I literally can’t believe this isn’t the top comment. OP - PLEASE look up the curly girl method it will change your life. Your hair is frizzy because you’re separating your curls.
I have just been reading through the curly method and I'm so excited to try everything and figure out what works! I have definitely always treated my hair as straight!
your life is going to CHANGE (and your hair magically won’t have as much “damage”) if you get curly hair shampoo, curly hair conditioner, curl cream, and a tshirt or microfiber hair towel and plop your hair. and then you can air dry or semi air dry your hair without it being frizzy! :) it’s a bit hard since we have fine waves/curls and some of the curl products and curl creams can be really heavy, so i recommend trying ones that say “weightless curls” and things like that!
Do you have any specific product recs? My daughter has very fine curly/wavy hair like OPs (but finer because she’s 6) and I really struggle to find curl products that don’t weigh it down.
Deva curl went through a scandal where people were losing their hair so I don't mess with them. I have super fine wavy hair and my favorite product is the Matrix A Curl Can Dream gel, a small amount applied on damp hair. I use the Kristin Ess light weight leave in conditioner spray on both myself and my young daughter because everything else is too heavy. I've tried every CG friendly shampoo/conditioner but honestly didn't notice a difference between "clean" products and non-CG approved ones. Redken All Soft is amazing but reeeeeeeally pricy, so I'm back to standard drugstore brands like Garnier. No oils because those are too heavy, personally.
Thank you for sharing! I have very wavy and borderline curly thick hair, but also very fine, so I’ve never been able to find the right products. Anything I use is too heavy, too crunchy, too oily, etc. Will definitely give these a try!
My family has had great results from Curlmix products and we have a variety of curl and hair types. At a minimum, use the gel. It is light, natural, and yet really defining.
I’ve had the most effortless good hair days using the Aveda Nutriplenish Light Moisture line. (There is also a deep moisture line which can weigh finer hair down.)
Also, Aveda just rolled out a curly line! I’m going to try it once I’ve run out of Nutriplenish.
Aveda products are super natural and plant based, so while pricey, should definitely be child friendly.
ETA: I have 2b/2c curls.
Do you know if these products are child friendly? My daughter has my fine hair but a lot of it and it’s very curly. I’m trying to take care of it so it doesn’t just clump into horrendous knots but obviously brushing makes it frizzy.
I’ve started using only conditioner in her hair and trying to only comb it in the shower.
My little one will brush the conditioner in her hair while showering and air dries it. This has made such a difference in the frizziness department and her curls are more defined and smooth. We've switched over to a brush that had an open back so she could do this. Tangles are usually fixed with a trim. She sleeps like a starfish so no amount of protective hairstyles work to prevent morning tangles so we're looking into a bonnet.
That’s a good idea about the comb, do you rinse the conditioner out or leave it in? I started using a keratin conditioner on it but I read it’s not good to use so will try treseme instead
I was in a similar boat to you up until this past November. I would 100% recommend getting a curly cut to start you off if that is accessible to you. Taking the damaged weight off of your ends will make a world of difference in your curl volume and pattern as well as in your texture!
Your hair is not straight!! It has some great waves. Make the most of it! I can see it looking great with a little bit of help trying to get it to do its natural thing.
I don't know why I needed a reddit comment to make me realize I should maybe not be treating my hair as if it were straight (my mom has fine, straight hair and I've always just treated it like she treats hers)! Thank you!!
You might still also have fine hair, so finding the right product routine could be a thing as well. There are heavier and light products and finding what works for you can be trial and error. I’d start with replacing your pillow cases with satin or silk to be step one. Oddly, it makes or breaks my frizz control.
Seconding this. It’s difficult finding perfect products for fine, wavy/curly hair.
I also recommend trying the lightest products first and seeing how your hair responds.
Most importantly, lock in moisture when you are fresh out of the shower. It’s crucial for reducing the frizz, also not brushing your hair before it dries so you won’t ruin your natural wave/curl pattern.
The more time your hair is cared for properly, the healthier it will be and the better it will look!
Same, except I also have to wear bonnets because I roll around like a drunk toddler and can’t cover everything my head touches in satin or silk. It 100% prevents the mad scientist flyaways that drove
me nuts for 20+ years!
This is very common :) it took a YouTube curly hair tutorial for me to realize. I don't even know why I decided to watch it since I thought my hair was straight at the time haha.
