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Fashion Era Challenge: 80s/Help with New Curls

AM

Veteran

Jane Fonda leggings, paint splatter-esque tee, and moto. I wouldn't wear this out but I did. Had to grab some Chinese food for our contractors. Felt pretty funny in this. And with the new hair. It was a "Who am I?" moment.

But I would like some help with these curls. Is there a smoothing/curling product? I wasn't sure what I was doing. The hair is air dried but then lightly brushed to smooth -- and I just don't know if that was the right call. Need help with products and techniques, please. Thank you!

31 replies

Latest reply was from Marley

Inge

(website)

Super fun with the "tie dye" tunic. Your "new" hair looks beautiful wavy too, AM. I am completely clueless when it comes to hair styling, but I'm sure more knowledgeable Fabbers will chime in soon.

AM

Veteran

Inge: Yes "tie dye" not paint splatter. Geez. How could I get that wrong? It these are waves not curls. Never a moment when I'm not learning on YLF. And thank you for the new hair comment!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YAY.

LOVE. My favourite fashion era.

Totally wearable today, AM - you were right to go in this smashing look.

*passing the shoulder pads, plastic earrings, and hair spray*

Your hair looks lovely. I'm sure the curly haired Fabbers will help out with the right product suggestions.

rabbit

Veteran

I like your sporty 80's get up! Also your hair is gonna be so great. It looks good as is.

My hair is fairly straight but gets a few waves -- I like KMS silk sheen styling creme-- put in a pea sized amount when wet, comb and then let air dry (for waves I might fluff it up a bit after combing -- also you can heat style but I rarely do) -- seems to hold the frizzies at bay and make any waves smooth and shiny.

Summer

Veteran

I love it, AM, and I love that you had to run and errand in it. You certainly wouldn't have looked out of place.

Your hair looks beautiful wavy.

Keturah

Veteran

Look at you!! the 80s LOVE YOU! Setllar!

Your hair is perfectly magnificent! Love the new cut!! And I think you styled it beautifully. I wouldn't get too crazy about it. Go simple most days. Other days you can straighten it, tease it, whatevs. But I love tousled hair, and you're lucky enough to have it without much, if any, work. You got a good haircut and a good haircut doesn't require a lot of "special occasion" or high maintenance styling everyday.

I have rather curly hair. But I do the unbelievable: I brush it. I don't like crunchy, smooth, perfectly spiraled curls that hang there like twin peaks! NO WAY! I like soft, touchable, like Sophia or Bardot, or Bianca Jagger.

I shampoo, condition, and gently towel dry. Then I use a small bit of hair oil. Then I run taffy style cream through it. Let dry then... gently brush until fluffy and soft. This taffy style cream is my favorite. http://belegenza.com/product/taffy-style-cream/

Anonymous

I love your hair wavy!! It suits you sooo much. Digging the outfit too.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Keturah - I have wavy to somewhat curly hair (when I don't straighten it some with the giant curling iron) and I don't like stiff curls at all so I do brush my hair but I also wait until it dries.

I use various products, Kiehls heat protecting straightening creme (though I don't use if for that purpose, I use it as a conditioner and to protect from heat of curling iron), Aveda Curly Hair product and Argan oil (not sure of the brand) are all favorites right now. I use a mild "no poo" shampoo and conditioner - various brands.

My hair has always been on the dry side so I have to add oil. Once it's dry I like to tame it by rubbing a small amount of Argan oil (or whatever oil you like) between my hands and then smooth it lightly over the hair starting in the back bottom area, being careful not to put too much oil on top or in front.

AM

Veteran

Angie: I was definitely thinking of you when I chose 80s. This is so not my cup of tea. But very fun. And I really can't believe 80s is your favorite era. This always strikes me as funny. I see you as so chic and I see 80s as so plastic. Nostalgia?

rabbit: Sporty and 80s are both so very far from what feels natural to me. But it was fun to step out! And thanks a bunch for the styling tips! I'll have to look up "heat style" -- I don't know what that is. And yes, I'd like to hold the frizzes at bay and get some shine.

Summer: I can't believe I left the house in it. Too funny. And thank you!

Keturah: Thanks for all the insights and advice on the hair. Great stuff. And anything feels easier than my long hair. I'm not a fan of product so I will definitely not be going crazy. But should be fun to experiment once in a while! Again, thanks. You've helped tremendously.

Diane G: Thanks. The feels really freakin' new. Yikes.

MTBGirl

Veteran

I like how you've styled it, You could scrunch it a little to emphasize the waves more.

rachylou

Veteran

Eee! Love your '80s. Your hair is great for the '80s thing.

