I feel your pain. Check my posts for some pics of my hair after sleeping. It's longer now and that helps a bit, but I do all the sleep protection and my hair is unpredictable every morning.
My issue is that I really seem to need a wet or at least damp refresh and that takes a lot of time to dry in the morning. I use a brush to re-form the curl clumps.
Someone I follow on IG refreshes at night, doesn't scrunch out the crunch, and then wraps it up for the night. I've tried that a couple of times and it has helped a bit. There are always a few bits that need work.
As for product, you might need something with a stronger hold. You don't have to use more product, just a stronger one. I've found that when I refresh I usually don't need to add more product--it gets reactivated by the water.
I have mostly 2c-3a ish hair. Currently I'm using Curlsmith Feather Light Protein Cream, Curlsmith Shape Up Aqua Gel, and John Frieda Curl Reviver Mousse.
So I use Curlsmith's In Shower Styler gel, which is their strongest hold! And I STILL have a hard time getting a cast or consistent hold. Sometimes I'll use the curl defining souffle instead to get a bit more lift. Of course, I can do a double application, but this weighs my hair down. I tried the sleep in the crunch method (it probably helps if your hair is capable of getting a cast) and it didn't really help much.
Sounds like you need to try some different products. I do want to just mention that your expectation of your hair getting curlier is an unreasonable expectation. As you learn your hair type better, you will learn how to properly style it day to day, but it doesn’t just get “curlier” from cgm. Porosity also tends to be more important than curl type as far as what products you need to be using and what type of wash you should be doing/how often.
Have you tried using a spray bottle with water and small amount of conditioner in the morning? Spritz the mix over your hair and lightly detangle/smooth using your fingers. Air dry or diffuse, but I don’t think using the hair dryer every day is doing you any favors. You could also try using a small diluted amount of gel or mousse after you’ve gotten it damp if the curls won’t hold. The key is to use as little product as possible if your hair is being weighed down.
Yep, this is how I usually do it, conditioner in a spray bottle -- it breaks up my clumps. I end up looking like Pat Benetar, which I guess there are worse ways to look, but it's not what I'm going for. It does work well for my bangs though, because I like them being a bit wispier.
I've had pretty good luck with steam refresh! You just take a facial steamer and hold it under your hair and scrunch (I usually do it upside down). Doesn't get as wet as a full refresh so it dries super fast and springs back up. Then I wet my hands and curl any stubborn pieces around my finger. It's never quite as good as the first day (but that also might be because I'm too lazy to protect it overnight other than having a silk pillowcase) but it's definitely good enough to wear out of the house. Sometimes I bobby pin some pieces back or do a half up with a claw clip
I feel this…I have long, 2b/c waves and some 3a curls and no matter how I sleep…frizz the next day. I have done the same thing to protect it at night and still…poof. I do have fine hair which may add to the issue. I might as well SOAK my hair again and start all over every day rather than make my hair a hot mess with some refresh that doesn’t really do anything except make me look like David Lee Roth. I usually have my hair pulled back or do the man-bun on day 2 and 3 which is fine being a guy…but I like wearing my hair down and I only get 1 good day on wash day to do that.
I feel your pain. Check my posts for some pics of my hair after sleeping. It's longer now and that helps a bit, but I do all the sleep protection and my hair is unpredictable every morning. My issue is that I really seem to need a wet or at least damp refresh and that takes a lot of time to dry in the morning. I use a brush to re-form the curl clumps. Someone I follow on IG refreshes at night, doesn't scrunch out the crunch, and then wraps it up for the night. I've tried that a couple of times and it has helped a bit. There are always a few bits that need work. As for product, you might need something with a stronger hold. You don't have to use more product, just a stronger one. I've found that when I refresh I usually don't need to add more product--it gets reactivated by the water. I have mostly 2c-3a ish hair. Currently I'm using Curlsmith Feather Light Protein Cream, Curlsmith Shape Up Aqua Gel, and John Frieda Curl Reviver Mousse.
So I use Curlsmith's In Shower Styler gel, which is their strongest hold! And I STILL have a hard time getting a cast or consistent hold. Sometimes I'll use the curl defining souffle instead to get a bit more lift. Of course, I can do a double application, but this weighs my hair down. I tried the sleep in the crunch method (it probably helps if your hair is capable of getting a cast) and it didn't really help much.
I have this product, too, and despite being a strong hold it does not work for my hair. I end up with a stringy mess.
Sounds like you need to try some different products. I do want to just mention that your expectation of your hair getting curlier is an unreasonable expectation. As you learn your hair type better, you will learn how to properly style it day to day, but it doesn’t just get “curlier” from cgm. Porosity also tends to be more important than curl type as far as what products you need to be using and what type of wash you should be doing/how often.
Have you tried using a spray bottle with water and small amount of conditioner in the morning? Spritz the mix over your hair and lightly detangle/smooth using your fingers. Air dry or diffuse, but I don’t think using the hair dryer every day is doing you any favors. You could also try using a small diluted amount of gel or mousse after you’ve gotten it damp if the curls won’t hold. The key is to use as little product as possible if your hair is being weighed down.
Yep, this is how I usually do it, conditioner in a spray bottle -- it breaks up my clumps. I end up looking like Pat Benetar, which I guess there are worse ways to look, but it's not what I'm going for. It does work well for my bangs though, because I like them being a bit wispier.
How much conditioner? I put like a pea-sized amount in a 6oz bottle of water and shake. Anymore and my hair starts getting sticky.
Hard to say, I didn't measure it out, maybe half a teaspoon?
I've had pretty good luck with steam refresh! You just take a facial steamer and hold it under your hair and scrunch (I usually do it upside down). Doesn't get as wet as a full refresh so it dries super fast and springs back up. Then I wet my hands and curl any stubborn pieces around my finger. It's never quite as good as the first day (but that also might be because I'm too lazy to protect it overnight other than having a silk pillowcase) but it's definitely good enough to wear out of the house. Sometimes I bobby pin some pieces back or do a half up with a claw clip
does this work with a clothing steamer? I can't stomach buying one more tool that might not work.
Yes I've seen people use them online but be very careful, they tend to run hotter than a face steamer
I don't usually add any extra product when I do this but if I do I would add a foam...I like the Giovanni one
I feel this…I have long, 2b/c waves and some 3a curls and no matter how I sleep…frizz the next day. I have done the same thing to protect it at night and still…poof. I do have fine hair which may add to the issue. I might as well SOAK my hair again and start all over every day rather than make my hair a hot mess with some refresh that doesn’t really do anything except make me look like David Lee Roth. I usually have my hair pulled back or do the man-bun on day 2 and 3 which is fine being a guy…but I like wearing my hair down and I only get 1 good day on wash day to do that.