Curl Training 101: The Key to Clumping

Curl Training 101: The Key to Clumping

You’ve probably got a playlist full of curlies on Insta who are truly #hairgoals. It seems as if they’ve mastered the art of capturing defined curls.  What’s their secret? Simply put, you need to learn how to make your curls clump.

You’ve probably got a playlist full of curlies on Insta who are truly #hairgoals. It seems as if they’ve mastered the art of capturing defined curls.

What’s their secret?

Simply put, you need to learn how to make your curls clump.

What is Clumping?

Let’s say you have over 100,000 curly strands. Clumping is when your curls gather together and form bunches or clumps. The more strands you have per clump the easier it is to see your curl definition and the bigger your curl becomes.

Not to mention, clumped curls tend to look shinier and healthier than frizzy thin curls.

So, before you give up on your quest for the clump, try out our curl clumping tips below.

Tools for Success

Let’s do a deep dive through your hair arsenal. In order to encourage your curls to naturally form clumps, it’s important to start off with the proper tools.

The first thing you need to do is to trade out your bristle brush for a wide tooth comb.

Your curls clump using your natural curl pattern. The bristles actually disrupt your natural curl pattern by raking away all of your natural definition. A wide tooth comb helps to detangle your curls and distribute your products evenly without frizzing up your curls.

Water Works

We’ve said it once we’ll probably say it a thousand times more…Water is arguably the most important ingredient to your clumpy curl routine. A common mistake many curlies make is that they do not use enough of it.

Curls thrive off of moisture, so it’s critical to make sure you fully saturate your strands.

The excess water will not only make it easier to detangle but will also encourage your natural curls to form, in fact, your curls are at their most defined when they’re wet. Another way to reduce frizz is to use cold water to wash out in-shower conditioner, whenever possible.

When you wash your hair with warm water it opens up the hair cuticle, which is basically the outer layer of each strand. When the cuticle is open, your hair will be able to soak up tons of moisture, but if you do not close the cuticle with cold water afterwards then all of the moisture will escape, your curls will be dehydrated and thirsty curls don’t clump!

If you need to work up to using cold water, start off slowly. During your next wash try turning down the temperature a few degrees and then do a shot of cold water close to the end of your wash.

Staying in style

Left to their own devices our curls would probably veer a little on the wild side. Which is why so many curly girls are constantly on the hunt for the perfect styler. A good styler will help your curls clump by creating definition that can last after your curls have dried and set.

But even with the perfect styler, you’ve got to put in the work. A lot of customers refer to our All-In-One formulas as a “Holy Grail” product, but end results depend on the application process. Check out this live styling video with our founder, Sahar, to see how two different methods of application can lead to two different end results.

The ultimate truth is what might work for one curly girl may not work for you. This is why we always urge our customers to experiment with different application methods to discover what makes their own curls pop.

Here are some of our favourite curl clumping techniques:

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

As curly girls, we tend to focus more on our ends than the roots in search of the perfect curl. Be sure that when you are styling your curls, your hair is fully wet from roots to tips. If you experience a lot of frizz or poofy-ness at the top try applying product from the top and dragging/smoothing it down the length of your hair. The trick is if you don’t have good clumping starting at the roots than the curls at the ends will eventually separate and frizz.

GLIDE IT!

If you have looser curls or waves then you want to glide your product through your strands to smooth your wave/curls and help them clump together. Check out this tutorial from @lovelifecurls to see how she uses this method to nail her super defined wavy-curly hair.

RAKE & SHAKE

For tighter kinks and coils working in sections is the key to ensuring even product distribution. Once you’ve finished applying product shake your head from side to side. The centrifugal force will pull your strands together while at the same time separating the clumps from each other. It’ll probably help to cover your face with a towel so that you don’t get whipped in the face with wet hair. Our girl @beatsbykd has this method on lock.

HANDS OFF

Once you’ve finished styling your hair, the final step is to leave them alone! Don’t touch your curls! As your hair dries the water and the styler will help your curls set and hold your clumps into place. Messing around with damp curls is the perfect way to disrupt your curl pattern and encourage frizz. So no matter, how cute your ringlets may be, keep those curls hands-free!