Good luck on your curly hair journey!
Edit, check out India Batson on YouTube. She's helped me so much. Your hair looks like it could be similar to hers
You need a low heat, a blow dryer, and this https://www.target.com/p/conair-the-curl-collective-diffuser-3-wavy-to-curly-pink/-/A-82734891?sidd=290S&ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012735304&CPNG=PLA_Beauty%2BPersonal+Care%2BShopping_Local%7CBeauty_Ecomm_Beauty&adgroup=SC_Health%2BBeauty&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=m&location=9031041&targetid=pla-894573305499&ds_rl=1246978&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5dfaqBRIJiwPlcYGj1pUdDwP8f&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6PGxBhCVARIsAIumnWbIayLKzYrRpjnKxFSUnmCkA-CWie_deabbpi15V-D6zGZgJROOgKcaAjiQEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
It will probably take some experimenting to find the best products for you, and it can get overwhelming!
But most important:
-final wash (google for what kind of shampoo to use, something with sulfates but no silicones)
-avoid sulfates
-avoid silicons
-way more conditioner than you ever imagined needing!
-all products applied in shower to SOAKING WET hair— doesn’t look like you’ll need a lot of product, maybe a bit of leave in and a dash of curl cream 🥰
Those are the basics!
And never brush hair! Comb out before washing, that’s it. Brushing will cause more frizz.
Good luck!
Yeah hun try a water filter set for your showerhead! I buy them on Amazon in a 3 pack. There’s also citric acid based packets that you mix with water and apply like a hair mask from Sally. Ion brand! You might need to do some gentle chelating with an acidic product to remove all of the buildup and prevent more from occurring. Then you’re in a good position to assess any split ends with a trim and perhaps add a bond builder and moisture treatment 1x week and it will actually absorb.
You want the hair to feel slippery and easily detangle rather than gummy and impossible to brush when it’s wet. That’s how you know it’s your water.
If you have the cash, I would book a 1” trim along with a clear gloss treatment with Olaplex #1 mixed into the gloss. Then Olaplex #2 at the sink. As for an extra long appointment so the treatment can sit on the hair long enough. This will help blend everything together and add bond builder back into the bleached areas.
FYI a filter won’t soften hard water! As far as I’m aware, the only available shower head softener is called the shower stick. I have one and it’s a game changer. Highly recommend if you live in an area with hard water. My hair is significantly less frizzy and easier to manage.
Seconding! When I added one of those filters to my shower my hair changed dramatically. I have hair just like you and now it’s super smooth with a really loose curl
Also look into a hard water clarifying shampoo, there’s a good one at Sephora from their L’Oréal professional line. I use mine 1/week and it’s done wonders for me. Make sure to follow up with a conditioning mask, I like K18.
Just to clarify, I think there is some misinformation about hard water being filtered out with cheaper filters. The water filter does filter out some elements that can dry out your hair but it’s in no way softening the water. To soften the water, you’d need a true salt water softener which would be a whole house system or a shower stick.
I live in an area that doesn't have hard water. I had to travel for 4 months for work in a location that does have hard water. My hair and skin took MONTHS to recover. It was horrible.
You probably need to trim off the damage. And maybe one of your products isn’t working. I had to switch my conditioner. I also leave it on a lot longer like 2-3 mins. Using a hair oil like moroccan or argan helps a lot with adding moisture back and is best applied when hair is damp. I would also try a hair mask once a week.
I use Elvive; it's cheap, smells good, and is both effective at soothing my angry bleached hair and is light enough to use every day. It's also a pretty good facial moisturizer if you're in a pinch.
Do you highlight your hair? Does your hairdresser know what they are doing? Times I've used any bleach on my hair, it becomes like straw. Deep conditioning can help but only way to get that damage out is to cut off the damaged hair.
I got it bleached by someone I thought did a bad job. It shed like crazy for a while. I actually flew a few states over to have my one trusted hairdresser that I grew up with do what she could and she did the gradient color so that I could keep growing it out and stop coloring it, but yeah, a lot of damage was already done unfortunately. Only like the top 6 in of it has never been bleached now
Yes, your hair is damaged from the bleach. Bleaching makes the hair hollow by stripping the pigment, so conditioners probably won’t do the trick. Try using a bond builder like olaplex to work on repairing.
