Really Thick Curly-ish Hair

Daisy03

Hi guys,

I have really thick, curly-ish hair. When I wash it and its still wet it has these lovely curls but once it begins to dry (naturally, as the diffuser makes it worse) it becomes really dry and a little frizzy.

I have tried everything to try and get it to stay manageable and define the curls a little more. I would love to be able wear it down but mainly give in and tie it up.

Has anyone here got a similar hair type and found any products that worked? I have tried the frizz ease products (shampoo, conditioner, serum, gel), Aveda curl definer, Aussie, Garnier Fructis, tresemme, and a whole bunch of other ones.

My main problem is that most of the products thicken my hair even more but it is more than thick enough as it is. Instead I want to control it and try and get sleek curls.

Thanks

Villette

I've found that Kerastase products really work. I have similar hair, although I prefer to wear it straight as it suits me better, and Kerastase products have fixed my dry hair! They have a curl defining shampoo, which I haven't tried, but I have used the moisturising shampoos and conditioners, and my curls look much nicer, with much less frizz and my hair is just generally in better condition. I think the cheaper hair products dry your hair out, and I had to wash my hair more often when I used the cheaper products also.
Since I started using the products hairdressers have commented that my hair is in good condition and are shocked when they hear that I straighten it regularly and get highlights - this after years of hairdressers tutting and recommending treatments!
I buy it from HQHair.com as it's cheaper than in the shops, but it lasts much longer than cheaper shampoos anyway so works out as better value - particularly over products like Frizz-Ease, which can work out quite expensive, as I know I had to buy it every 3 weeks or so!

DixiDee

Hey
I have treally thick curly hair and i too have been using the frizz ease stuff. I use the FE Curly shampoo/cond/serum then their spiral curls gel spray. When wet I do my hair in sections starting at underneath. section my hair, spray this stuff on and twist sections to make fattish ringlets, then leave to dry (for about 4 hrs as its so bl**dy thick!, usually do at night or first thing in am at wkend)
When dry I have fat ringlets that are crispy with the product and just run fingers through to remove some of product and have controlled curls that behave themselves!!!

Kimia

Right, here's a question I can answer for you. I used to have thick, curly, unmanageable hair. It was horrific to be honest, I dreaded washing it coz it took so long to dry and I only could wear it up.

I started using a GHD to straighten it. Over time this thinned out my hair somehow and now it's much easier to dry and style. Maybe someone knows the reason for this? I don't know why or how it happened but after a couple of years using the GHD my hair type would now be classed thick and glossy not thick and frizzy.

I also get layers cut into it. And I get the hairdresser to thin it out. Basically whatever she can do to make it easier to manage. It was hard to trust the hairdresser because in the past as a teen I had some horrific experiences (one where the hairdresser literally threw her hands up and said I can't do this - that was embarrassing). But be really firm with them and explain your hair type and what it does when it dries.

You can try and learn how to blow dry it yourself. It's very hard with a normal hairdryer but the Babyliss big hair is unreal. I recently bought one and it makes my hair flippy and volumised with absolutely no frizz. It's an investment and well worth the 60 quid.

Products, I have not much truck with. I find they make my hair heavy and lacklustre, although I do love Kerestase shampoo.

Hope this helps!

Daisy03

Thanks for the recommendations. Will definitely try Kerastase.

curly from cork

please note user name !!

i ve had the 12 week b/d 4 times and this has helped but product wise i like trevor sorbie. available in boots. quite often 3 for 2. i find the curl cream especially good.

southsiderosie

A few things from someone with long curly hair...

1. A good haircut really helps. Be sure to go to someone who knows how to cut curly hair (and not just cut it for it to be straight)

2. Stop using shampoo, and don't wash your hair everyday. I "wash" my hair every 4-5 days, which involves rinsing it with warm water and massaging my scalp, putting conditioner on and gently using a wide-tooth comb to detangle it, and leaving it on for 5-10 minutes. I use shampoo every other or every third time, and even then it's diluted. Your scalp will get used to this after a while. I like Citre Shine shampoo and conditioner, although I have had good luck with local stuff I've found in Spain (lots of curly-haired people). I've also used Garnier, but the conditioner isn't quite as rich as some of these other products. I can generally feel when I comb my hair out how well a conditioner is working (because my hair feels slippery or dry), so you may have to experiment a bit.

3. Don't towel dry. Squeeze it out, and put the product in when it's wet. Use your hands to scrunch it. I use anti-frizz serum and gel. I really like Citre Shine products, but I have yet to see them in Ireland (I'm from the US, and even there I have to order them online). I don't like Frizz-Ease products - they seem to dry my hair out big-time.

4. DON'T BLOW DRY. Wash your hair before you go to bed and let it dry overnight. I have very long hair, and I find that when I wash it at night and sleep on it, it curls much better because it can curl to the roots without weighing itself down. Generally it is still damp in the morning, but I just shake it out and go. On in-between days, Garnier hair lotion for curly hair works really well for me, but I found this product by accident in Spain and haven't seen it in Ireland.

Daisy03

curly from cork wrote: »

please note user name !!

i ve had the 12 week b/d 4 times and this has helped but product wise i like trevor sorbie. available in boots. quite often 3 for 2. i find the curl cream especially good.

Ha ha... Good user name! My nickname as a child was Curly and I'm also from Cork

Again, thanks for the all the recommendations. Have already ordered some Keratase products online and will try out the other suggestions too.

Shmatter

I got my hair stripped a while back and it totally changed the texture of my hair, was very thick dry and frizzy. I had to straighten it less so let go wavy instead. I find the pink Pantene mousse really good, if you want something for styling!! Only thing that's bad about it is if you heat style after you apply the mousse it smells HORRIBLE.

dudara

Pantene Perfect Curls shampoo really helps mine. I've found the Kerastase range to do absolutely nothing other than empty my wallet. Frizz Ease doesn't do anything either for me.

The biggest secret to managing thick hair is a REALLY good haircut. Over the years I've learned that the better the cut, the less problems I experience.

Oh, and I'm sure you know this, but don't ever brush your hair. Brushing is not kind to thick, curly/wavy hair.

suzerxxx

i agree about the good haircut! it makes all the difference!

Twee.

dudara wrote: »

Oh, and I'm sure you know this, but don't ever brush your hair. Brushing is not kind to thick, curly/wavy hair.

Best tip. I can't remember the last time I brushed my hair. That said I do have a chunk of matted hair at the back that won't go away :pac:

I recommend salt spray for curls, Umberto Giannini and Label M do good ones. I've found most anti-frizz products pretty useless.