Texture Tales: Inge Shares her Secrets for Styling Fine Curly Hair with Extra Volume

Image: @ingecurls

What was it like for you growing up with textured hair?

I didn’t start curly. When I was a newborn I had a reasonable amount of hair and it was straight until I hit puberty and then it went crazy. It started off wavy and then got curlier. I had waves and ringlets, especially underneath. My mother loves my curls but I was like nooooo!!!! I had some years that I felt frustrated with my hair because it didn’t behave or look like the societal standards; long, straight or loose-textured hair as the ideal. It made me feel my hair was unattractive.

What made you decide to embrace your naturally curly hair?

From the moment that I learned how to take care of my hair and understand what my hair needs I started to love my hair and at the same time it was part of self love.

What has been the most challenging moment of your hair journey so far?

Getting to know my hair. The most challenging part was to figure out the protein /moisture balance. What treatments or products to use for my hair. Since I’m using the wet stretch test and figure out the signs of my hair I began to learn how my hair behaves on a regular basis.

What has been the most empowering moment of your natural hair journey so far?

• That I figured out to know my own hair. I learned my texture, porosity and density and with these three important factors I know to choose the right products for my hair.
• Understanding how to read ingredient lists has transformed my curly hair journey also. Because knowing your hair is part of reading labels. This will save you so many trial and error fails because you can understand what you’re putting in your hair and how your hair responds to it.
• Experimenting a lot. I follow the rule that what will work for my hair won’t always work for someone else’s hair. For example I have high porosity, medium density and fine hair. My hair likes coconut oil as an ingredient. It also occurs that another curly has the exact same properties of the hair but the hair doesn’t like not against coconut oil as an ingredient at all. So all I can say is pay attention to how your hair reacts with certain ingredients. Don’t blindly follow one rule or technique just because it’s working for someone else; you know your hair best.

How do you protect your curls at night?

All I do is pull my curls up to the top of my head, then put it in a loose ponytail, called a ‘pineapple’. Aside from that, I sleep on a silk pillowcase.

Image: @ingecurls

What are your top tips for definition? Volume?

I’m definitely a volume curly girl!!

My tips are:

• Get a good haircut
• Clarify your hair
• Washing your hair upside down
• Use lightweight products
• Less is more, product amount counts
• Diffuse upside down and side to side
• Shake your roots with fingertips or hair pick
• Separate your curls

Who is your curl crush?

When I started this method I was inspired by Lulu @curlicue_lu.

Everything on her page was so clear, like the tutorials. I have learned a lot from her. She explains everything so well that this method is easy to follow.

What is your current hair regimen? Any favorite products you’d like to share? 

I like to keep it simple these days. I like to have a clean scalp because that means healthy hair. And the scalp transformation system from Curlsmith gives me that clean scalp. For me it’s a must-have.

There are 3 steps: 

Step 1 is the Super Slip Prebiotic Primer

This helps create the perfect environment for hair follicles, strengthening the scalp’s barrier and prepping it for clarifying. This primer contain the ingredient fermented rice water

My experience: This pre poo feels so good on your scalp when you massage it in on wet hair. I was also amazed that I could detangle my hair easily at this stage.

Step 2: Wash & Scrub Detox Probiotic 

What does it do? Hair can’t grow long and strong if build-up gets in the way. That’s why clarifying is so important. This scrub’s texture is incredibly fine, you will barely feel it on your hands. This ensures that it can penetrate through to the roots and exfoliate gently, washing off effortlessly without residues. This wash and scrub contain the ingredient Apple Cider Vinegar. 

My experience: You all know I’m a clarifying girl and this one is amazing. My scalp feels so clean without drying it out! This is definitely one of my favorites now. 

Step 3: Post Biotic Calming Conditioner

What does it do? This will soothe the scalp and moisturize the hair, restoring pH levels and moisture balance, especially after clarifying. This conditioner contains Hyaluronic Acid.

My experience: This one is like a spa experience. It has a perfect slip, it allows me to glide my fingers right through my hair and that’s what I’m looking for in a conditioner.

I finished with the In-Shower Style fixer.

This is a strong hold Styling Gel which will give extreme definition to your curls and coils.

Any key techniques or methods that made an impact on your hair health?

Image: @ingecurls

Wetplopping. I have learned this technique by Hif3licia. It’s a technique that you plop your hair into a shower cap instead of a towel. It helps reduce frizz, encourages root to tip definition and giving the chance to let the product absorb better into your hair.

What’s your hair story? Share your journey with us here to be featured in our Texture Tales series.