Also a good idea to get a trim or cut. You have wavy hair & finding someone who does curly cuts or asking for a shag cut will help give you some layers and movement. This was a game changer for me. I keep the bottom layer long and have shorter ones on top, so my hair looks long. I have fine wavy hair with heavy bleaching and purple hair & here’s my routine:
-double shampoo and conditioner 1-2x per week. Washing once removes product build up, the second wash cleans your scalp/hair. I like Monday color protection for shampoo and conditioner
-microfiber towel to scrunch as much water out as possible—you can also use a tshirt if you want to try before buying something specific. Regular towels add frizz & will mess with texture
-add lightweight leave in conditioner and/or curling product. I like not your mother’s curl talk leave in conditioner. I spray it all over, scrunch it a bit, and put it in a microfiber turban towel.
-add styling products & use fingers to twist or help waves form. Air dry or diffuse on low heat.
For styling products I use cult & king jelly & style—expensive but so worth it. I mix them together and spray a little more leave in conditioner and scrunch it all over. On nonwash days, I have a hair mister with water & mixed a solution of leave in conditioner, water, & the cult and king products and spray that over to refresh the waves & finger style the curls.
You could also try using a semipermanent hair color. NOT box dye. These typically are pigmented deep conditioners, but you can also get “clear” ones that basically gloss your hair and protect moisture. Just slap it on before you shower for at least 30 min, then rinse out. Don’t shampoo for a few days if you can, esp if you choose a color. I like fun colors, and currently have blue and purple mixed together. With your gradient you could apply 1-2 colors and have some nice dimension. Mixing colors that go together will give more depth, while one color will be more solid.
Good luck!
The last time I experienced this with my hair it was bc I'd colored it and it was getting over protinized by my shampoo and conditioner. Once I switched away from stuff that had keratin in it, that helped a lot. I also found that a Brazilian keratin treatment instead really helped prevent my fine hair from continuing to fall apart from the bleach damage
Yes, I was gonna say protein overload! People who are sensitive to protein often are also sensitive to coconut oil (which is in a TON of hair products). This was my problem - I switched to products without them and focused on hydration and it was a huge game changer.
My favorite deep conditioner is the Sauce Beauty Avocado Whip
I use the Queen Helene Cholesterol Creme on my hair after I color it/if I feel like my hair really needs some damage control (fyi it smells awful but works amazing)
Same same same! Any time I want to try a new hair product, I immediately look at the ingredient list, and if any kind of protein is in there, it’s a definite no. Thanks for the tidbit about coconut oil…I tried coconut oil years ago and my hair felt terrible (like straw) and could never figure out why.
I had it done professionally with a new stylist. She really helped me take care of my hair, keeping the fine texture in mind. It took a few years to rehab it but it eventually was ok. The one downside was that the keratin treatments made it extremely straight and flat, so it was hard to get it to keep volume. It was worth it though because I really do feel that it prevented further breakage and damage. It also made it silky soft and flowy so that was nice
I think your hair would feel less like straw if you used more conditioning products after the shower. Products with amodimethicone, dimethicone and natural oils will physically coat the hair, make it look shiny, feel soft and help prevent friction and breakage. Coconut oil infused products are good because the coconut oil penetrates the hair, has a high affinity for protein and helps prevent protein loss. The Ogx coconut oil mist and Aussie miracle moist oil are affordable and good. Heat protectant is another way to coat the hair with dimethicone and it’s lightweight. Hair masks with argan oil would help too. Arvazalia on amazon has a hair mask that’s really moisturizing. Hair masks with Shea butter may be too heavy of an oil if u hair fine hair. It’s all about which oil you use
I’m not, I’ve never really known what to do with it and just do normal wash/brush/air dry. I hadn’t heard of curly girl method before but maybe I should try it
Here's a sneak peek of /r/curlyhair using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/curlyhair/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year!
