VIDEO: Clarifying Curly Hair – How to Clarify & Remove BuildUp + ACV Rinse

This blog contains affiliate links. Click here for a full disclosure.

I’m back post-wedding and so excited to share today’s video! The past few weeks have been a whirlwind, and I’m so ready to get back on track with the Curly Haircare for Beginners video series.

Today we’re talking all things on clarifying! There can be so much confusion around clarifying. Many wonder why you need to clarify, how often do you need to clarify your curls, how to clarify and more. I’m also sharing an easy DIY clarifying treatment you can do at home using apple cider vinegar, which has so many great benefits for the hair.

Clarifying is the perfect way to kickstart your transition process to naturally curly hair and follow the Curly Girl Method. When switching to the curly girl method, and not using sulfates and silicones any more, it’s crucial to clarify to remove existing silicone buildup and start with a clean slate.

What is clarifying?

Clarifying the hair removes buildup from the scalp and hair that can occur from using products that contain silicone ingredients, heavy butters and oils. Clarifying can also correct scalp issues such as dandruff, excess oil, and dryness.

How do you know you need to clarify?

• Your hair is flat on top and lacking volume
• Your curls are limp and struggle to curl up
• Your scalp is very oily or very dry
• You have fine hair or low porosity hair that is prone to buildup
• You use products with silicones, waxes, heavy butters, creams, or oils
• Excess shedding caused by clogged hair follicles/pores on the scalp
• Your routine is no longer effective, and your hair isn’t responding to products anymore
• Your hair appears dull and lacks shine

How often do you clarify?

It depends on the type of products you like to use. Asses your hair and determine if you are seeing any of the signs above. I prefer to use a mild shampoo 1x a week before deep conditioning. I fully clarify about 1x per month for a reset.

What are ways you can clarify your hair?

• Use a sulfate shampoo (WITHOUT silicone) to strip the buildup and oils from the hair. Use these sparingly to avoid drying our your hair. Ensure that the shampoo does not contain silicone and that you are not following up with a conditioner or styling product that contains silicones.
• Common silicone ingredients to avoid: Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Amodimethicone, Dimethiconol, Trimethicone, Cyclomethicone/Cyclopentasiloxane
• Use a mild shampoo that has more gentle sulfate ingredients: Sodium cocyl isethionate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, dioctyl sidum sulfosuccionate, methyl cocoyl
• Use a clarifying shampoo or treatment such as the DevaCurl Buildup Buster Miceller Cleansing Serum (review here)
• Mix baking soda in with your shampoo or co-wash as a scalp scrub. Be sure to follow up with conditioner or deep conditioner.
• Mix apple cider vinegar and water and rinse your hair with it to remove buildup, add shine, and soften the hair

What are the benefits of clarifying using apple cider vinegar?

• Balances the pH of your scalp/hair. Frizzy hair is more alkaline.
• Antimicrobial, controls scalp fungus and itchiness
• Contains Vitamin C and B
• Helps exfoliate away dead skin cells 
• Anti-inflammatory and soothes dandruff

How do you use apple cider vinegar to clarify your hair?

Watch the video above to see the step-by-step routine. Mix 2 parts water with 2 parts raw apple cider vinegar.

Products Used:

• Organic raw apple cider vinegar with mother
• Applicator bottle with angled tip
• Peach Black Tea Anti-Shedding & Intense Volume Therapy Conditioner
• Peach Black Tea Anti-Shedding & Intense Volume Therapy Shampoo
• DevaCurl Deep Sea Repair Seaweed Strengthening Mask (also recommend the Melt Into Moisture if you don’t want protein)

Check out my latest video:

–CurlMix Wash & Go Routine