Hi everyone,

I’m currently wearing a 25mm perm system and am considering switching to a 15mm system on my next replacement. I wanted to share my current routine and get some insight from those who have experience with a tighter 15mm curl, especially regarding the daily maintenance and transition phase.

• Current System: 25mm (produces a light curl/loose wave).
• Behavior: Freshly washed with scrunching defines the curl tightly. After a couple of days, it naturally relaxes into a softer, open wave pattern.
• Longevity: I don't experience significant curl loss or premature dropping even after 5 months of wear neither big shedding, which I attribute to a strict care protocol.

Because I have an intense daily workout schedule (heavy sweating from daily cardio/spinning and weight training), my cleansing and hydration routine has to be point:

• Wash & Condition: I use Redken ABC Curl (silicone-free, using its acidic pH to keep the cuticle closed and sealed).
• Leave-in & Styling: I prime with Davines OI Milk (for the benefits of silicone protection against friction and sweat) and seal the ends with a light oil.
• Daily Refresh: Every morning, I revive the moisture using a homemade 1:10 mixture of distilled water and glycerin. This works perfectly to reactivate the curl without adding heavy product buildup or weighing the system down.
• Definition: When I want a more defined style, I apply a small amount of Davines Curl Building Serum post-conditioning and dry gently with a diffuser on low temperature.
• Detangling: No major issues here. I only get occasional minor tangles which I patiently work through with a wide-tooth comb while the conditioner is sitting in the hair.

Is a 15mm system significantly more prone to matting or severe tangling, especially with high physical activity and sweat?

For those who use it, how does the 15mm pattern open up after a few days compared to a 25mm? Does it maintain a distinct curl definition longer, or does it become frizzy?

I would love to hear your experiences, tips, or any warnings before I make the jump to a tighter curl radius!

Thanks a lot curly brothers!

Hi everyone, As the market for factory-direct hair systems grows, many of us are moving away from local salons and expensive re-sellers. However, quality consistency remains the biggest challenge when dealing with Alibaba/direct suppliers.

I’m starting this thread to create a transparent database of our experiences. If you've ordered directly from a factory recently, please share your feedback using the template below.

Format (Rate 1 to 5 stars):

• Date of Order: [Month/Year]
• Provider: New Times Hair, Always Hair, Shunfa Hair...
• Platform: e.g. Alibaba, AliExpress..
• Model/Base: [e.g., French Lace, Poly 0.03, Mono]
• Color: [e.g., #2 Ash European]
• Price: [$USD]
• MOQ: [Direct Sale vs Minimum Order Quantity]
• Quality (1-5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Texture, shedding, knots)
• Shipping (1-5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Speed and carrier)
• Communication (1-5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Ease of contact, English level)
• Customization (1-5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Did they follow specs?)

Personal Notes: (Add here details about the perm, hair type, or how it handled the first wash).

Let's help each other skip the middlemen and find the best hair for the best price!