Buildup and dryness are the “Academy Award winners” of confusion—two different technical failures that often look identical to the naked eye.
As dumb luck would have it, treating buildup with more moisture only creates a ruddy mess that looks dirty and feels coated. You need a technical shift to tell the difference: buildup feels sticky or waxy and leaves a blank and spooky residue on your hands, while true dryness feels rough and brittle like orthochromatic film. It’s about doubling your wearability by choosing the right workday habits for your profile. One needs a reset; the other needs insurance.
The prep determines the outcome. If your curls have lost their ability to capture the glow and feel heavy, a clarifying wash is your best friend to assuage the insecurities of product film. If they are light but “snap” under pressure, you need a “slick lip coat” of deep conditioner. Mind the resistance when you detangle; buildup creates a different kind of friction than dryness. By mastering the art of the “reset” and knowing when to add “gold dust” moisture, you can maintain a studio-endorsed profile. Something I think we’re all still kind of into.
—Lauren Maas