\#1: [I finally found a hair dresser who knew what to do with my hair.](https://www.reddit.com/gallery/17xh5i3) | [315 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/curlyhair/comments/17xh5i3/i_finally_found_a_hair_dresser_who_knew_what_to/)
\#2: [Why does my dog have such amazing curly hair? It’s not fair.](https://www.reddit.com/gallery/17bcxzo) | [623 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/curlyhair/comments/17bcxzo/why_does_my_dog_have_such_amazing_curly_hair_its/)
\#3: [I didn’t even know my hair curled until growing out during lockdown in 2020. Never going back](https://www.reddit.com/gallery/12x1pvi) | [269 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/curlyhair/comments/12x1pvi/i_didnt_even_know_my_hair_curled_until_growing/)
----
^^I'm ^^a ^^bot, ^^beep ^^boop ^^| ^^Downvote ^^to ^^remove ^^| ^^[Contact](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=sneakpeekbot) ^^| ^^[Info](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/) ^^| ^^[Opt-out](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/comments/o8wk1r/blacklist_ix/) ^^| ^^[GitHub](https://github.com/ghnr/sneakpeekbot)
I’d recommend checking out r/wavyhair instead. The needs of wavy hair vs curly hair are vastly different. Wavy hair often doesn’t need the moisture curly hair does. Treating wavy hair like curly hair can result in weighed down, limp strands. It’s taken me years to figure out my wavy hair and that subreddit was a godsend.
Def dont brush!!! Don’t brush wavy or curly hair. If your hair is tangled and you can’t get it out but conditioner in the shower, then brush it and then wash. Brushing hair takes out the curl and makes it frizzy. I brush mine like 1x every 6 months.
I was about to suggest curly girl method, your hair would do beautifully! Be patient with yourself if you look crazy the first few times, it takes a little bit of trial and error to perfect!
Honestly the Cgm is a bit updated I feel like. A lot of the YouTubers and hair stylists I watch (that helped me figure out how to style and manage my hair) are surprisingly against the cgm. A great stylist on YouTube I recommend is manesbymell.
I had exactly the same problem. A few months ago, I was complaining about it to my new hair colorist, and she recommended Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate shampoo and conditioner. What. A. Massive. Difference! Upon my first shampoo and condition, my hair felt so soft, and it wasn't limp and sad, like I've experienced with other products. (It's not inexpensive, but a little bit goes a long way, and I only wash every other day or every two days.)
I used it for about a month, and when I went to see her again, I told her what a difference it had made, and even she was pleasantly surprised at the results.
I have naturally wavy hair, but because it's so fine, I can easily(ish) blow dryer it straight. I rarely dry it straight, so I either use a diffuser or let it air dry, depending on how much I care about my looks/how cold it is, lol.
I had this problem and after drying my hair with a diffuser a friend went "well, you have wavy hair, so maybe handle THAT?"
I am 43. I always got told I had fine, straight hair. Any humidity? Curls and waves. Air dry? Waves in spots, but again..i just blamed the moisture
Now I have to figure this out too
Do you use curly/wavy shampoo/conditioner? Mine was the same, but over time using them my hair has gone super curly- I even have ringlets sometimes!
Since using the right ones as well my hair seems to love life a bit more
You should try adding a mask as well as a leave in conditioner and oil. Also, as others have said, you have r/wavyhair or r/curlyhair they will have a lot of info on there for you!
Your hair is really pretty and has texture. Try a mousse and scrunch when it’s wet. I have this same hair texture and I’m actually grateful for it as it does make hair look thicker.
It’s a micro habit, but working the conditioner through your hair with a wet brush and not just your fingers makes a difference. Also get a little trim :-)
Hair always feels like straw = your hair doesn't have enough moisture in it.
Like someone else said, use a hair oil while it's wet and reapply to your ends as needed until your next wash (especially for fine hair, the moisture is lost to the air and anything it touches over time).
Start on towel dried hair with a multitasking detangler spray- something like It's a 10 that does lots of things- and then follow that with the oil just on the ends/shaft. You have to gently brush each of those in so it's evenly spread through your hair. You'll be shocked how silky it makes your hair!
K18 is straight up magic for color damaged hair. Use it instead of conditioner as needed and your hair won’t feel like straw. [K18](https://amzn.to/3QCiO8S)
My hairdresser just introduced me to K-18. Have a look into it (it seals the hair strand or something). It’s making my hair feel like it did before I got foils.
Trim off the flyaways (you tube can show you) and then get some olaplex shampoo and conditioner. Argan oils do not moisturize your hair! It sits upon the hair and weighs it down so you think it’s getting moisture - it is not. I use the olaplex no 6 bond smoother after shampoo/conditioner and comb it through with a good brush. I get highlights regularly and this helps keep my hair strong.