I like PHYTODÉFRISANT, botanical straightening balm. Round "curling iron" brush. Take a section, pull brush through a length, rolling the end. Blow dry down. Blast of cold at the end. Helps to rinse with cool water when you wash your hair.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Sporty 80's fabulous!

You know what, for a "pyjamas to the supermarket" formula, this is pretty darn good. All you really need to dress up a pair of leggings and a cool tee is a good leather jacket and a pair of kicks. Looks totally intentional.

Keturah

Veteran

So glad it helped!!! YAHOO! I'm usually not a fan of product either. Hair gels and mousses, etc. But I do love the oil and taffy cream. They do good things for my hair and make me feel very pretty and put together. The taffy is a miracle product for blowouts when you want to go straight. I And it doesn't build-up like other styling products. It's like your hair just absorbs it and gets even more lovely. Can't rave enough about it.

texstyle, high five on the curl brushing!! I was afraid to do it. I remember the 90s being so adamant that you don't brush curly hair, perfect ringlets. Then all of these 1940s and 1970s looks started popping up over the last year or two and I realized that soft curls just look more natural and prettier.

Style Fan

Veteran

I love it! Perfect outfit for running around town. I remember wearing an outfit like that very well.

AND YOUR HAIR IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!

AM

Veteran

texstyle: What is "no poo"? And this is all great advice. Thank you!!

Donna: Will try scrunching!

rachylou: I've changed into something more me. I felt alien. But thank you. Checking out all these products.

approprio: Geez. This is so funny. I'll never be caught dead in that again. In fact the shirt was new -- still had tags on it. I have put it into the return bag.

Keturah: These products are all so new. I have never heard of taffy. Lots of exploring to do.

Style Fan: Thank you! You are making my day. Waves are so new!

Anonymous

Curls are gorgeous! Lucky you to have such versatility in your look. My friends with wavy hair absolutely swear by the Conair Infinity Pro hairdryer brush for times they want sleek and straight. It auto rotates, which I thought would just create a nightmare head nest, but there's something about the bristle spacing and softness that just works. I just bought one as a gift for my SIL and (shhh don't tell) tried it out because I couldn't help myself, and not one snarl or snaggle. I was told to be sure to buy the expensive one (about $70 at Walgreens); apparently the ionic/ceramic system is less harsh on the hair.
And your 80s look is right on!

AM

Veteran

Aliona: That sounds like a crazy tool. Must investigate!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Hair and 80s outfit are fantastic! Thought about going to an aerobics class immediately!

Lucy

Veteran

Super cut 80s rendition!

If I don't straighten my hair, it looks similar to yours. I tend to use Moroccan oil (the light version). It smooths out any frizz. If I want it a bit curlier, I use a sea salt spray ( I like Fudge, but have used many others), which gives a bit of volume and scrunch, without going all ringlets.

catgirl

Veteran

This is so boppy and fab, and your hair is just magnificent. I have no curl advice, but I am so glad you cut it!

dakotacheryl

Veteran

AM...as someone who has just recently embraced my curly/wavy hair, and with a length similar to your new hair cut...I can tell you that brushing and waves/curls are not the best bet IMHO. My current favorite products are:

Shampoo - Shea Moisture for Curly Hair...buy at Target
Conditioner - Living Proof Curl Detangling Rinse...Ulta or Sephora
Styling Product - Living Proof Curl Enhancing Styling Mousse...Ulta or Sephora

To refresh curls/waves - Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Texturizing Sea Spray...salons, Amazon etc.

So, my routine is, after shampooing, and conditioner, I towel dry my hair, comb through and then apply a golf ball sized portion of mousse, and then scrunch up my hair to curly look. I then either dry with my diffuser attachment (usual), or can air dry (took 3 hours on Tuesday).

If curls/waves are too crunchy to suit, just take hands and rescrunch curls to loosen. If still too defined looking, run fingers through, but DO NOT brush.

If the wind has been too hard on my style (I'm in and out of my car continually during the day as I'm a pharmaceutical rep). I can give a few spritzes of the Sea Spray, scrunch with my hands and I'm good as new.

HTH...cheryl

Carla

Veteran

Your hair as styled is the perfect 'beachy Waves' that are supper popular, so you've got one style down - besides blow dry+flat iron.

My hair is curly/frizzy if left to air dry. I like Sebastien Potion #9, which is a leave in conditioner. It makes soft curls, not crunchy ones. L'Oreal mousse for curl enhancing (springing curls, bouncing curls, or some such nonsense) is good too, but makes for crunchy curls. I break up the curls by running my hands through my hair or with a 'fro pick. A brush gives me dandelion head!

