Causes of Failed Wash Days | Frizz, Stringy Limp Curls, Flat Roots

Everyone has bad hair days, and curly hair is known to be unpredictable. Whether your wash day resulted in frizz, stringy, crunchy curls, or limp curls, there are things you tweak in your routine to get your desired results. In today’s post, I’m showing examples of when my hair didn’t turn out the way I hoped and my thought process for identifying what went wrong. 

Damaged hair causes inconsistent results

If your hair is damaged, it’s going to be more unpredictable. Damaged hair struggles to retain moisture and can easily frizz up once dried. Refreshing can also be tough due to stringy ends, tangles, and frizz. Fortunately, it does get better as the health of your hair improves. Once I fully grew out my damaged highlights, my wash day results were more consistent, and refreshing got easier. Patience is key, and get those damaged ends cut off to save yourself the headache!

Frizz or Curls that Don’t Last

Causes:

• Lack of hold
  • Too much cream
  • Not enough product
  • Uneven product application
  • Products that aren’t right for you or your climate
• No humidity protection
  • Humectants like glycerin cause frizz in humidity 
  • Lack of polyquat ingredients. Look for “polyquaternium” and “Copolymer”
• Protein/moisture imbalance
  • Lack of protein can cause hair to feel too soft and fall limp. Protein helps hold structure and moisture in.
  • Lack of moisture can cause hair to feel stiff and have flyaways

• Air drying often results in curls that fall flat. Diffusing helps “set” the curls.
• Loose curls or waves are naturally going to fall

Product-y Feeling, Sticky, Crunchy, Tangly Hair

Causes:

• Too much product can leave a residue on the hair
• Too heavy products
  • Heavy butters, oils, thick gel with oils
• Too much hold, not enough slip in your gel formula
• Not scrunching out the gel cast after dried
• Tangly hair is often due to needing a trim or using products that leave a residue on the hair

Weighed-Down, Limp Curls, Stringy, or No Volume

Causes:

• Too much product
• Too heavy products:
  • Heavy butters, oils, thick gel with oils
• Co-washing can often cause hair to remain flat
• Buildup from hard water or products
• Lack of protein can cause curls to fall limp and not last
• Moisture overload can cause heavy, limp curls
  • Styling soaking wet
  • Using very moisturizing products
• Air drying
  • If your curls feel damp all day its too much moisture
• Lack of styling
  • Hair can appear stringy without styling
  • Not enough water when styling
  • Brush styling or finger coiling can help curls clump so they last longer, and frizz stays tucked away

Products Mentioned

• OUIDAD Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Stronger Hold Gel
• AG Re:coil Curl Activator
• Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Ultra-Hold Gel
• Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Coil Sculpting Custard
• Curlsmith Feather-light Protein Cream, 10% off first order with code GENAMARIE10
• Curlsmith Fragrance-Free Shine Gel, 10% off first order with code GENAMARIE10
• Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm, 10% off first order with code GENAMARIE10
• Curlsmith In-Shower Style Fixer, 10% off first order with code GENAMARIE10
• Curlsmith Curl Defining Styling Souffle, 10% off first order with code GENAMARIE10
• Hairitage by Mindy Ahead of the Curl Cream
• Dove Amplified Textures Shine & Moisture Finishing Gel
• Briogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Hair Brush

Related Videos Mentioned
How to Improve Curl Retention & Restore Bouncy Curls
Hard Water 101
How to Prevent Stringy, Dry, Crunchy Curls ft. Curlsmit
How to Get Stronger Hold + Tips for Preventing a Crunchy Look | Curlsmith