This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many ways to get poppin’ curls while we find it best to learn from other curly girls but it’s important to realize that not every method will work for you.

Here at LUS (Love Ur Self), we’re always happy to help other curly girls reach their full curl potential so if you’re ever stuck our amazing support staff is always down to help. On the flip side if you got your curl game figured out we’d love to hear about it!


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15 comments

Thelma

Thelma

For years I tried different products and for years I was not happy with the results on how my hair looked , one day I saw it on FB and decided to give it a try . OMG best decision I have made about my hair , this product is the best you can get . I highly recommend it . Love it love it love it

For years I tried different products and for years I was not happy with the results on how my hair looked , one day I saw it on FB and decided to give it a try . OMG best decision I have made about my hair , this product is the best you can get . I highly recommend it . Love it love it love it

Kim

Kim

Just received mine today!! Super excited and can’t wait to get my curls on the right track!

Just received mine today!! Super excited and can’t wait to get my curls on the right track!

Rc

Rc

Well… I read and read all comments and watched videos… my hair is wavy definitely from middle to end and wavy from root to mid…bought wavy and I’m on my 4th try and OMG!!! I’m blonde and haven’t worn my hair curly since 1989! I have a lot of hair per square inch. Takes at least 25 minutes to dry. I’ve never worn it curly cause of the frizz and lack of curls. This week has been amazing!! I’m watching and learning different techniques it’s freaking fantastic!!! I love it!!! Wish I could attach a photo!!! My husband said “wth did you do and how did you get curls!”? I told him and he was impressed said he loved the change!!

Well… I read and read all comments and watched videos… my hair is wavy definitely from middle to end and wavy from root to mid…bought wavy and I’m on my 4th try and OMG!!! I’m blonde and haven’t worn my hair curly since 1989! I have a lot of hair per square inch. Takes at least 25 minutes to dry. I’ve never worn it curly cause of the frizz and lack of curls. This week has been amazing!! I’m watching and learning different techniques it’s freaking fantastic!!! I love it!!! Wish I could attach a photo!!! My husband said “wth did you do and how did you get curls!”? I told him and he was impressed said he loved the change!!

Barbra Pagano

Barbra Pagano

Have tried EVERY product out there & can finally say I found the one that promises & delivers!! I’m a customer for life

Have tried EVERY product out there & can finally say I found the one that promises & delivers!! I’m a customer for life

Sonia Luckett

Sonia Luckett

Hi everyone, I just wanted to tell you about my experience with this product. I watched so many videos on LUS brands and their journey I couldn’t wait to try it. I ha r to say it smells great and feels amazing 😍. My first day hair was okay so I thought maybe it’s not for me. But my daughters hair was awesome the first day. The second day I woke with these awesome curls and soft silky hair, I was so happy and I’m so glad to have tried it.

Hi everyone, I just wanted to tell you about my experience with this product. I watched so many videos on LUS brands and their journey I couldn’t wait to try it. I ha r to say it smells great and feels amazing 😍. My first day hair was okay so I thought maybe it’s not for me. But my daughters hair was awesome the first day. The second day I woke with these awesome curls and soft silky hair, I was so happy and I’m so glad to have tried it.

Tia Shackleford

Tia Shackleford

Super excited…
I got my shipment yesterday and used the shampoo and conditioner… I LOVE the Smell! I don’t think I put enough of the all in one in the 1st time … but I did my refresh this morning and tried some tips I’ve been getting from the videos and it seem to help today. I am growing my hair back out amd where I’m a truck driver and always on the go and not much time for anything lol I wanted something easy so I’ve started doing the natural look lol.. I’ve never liked my hair curly lol idk why maybe cuz of the frizz and not knowing how or what to do… (I’m the only one with wavy curls in my family lol) I never knew what type of curls I had (I just knew that I had thick and wavy hair)or what ya’ll was talking about when you said 4c or 3 b lol now I understand lol and I think I have it figured out that I am type 2 A B and C lol thanks for all the videos lol and excited to see where this product will take my hair.

