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Haircut?

Astrid

Veteran

Maybe you remember that I had a horrible haircut last spring that I've been growing out for pretty much the rest of the year. The bad layering is finally a thing of the past, but I'm feeling like it's a bit boring now. Also, my curls are somehow vanishing at the moment, leaving me with kind of straight fuzzy pyramid hair. Paired with the middle part that I always have I'm feeling not my best.

I'm trusting the hairstylist who corrected my cut, I feel like he won't make a mess of me. But I have no idea what to ask for. Do you have any idea what I could do?

The pics were made a month ago just after the most recent cut.

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28 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

Greyscale

Veteran

Astrid, your hair looks like it's a similar texture to mine, and almost identical to my roommate's. Her most recent cut is less straight across and more layered, and it really brings out the curls. But I'm no good at haircut ideas.

I was wondering, though, if your curls might come back with different styling products. Mine are really dependent on what I put in my hair. Currently I'm using Alaffia's Beautiful Curls gel as a conditioner, and hardly ever using shampoo. And I only comb my hair while the conditioner is still in it, then rinse it. (My roommate uses their actual shampoo and conditioner, but they're much too heavy for my hair.)

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, I think you need some different hair products to bring out the curl. I"d suggest DevaCurl but I'm not sure if you'll be able to find over there.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Greyscale. I'm a bit hesitant with layering after it went so wrong the last time, but I guess I could ask for some very light layers. I also only comb when I wash it and don't touch it afterwards. Although I'd would probably better to say my waves are lost, because I don't have real curls, even when they're at their best. My problem with a lot of products is that I have a very sensitive scalp that doesn't like anything, really. And even if I try to only use the stuff in the lengths I'm noticing problems.

Thanks for the tip, Anna - I'm going to look it up.

bj1111

Veteran

so so cute. you look really charming in this new 'do.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks.

Linda

You might ask your stylist what sort of products he or she thinks would work for you -- stylists see a vast array of types of hair and styles, so sometimes they have good ideas. Does your hair/scalp feel dry, or oily or??? It is hard to tell from your photo. Your hair is a great color! And it looks to me like you have a great thick mane of waves, waiting to be shown off.

I have a terrible time with hair styling. I wore my hair long for many years, partly because I really HATED trying to figure out what worked style-wise for me, and also not being handy with hair products and styling tools.

Hope you can find a style you really like and a stylist who will collaborate!

carter

Veteran

I am terrible at suggesting hairstyles but just wanted to chime in that I think this cut is particularly cute on you. If you can find a product to fight the frizz and maybe have him cut some light top layers that will allow the waves to come back, I think this shape works well.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I don't know much about frizzy/curly hair, but just wanted to say I love how it's grown out on you

Aquamarine

Veteran

Astrid, you are adorable no matter what. How short do you want to go? If you can let your hair grow a bit longer, your hairstylist will have more options I think. (I have learned this the hard way.)

Lyn D.

Veteran

You have lovely hair!
I think that long layers would freshen-up your curls for sure.

Anonymous

I really like your hair that length. Maybe a bit of layering would bring out the curl, but I have no experience except with straight hair.

Anonymous

I think we have the same hair type - not color of course! If I lived in a more humid climate (as I did growing up) which always makes it more wavy (or is that frizzy)? I agree with the suggestions to explore products - either smoothing or curl enhancing depending on what direction you want to go. Also agree you might want to grow it longer, in my past experience that weighs the curl/waves down and makes them behave better! Lastly, try mixing things up with a side part if you like.

Liz A.

Veteran

Curly hair needs layers to really shine! The right layers will bring out the curl. With the way your hair is cut now, I would get the back layered up in stacked layers... that is more layers in the back angling towards the front. I'm not explaining well, but check out this pinterest board for inspiration.

As for your routine, I think you will be surprised how curly you can get your hair if you try using product on it. Wash with sulfate free shampoo, condition with silicone free conditioner, leave some conditioner in, and scrunch in gel after your shower. Don't rub your hair dry, but rather scrunch it with a towel if you must or diffuse with the blow dryer (I only do 5 minutes or less then air dry).

Then report back

Christie

For my curls, I like a natural looking a-line bob, shorter layers in the back and longer in the front. I say "natural-looking" because, at least for my hair, I don't want a very structured, stacked a-line. I like it to organically fall forward in length. I don't know if that makes sense. Maybe the link listed above shows some?

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks everyone! I'm at my phone right now, but I'm coming back to your replies later.

Astrid

Veteran

Okay, back for some answers.

@Linda
My hair is always dry and unfortunately not very robust (I get split ends and breakage easily). The problem with my scalp is mostly itchiness when I use some products. I guess it's the same like with the rest of my skin, I'm sensitive there too (neurodermatitis). And I'm definitely not handy with products and tools either, I'm more of a wash and go person.

@Carter
I think I'm definitely going to try some new routine first before I change something big with the cut. Although I could see myself getting some slight adjustments.

@Lyn
I think I need to find the right balance between the more stylish short do and my long easy to care for hair.

@Aquamarine
I could go a bit shorter, but I don't want a pixie again (had that twice in the past). I also don't want the longer hair back, I just cut it a year ago. Below is a pic of the last cut I got before I went short and it went wrong. It was definitely easier to work with, but I like the shorter do better.

@parkmommychic
I just went from longer to shorter last year and I don't want to grow it out again. Especially because everyone IRL says it looks better short. As for the side part - having it that way quickly hurts my scalp, so I've always had a middle part. They just fall that way.

