SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • Watch
  • 2024 Event
    • General Info
    • Presenters & Speakers
    • Tickets
    • Get in Touch
    • FAQ
  • Shop
Home • Curl Products

The Tool that Gives Short Natural Hair Curl Definition

Share this Article
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
The Tool that Gives Short Natural Hair Curl Definition
By admin · Updated December 19, 2017

Sponge Hair Brush

Photo source: Amazon.com

There are lots of products on the market to help you achieve your best curls. One of the more innovative options for styling natural hair is a curl sponge. This tool is a sponge brush that helps give men and women more curl definition and styling options, especially short natural hair. Wondering how do you find the best hair sponges on the market? Here’s all you need to know about a curl sponge, how to find the right one for your hair and how to use it.

Hole Sizing


When looking for the best hair sponges, the hole sizing is one of the most important factors. The size of the holes will create the outcome. For example, smaller hole sizes make a tighter curl or coil whereas bigger holes create a looser curl. The length of your hair will also help you decide which hole sizing is right for your needs. Smaller holes are better for shorter hair. Larger holes are better for longer hair.

Sponge Size

Article continues after video.


The size of the sponge itself matters for a few reasons. If you have a lot of hair, you will want a larger size. For shorter hair, a smaller sponge should suffice. You also want to consider the size of your hands. If you have small hands, a large sponge may be too much to grip and maneuver with ease. You should also look at the shape of the sponge. While some are rounded, there are some that are in an 8 shape. A rounded sponge will give you a tool you can work with quickly through your hair. An 8 shape gives you a better grip and is usually on the larger size.

Durability


Another factor when finding the best hair sponges is the matter of durability. You don’t want to spend money on a sponge that will only last for a few uses before it starts deteriorating. The key to finding a durable sponge is to give it a squeeze. If a sponge is super soft and springy, it will not last as long as a sponge that has a little more firmness and slower spring to it. When curl sponges are too soft, they come apart easily and can even leave behind pieces of sponge in your curls. Another good way to test the sponge is to put it on a flat surface and press into the center of the sponge. If the sponge gives more than an inch, it is too soft. This is not to say a soft sponge won’t get you the curls you seek, it simply means the sponge won’t last as long as a firmer option.

Here’s How To Use a Curl Sponge

Have you used a curl sponge before? Let us know in the comments below.

Read More

How Donni Davy Built Half Magic By Following Her Intuition
Beauty
How Donni Davy Built Half Magic By Following Her Intuition
Our Favorite Beauty Looks From The 2025 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards
Beauty
Our Favorite Beauty Looks From The 2025 ESSENCE Black Women ...
Ask A Stylist: Color Combos To Try During Your Winter Arc
Curly
Ask A Stylist: Color Combos To Try During Your Winter Arc
How Growing Up as a Black Man Shaped My Relationship with My Curls
Curly
How Growing Up as a Black Man Shaped My Relationship with My...
How To Achieve A Flawless Silk Press With Raw Hair
Shop
How To Achieve A Flawless Silk Press With Raw Hair
Home • Curly

Why Your Curls Lose Definition and How to Fix It

Learn how get the spring and bounce back into your curl pattern.
Share this Article
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Why Your Curls Lose Definition and How to Fix It
Image Source: @wintershairdaze
By Jessica DeFino · Updated December 25, 2024

In most cases, “loosening up” is a positive thing; it’s associated with relaxing, letting go, and having a good time. But when my curls decide to loosen up, it’s a whole different story.

Article continues after video.
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Loc N Loose LLC (@loc_n_loose)

Image Source: @keilanihair

No matter what kind of wavy, coily, or curly you are, you can probably relate: curls that start out bouncy and fresh in the morning sometimes deflate, like a tire losing air, until they’re stretched, flat, and frizzy. But why?

“Curls have a mind of their own,” says Tara Love, the founder of Tara Love Hair, a salon that caters to African-American and multicultural women. “They are very unpredictable because you never know what they will do from one day to the next.”

Gravity

“Maybe the reason why curls fall or get looser is because of gravity,” she speculates. “The hair can also be heavy, as in high-density hair with thick strands. Fine, short hairs tend to curl tighter and experience no real gravity pull.”

If your hair is thick and dense, gravity is likely to blame for your stretched curls—and it’s not easy to fight a force of nature. That being said, you can make your hair less susceptible to the effects of gravity by using lightweight products that won’t weigh you down further. “For curly styles that you want to stay in place, leave-ins and oils are needed,” Love shares.

Why Your Curls Lose Definition and How to Fix It

“I love an old staple called Infusium 23,” she adds. “It’s light and controls frizz. If you need a little oil, I love Jane Carter Nourish and Shine. It’s great for hair and body. Rub a bit in the palm and apply.”

Why Your Curls Lose Definition and How to Fix It

It’s also a good idea to switch out your hard-hold gel for a light cream to keep curls buoyant. CurlTalk member @oh.hi.its.steph recommends SheaMoisture Curl Milk: “I find it to be perfectly moisturizing and curl-enhancing, but not terribly heavy either!”

Porosity

Article continues after video.
https://www.tiktok.com/@briaelly.curly/video/7335937593240079649?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7319876376193680927
Image Source: @briaelly.curly

High-porosity curls and waves are more likely to loosen throughout the day than low-porosity curls. That’s because high-porosity hair has large gaps and holes in the cuticle, making it very easy for the hair to lose moisture; and when moisture evaporates from high-porosity hair, it renders products less effective—which results in loose, frizzy curls.

“If you’re highly porous you might be in need of protein,” says this CurlTalk commenter. A silk protein treatment can help repair the gaps in your hair cuticles to keep your curls intact.

Why Your Curls Lose Definition and How to Fix It

Since highly porous hair loses moisture easily, it’s essential to stock up on ultra-hydrating products, like leave-in conditioners and sealers. You can also add anti-humectants to your hair care routine, like Ouidad Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel, to seal the cuticle and keep moisture in. At night, try a heavy hair butter treatment—Mizani Strength Fusion Intense Night-Time Treatment is a great option—to lock in hydration and prep your curls for a new day.

The Amount of Hair You Have

Why Your Curls Lose Definition and How to Fix It
Image Source: @loc_n_loose

In one recent study, physicists studying the curvature of steel rods stumbled upon some interesting findings, namely, what makes curly hair go limp. Their conclusion? “The actual number of hairs per square inch on any individual’s scalp…that greater or lesser crowding may play a role,” according to Time Magazine. In other words, if you’ve got a lot of hair, your individual strands may just be too crowded to stay curly all day.

If this is the case for you, there are two things you can do:

One, incorporate a hard-hold gel into your routine to give you the all-day definition. After smoothing Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Shaping Cream Gel through your hair, twirl individual pieces around your finger to create a defined curl pattern and diffuse dry.

And two, accept that you’ve been blessed with thick, luscious curls—and at the end of the day, no matter how loose they are, your curls are beautiful. (At least, this is what I like to tell myself!”>

It’s important to note that even with a full morning routine of leave-ins, creams, and gels, curls sometimes need a little midday refresh. What can you do? It’s just their nature.

Ever find your curls falling flat throughout the day? What do you do to keep them springy? Get some extra help with the Best of The Best Texture Tools in 2024.

OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.
Company Information
  • Customer Service
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
Subscribe
  • Newsletters
FOLLOW US
  • Home
  • Watch
  • 2024 Event
    • General Info
    • Presenters & Speakers
    • Tickets
    • Get in Touch
    • FAQ
  • Shop