What Is Shingling?
Shingling is a curl-defining technique where product is applied to small sections of hair and smoothed from root to tip to separate and define each curl.
Understanding Shingling
Shingling is a meticulous curl-defining technique where styling product is applied to very small sections of hair, and each section is smoothed between the fingers from root to tip. This separates individual curl clumps and coats each strand with product for maximum definition. The technique is time-intensive but produces extremely defined curls, especially on type 3 and type 4 hair.
Why It Matters
For tight curl patterns that tend to shrink or tangle, shingling provides unmatched definition. It ensures every strand is coated with product and separated from its neighbors, resulting in uniform, clump-free curls. While time-consuming, the results can last for several days with proper maintenance.
How To Apply This
- 1Work on freshly washed, conditioned, and soaking wet hair.
- 2Take a very small section (about the width of a pencil).
- 3Apply gel or defining cream and smooth it through the section with your fingers.
- 4Run your fingers from root to tip, allowing the curl to coil on its own.
- 5Repeat section by section, allowing each to air dry or diffusing when complete.
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Related Terms
Finger Coiling
A styling method where small sections of hair are wrapped around a finger to create uniform, defined coils.
Wash and Go
A styling approach where hair is washed, products are applied to wet hair, and curls are left to air dry or diffused.
Curl Pattern
The natural shape your hair forms, classified from Type 1 (straight) through Type 4 (coily) with subcategories A, B, and C.
Diffusing
A drying technique using a diffuser attachment on a blow dryer to dry curls gently while preserving their natural pattern.
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