Super Frustrated - My Curl Pattern is dead :(

Hello fellow Curlies,

I've been natural for almost 5 years now. My curl pattern is about 3b/3c. Long story short, I wear my hair in a bun quite frequently because I'm absolutely clueless on how to style my hair. As long as I can remember, my hair in the front has always been somewhat straighter then the rest of my hair. Now, it is completely straight! Not a hint of curl at all. I'm so frustrated and I'm not sure what I can do. On one hand, I know wearing it out would help but since the texture in the front is so much different than the texture in the back, it always looks like fool mess! On the other hand, if I keep wearing it a bun, I know it will make the problem worse. Any suggestions???? I'm desperate!

My hair in the front is also much straighter than the rest. I'm wondering if it had anything to do with heat damage from my relaxed days.

Yours might just be that you have multiple textures. One thing you could try is twisting the front to help it curl, and maybe it'll turn out like the rest. I hope the other ladies have great suggestions!

Thanks for the fast reply! I've tried twisting my hair and I'm still experimenting with it. Sometimes it works, and sometimes its a complete mess. I'm just trying to troubleshooot the problem.

@LisaSmiles11: I heard people say that if you deep condition your hair, you could get the curls back. I am not sure if it's a 100% true but perhaps you should see. Sorry to hear that they(the curls) aren't popping. Good luck, girl!

I am going through this EXACT same thing! I will be lurking for replies! Oh, I have been using protein in my hair, and it seems to help SOME...

Wow, thanks ladies! I must say, I'm very impressed with this site and people who post here. I just joined and I'm so glad there is a venue where Naturals can ask questions and get responses. 'Tis a beautiful thing!!

@ sen10rita - Thanks for the tip. I've been DC-ing religiously for the past 3 weeks. I hope things will turn around. I'm thinking about going to the YMCA with deep conditioner in my hair and using the steam room there. Sounds bootlegged but I'll try anything. LOL!

@ Jazzygurll - I've used protein too and I wonder if that's one of the culprits. Hmmm. I'll be "lurking" too until I find a solution.

Hi Lisa and welcome.
I'm a noob too, and I have a similar situation except mine is reverse - the front and crown of my hair are wavy/curly while the sides & back area is virtually straight. I wouldn't even call it a 3a because it doesn't make those big curls, just a loose wave and maybe a curl at the end. It's also silky and takes more work to get it to go along with the rest of the hair.

As others have suggested, maybe a change in products could help? What products are you currently using? I know some products make all of my hair virtually straight, while others encourage more curl.

You could also try using a gel or curl styling cream and "scrunching" the straighter areas with it to encourage it to curl. Basically you cup it at the bottom and push up towards the roots while gently squeezing to encourage it to curl. Paul Mitchell's Round Trip will work for me to encourage curl and has a light hold without drying out the hair.

Like you, I mostly wear my hair in a bun or ponytail so I don't worry about encouraging curls a whole lot anyway. But I hope you're able to find a solution.

@ Aunt_Lola - I'm an extreme product junkie, so I use a bit of everything. I was using Miss Jessie's Curly Buttercreme as a moisturizer, but it was way too heavy. Now, I'm using the Curls moisturizer and it seems to work much better. I've tried the scrunching method before. The end result is 3b hair in the back and like 2b in the front. I'm going to keep it up though. Maybe, my hair will begin to follow suit.

At any rate, if I find a solution I will definitely post it!

Deep condition, deep condition, deep condtion!

also, using protein treatments can help to enhance your natural curl pattern. you can do a mild protein treatment (like a regular conditioner that is high in proteins: Giovanni Smooth as Silk or Aubrey Organics GPB) OR you can do a stronger protein treatment like Aphogee. You do have to be careful that you don't overdo the protein treatment though and continue to balance it with DCing.

P.S. how often do you flat iron/straighten your hair? Frequent use of heat can lead to heat damage (loss of curl pattern). Just trying to cover all possible areas...

@ ebonediva - I've been deep conditioning with Shea Moistures Restorative Masque. I do notice that my hair is softer and hopefully it will revive my curls.

@ Kea::curls - I haven't tried any of the Giovanni products although I've heard good things. I might give it whirl. Regarding flat ironing, I haven't flat ironed my hair since November 2010. Before that, I would flat iron every 8-10 weeks (without any touch ups) when I got a trim. If it got frizzy, I would just put it in a bun which happens very often because I live in Florida. The last time I ran into the lady who does my hair, she confiscated my ponytail holder.

What's been helping me is the 3 minute miracle deep conditioner aussie makes. The first time I put it in CURLS GALORE! Now I just need to figure out how to keep my curls that way when I get out to put in leave in and a sealer. So far nothing.

@ Just Ashley - Aussie 3-Minute Miracle, the Deep Version, used to be a staple for me. Lately, it seems like my hair has become "used to it."