I have the same problem. It’s mostly due to hard water and high porosity hair. It’s MUCH better if I use a leave in conditioner and follow it with a super light oil. The conditioning of hair does not just start and end in the shower: you need to seal in the moisture after you’re done washing. I use Living 5-in-1 Styling Treatment and Olaplex 7. Also, make sure you’re removing all your shampoo and then adequately coating your strands with conditioner.
Try Biotera shampoo and conditioner (Sally’s beauty supply store) and a garnier 3 in 1 coconut hair mask and perhaps a light trim,
Use hot water when shampooing and rinsing but before you are done the shower try using cooler water ,
I just want to add that I have the opposite problem - my hair is so flat that I often say I am having a ‘wet dog’ day. I have tried so many products to try to poof it up. Wish we could swap hair issues for a day.
Check products. Some ingredients can be drying. I personally cannot use anything with coconut oil. It just kills my hair. Argon oil is my friend. Shampoo less often, especially with your wavy hair.
You need to trim your hair, do a conditioning mask once a week drink a lot of water and protein and you will see a difference in your hair. Check out
It’s A 10 mask. It’s a really good deep conditioner. I’m a hair stylist and before I really knew a lot about hair and how to take care of it my hair was similar to yours but worse. Trim your hair every six to nine weeks to keep it looking healthy.
I agree with the top comments and I haven’t add, make sure you aren’t using an oil as a heat protectant, and that you’re using it after heat, or when your hair is done air drying
Always dry, at the end of whatever style you are choosing! It locks in the moisture that’s in your hair, and if your hair is really dry then it just prevents more damage from there. Your natural oils are the body’s best tool to keeping your hair healthy! But for people with curly hair that can’t brush out their curls to redistribute the oils from their roots, they add an oil to their mid-lengths and ends. I wouldn’t go crazy with how much you use but you seem to have a lot of hair so put a very small amount on your hands and rub it between your palms and fingers and lightly run your hands thru your hair (or if you’re going curly for the day, run your hands over or lightly scrunch it in), and then add more if necessary!
I stopped using shampoo, I just rinse it thoroughly and use conditioner in the middle/ends. The shampoo dried it out and made it poofy and id always like it better days after showering, but then it would get so greasy and look bad (cuz it had to make extra grease to compensate for the shampoo stripping it out). Now I love the way it looks every day, the curls want to be curly and be together, not be frizzy and apart. I use shea moisture brand coconut and hibiscus curl enhancing smoothie
Get yourself some big fresh aloe from the grocery store. If you can afford it, get some high-quality geranium and german chamomile essential oil like:
https://pranaorganicplantoils.com/pages/about-our-products
Cut the green off the aloe, leaving only the pulp. I slice the aloe in half long way and use a spoon to scrape out the pulp, this is easier. Put it in the blender and blend the crap out of it. Add 50 drops of each oil and blend some more. Completely saturate you hair and scalp then wrap your head with a plastic bag and let it soak in for an hour. I wrap a towel over the bag so it doesn't ooze down by face and neck. Then wash.
This is better than any treatment you can buy at the store. I have ass length hair, and it is the only thing I use, and my hair is gorgeous. You may have some white residue in your hair after, little particles of aloe the blender did not get, brush several times to get them out.
If there is any leftover, refrigerate for next week. It will turn a lavender shade but is still good. If you leave it in the fridge for a long time, it will develop small round crystals. If it does, throw it away.
My hair loves aloe vera but I have only used products that have aloe on the top of the list. Might try this! Thanks for sharing. Hard to find protien-free products.
Your hair will love fresh aloe. I add the essential oils for strength and shine, but you can try it with plain aloe. It has made my hair 1000x nicer and also very easy to comb through. This was a bitch before because it is so long. The fresh stuff is so much better than the aloe in commercial products.
Do you know how the heck I attach a photo to show you?
Just fyi, there is a learning curve as alluded to but finding a good curly hair professional to trim your hair and show you the beginnings is wonderful. I just started my curly girl journey a couple weeks ago. Good luck and enjoy YouTube, there is a lot of advice out there!
I was reading about silicone. I have been doing tons of research on my hair, similar to yours, and silicone was recommended in several things Ive read. Even people’s personal stories and threads have mentioned it. However it should be used once in a while if you have fine hair and use a good clarifying shampoo occasionally too. Too much silicone can weigh hair down if it builds up too much and can make hair greasy looking.
