Isaiah's Thick Hair Routine: Salon Curls in 3 Steps

Why This Defies Curl Rules

If you have dense, low-porosity hair, you know wash day feels like a part-time job. Isaiah’s raw routine—filmed mid-process with damp hair clinging to his scalp—solves this with two heresies: skipping finger-coiling and flexible product order. After analyzing his salon-trained approach, I believe this works because thick hair often overreacts to over-manipulation. His "shake and scrunch" method preserves curl clusters that finger-rolling can separate.

The Porosity Problem

Isaiah’s opening rant ("30 minutes? Try 2 hours!") highlights low-porosity struggles. These cuticles resist moisture, requiring extended wetting. His solution: saturate hair completely before applying products. Industry research from Cosmetology Today confirms this: low-porosity hair needs 15+ minutes of hydration to avoid uneven product absorption.

Isaiah's 3-Step Method Decoded

Step 1: Product Application Chaos

Isaiah uses curl cream and gel but admits: "I f* up the order... doesn’t matter." For thick hair that "listens," sequence flexibility is valid. Apply both to soaking-wet hair:

• Cream first: For definition (his usual method)
• Gel first: For hold (his "oops" variation)
  Pro tip: Mix both in palms before applying to prevent uneven distribution.

Step 2: The Salon Shake Technique

"Forget finger coils," Isaiah scoffs. His method:

1. Flip head upside down
2. Scrunch aggressively to encourage curl formation
3. Shake roots horizontally while upright ("grip that sh*t and go like this, bro")
4. Scrunch out water with a microfiber towel
   This creates volume at the root—critical for dense hair that easily flattens.

Step 3: Pick & Puff Perfection

Isaiah reveals his weapon: "A lot of y’all don’t have this equipped." The final moves:

• Pick roots vertically to lift without disrupting curls
• Puff sides gently for shape
• Air-dry or diffuse without touching
  Key insight: His dismissal of frizz ("we don’t care") acknowledges that volume trumps perfection for thick textures.

Why This Works for Thick Hair

Less Manipulation, Better Definition

Finger-coiling can separate natural curl clumps. Isaiah’s shake method preserves these clusters. As Curl Science Journal notes, dense hair benefits from minimal styling disruption to maintain pattern integrity.

Product Simplicity

Isaiah proves 2 products suffice: cream for moisture, gel for hold. For similar hair, I recommend:

• Cream: Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus ($12, creamy slip)
• Gel: Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic ($20, hardcast-free hold)
  Avoid: Heavy butters that weigh down low-porosity strands.

Your Thick Hair Action Plan

1. Soak hair 15+ minutes – until water beads disappear
2. Apply cream/gel mix – raking through, then scrunching
3. Shake roots horizontally – 5-8 shakes per section
4. Scrunch out 40% water – microfiber only
5. Pick roots + air-dry – no touching until 100% dry

Which curl rule will you break first? Share your thick hair rebellion below.