Some people suggest putting on your hair products & sealant in the shower so you don't manipulate your hair and lose the curl. Maybe that will work for you too!

Hey I just saw these vids today on youtube. In the first video, the stylist is performing a hair cut on loosely curly/wavy hair....fast forward to approx 3:50 minutes to hear her talking about the girl having lost her curl pattern in the front of her hair. The stylist suggests that she do some pincurls up front:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhs1Ty0wiYs

the second vid is a more in depth example of (how to do) pincurls:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW_e7o2Ith8

thought it was funny that both of these videos were posted today & reminded me of your question...good luck

P.S. i promise i do more than just sit around watching youtube videos all day. lol

@ LisaSmile1.. I too go to my Gym steam room to do my DC for two reasons.

1. I kill to birds with one stone, hair and body steam

2. No bathtub to clean after so it is not bootleg it is smart

Good luck on finding your curls, i am sure these great ladies will help you out.

Whenever I see change in curl pattern I change products and it seems to work. I use Curly buttercream & the Curly Mer by Ms. Jessie, OOC cream, just purchased some eco styling gel.

Hi ladies,

On top of adding certain products, I'd also encourage you all to try an Amla treatment with Amla powder. It helps to clump the hair and enhances the curl pattern. I'm a 3b in front and 3c in back also. I started mixing Amla with my henna and using it as a stand alone treatment because the henna began to loosen my curl pattern so much that certain strands began to look like I had relaxer on the ends. It works like a charm!
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Are you a Ride or Die Christian?

Seriously, great comments by all! I'm loving this site more and more everyday. How on earth did I cope without it?!?!

@ Kea::curls - Girl, there is nothing wrong with Youtube. Lol. It can be quite addictive! I've tried pin curls when my hair was straight before, but never on my hair in its natural state. Maybe I'll try it this weekend. I've been doing flat twists which works okay but the ends always come out crazy.

@ Ladybird - Glad to see I'm not the only one using the gym steam room. People look at me like I'm crazy but *shrugs*!

@ Slimwithabs - I just decided to switch up my routine some. I'm going to give Eco Styler another go. However, I tend to have a "heavy hand" when applying products which cause my curls to be weighed down & limp.

@ MelMelBee - I've also begun experimenting with Alma. I haven't used the powder just the oil and a shampoo bar that contains Alma in it. I'm a bit intimidated by the powder. Is there a way to use the Alma powder besides mixing it in Henna?

LisaSmiles11 wrote:Seriously, great comments by all! I'm loving this site more and more everyday. How on earth did I cope without it?!?!

@ Kea::curls - Girl, there is nothing wrong with Youtube. Lol. It can be quite addictive! I've tried pin curls when my hair was straight before, but never on my hair in its natural state. Maybe I'll try it this weekend. I've been doing flat twists which works okay but the ends always come out crazy.

@ Ladybird - Glad to see I'm not the only one using the gym steam room. People look at me like I'm crazy but *shrugs*!

@ Slimwithabs - I just decided to switch up my routine some. I'm going to give Eco Styler another go. However, I tend to have a "heavy hand" when applying products which cause my curls to be weighed down & limp.

@ MelMelBee - I've also begun experimenting with Alma. I haven't used the powder just the oil and a shampoo bar that contains Alma in it. I'm a bit intimidated by the powder. Is there a way to use the Alma powder besides mixing it in Henna?

Yes, I do amla treatments by themselves sometimes. You can buy Amla powder from your local Indian store or you can buy it online. You just mix it with warm water and let it sit for about 15 minutes. It does not stain, so you don't have to worry about using gloves and all that. It does stain your clothes if you let it sit in. Click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p7N7x2pZZc&feature=fvsr for a tutorial.

Let us know your results!

LisaSmiles11 wrote:@ ebonediva - I've been deep conditioning with Shea Moistures Restorative Masque. I do notice that my hair is softer and hopefully it will revive my curls.

@ Kea::curls - I haven't tried any of the Giovanni products although I've heard good things. I might give it whirl. Regarding flat ironing, I haven't flat ironed my hair since November 2010. Before that, I would flat iron every 8-10 weeks (without any touch ups) when I got a trim. If it got frizzy, I would just put it in a bun which happens very often because I live in Florida. The last time I ran into the lady who does my hair, she confiscated my ponytail holder.

SheaMoisture products have too much protein for me. I get the crunch feeling after I use them. Keep a journal of what works for your hair and what doesn't to learn what ingredients in products to stay away from. This worked wonders for my hair and my curl pattern.

Thanks MelMelBee. They were actually out of Alma Powder. I did get some Heenara which is a conditioning henna powder. Hopefully, it will help condition my hair. I've used it before and had decent results.

@Ebonediva - I had the same protein issue with the SheaMoisture Coconut Hibiscus line. The SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter is a bit better for me. I don't think it has the same level of protein from reading the ingredients. I'll definitely start paying attention to what my hair needs!