[heavily biased vote] WAVY

Your hair is gorgeous and has bounced back (pun intended) so nice and fast from heat styling!

The cut's grown out well so I'd just chat with your stylist about various possibilities.

I think you're a true wavy (vs having root curl like our curly contingent) so while your waves can get stronger/more curly from wherever they start -- around your ears, maybe? -- going shorter in various spots can give the illusion of more root curl if you want that.

If you're like me (2b low-key, lazy, product-hater) then it's good to be highly informed.

I've tried wet and dry, plus specific branded cuts. I actually moved away from Deva Cuts because the specific layering gave me more wave around the crown in the back on Day 1 but looked terrible (mullet-y) when I was doing my usual minimal-fuss Day 2 or 3 hair. [As in I just let the waves be less wavy.] So for me longer short layers in the back [<<-- badly explained] are easier to work with even if they don't maximize the wave.

So: have the convo, get your cut, see what your waves do with no-little-more fuss, chat again with your stylist to refine as needed at next cut, and enjoy!

Thank you Kstewart, JAileen, Molly Mac, Brooklyn, taylor, Shevia, Jessikams, and rachylou.

I still feel like the back is a bit of a disaster, but it seems like you guys are not seeing what I'm seeing, or are better able to ignore it

It takes some getting used to the fluffiness of it, I think.

LaPed: Thank you for mentioning Tatiana Maslany. I googled her, and she has similar and and face shape to me. I had a lot of fun looking at her different looks from the show. I really think the long curly hair down or up is by far the best look for her (and by extension, me, right? :-)). She has some severe looks with straight hair. I find the straight hair doesn't look as good on her.

Robyn, Sal: Thanks for the vote of confidence in the curl!

Style Fan: I googled her, and her name is Sally Hershberger. I'll google more intensively later.

Janet: you say 'oddly straight in spots in front and curly at the back' -> Yes, this is my issue too.

April: Thanks for saying it's not messy!
Unfrumped, Joy: Thanks!

Lesley you say "it's a million times easier" -> I can agree with this now that I've come up with a system. It requires going to work with my hair wet, and figuring out the products that wouldn't leave my hair too limp or crisp.

Jules: I think I kind of am using the curly girl method. I only use conditioner now. (There is no need at all to use shampoo any more.) I still don't use the 'flop' because my tshirts aren't big enough, and I also don't like gel, but use curl cream instead. The biggest impact though was: Wash/wet EVERY day to prevent the second day limpness.

Suntiger: thanks!

Cardiff Girl: I think longer will work on me, I agree (for now-we'll see how it goes!) . Thanks!

Vix: I think I 'm a bit like you in that I don't need to go for maximum curl. I noticed that less product on day 1 gives way better hair on day 2 (yes, it's straighter, but it's less stringy). However, more product on day 1 gives better day 1 results

I think your approach to just keep talking things over with my stylist is the only way to go. She'll have a better idea of where to take things once she gets to know me. Also, I like to mix things up too.

I had NO IDEA you had naturally wavy hair. I love it!

YES TO CURLS - ALL OF THEM!

Seriously I wish I could make a look like this work. Please please please keep the curls!

Love the curls. I perm my hair in a painful long session to get that structure

Sounds like you are doing similar ‘curly girl light’ to what I have been doing for a few years. When I really looked into CG and followed all the steps and product recommendations, I found I could indeed get a lot more curl. But I mostly gave it up because having a wet gel cast for hours does not work in Canadian winter! I also realized I was pretty happy with my soft waves And yours are lovely!

LOVE your curls!

Have you talked with your stylist about taking weight out of the back? If it's the poofy that you don't like, your stylist can strategically layer into it so it's curly without the poof.

Your curls are gorgeous! I say keep them! If the fullness is what bothers you, have some layers cut in the last few inches of hair. You will keep the overall length, but lose some of the weight and fullness, while adding some movement.

I love the waves! Have you ever read The Curly Girl Handbook by Lorraine Massey? That's where it all started for me in learning how to wash, condition, dry, and style my wavy hair.

