VIDEO: How to Make Curls Tighter at the Root & More Defined

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So many curl girls experience flat, less defined roots where the hair is often naturally much straighter. This is totally normal to have a looser curl pattern right at the root. There are several things you can do to help encourage the curl pattern. Here are 10 tips to get tighter curls at the root.

1. Clarify to remove buildup. Products, sweat, oil, etc. can weigh down the roots, causing the curls to be more elongated. A clarifying shampoo gives a deeper clean than regular shampooing, and it’s important to do this on a regular basis.
2. Avoid applying conditioner right at your root. Focus the conditioner on your ends, and work the leftover product upwards so the roots aren’t weighed down.
3. Use Olaplex No. 3 to tighten curls. Learn more about how Olaplex works in this video. Olaplex helps repair the hair’s cuticle making it stronger. Curls often appear tighter and bounce up after doing several treatments.
4. Wet plop after washing your hair, and before you style to help encourage curl retention when it’s wet.
5. Avoid applying heavy styling creams and leave-in conditioner to your roots, and focus it on the mid-shaft to ends.
6. Pick up vertical sections, and use the Denman brush to define individual curls right at the root down. Wrap the brush around the strand twice before pulling downwards to get a righter ringlet.
7. Avoid brushing all your hair forward when styling upside down, as this can often stretch out the roots. Instead, apply your stylers with your head upright.
8. Lift your hair at the root, and scrunch with your hair close to the root with gel or mousse.
9. Avoid creating a straight, defined part. Instead, make a messy, zig-zag part for more volume.
10. When diffusing, place your diffuser right at your root, lift, and hold for a few seconds to create volume. Also try plopping your hair upside down while hovering the diffuser for less frizz.

Products & Tools Used:

• Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Scalp Care Cleansing Oil
• or Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Water to Foam Micellar Shampoo
• Not Your Mother Curl Talk 3-in-1 Conditioner
• Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Deep Conditioning Masque
• Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Leave-In Conditioner
• Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Cream
• Not Your Mother Curl Talk Curl Activation Mousse
• Olaplex No. 3
• Thermal Haircare Hot Head Cap
• Infiniti PRO by Conair 1875 Watt Texture Styling Hair Dryer
• HairRepear The Ultimate Hair Towel
• MYK Silk Scrunchies <–15% off with code GENA15