Super excited…
I got my shipment yesterday and used the shampoo and conditioner… I LOVE the Smell! I don’t think I put enough of the all in one in the 1st time … but I did my refresh this morning and tried some tips I’ve been getting from the videos and it seem to help today. I am growing my hair back out amd where I’m a truck driver and always on the go and not much time for anything lol I wanted something easy so I’ve started doing the natural look lol.. I’ve never liked my hair curly lol idk why maybe cuz of the frizz and not knowing how or what to do… (I’m the only one with wavy curls in my family lol) I never knew what type of curls I had (I just knew that I had thick and wavy hair)or what ya’ll was talking about when you said 4c or 3 b lol now I understand lol and I think I have it figured out that I am type 2 A B and C lol thanks for all the videos lol and excited to see where this product will take my hair.

Molly Hennessy

Molly Hennessy

I got my bottle of all-in-one yesterday and am excited to try it. My hair has always had wave but due to my medications I have developed really curly hair. I don’t know what I’m doing with it yet, one side is curlier than the other. Hope this product works to help me even it out!

I got my bottle of all-in-one yesterday and am excited to try it. My hair has always had wave but due to my medications I have developed really curly hair. I don’t know what I’m doing with it yet, one side is curlier than the other. Hope this product works to help me even it out!

Sheli

Sheli

I skeptically tried this product, knowing how many products have claimed to be the perfect answer to my wild hair, yet have not delivered. I have been so excited to see that this product delivers in a big way. I am still perfecting my regimen, but I have NEVER used only one product in my hair or used one that left my curls soft and bouncy like this. Love it!!

I skeptically tried this product, knowing how many products have claimed to be the perfect answer to my wild hair, yet have not delivered. I have been so excited to see that this product delivers in a big way. I am still perfecting my regimen, but I have NEVER used only one product in my hair or used one that left my curls soft and bouncy like this. Love it!!

Stephanie Landy

Stephanie Landy

I absolutely love this product I have wavy to curly hair my hair is down to my butt, and I have mostly been straightening my hair because every hair product just would not work for my hair it would be crispy or dirty looking and just never held the curls. I really love it your hair is shiny curly or wavy it stays in there with no frizz, my daughter was so impressed she made me send her the link! Great job!

I absolutely love this product I have wavy to curly hair my hair is down to my butt, and I have mostly been straightening my hair because every hair product just would not work for my hair it would be crispy or dirty looking and just never held the curls. I really love it your hair is shiny curly or wavy it stays in there with no frizz, my daughter was so impressed she made me send her the link! Great job!

Carol

Carol

Oddly, I am relatively new to curls. Wished for them all my life, but had perfectly straight hair long enough to sit on. Tried EVERY method to curl my hair as a teen, but nothing held. For me “change of life” meant my hair suddenly started to curl! As an adult I had no idea how to deal with it, and so have lived with frizz for the last 10-years. Saw your ads and thought, “What do I have to lose?” Got my sample set of wavy (although I think I might almost be curly now,) the other day and was very pleased with the first attempt, although I have a LOT to learn. I tried the squeeze and cruch with a t-shirt methed for the first time. Great on the hair on the lower half of my head, but not for the top which is slightly less curly. Next time I will try curling clumps from the top around my finger to see what happens. Either way, my girl friends said they loved the new curly look!! No more hair brush for me, I am embracing the curls!! Will take me longer to figure out a difuser, although I am hppy to now know what this attachment is for, lol.

