Catrise asks:
When fluffing the hair after doing a braid/twist-out, what is the best technique to use in order to not over fluff the hair style (comb, fingers, hair pick, etc..)?
CN’s response: I’ve slowly come to the realization that allowing my hair to ‘just be’, allows it to fluff up naturally with minimal frizz. The day after my styling session (usually a Twist-n-Curl), I remove the curlers and gently unravel the twists. Since the twists are so chunky, I sometimes break them apart to help it look more natural, but that’s all I do… no finger combing, picking, or massaging the roots. This no fluffing routine gets me to four day hair, which I greatly appreciate.
The problem is that my hair is fine, and walking around for a day with a flat TnC drives me insane- it’s scalpy, and overly defined. However, come day two, it’s twice as big, still chunky, defined, and frizz free!
There are times when I need it to be the three F’s (funky, fabulous, and flyy) on day 1, so I do the following:
- Remove the curlers
- Unravel the twists
- Break twisted sections apart (turning 1 crinkle into two and so on)
- Spread my fingers and use them as a pick/comb to gently break up the roots
- Sometimes I’ll flip my head over, still using my fingers as a pick… running them from my roots to 1/4 down the strands
- Massage the roots at the crown to help hide any parts
- I never use combs or any other tools to fluff… just my fingers
Finally, for easier fluffing and bigger hair, remember to use less product! Preferably no styler (gel/mouuse, curl cream), and only a silver dollar sized amount of your ‘styling conditioner’.
Fingers only for me 🙂
i use my fingers as well. I have learned being a pastry chef that everything is better prepared using your hands. LOL! It may sound strange but it works!
It stands for teeny weeny afro.
I am new the natural hair thing. What does TWA stand for?
Does anyone know how to keep your scalp moisturized without using hair grease? My scalp dries out very easily. I don't have a naturally oily scalp or hair.
Fluffing is so a must for me after a twist out. Or I will be lookin' all kinda crazy! LOL I put a teeny tiny bit of olive oil or coconut oil on my finger tips, this really helps cut down on frizz but still helps my hair share the wealth! 😉
I am going to try some of these techniques. Thanks Nikki for posting my question and thanks ladies for all of the suggestions 🙂
My hair is in between stages…between a TWA and not really chin length. I do the same as Dawn Michelle…I braid up at night and take out in the morning by "rubbing" my parts out. I find that if I use a janky condish my braidout will look at hot mess no matter how I fluff.
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I use a small pick on the end of my comb or I use the tail end of a rat tail comb. If I only use my fingers, its really hard to hide the parts.
Ditto Dawn Michelle… I untwist and carefully separate. I use a little Carol's Daughter Mimosa Honey for shine. I have way too much hair so I don't need to fluff. Like Curls Galore that happens naturally on Day 2 and 3!
I do pretty much the same thing. For my twistouts, I unravel each twist, break the apart and leave it alone. I used to pick the roots if I want a more fluffier twistout, but I figured out that my hair does better when I don't manipulate it. Day 1 its very fresh and defined, Day 2 it loosens up and get fluffier on its own. I acheived a 4 day twistout just by leaving my hair alone!
I am the same way!
Today I had an audition so I needed sexy fierce hair! After taking the twist down I put my fingers to my roots and rubbed vigorously. After that I shook my head like a dog over & over again until my hair was big. I get a lil frizz on top but I kinda like it.
On a normal day I would just rub my roots.
After take down, I get my headbanger chick on. If you've ever heard LL Cool J's Heads Sprung or Q-Tip's Vivrant Thang … you know what I mean.
End result: Sexy, tousled chic curly fro.
Besitos!!
I just use my fingers. Using pretty much the same method you explained, breaking the twists up into smaller parts. I do this until I'm satisfied with the volume.
I used to have to shake my hair like a maniac and or hang my head upside down while massaging my scalp to get the desired volume which made my hair look awesome but created HORRIBLE tangles which eventually led to split ends/end knots. I don't do that anymore. I try to just let my hair be.
I redo my braid out every evening to avoid frizz and to moisturize and seal my ends. In the morning I gently pull the curls apart and style. I let my hair do most of its fluffing on its own. It takes me about 30 minutes in the evening and 10 minutes in the morning.
Use the long end of a rat tail comb and carefully lift the roots only to minimize scalpy-ness. Do so (as much as possible) in the opposite direction of the parts (perpendicular).
I just started wearing my hair curly after getting it pressed since being 100% natural..and i have learned that i MUST keep my hands out my hair if i want it to look good…after having TOTALLY frizzy hair and not using enough products..i think im on my way to figuring out a routine…once i take down twists, unravel, i fingercomb the roots..then style..after which i dont touch anymore…might leave the roots alone now
I use my fingers only, and if it's not getting as big as I want it to I will turn my head over and shake while using fingers as well… My YT vid has my braidout takedown "technique".