Gigi

Veteran

I think your hair is beautiful! It seems to be a similar texture to mine. I would recommend either deciding to wear it wavy or deciding to wear it straight. If you choose wavy, I would make sure it is well conditioned, then air dry with some product that you have scrunched in. Don't touch your hair while it dries. After your hair is dry, flip your head upside-down and put your fingertips at your roots and give them a shake to loosen the curls.

If you want to wear it straight, I would put in some product and heat protectant and then blow dry it with a round brush, turning the ends under.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

The outfit is fun, like a just-came-from-yoga look. I love your hair, AM. I'm jealous that it looks like that without product. What great hair and a great cut, and so flattering on you.
Another vote (along with Texstyle) for Aveda's Be Curly line. I like the Style Prep all by its lonesome. And I use a diffuser to dry my hair to preserve the curl.

Aida

Veteran

Love the 80s look! Looks totally wearable.

Re curls, I can PM you a long message I recently sent another fabber about all my crazy products if you want but the main one I suggest is Oribe's Curl Shaping Mousse. Works wonderfully, particularly to bring out more curl if your hair isn't super curly naturally, and double particularly if you use heat to dry (I don't know how well it works for air drying, but probably still good). Personally I am a no vote on the brushing, though it looks like you've got good hair texture for it. Brushing will often get you a wavier look vs. a curlier look, and yours turned out pretty cute! I also don't like perfectly coiffed curls, so to help eliminate frizz and have that more toussled look I use my fingers to break them up (in particular, flipping my head over and running my fingers through my hair and all along the scalp). Dry shampoo also helps with this, even on freshly washed hair. As my hair is thin and fine, to get a similar effect to your natural texture I use R+Co - Jackpot Styling Crème which adds that rough, rock-n-roll texture.

Staysfit

Veteran

Your hair looks great. I love the waves. Your stylist did a great job! My hair appears thicker and frizzier than yours plus I don't blow it dry or use any irons, etc. I have tried many many products because my hair is very thick, wavy and frizzy. I currently use Redkin Rewind 06. For whatever reason this stuff has been the best. It never makes my hair feel stiff, you can't feel it in my hair, and it Removes most of the frizz without making my hair flat or greasy. I'm certain it isn't "natural" but the natural oils and products didn't work for me. I also like Pureology antifade complex glossing mist and I use Pureology shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair.

I have discovered it's trial and error. Hair products can be expensive. I would ask the person who cut your hair what they recommend. They may know what will work best. They often have sales reps give them samples and they get to see many types of hair.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love your outfit AND your wavy hair. How fabulous that you can wear the new cut more than one way.

retailgirl

Veteran

I have thick wavy curly hair, shorter than yours. I don't like product, either. I wash, condition, the blow dry very little, just enough to make it damp. If the weather is warm, I don't blow dry at all. Then I use a pea size dab of frederick fekkai brilliant glossing cream, mostly on the top layers. To give it shine and direction. I never brush or comb it, and it try to remember not to touch it with my hands! Any kind of styling cream or liquid gel works for me. I avoid those with silicones, they drag my hair down.

Gaylene

Veteran

Ha, you're just entering the dark side of "embracing your natural curls/waves". After years of total hair ease that involved just blow drying my hair into a shiny bob, I've been on a steep learning curve this last year trying to figure out this wavy, curly thing. Way more complicated and the results can be all over the map.

Actually your hair looks pretty good in the pictures, so, if you are more or less happy with its current texture, I'd just work from that base. I was a product babe in the woods so I didn't realize that one person's product/technique nirvana could be my one-way ticket to a really bad hair day. A product that tames curls on thick, spirally hair can be a disaster on wavy hair that needs a bit of body. Same goes for advice on how often to shampoo your hair or if you should brush, comb, or diffuse-dry curls and waves. Then you have to figure out if you like a rougher, matte, textured look or more sculptural, smoother waves because different appliances and products create quite different effects. Honestly, I was blown away by how complicated it was to embrace my "natural" waves.

I hit the jackpot when I discovered the Kevin Murphy line of products. To get a shiny, wavy bob, my hair needs shampooing every other day with Aveda Shampure, KM AntiGravity Volumizer at the roots, KM Smooth Again worked into the length and ends, blow-drying at a cool setting until almost dry, and a wide-tooth, baby-size paddle brush to push my waves into position. It's easy and it gives me the shiny, natural-looking waves which fit my style. But it took a lot of trial and error to get it down to this point--and I've accumulated a box full of products along the way.

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