Under-conditioned
Hair is dry and frizzy. Has a characteristic straw-like sound when dry and manipulated. Hair lacks elasticity, definition and is brittle. When wet, hair softens, but dries very quickly and returns to a frizzy state. Hair strand does not stretch and will “snap” if pulled; there is zero elasticity.
Balanced
Little to no frizz, elasticity, definition, very soft to the touch. Note: When curl training very dry hair, even though maximum hydration may not be reached right away and frizz may still be present, the best way to tell if your hair is absorbing moisture is by feeling the texture of the hair.
If it is soft to the touch when dry, even though it is still frizzy, then you are okay. Continue to curl train and as your hair adapts to holding more moisture you will experience less frizz, as well as more definition and elasticity with time.
I do not recommend doing curl training more than three times a week, and even that is really pushing it. What I found was best—if you can stand it—was to curl train once a week for an entire week. In response to anyone who thinks this means your hair is being moisturized for an entire week, moisture can only be transferred into your hair cuticle by water.
Once your hair is dry, this can’t happen, so there is no danger of “over moisturizing the hair”. That danger only becomes real when you curl train by adding deep conditioner* three or more times a week because you are repeatedly adding water, through a deep conditioner, to the hair.
The reason why you don’t rinse your hair once it becomes dry is because the longer you keep your dry hair in this super-defined state, the more it develops curl memory.
This is essential to retaining moisture and maintaining defined curls even after rinsing your deep conditioner* out, and I attribute the fact that my curls retain moisture and shape really well even after drying to the last six months of curl training. This method isn’t for everyone, but it definitely works if it can fit into your lifestyle.
I’ve been following your series on curl training and want to try it, but I have a couple of questions. You say it’s best to do it “once a week for an entire week.” To be clear, you mean apply the deep conditioner and leave it in for an entire week? How often should that be done? Every week? Every other week? Once a month? Also, is there a maximum amount of time, and/or number of times this should be done? Last, you originally recommended using a homemade deep conditioner, but is it okay to use a commercial DC? Thanks for any help you can give with these questions.
Yes I did recommend using a homemade DC simply because you have more knowledge and control over the ingredients within the product formulation. With a commercial DC you might not know what all the ingredients are and what effect they will have on your hair, so be careful and choose wisely. The other downside is that with a commercial DC your hair might simply not respond, which was my problem and the reason why I began to formulate my own product. I do recommend doing this four times a month (once a week for an entire week). Twice is great if you have the time. Three is pushing it and anything more than that will be more harmful than helpful to your hair. I hope that answers your questions. Thanks for reading 😀
Okay, thank you very much.
What is curl training?
Check the first page of this article where it says “my last post” That’s a link to the original article.
One more question–any suggestions for homemade protein free deep conditioner? All of the recipes I’m finding online have some form of protein, and I assume with leaving it in so long, the conditioner should not have protein. Plus, being low porosity, my hair does not play well with protein anyway.
http://www.4chairchick.com/cheap-easy-homemade-deep-conditioners/ Omit the mayo, egg, and use less coconut milk so that it doesn’t just run all over the place. Or use a thickener like I suggested.
Okay, thanks again.
Is over conditioning a bad thing?