Curly Hair Dilema - YouLookFab Forum

OK. I've been reading about the no shampoo for curly hair, and I'm almost convinced to go for it. I really need a simple styling routine though, and all the stuff I've been reading seems - elaborate. I'm a one and done kinda girl. I do love my natural curl though. Here are some pics of it now. Frizzy, split ends and all. The lenght is to the top of my ribs dry. There is some minimal shaping around the face. I'm thinking a heavily layered shag in the shoulder to collarbone region.

Pics now:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sp.....3442540194
this pic is seriously the most I do to it if I don't throw it back in a pony or up in a claw clip. Thats just the front pieces pulled back with little clips. oh and thats air dried with one smoothing creme in it. Pantene I think.

http://picasaweb.google.com/sp.....9721836658
with curl creme only, no styling.

I'm thinking something like this?

http://www.haircutshairstyles......e-85.shtml

or this?
http://www.beauty-and-the-bath.....ery-4.html
image four - since it just takes you to the gallery.
thoughts?

15 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Is your curl pattern even all around your head, or is it curlier in the front and straighter in the back? Are the curls different sizes and things? Your hair looks very similar to mine when mine was longer, so I'm curious.

Jen

Active Member

Yes, exactly, much more curly in the front, more wavy in the back. The curls are much more tight when its shorter, so I think taking a good bit of length off would help, and the ends are frankly just all ragged anyways.

Yes, that's exactly the way my hair was, ringlets in front, barely wavy in the back. Very fine, too and easily weighed down. I think the mid-length you have in mind is good because it will take some weight off the curls. I wouldn't do the no shampoo thing, rather I would look for a sulfate free shampoo to use instead. I did the no shampoo (conditioner only) for a while and my hair was always weighed down and flat. I used to use No-Poo by DevaCurl, and the Angell by that same line was good too. A very light, runny gel always worked best for me.

Styling curly hair can be time consuming. I never managed to get it the way I liked without a fair amount of work in the morning (which is partially why I lopped it all off eventually). However, I found using a sulfate free shampoo and the putting gel in when my hair was soaking wet would help immensely in taming frizzies. You may want to invest in a diffuser as well. I was always able to coax more curl with a diffuser than air dry, so the back better matched the front. You may also have to try a few stylists to find one that understands curly hair, too. If you're just starting the search, you can ask someone who's hair you admire, or look for a stylist who has curly hair and wears it that way. She/he would at least understand what you're dealing with.

biscuitsmom

I LOVE the first pic you showed of the hairstyles, and think you'd look great in $4 or#6......have you ever tried the WEN products? They are worth their weight in gold....I think it would definitely help to take a few inches off and use a diffuser...they really help! Let us know whatcha decide!

Christie

My curl pattern is opposite (curlier in back than the front), but that is really common to have variety. Your curls and color are really pretty. Ana gave you the same advice I would (no sulfates, no silicones, style product when dripping wet). You can also "plop" it upside down and then wrap gently with a long-sleeved t-shirt or flour-sack towel, which helps lift the roots as it dries a bit. If you need that extra lift, try pinning it up at the roots while it dries.

I love the first cut you linked to.

tarzy

You have beautiful hair!

Cutting the length, and getting some judicious layers will help A LOT. If you think about it, the hair that's at the bottom is older, and has been subjected to more trauma and may be more dried out - when you cut it off the "younger" hair will look better. Curly hair needs moisture - lots of it! Layers will release the curls. (Or the Kraken, lol.)

Finding the right stylist can be quite a trial, but persevere! It can be done! If you lived in LA I'd recommend mine.

You may need to experiment with many different products until you find what works for your specific hair. Technique is really important too, but I think together with a good cut you'll get much better results! You've got beautiful hair to work with - can't wait to see what you do!

Thank you everyone! I checked out a salon and specific stylist in my area on that curly girl? website, and that's who I'm going to get an appointment with. I'll be making that appointment this week, so we'll see. I plan to return some hair product that I _just_ bought from Tarjay loaded with sulfides and silicones of course. Luckily I have the receipt for one, and I don't for the other, but I'm hoping they'll let it go. I did try the tshirt trick today, and I'm amazed at how much less frizzy it is than usual. Yes. Usually its _much_ more frizzy than even that! So I'm excited. I'm trying to use my resources wisely, and I've finally come around to the fact that hair is the accessory you wear every day, and I'm sick of looking like frizz bomb.

Vix

Hey Jen --

Your hair is so pretty now; I know once you get the cut and a new routine down you'll be loving it more. Love the cuts you are thinking about.

My friend just switch to the "co-wash" method (what I use too, though I use a sulfate-free shampoo 1-2/week). Several weeks on she is loving the results. Says her hair really needed the moisture. I found the same thing...for some reason I was really lax about conditioning!

So I bet getting into a good hydrating routine will really help you.

Like you, I'm a "one and done" woman and I have yet to really get a foolproof post-shower system down after 4 or so months of co-wash etc. Partially because my coarse/wavy hair seems to defy all the NaturallyCurly.com (and curly YLFer) standards, sigh.

[I'm just discovering I seem to get better results when I air dry for 20 minutes, THEN put in product -- product being something I avoided like the plague til NC.com. Wavy/curly hair is definitely art + science!]

So know that you will have at least one person slogging through this hair thing with you, ha...and a panel of experts here to help you troubleshoot!

lynne

I've had good luck with the Deva products, too. I use Low-Poo, One Condition and Arc Angell. Curl Keeper (not a Deva product, but available on curly girl website) really helps define my curls, too.

Excellent Vix, thanks. Do you still use silicone products at all? I'm just dismayed that so many of my styling cremes (ok both of them! ) contain silicones, and ALL my conditioners except ONE do. I think I might be lucky in the fact that at least in front my curls pretty much define themselves, its the frizz I need help with. Last night my hubs came home late and commented on how pretty my hair was, so I think this low poo thing might work for me. Lynne aren't the Deva products pricey? I don't mind splurging on one or two later if they really are the bomb, but right now I need to be a drugstore girl.

Jen, there are several drugstore lines that are sulfate free, you just need to search a little harder. Also, some baby shampoos contain no sulfates (check the label). I'd splurge on products and a diffuser and save on the shampoo and conditioner, as long as they don't contain the wrong chemicals for your needs.

rute

I love the first hair style you posted! I think it will be a good one for your hair!
You have a lovely hair with a lovely curl!

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