Denman Dilemma

Ok, so remember how I raved about the Denman brush a few posts back? I had stopped using it in February and fell in love with it again last month. Well, I remember why I stopped using it. Turns out it gives me MAJOR flat top! For someone who is already clipping-challenged, this is a major problem.

So now I'm stuck. I need to use it because my hair tangles easily these days and not using it would be a disaster (even missing one wash means the next one will include a ten minute detangling session). My hair is also clumping well. But this flat top thing is the worst.

I'm thinking about trying out some new clips. I've read through this thread, and while the octopus clips look interesting, I do need to make an order from Sally's soon to stock up on conditioner. So I might as well order some roller clamps, right? I don't know. I hate to waste money on another kind of clip that might not work. I already have three different kinds as it is. I guess I can always use them for pineappling, right?

The Denman Brush

Since it's been a while since I've reviewed something, and I just happened to start using this brush again, I thought I'd post one here.

My background story: I started using this brush maybe six months into CG? Probably a few months earlier than that. I originally got it after reading about all the amazing clumps it could give you. Unfortunately, all the tips and tricks I read about didn't do anything for me. In fact, it made my hair look worse because any kind of raking action, even if followed by scrunching, pulls out curls.

In the end, I just used it for detangling in the shower. And for those times when a sugar scrub isn't enough to get rid of the random itch that's been bothering me for a week. Then the denman is like heaven on my scalp!

I've always used it off and on, usually preferring to just use my fingers to detangle. I think the last time I had used it was in February? I don't know. It's been a while. I think I stopped because it was doing something weird to my hair.

I decided to use this again yesterday. It removes much more hair than finger-detangling does, which also means less knots. My hair has been so dry lately, and a lot of knots were developing on the nape of my neck. I spent about five or ten minutes detangling (even breaking out the KCKT to get the job done!). I didn't use any special techniques or anything; just brushed to detangle. Imagine my surprise when I had lots of great clumps afterward! I'm talking "it looks like I used pink boots" -type clumps.

For full disclosure, I did use the Ecostyler gel instead of KCCC. I've used this before with not great results, so I'm attributing this to the Denman. The clumps were also noticeable after rinsing out my conditioner and before applying the gel.

My hair held up well through the night and the clumps lasted through the 100 degree weather while I was out shopping for a car this morning. I will definitely be using this every wash from now on!