Stringy Curls? Here’s The Secret To Bigger Curl Clumps

If your curls are looking more limp than lush – thin, uneven and prone to tangles – you’re not alone. Stringy curls are a common concern, even when you’re doing everything “right”.

At Bouclème, we believe every curl deserves to thrive. Whether you’re just beginning your curl journey or refining your routine, our plant-powered products and expert guidance are here to help you achieve the juicy, voluminous clumps you’ve been dreaming of.

Why do I have stringy curls?

Stringy curls? You’re not alone – and there are a few sneaky culprits behind those spindly strands:

Damage and dryness

Bleach, heat, colour treatments, sun exposure, wind or just plain over-handling: damaged hair struggles to hold onto moisture. Without enough hydration, curls become limp, brittle and less likely to clump. Well-moisturised hair, on the other hand, is springy, juicy and ready to form those satisfying curl bundles.

Hair porosity

Your hair’s porosity – how easily it absorbs and retains moisture – plays a big role in curl definition. Low porosity? You might struggle to get moisture in. Read about how to determine if you have low porosity curls. High porosity? You might lose it too quickly. Learn more about high porosity hair and how to work with it.

Product buildup

Too much leave-in conditioner, oil, or gel can weigh curls down and prevent proper clumping. If your hair feels coated or heavy, it might be time for a gentle detox. Our Scalp Exfoliating Shampoo is perfect for this, melting away buildup and leaving you with soft, bouncy strands.

Styling techniques that miss the mark

If you’re not encouraging curl clumps during your styling routine, your hair won’t naturally find its flow. Raking, praying hands and scrunching are your friends here. Read our blog on finding the right styling technique for you.

Brushing or combing dry hair

A big no-no in the curl world. Brushing dry disrupts natural groupings, leading to frizz, flyaways, and – you guessed it – stringiness.

How to avoid stringy curls and create bigger curl clumps

Before styling, preparation is key:

Clarify

Start fresh with a gentle clarifying shampoo to remove buildup, product residue and environmental grime. This helps reset your curls so they can fully absorb moisture and styling products.

Deep condition

Hydration is key. Reach for a rich, curl-loving treatment like our Intensive Moisture Treatment to rehydrate dry strands and restore elasticity and bounce.

Squish to condish

While you’re still in the shower, scrunch your conditioner into soaking wet hair using the “squish to condish” method. This helps lock in moisture and encourages clumping right from the get-go.

Clump: the secret to juicy, defined curls

Say goodbye to stringy strands and hello to lush, juicy clumps. Here’s how to master the art of curl clumping, from prep to product to pro-level technique.

1. Start by detangling

Always begin with wet hair. Apply conditioner and gently detangle using your fingers or a Wide Tooth Comb. This prevents breakage and sets the foundation for smooth, healthy clumps. 

2. Add more water 

Water is a curl’s best friend. Once your base products are in, your hair should be dripping wet before styling. Not damp – dripping. Think of styling as hydration layering, not just product layering. Water helps curls fuse together into clumps. 

When your hair isn’t wet enough, products don’t distribute evenly and curls separate, leading to that stringy look. Use our Mist Spray Bottle to add water throughout your routine if curls start to dry before you’re done.

3. Choose your clumping tool

Once your hair is hydrated and detangled, it’s time to form those clumps. You can use your fingers for larger, looser clumps (but they may fall apart if too big), our Wide Tooth Comb for medium-sized clumps and our Detangling Wet Brush for small, tight, uniform clumps.

Pro tip: clump size matters. Oversized clumps may split as they dry. Instead, build smaller clumps when wet – they’ll expand naturally as they dry and maintain better definition.

4. Style for clumps

Applying your stylers in sections helps with even distribution and encourages strong, cohesive clumps. Choose lightweight, hydrating, curl-enhancing products with hold to keep everything in place.

Try these layering combos:

• Curl Cream, for soft, nourishing definition and Super Volumising Foam, for voluminous, bouncy curls. 

• Curl Defining Gel, for medium hold and smooth, frizz-free curls, with Super Hold Styler, for serious hold and long-lasting definition.
  
  

Want a cast? Smooth or scrunch in your gel to create a light “shell” around the clumps. Once dry, scrunch it out for soft, bouncy curls with staying power – read our guide to scrunching out the crunch for soft, defined curls.

5. Clumping techniques to try

• Praying hands method: smooth product by placing hands together in a prayer position and gliding them down the strands to enhance clumping, ideal for finer wavy hair that benefits from less disruption. 

• Rake and shake: rake product through using fingers or comb, then gently shake to define curl pattern. This works well for curlier hair needing more separation and bounce.

• Glazing: if your hair separates easily, skip raking and glaze product over the top for less disruption. This method preserves existing clumps and reduces friction – especially effective for wavy hair or curls prone to frizz.

Finish strong: drying without drama

After all that effort, don’t let your curl clumps fall apart at the final step. How you dry your hair can make or break your definition. Air drying is the gentlest method and helps preserve your clumps, but it takes time. Diffusing speeds things up and adds volume, but be warned: it can disrupt those perfectly-formed clumps if you’re not careful.

Hybrid method? Yes, please. Try partially diffusing to cut down on drying time, then let the rest air dry to maintain clump integrity. It’s the best of both worlds.

Pro tip: Only SOTC (scrunch out the crunch/cast) when your hair is completely dry. Touching it too soon can lead to frizz and clump breakage. Patience = perfect curls.

Top tips for better curl clumps

Craving those juicy, defined bundles instead of wispy, stringy strands? As you wrap up your curl routine, here are a few final tips to level up your clumping game and lock in those luscious curls.

Get a trim

Split ends and uneven layers can cause curls to separate and fall flat. Regular trims help remove damage, encourage uniform curl formation and allow your clumps to bounce back beautifully. Don’t wait until your ends look frayed – healthy curls start with healthy cuts.

Use curl-friendly towels

Traditional towels create friction, which leads to frizz and can pull clumps apart. Instead, opt for a microfibre towel like our Curl Towel or a cotton T-shirt to gently scrunch out excess water without disrupting your curl pattern. These smoother fabrics help preserve clumps and reduce breakage.

Sleep smart with silk 

Cotton pillowcases can sap moisture from your curls and create overnight frizz. Our Silk Turban or Silk Envelope Pillowcase helps your clumps stay intact while you sleep by reducing friction and moisture loss. Bonus: your morning curls will look fresher and need less restyling.

Say goodbye to stringy curls – for good

Healthy, happy curls don’t have to be a mystery. With the right hydration, products, and techniques, you can say goodbye to stringy curls and hello to luscious, well-defined curl clumps that really last. 

Ready to turn stringy curls into juicy clumps? Explore our curl-defining heroes and find your perfect routine. Shop the Bouclème range now.