@Liz
That's what I was thinking, getting it angled and longer in the front. I'm already silicone free and mostly sulfate free as well. I don't use any gel or other leave ins because I don't like the how they feel on my hair, but maybe I haven't found the right one yet. Also doing the scrunching and (mostly) air drying.

@Christie
I think I know what you mean.

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ramya

Veteran

I need really good curl holding cream for my hair to work. This is what I discovered Astrid. My scalp is oily and my hair dry. Anything with sulphates make my scalp break into dandruff.I had found a sulphate free shampoo and a hair cream that worked but I am not able to get the cream anymore. And my hair is terrible now.

So I understand your pain. I still suggest you try a curl holding cream. Worst case, try Body shop curl holding cream(Brazilian nut I think). It is the one that worked for me

Aquamarine

Veteran

Astrid, I love the stacked bobs and think one would be fabulous on you. They are also versatile in that you can choose the length somewhat. I like your hair at this length too...from my experience, the longer it is *before* the haircut the more choices your stylist will have in cutting it. As for product, I think you have to keep experimenting until you find one that works for you. My daughter has switched over to all natural products and it took some experimenting before she found what works for her. I would also suggest that no matter what you use, try a clarifying shampoo once a week or so to wash all the product off your hair and let it rest. I think you'll find the products then work better.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Ramya. Yes, my scalp is problematic too. Conventional shampoo is better on the scalp but worse for the hair and the natural stuff makes my hair look great and my scalp itch! Most sulfate free shampoos give me dandruff, no idea why. I guess one of the substitutions doesn't agree with me.

Thanks Aquamarine! And you're right, the longer the wait the more to work with. Although my stylist is good like that, during the last year he couldn't do much without making it worse or going really short, but he regularly cut just a little to make me feel better. And you're right, I will have to experiment. I don't want to though, I hate buying (or worse, using up) all those products.

Alassë

Veteran

See what your stylist suggests?

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I highly, highly, highly recommend the Curly Girl method! You can read more about it on http://www.naturallycurly.com. I've been doing it for 8+ years and will never go back to shampoo and conventional products.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Alasse. I've asked him, but he's all - well, what do YOU want? He does what I tell him to do though, or tells me when something doesn't work (yet).

Thanks Pastrygirl. I've read about Curly Girl a few years ago and tried it, but it didn't work that well for me. My hair was more wavy/curly, but my scalp couldn't take all the conditioner. I do some of the other things, like no brushing and almost no combing, no heat, gentle products etc...

Gracie

Veteran

I love your hair - color and texture. I also struggle with my hair "going pyramid" on me and the last time I had it trimmed my stylist thinned it (scary words) a bit on the bottom/sides with the thinning scissors and it has helped a lot. It's amazing how much $ we can spend trying different hair products – and there are thousands out there. Hopefully you can find the products that will make your hair and scalp look and feel their best. I like the angled-bobs in the pinterest link, some of them look a bit short though... maybe going a bit at a time?

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Gracie. And yes, I'm definitely going to take it slow - I don't want a repeat of last year! Better to go to the hairstylist more often, it's fortunately not a problem because they're fairly inexpensive.

E

Veteran

I love curly bobs, but I have pin straight hair, so no helpful tips to add as far as cut strategies go. Have you tried switching your part? Even just a little to the side can make a big difference. Mine's diagonal right now: starts at one of my temples (I alternate which side) and then draw a line so it ends in the center of my crown. That lets the front bits frame my face but keeps the volume on both sides look fairly balanced (I don't have a lot of hair, so I have to make sure it's distributed well! lol). When I was growing out pixie layers a few months ago, I used a zig zag part to keep it looking round and thicker: the zig zag wasn't super obvious either. Or you could bobby pin/clip just the very front bits to change things up (it takes about 30 seconds; I'm a low maintenance hair girl too). None of my suggestions are reflections on your current hair cut, which I think is adorable and flattering, by the way.

Also, I discovered a few months ago that if I wash my hair was just water (going through all the motions as if I were shampooing, with thorough attention to the roots), I can go 4-5 days between shampoos (my other past attempts to cut back on shampoo were dismal failures, as my roots would look greasy the next day). My hair is so happy now I don't even need conditioner! And it has a bit more texture, though no previously hidden waves or curls have appeared.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks, E! I'm going to try to adjust the part a bit after my next wash, now that the hair's dry it doesn't work all that well. I'm down to washing my hair every second day again, but I'd love to go back to three days between washes. I've often did the water only thing in summer when I wanted to shower but didn't want to wash my hair every time, but I never thought of trying it now in winter.

Scarlet

Veteran

Hi Astrid, I am quoting from Andrea Lustig's book from a section specifically about how to avoid the "dreaded triangle effect".

1. Ask your stylist to help determine the length he's going to cut the front and the back. Blandi thinks right below the collarbone in the back and slightly shorter in the front is the chicest length for this cut, but because curls spring up when dry, he suggests having your stylist cut your hair about two inches below the collarbone to compensate for shrinkage.
2. Cut the bangs right below cheekbones (they, too, will spring up).
3. To frame the sides, your stylist should slide the scissors diagonally downward from the end of your bangs down the length of your hair on each side.
4. Cut layers into the sides, section by section, being sure none of the layers are more than an inch and a half shorter than the overall length of that particular section. This assures you won't get the dreaded "triangle effect" so common with curly haircuts.

To Style
Your stylist should use a frizz serum or hair oil and diffuser, but at home your hair is wash and wear...apply product and air-dry.

And for reference there is a photo of Julianna Margulies with curly hair on the red carpet.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Scarlet.