Scrunching your hair is a simple technique to enhance curls, waves, or add texture to damp or wet hair. It involves gently squeezing and manipulating your hair to encourage its natural shape and reduce frizz.
The Scrunching Technique: A Step-by-Step Guide
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Start with damp hair: The best time to scrunch is after washing, while your hair is still damp. This allows for better shaping and curl definition (Carol's Daughter, 2021).
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Apply styling product (optional): For enhanced hold and definition, apply a small amount of styling mousse or gel to your hair before scrunching. A quarter-sized amount is usually sufficient (wikiHow).
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The Scrunching Motion: Starting at the ends of your hair, gently squeeze a handful of hair in your palm, working your way upwards towards the roots (August 13, 2021). Use a cupping motion, scrunching upwards in sections (August 13, 2021; Byrde). You should hear a "squish" sound; this indicates you're doing it correctly (r/curlyhair, March 7, 2023).
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Repeat: Continue scrunching your hair in sections until all your hair has been treated, ensuring you scrunch up to the roots (August 13, 2021).
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Air Dry or Diffuse: Allow your hair to air dry naturally or use a diffuser attachment on your hairdryer for faster drying and added volume. Avoid excessive manipulation while your hair dries, as this can lead to frizz (r/curlyhair, March 7, 2023).
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Scrunching Out the Crunch (optional): If you've used a gel that creates a "cast," gently scrunch out the crunch once your hair is mostly dry to soften the style and enhance the definition (Gena Marie, 2021).
Tips for Different Hair Types:
- Short hair: The technique remains the same, but due to the shorter length, you may need to focus on smaller sections (r/curlyhair, August 27, 2021).
- Straight hair: While scrunching is primarily used for curly or wavy hair, it can still add texture. Try scrunching your hair after applying a texturizing product (Beautylish).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- How often should I scrunch my hair? This depends on your hair type and styling preferences. You can scrunch your hair each time you wash it or even on non-wash days to refresh your curls (Quora, June 30, 2016).
- Can I scrunch my hair without washing it? Yes, you can scrunch damp, styled hair to refresh curls on day 2 or 3 using a leave-in conditioner or water spray (Quora, June 30, 2016).
