Maya, I would guess you have wavy hair which could probably even go somewhat curly.

I have wavy/curly hair and one thing that helps is not to touch it at all until it dries. I put in light spray gel, work it in a little then let it air dry. It usually looks worse before it looks better, but I end up with glossy wave once it's dry. Everybody's hair is different of course. A blowdry ban is probably a good place to start!

Maya, I don't really mean skipping shampoo, I mean washing your hair with conditioner. Put your little bit in your hand, use it just like you would shampoo, rinse and then put on some conditioner like you normally would

Maya,
After looking at your hair photo's (nice job BTW) Your hair does not look unusually dry and damaged.

Let me first explain the difference between straight and curly/ wavy hair.

Straight hairs feels and looks much different. Straight hair, as any ~flat surface~ reflects the light and looks very shiny. also feels MUCH softer than curly hair. Curly hair by nature is MUCH dryer in both texture and to the touch. It must be conditioned more often as well. And more affected by the elements. You seem to have a combination of both. Look how shiny your flat/smooth soft fringe is, compared to the curlier/wavy parts of your hair.

This is just the nature of curly hair. It lacks the shine and softness/ or looking soft as does straight hair because light does not reflect off a curly/wavy surface.

Your hair isn't really super curly,but you could enhance that with a number of different products, but I think what you are feeling and seeing the~ 2 distinct different textures~ you have. Not all that unusual. Most people do have a combination of both to varying degrees

I really like is natural/not blown. It is a nice change.

I don't know if that helps at all, just know that you can always help the dryness by conditioning, but some of it is just the nature of wavy hair.

I personally don't recommend the conditioner as shampoo theory..It may work for some(although it baffles me completely) But you will end up a greasy mess.

Maya, are those pictures of your hair air-dryed? If so, it looks like you have some slight wave - not too much though. I like the way it looks in the photos - the slight wave gives it some nice texture that I think is probably a little more hip than stick straight hair. I can't see much frizz - can you keep trying some products to deal with that?

I have wavy hair which I blow dry straight every few days. The only time that I ever get the dry, icky feeling is when I use a straightener. it seems that no matter what temp it is set at and what products I applied beforehand, I end up with dry, crackly ends. I usually have to wait for that damage to grow out and then just cut it off. I have stopped using the straightener altogether but of course blow drying alone doesn't help my hair behave during these hot, sticky days that we have been having. You have not seen frizz until you've seen my hair in the humidity!

Taylor, I *did* blowdry my bangs straight Otherwise they kink up...so I guess they are wavy too...

Shana, it's air dried in those pictures. But you have seen my hair in person so you know how straight it was just a few months ago! Maybe it's a climate thing.

I think I'd like to wear it wavy for a while, but I am sort of in shock mode at the moment. The idea of not brushing my hair out or constantly touching it is foreign to me. But I love wavy hair and if I could get it to look nice and neat that would be super.

Looks like I need an appointment at Blow badly.

Maya, why don't you try putting in some curl product (mousse or cream) and letting it air dry without brushing it out after you wash it? I think you might be surprised at the results!

I'm going to try that tomorrow Jenava.

I usually comb my hair with a wide tooth comb after I get out of the shower though. Is that bad? I am such a noob at this.

Maybe just as an experiment tomorrow you could not comb your hair after a shower, just put the cream or gel in. When my hair was longer, I generally didn't comb at all, just put the gel in when my hair was still very, very wet (dripping). It helped the hair stay curlier and I didn't get as much surface fuzz. That's what I call what you were pointing out in the photos--I get it too.

Maya you just mentioned the climate - I think you will find this could be a big part of it.

It sounds like your hair is quite similar to mine, and in our Summers, when its very humid, I've found it far more difficult to deal with than Winter.

My hair is also wavier than straight, but not curly, and in the humid months the frizz is ridiculous. I often straighten it in Summer purely to flatten out the frizz because it drives me nuts.

I guess if you find a difference when the humidity reduces it may be the link, if not, then I'm out of ideas LOL

While I have no specific advice for you as I only started paying attention to my hair after getting it cut short, I would like to second Michelle's recommendation for John Master's Organics range. Their shampoo and hair conditioner range has made my hair incredibly soft.

Ok, I put a bit of curl gel in while my hair was wet and then just finger twisted it. It is still very fuzzy and not so fab.

Tomorrow I'll try not combing it at all and not twisting it and see what it does on its own with the curl gel. The thought scares me a little...

Taylor, what would you do if I were your clilent?

I echo, Taylor. Your hair does not look dry and damaged to my eye. At least - not from the pictures and not when I saw you in Feb.

Isabel, lol! Great minds think alike, right? lol. I didnt see your previous post about WEN, sorry. I love the stuff so much too..do you like Mary Frances bags too?

Maya, you seem to be having a very frustrating summer with your skin and hair, it's little wonder you love autumn so much.

I have no real advice as I'm not really keen on using product myself I'm just sending positive vibes for a quick solution.

BTW I really liked your hair in the photos.