Oddly, I am relatively new to curls. Wished for them all my life, but had perfectly straight hair long enough to sit on. Tried EVERY method to curl my hair as a teen, but nothing held. For me “change of life” meant my hair suddenly started to curl! As an adult I had no idea how to deal with it, and so have lived with frizz for the last 10-years. Saw your ads and thought, “What do I have to lose?” Got my sample set of wavy (although I think I might almost be curly now,) the other day and was very pleased with the first attempt, although I have a LOT to learn. I tried the squeeze and cruch with a t-shirt methed for the first time. Great on the hair on the lower half of my head, but not for the top which is slightly less curly. Next time I will try curling clumps from the top around my finger to see what happens. Either way, my girl friends said they loved the new curly look!! No more hair brush for me, I am embracing the curls!! Will take me longer to figure out a difuser, although I am hppy to now know what this attachment is for, lol.

Pegasus

Pegasus

I love this product, I have been using it for a few months now . My hair have never felt better, and my curls have been out of this world. I am extremely happy with this product.
I love this product, I have been using it for a few months now . My hair have never felt better, and my curls have been out of this world. I am extremely happy with this product.
Tina Whitley

Tina Whitley

I’ve used my LUS products twice now and all I can say is WOW!! Super soft defined curls with bounce and no crunch!!! I’m soooooo happy!!! I’ve been fighting with these frizzy curls for 52 years and now I can truly say I am in love with my hair!! Us curly girls are special you know!!! Wink wink……

I’ve used my LUS products twice now and all I can say is WOW!! Super soft defined curls with bounce and no crunch!!! I’m soooooo happy!!! I’ve been fighting with these frizzy curls for 52 years and now I can truly say I am in love with my hair!! Us curly girls are special you know!!! Wink wink……

Meg

Meg

I’m so excited! Just got my LUS products today!! Can’t wait to try them tomorrow. My hair is short-ish and I look like a sheep who rubbed up against a balloon. It drives me nuts. I’m excited to try LUS and the techniques mentioned to tame the frizzy mess I call hair.
I’ll be back with results later!!!

I’m so excited! Just got my LUS products today!! Can’t wait to try them tomorrow. My hair is short-ish and I look like a sheep who rubbed up against a balloon. It drives me nuts. I’m excited to try LUS and the techniques mentioned to tame the frizzy mess I call hair.
I’ll be back with results later!!!

Kim L Montalvo

Kim L Montalvo

I received my LUS products in the mail today and I’m so excited to use them. I’m 51 years old and I’ve struggled with my very curly ringlets my whole life. I’ve had short hair, long hair and in between hair, but nothing has been able to tame my Chia-Pet hair. I’ve done the hair straighteners, flat irons, curling irons (to smooth out my curls), hot rollers, Velcro rollers, and I’m done with it! This summer I’ve decided to love my girls and let them out! I’m not blow drying my hair straight for an hour only to go outside and have the heat and humidity make my hair look like I stuck my fingers in an electrical socket. I’ll be back after I try the products. So excited!!

I received my LUS products in the mail today and I’m so excited to use them. I’m 51 years old and I’ve struggled with my very curly ringlets my whole life. I’ve had short hair, long hair and in between hair, but nothing has been able to tame my Chia-Pet hair. I’ve done the hair straighteners, flat irons, curling irons (to smooth out my curls), hot rollers, Velcro rollers, and I’m done with it! This summer I’ve decided to love my girls and let them out! I’m not blow drying my hair straight for an hour only to go outside and have the heat and humidity make my hair look like I stuck my fingers in an electrical socket. I’ll be back after I try the products. So excited!!

Linda

Linda

My curls are getting better every time I wash .. I used curly at first zz I order the wavy and kinky coil .. though my hair is not kinky .. I mix the curly w the kinky coil 2 pumps each in each side and my curls are awesome … Thank you for all the videos and input to us as customers…. LUS the best
Now I need to clean my closet which is filled all different products that didn’t work for me .. 👩🏻‍🦱❤️

My curls are getting better every time I wash .. I used curly at first zz I order the wavy and kinky coil .. though my hair is not kinky .. I mix the curly w the kinky coil 2 pumps each in each side and my curls are awesome … Thank you for all the videos and input to us as customers…. LUS the best
Now I need to clean my closet which is filled all different products that didn’t work for me .. 👩🏻‍🦱❤️