Please keep your beautiful curly/wavy hair. I altered my natural hair texture for nearly 40 years with chemicals and/or heat.  During the late 1960s and 1970s I wanted to have hair like Marcia Brady or Cher. Textured curly hair was something to be tamed. It was no fun as a young child having sodium hydroxide (lye) on my scalp and or having cortisone cream applied to hairline burns.  To add insult to injury, my hair looked like it belonged on a cheap doll.

Smittie, yes, I think Maslany looks amazing with her natural hair. It feels more relaxed yet also more edgy, somehow? Straightened looks more severe, for sure. (Part of the fun of watching Orphan Black is the sheer amount of costume/makeup/hair work; really cool to see one person rocking so many different looks.)

Late to see this (I’ve been traveling for a month with just 3 days at home) but just wanted to chime in with a vote for curly. Your hair is so lovely in those photos. It looks thick, full, healthy and has gorgeous color and movement.i definitely have hair envy! No tips on style or product as mine is the exact opposite and I’m mighty lazy with styling.

You are totally right—it is easier only after you figure out your systems. I have needed two systems: One for blow drying in the cold months, and one for air-drying in the warm months. Different products, different techniques.

Another thing that a lifetime straightener has to come to grips with is that sometimes curly looks *messy* to your eye, until you adjust. And the volume can be hard to adjust to, also, since the point of straight hair is getting it as flat as possible. Sometimes my straight-haired daughter will tell me my hair is a mess right after blow drying, but once it de-poufs a little bit, it is often just right. I have gotten to the point where if I end up straightening, for whatever reason, I don't feel like *me*.

Oh, now I remember what I was also going to say... it's easier because when you work with your natural texture, your hair looks good all day! Back when I used to straighten, I would get marginal results most of the time (I got tired of blow drying before I could really get it all straight) and then if I hit rain or sweat I would get weird dents in my hair from the humidity. Now blowing dry takes literally 2 minutes!

Oh, I like your waves/curls. Charming and personal.

By the way, I am a little curious about your profile photo, which appently is not of you. Does the photo have a story?

OMG I am completely with Angie on this. Your wavy 'do is perfection!!

Update: So I went to my appointment and told the hairdresser that I'd like to go a bit longer. She said she'd take some weight off the ends. This was a very delicately-executed haircut because I can barely tell the difference. She did some sort of slicing thing with scissors in a downward motion. Dry cut.

Anyway, for the next cut, I'll get her to take more off the front.

Thanks for the suggestions and encouragement!

Jenn, Gretchen thanks!
Liesbeth: Nice perm! Thanks!
Jules: lol to "wet gel cast". Exactly my problem with all the product!
Nemosmom: Yes, I asked the hairdresser to take some weight off. I don't think she took enough off. It looks the same as when I went in. Lots of hair on floor though, but not enough to make a dent.
Main lady: Thanks!
Dottie - I haven't read the curly girl handbook but have heard of it. I think it is the inspo for the curly girl website, that I DO go to.
nuancedream - oh your poor hair! I totally agree that fighting it with blowdrying and straightening is time consuming and you end up with lackluster results. I think I'm lucky in that I never dyed my hair, so there's less damage.
LaPed - Orphan Black is now on my radar. Yes, I agree that the costume/makeup changes are in themselves fun to look at.
Karen - Thanks!
Lesley - lol about 'dents' in the hair! Yes, I get those too. It really looks bad -- like you're a little nutty. I also think you're right about curly giving the impression of being messy after having had straight hair. You just have to get used to it. I am, I think.
The Cat: She's Sophia from the Golden Girls. I like her attitude.
Ms Mary: Thanks!

So glad you are keeping the curls! I wish my hair could look that good!

Those waves are gorgeous.

Yay! Sorry late to comment but I love the curls. Wish mine still looked like that ( it used to in my 20s, long time ago)

Jenni, thanks! Your 20ies were not that long ago!
Thanks Kelly and Hsathearnshaw.

Smittie, I love your wavy hair too, it is beautiful and really suits you.

Glad you opted to keep the curls. Your hair is lovely!