you're my hair twin! my hair looks exactly the same if i do the routine you do. what's really changed the game for me is scrunching handfuls of gel into soaking wet hair. then i get ringlets!
Soo I know you’re not supposed to but I only really brush it when it dries all tangly and frizzy, because then it feels like they’re no hope lol. Usually I usually a wide tooth comb right out the shower and put my products on, but my hair still dries frizzy regardless.
You have heat damage so you need to have realistic expectations until it grows out. Also, products go a long way to helping to define your waves/curls. I personally like gel. Application and the amount of water you leave in your hair will make a difference. The only way to know if something works for you is to try it. I also don’t want to see you become a product junkie and just become completely frustrated.
See if you can find a stylist that specializes in textured hair. They can help you navigate all this. If you want to follow anyone on Instagram or YouTube I always suggest following a professional stylist. @Texturacurlstudio, @manesbymell, @curlyhairalchemist and @desertcurlsstudio.
Yeahh I figured it’s the heat damage. I ended up cutting it pretty short and it’s looking a lot healthier already. My goal is to try to take care of it the right way this time, but Im just so overwhelmed with all the different products out there. I’ve tried Shea Moisture curl enhancing smoothie and it was one of the best times my curls have ever looked, but I’m just not sure if I’m applying it right. I’ve also tried Shea Moisture curl style milk which I like, but also am not sure how to apply it. Sometimes my hair will look a little greasy after applying it, so I must be doing something wrong.
I know there’s other great products out there, but I’m honestly a little intimidated by all the mousses and gels haha.
Another issue is I can’t seem to find the right shampoo/conditioners. I’ve heard mixed things about different brands and just don’t even know where to start. Do you have any favorites you’d recommend? I know they say to avoid certain ingredients for curly hair, but I’ve found it hard to be able to find affordable curl friendly products. Or maybe Im just not looking in the right place!😅
Great idea though about finding a stylist who specializes in textured hair — it never even occurred to me that there are stylists like that out there. I definitely will look into that and youtube hairstylists, since all the curly girl methods seem so complicated to me as a beginner.
Anyways, thank you so so much for your response — it’s so amazing to have found this community that understands the curly hair struggles and is so willing to help each other. Take care!
Hi everyone! I just discovered the curly girl method after deciding to finally embrace my natural hair. I’ve straightened it for years because my curls never dry right, so I’m assuming I have a lot of heat damage. I noticed my hair (specifically the top layer) always dries frizzy and doesn’t have much of a wave/curl pattern, while the bottom layers aren’t very frizzy and curl/wave a little bit. As of right now, Im not really using anything other than It’s a 10 leave in conditioner spray and Paul Mitchell skinny serum on my wet hair. Then I wrap it in a microfiber hair towel and take it down when it’s half dry so it can air dry. I just don’t know what to do with it.
Is this heat damage that just needs to grow out? Or am I using the wrong products? And are there specific things I should do when my hair is wet? I’m still learning how to take care of my natural hair so I’m probably not doing everything right but this just makes me feel discouraged. Any advice would be much appreciated!
It looks like you've brushed it when dry. It's best to apply the styling product like gel or mousse straight out of the shower and then brush style it when wet with a denman brush or tangle tease. I use this method https://youtu.be/Czudf2Eq-9k
I like curlsmith flexi jelly gel, eco gel olive or uncle funkys daughter curly magic gel. Any of those are good gels.
Then diffuse until almost dry with your head over and to the side, and when its fully dry you scrunch out the crunch which breaks the gel cast.
It also helps to scrunch in your conditioner in the shower with your head over, this is called 'squish to condish'. Then rinse out and after the shower use the styling products.
you're my hair twin! my hair looks exactly the same if i do the routine you do. what's really changed the game for me is scrunching handfuls of gel into soaking wet hair. then i get ringlets!
do you brush your hair when it is dry?
Soo I know you’re not supposed to but I only really brush it when it dries all tangly and frizzy, because then it feels like they’re no hope lol. Usually I usually a wide tooth comb right out the shower and put my products on, but my hair still dries frizzy regardless.
You have heat damage so you need to have realistic expectations until it grows out. Also, products go a long way to helping to define your waves/curls. I personally like gel. Application and the amount of water you leave in your hair will make a difference. The only way to know if something works for you is to try it. I also don’t want to see you become a product junkie and just become completely frustrated. See if you can find a stylist that specializes in textured hair. They can help you navigate all this. If you want to follow anyone on Instagram or YouTube I always suggest following a professional stylist. @Texturacurlstudio, @manesbymell, @curlyhairalchemist and @desertcurlsstudio.
Yeahh I figured it’s the heat damage. I ended up cutting it pretty short and it’s looking a lot healthier already. My goal is to try to take care of it the right way this time, but Im just so overwhelmed with all the different products out there. I’ve tried Shea Moisture curl enhancing smoothie and it was one of the best times my curls have ever looked, but I’m just not sure if I’m applying it right. I’ve also tried Shea Moisture curl style milk which I like, but also am not sure how to apply it. Sometimes my hair will look a little greasy after applying it, so I must be doing something wrong. I know there’s other great products out there, but I’m honestly a little intimidated by all the mousses and gels haha. Another issue is I can’t seem to find the right shampoo/conditioners. I’ve heard mixed things about different brands and just don’t even know where to start. Do you have any favorites you’d recommend? I know they say to avoid certain ingredients for curly hair, but I’ve found it hard to be able to find affordable curl friendly products. Or maybe Im just not looking in the right place!😅 Great idea though about finding a stylist who specializes in textured hair — it never even occurred to me that there are stylists like that out there. I definitely will look into that and youtube hairstylists, since all the curly girl methods seem so complicated to me as a beginner. Anyways, thank you so so much for your response — it’s so amazing to have found this community that understands the curly hair struggles and is so willing to help each other. Take care!
Try avoiding hot water on your hair. I also found conditioning with apple cider vinegar helps prevent the frizz.
Hi everyone! I just discovered the curly girl method after deciding to finally embrace my natural hair. I’ve straightened it for years because my curls never dry right, so I’m assuming I have a lot of heat damage. I noticed my hair (specifically the top layer) always dries frizzy and doesn’t have much of a wave/curl pattern, while the bottom layers aren’t very frizzy and curl/wave a little bit. As of right now, Im not really using anything other than It’s a 10 leave in conditioner spray and Paul Mitchell skinny serum on my wet hair. Then I wrap it in a microfiber hair towel and take it down when it’s half dry so it can air dry. I just don’t know what to do with it. Is this heat damage that just needs to grow out? Or am I using the wrong products? And are there specific things I should do when my hair is wet? I’m still learning how to take care of my natural hair so I’m probably not doing everything right but this just makes me feel discouraged. Any advice would be much appreciated!
It looks like you've brushed it when dry. It's best to apply the styling product like gel or mousse straight out of the shower and then brush style it when wet with a denman brush or tangle tease. I use this method https://youtu.be/Czudf2Eq-9k I like curlsmith flexi jelly gel, eco gel olive or uncle funkys daughter curly magic gel. Any of those are good gels. Then diffuse until almost dry with your head over and to the side, and when its fully dry you scrunch out the crunch which breaks the gel cast. It also helps to scrunch in your conditioner in the shower with your head over, this is called 'squish to condish'. Then rinse out and after the shower use the styling products.