Calling all curly hair experts

[kdibattista]

Kind of inspired by a previous thread - I apologize but I don't recall who started it.

Okay here is my dilemma...

I have naturally curly hair - really, really, really curly hair - spiral curls - think the chick from Providence. Well for the past 7 years I have been straightening my hair with a professional straight iron. Everyone is in shock when they find out my hair is naturally curl. I keep it about shoulder length to cut back on the time it takes to do but it still takes about an hour from beginning to end. Well, I have been getting tired of spending so much time and as a result I have been been thinking of letting it grow long and letting it go curly. It will probably take about a year to let it get to a length that I would be able to "let it go". I would much prefer to have wavy hair. Does anyone have really curly hair and manage to get it wavy? If so, how? I have blonde hair so the really curly style doesn't look good. My sister has the same type of hair but is brown and it looks fabulous on her. I guess we always want what we don't have.

Thanks and sorry so long!!!

 

[kinlaw6450]

I have a straightening process done on my hair...BUT my sister has the same hair you describe. She let hers grow really long...hers is a light brown but she really does have to work on it to keep it from frizzing...a LOT of gel or mousse.

To get it wavy once she had a perm (makes no sense to me but it worked) anyway she got a body wave perm and it took the kinky curl out and gave her a nice wave.

 

[jfulcer]

why not just color your hair brown, then you can have the 'curly' look...

 

[adamak]

I had my hair thermal reconditioned. It's the best thing I have ever ever, ever done to myself. It's alot shinier now, straight, no pampering required in the morning. I literally am at work with my hair wet, and it'll still turn out great at 5pm.

I love my straight hair. Not to mention, it's a LOT healthier. I recommend anyone, everyone to check out this process (and find a reputable stylist to do it).

 

[kdibattista]

Adamak - how much did you pay and how often do you have to get it done?

 

[Curly Q]

I can't believe you straighten your hair! I have had blond, brown, highlighted, dark auburn, dark brown you name it I've had the color (except red) and it has looked great with curly hair (especially blond). Have you tried Biolage Gelee? It is THE gel to try if you have curly hair. Mine is shoulder length right now, but it has been very short, and very long (long enough to sit on) and looks great. The longer the hair the less curls you should have because the weight stretches the curls out. Please try the Gelee, I have to use 3-4 small hand fulls (32oz. in a month), but it is worth it! It only takes 5 min. to do. I can't imagine an hour you poor thing!

 

[LvsTnk]

DD (14) has very curly hair and we had to do something to get it where she could do it herself.

So, she grew it out about 6 inches past her shoulders, and it is slightly layered at the bottom. She does both drying it straight, and the loose, curly, half up, half down do. Also the dirty bun with some of the curls hanging out.

Tips-We curl some of the top layers with a tiny curling iron so everything appears neat and even. She also uses a litlle gel and FRIZZ-EASE moisture barrier hairspray, keeps it from frizzing up.

She just did another girl's hair who has the same curly problem for their dance and everyone loved it.

Wish we could afford to start her on the thermal reconditioning.

Good Luck!

 

[kdibattista]

Thanks everyone for the great tips!!!

I will definitely have to try the Biolage Gelee.

 

[adamak]

kdibattista,
I have only done it once (5 months ago), and it supposed to last at least a year (depends on how fast your hair grow). It costs me $300 including tips, which is considered very cheap for Thermal Reconditioning. TR process is not the same as relaxing your hair, it's much healthier (if done right). But make sure you research research research before doing it. Lots of unethical stylists out there who will charge you a ton and then fried your hair.

I have Asian hair, so the gel, the iron press only works for couple of hours. At the end of the day, I am all fluffed up again. With TR, my hair is pin straight without any styling, blow drying or anything. I wake up looking like Jennifer Aniston (my hair that is, thank you very much)

If you want more info, I found this site very helpful.
http://www.beautywalk.com/talk/salon
And people on that board have lots of recommendation on how to deal with curly hair.

 

[kdibattista]

Thanks adamak!!!

I had the "relaxing" done but I still had to blowdry it and flat iron to get straight which ended up breaking my hair. Now I have nothing chemically done (except highlights) and straighten it myself and it's fine... just time consuming. I will definitely check that out. Thanks again!!

 

[Serena]

When my hair was short, it was the same way. I was called Shirley Temple. As I let it grow the weight of it pulled some of the curl out so it wasn't so curly.
As I get older, it I help it stay a little curlier. lol

Anyway, is it long enough that you could braid it? It would smooth out some of the curl and leave it wavy.

 

[kdibattista]

Not long enough... yet. I am letting it grow out though. I keep it above shoulder length to make it easier to straighten. Now I just have to see if I have the patience to let it grow

 

[ahutton]

I'm lucky that I found a stylist who had naturally curly hair, and she showed me how to work with it. I use an inexpensive product - Citre Shine Shine Miracle - to keep the frizzy ends in check. For gel I use one from Lanza - it is turquoise blue in the bottle - from the salon. It gives lots of control but is not heavy or goopy. I also use 1" diameter velcro rollers sometimes to control the curls. Mine does not sound quite as curly as yours, but I live in a somewhat humid climate and keep it in check. Of course, when I lived in Phoenix it was a piece of cake to get and keep it straight. My key was finally going to someone for cuts and advice that had naturally curly hair herself, and made her hair look nice. I would try calling around to some of the nicer salons in your area and asking if they have someone who has or specializes in natural curls.

 

[Serena]

Oh, I forgot to mention.
There is a website http://www.naturallycurly.com/
It's got all kind of info about curly hair.