Why Wavy Hair Won’t Clump | Three Likely Culprits

It can be so frustrating.

You know clumped hair in the shower is key to avoiding droopy waves later.

But making that happen on command? Well that’s a whole ‘nother story.

Not to mention your wavy hair has different needs than curly hair.

Reading between the lines in those videos featured in our look at how to get wavy hair to clump can shed some light on why your waves refuse to clump.

So we did the reading for you.

Here’s a few more things most miss.

Followed up by an Instagram video to drive the points home.

Quick Section Navigation

• Why Your Wavy Hair Won’t Clump – the Technique Difference
• Wavy Hair Not Clumping? | Beware Product Buildup
• How To Style Damaged Wavy Hair – It’s Not Easy
• How To Fix Flat Wavy Hair On the Back Of Your Head

Let’s start with the biggie. You’re doing it wrong. 🙂

Why Your Wavy Hair Won’t Clump – the Technique Difference

Technique really is the difference maker in many cases when going for clumps.

So what happens after you shut off the shower matters a lot.

Yet we aren’t born knowing how to make our waves the best they can be.

Problem is there are so many different paths to success for keeping your waves happy.

Do you finger detangle or wet brush?

Rake or scrunch?

Wet or dry plop?

Diffuse or air dry?

And don’t even get me started on product selection. There are a dizzying array to choose from, aren’t there?

You’re probably also not getting your hair wet enough. Most don’t. Although there are those wavies who swear styling soaking wet hair doesn’t work with their waves. And that’s fine.

But generally more water equals more hydration.

More hydration equals better clumps.

Better clumps equals better waves.

So you probably need to totally saturate your hair for it to reach its full wavy potential.

And then seal that water in your strands with gel.

That’s after scrunching and squishing to condish to insure the water penetrates each strand.

Then there’s another little known reason for all this focus on hydration. Clumps are held together by something called surface tension. To maximize that they need to be wet, wet and wetter still.

But circling back to the importance of technique. This Instagram video proves the point.

It comes complete with a side by side photo of approach one vs approach two. That alone is well worth the click.

And would you believe it? Two small changes made a huge difference in the outcome.

Even better she shares what they were. Demonstrating the importance of how products are applied is to the end result.

Otherwise known as the Technique Difference.

Wavy hair can be so confounding. Weird even.

There’s another reason why your waves not be clumping to your liking.

Wavy Hair Not Clumping? | Beware Product Buildup

Yeah the next issue standing between you and successful clumping might be product buildup.

Sure the right products applied the right way can make for dramatic results.

Not to mention they can coat your hair and make it glisten in the sun.

But after a while all the leftover residue can work against you.

So a periodic deep cleanse is vital. That’s because you pretty much must get rid of any build up to enjoy fully clumped hair.

Most YouTubers sharing their clumping routine start with a clean slate for a reason.

They have learned you need to cut through all the gunk on your waves. Knowing that if you don’t it can be hard, if not impossible, to clump-up.

Oh and if it’s been awhile since you’ve clarified it may take a time or two or three to get the build-up under control.

Okay but some wavies have a slightly different concern.

How To Style Damaged Wavy Hair – It’s Not Easy

Maybe you’ve noticed things seems to straighten out towards the ends of your waves.

For some that starts from as high up as mid-strand down. Arghhhh!

That may be a sign of damage.

Which can be a problem since hair that is fried and dried out is known to resist clumping. (While producing all kinds of frizz.) Mostly because each strand tends to falls out of their so called curl families pretty easily.

Not to mention conjuring up even a hint of bend in that wilderness is next to impossible.

While even if you do conjure up some kind of wave in stressed out hair it can straighten out at a moment’s notice.

As a result your locks just can’t curl due to all the wrecked dead ends. Ends that are probably not salvageable.

Sure Olaplex might help bring those dry, damaged sections back to life. You know? By reviving the natural chemical bonds in your locks some?

But that won’t help as much as the fresh start your tresses get from a haircut. Or one done to remove any significant damage that most likely can’t be repaired or rescued by any treatments.

There’s a big benefit if you can stand to lose some length. That is once the distressed tresses are gone you’ll notice more wave consistency from root to tip.

How To Fix Flat Wavy Hair On the Back Of Your Head

Then there’s the common struggle that comes from styling your hair upside down. Done for the volumizing effect it can give your mane.

And that struggle is figuring out how to pry the hair in the back off your head. So it looks good when you’re upright.

Problem is it often gets plastered in place due to working with your waves flipped forward.

And failure to fix that now can mean wonky waves later.

Sadly there’s often more to it than just flipping your hair back as you return to the upright position. (This always reminds me of returning your seat to the locked and upright position for landing and takeoff.)

Still, like I just said, upside downing your hair while scrunching is a legit technique for building volume.

So don’t be too quick to kick it to the curb.

Instead explore fixes like raking the hair in the back off your scalp to keep it from sticking to your head.

Or flipping you wet locks from side to side in a gentle swaying motion while scrunching the hair in the back.

One more fix. Wet brushing.

These are all hacks that are reported to work. Each can fix the problems with that troublesome part in the back. You know that comes from styling your hair upside down?

Then here’s Instagramer PowerDomi with her take. She demonstrates the approach she uses to loosen up her waves in the back.

And her waves seem to always turn out perfect. So jealous.

Her approach comes down to these steps. Or easy as 1-2-3!

• Step 1) After straightening up re-saturate the roots all over your head with water. Follow that with scrunching from side to side.
• Step 2) The scrunching forces more water into your hair while lifting any hair plastered to your head.
• Step 3) Then while tilting your head back shake your swollen, but now freed, strands gently. Scrunch some more.

Your hair is the back should now be loose and moving about freely.

Success!

Just so you know from here she applies her styling products. Using the bowl method to encourage clumping.

Anyway that’s one way to lift the hair off your head in the back so it doesn’t come out all cockeyed.

For more tips that make your hair more manageable you simply need to follow us on Pinterest. It’s like having your own glam squad on speed dial. Don’t miss out. Do it now!