feels amazing. I intend to continue alternating between no conditioner and a tiny bit of leave-in (which I’ll rinse out).

So if you have fine hair like me that’s pretty healthy, it’s really worth going against the CG method and instead of throwing ALL the moisturising products at it, try really holding back on the moisture. You might find your hair just doesn’t need it.

I recommended the Aldi conditioner (NC!) and it's so true
My hair doesn't want moisture. Every time I think I should deep condition and do it, my hair is "FFS" at me
I clarify with bumble and bumble Sunday shampoo every 2 weeks and basically use very lightweight hard hold products, no leave in or creams

If you don’t use conditioner, when you get the tangles out? After shampooing my hair is a tangled clump and then I comb conditioner through it. I have fine-ish wavy/curly hair and I’m never sure I have the moisture/protein balance right.

I very rarely get tangles @ClaudiaWinklepanda

I’m sure I would if I never used conditioner at all but alternating between no conditioner and a tiny bit of rinsed out leave-in seems to do the trick at the moment.

Also rather than combing conditioner through, have you tried just smoothing it on and leaving for a minute or so then squishing it into your hair? Might make it easier to detangle - and with your fingers rather than a comb for less breakage.

What styling products are you using?

I use bumble and bumble weekly / fortnightly and find it has helped but my hair is still mushy.

I actually think the problem might be that I've switched from cantu curl cream to aveda be curly advanced..I used to love the old formula but I think maybe the new formula is too soft for my hair.

I miss plump,.bouncy curls!

@wholeeverything I only use gel - currently Trepadora Bamboo Glaze. I never use curl cream - again, too moisturising!

I've styled with only hairspray tonight and it's worked well for a really quick wash

I hear a lot of people say just using hairspray works really well - which one do you use @spikeandbuffy24 ?

This one, I saw someone on insta using it!

I'm not strict CG at all though, mostly just avoid silicone heavy stuff

www.alternadirect.co.uk/products/caviar-professional-styling-high-hold-finishing-spray?srsltid=AfmBOopbbYI2ATdTeogGSeeKSyDb-zhjXFMWKdlTGKI6nqoViFH06lyX