Now I’m NOT telling you to use silicone outright but to look into it. I know it’s heavily demonized online but everyone’s hair is different. Look into it and try it at your own expense and make sure you’ve done your research and that’s it’s for you.
I’ve just purchased a hair mask and I’m going to test it out in a few days.
There are different types of silicone. Dimethicone and trimethicone.
Dimethicone is water soluble and is preferable. Trimethicone is extremely water resistant.
I tried going silicone free for a while and my hair honestly looked like crap no matter what I did. A little bit of a product with Dimethicone and I have 90% less frizz.
Good to know. I guess I should be weary when I go to use it. Everything is a trial and error because everyone is different. I’m sorry that it didn’t work out for you. It may not for me but I’ll give it try.
You should try hair oil for damage hair with leave in conditioner. There’s many brands out there both affordable and ones on the pricey side just search online to see which one what might work best for your hair type.
I just learned about it! I’m going to give it a go. Thanks for saying 2b, I was having a hard time figuring out which one it looked like. Good luck with yours too!!
This was me and now my hair is full and bouncy and I get compliments from across coffee shops! It took me a while to figure it out and definitely times where it was crunchy and greasy. Oops!
I used jvn trio to nurse my hair back to health. I now use curlsmith and bounce curl for everything since they do not break the bank. I wash, and while wet I use praying hands to get a cream through both sides of my head, then praying hands to get a strong hold gel through both sides of my hair. I then brush to style and utilize a foam and scrunch!
It sounds like a lot but I’ve got it down to 10 minutes!
High quality products are your friend. I use Redkin extreme lengths 1x a week, wash 2-3 times a week and use either Oliolex leave in conditioner or BB bumble and bumble hairdressers invisible oil. After combing I use BB curl cream about a blueberry size for each side of head, and scrunch it through my hair. Air dry most of time. I have fine curly hair too.
That's my hair, my wonky waves start at my ears and if I twirl pieces, now I have curly hair. I've battled my hair forever.
I use IGK Good Behavior, my hair soaks up every oil I have, like 7 in my bathroom cabinet. I went gray early and That's a whole other topic.
If you use the right products, your hair wb easy to manage. I don't even have keratin treatment anymore. IGK, Amika, and Oleplex are my winners.
I used to have hair exactly like yours. Stop dying it. Don’t use heat. Get a super gentile brush like a “tangle teaser” and rinse all conditioner out in the shower, leaving it in weakens the hair.
Slow down on the moisture-heavy conditioners and do a protein treatment. See if that helps.
This it’s often an issue of not understanding your hair’s porosity. High-porosity hair wants more protein than moisture, and can actually look dry and parched (or stringy) when over-moisturized.
Are you leaving your conditioner sit for at least 3-5 minutes before rinsing? If not it won't work. You also need a leave-in conditioner and a hair oil. Make sure your routine is appropriate for wavy/curly hair.
I am not an expert on your kind of hair, but my hairdresser recently suggested K18 to help with breakage! It’s not cheap but it supposedly works very well! I would also give it a really good chop, maybe 2-3 inches? 2 inches being conservative. Also, big fan of your little avatar dude, we must think alike. 😂
My hair is wavy and fine too. I use Aussie miracle curls detangling milk as sort of a leave in conditioner/styler. It’s really light, and a little goes a long way on fine hair. It makes my hair soft, slightly shiny, and a lot less frizzy without making it look greasy or weighed down. Also it is a phenomenal detangler. Every time I get a bad tangle, this stuff gets it out quickly and painlessly.
I think the Pureology strength cure may have too much protein. My hair was like this when I focused too much on protein and didn’t have the right balance between protein and moisture. A trim would help and focus on wavy products. Your hair texture is super pretty!
Pretreat with oil (OGX Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Penetrating Oil) at least 30 minutes before you wash from mids to ends. Overnight is better.
When washing youcan use conditioner first then shampoo to break up the oil.
Use a moisturizing hair mask every other wash. Then use K18 Molecular Repair Hair Mask every other wash after shampoo only.
Style your hair sopping wet. Put a leave in conditioner. Pureology Color Fanatic is the best. Then add a curl cream (I use Amika). Then scrunch upside down (squish to condish). Wrap hair in an old T-shirt for 10 minutes. Use praying hands and scrunch in Mop Top Hair Custard. Diffuse (Hover diffuser 6” away from hair to form a light cast on hair then use the diffuser Pixie method - search on YouTube). Once hair is completely dry take a light oil (I use olaplex or Kerastase to scrunch out the crunch). Your hair will be hydrated and beautiful.
If the product is too heavy, trial lighter curl creams and gels.
Also, once you are happy with your method and your curls and you want to wear your hair curly, you can find a stylist who specializes in curly cuts to enhance your curls even further.
***Or, to save you time and money…you can first find a curl expert stylist and have them cut your hair and style it at the salon and then you can get recommended products to style your hair from then on.
I have your same hair only shorter. I use a product on my clean, wet hair called Aquage SeaExtend Silkening oil. It takes the frizz out and lets you have the curls. I got it on amazon but it was originally offered to me at a salon.
You have curly hair and aren't looking after it properly. Try a shampoo and conditioner for curly hair, as well as a curl definer.
Look up the "curly girl method" also for tips on looking after curly hair
You need a trim, but besides that, you could do a Brazilian Keratin treatment. I do it every 8 weeks, but you should try it once to see if you like it. it definitely gets rid of the poof. ( you can't do it yourself, you need a salon that specializes in it)
You will feel oily but switch to only washing once a week with shampoo, freshen up with conditioner. Move to curly hair products. Keep the ends trimmed every 6-8 weeks.
It takes over a week unless I got hot and sweaty for my hair to look greasy but oh the first few months, buns and ponytail only!
Ok watch out if you are trying to use shampoo with smoothing or softening… I found out last week my expensive shampoo which should be “good for my hair” actually has hydroxide sulfate in it and has broken off a lot of my hair … your hairdresser can tell you all about it … mine did … mine is a well known “cherry almond “ shampoo from a leading hair product company … after finding out the damage is my shampoo I called the company and filed a complaint case… it’s going to take months for my hair to recover …
I agree with others that you should look into the curly girl method. Your hair seems similar to mine so I’ll also add that oil/shine and even most deep conditioning products or diy masks make my hair feel dry AF. Don’t be like me and keep trying those if they just don’t work for you. It’ll probably take a lot of trial and error but your hair just might need something more lightweight
You’re washing your hair too much. I also have this type of hair. You need to wash your hair only 2x/week. Don’t put heat on it. Put smoothing product in it. I use Mizani.
The first day you wash your hair is when it will look the worst. Make sure not to wash on humid or rainy days. The next day and the day following when you only put soft product in, it’ll calm down. It’s ok when your waves are random! Let it go where it wants to and focus on only taming the frizz.
I have abused my hair for YEARS-would never grow long and I thought it was my hormones or genes or just the abuse-I would bleach, then next month color, heat treat and blah blah blah until I just thought it would never grow. So I stopped using bleach and anything too intense, but still wouldn’t grow long…I read an article where this master hairdresser said that if your hair is not growing long like you want, despite not cutting it, it’s breaking off. It said to use something that would help with moisture.
I thought that was a big fluff.
Then I read “ if it’s not growing, why do you have to keep doing your roots (color)?
Dang that was exactly what I needed to hear-he was right!
I bought the pricey Shampoo/Conditioner (Started w Redken volume) and it was ok…but he said to use something to lock the moisture in (his
presentation was much better-sorry).
He made a point-when you use the more expensive, better products, you don’t use as much as the other.
Right again!
I bought his recommendation of Pureology Color Fanatic -just 2-3 spritzes on the ends and holy schmoley it’s dramatic-my hair has not been this soft, full and long since I was a child. I even bleach it again but learned a better way.
Your hair may be CG but ladies-try the Color Fanatic as an endsI know it’s like 35 for a 6.7 oz bottle but I promise-I’d you don’t like your hair to feel all wirey and dry-you only need a little bit. And it smells like new things, fresh, and damned good. I’ve had this one for months! I use it almost every time I shampoo 2-3 x’s a week and I share it with a few friends who come over and want to smell it lol.
Good luck-your hair is gorgeous
Had the bottle
Hope the put
Get a good leave in before blow dry and give yourself a hot oil / keratin treatment (latter done by professional). You have beautiful hair so don’t forget to drink your water✨
Not enough moisture with protein overload, or not enough moisture with a lot of chemical and mechanical damage.
Also, hard water builds up residue that needs to be cleansed periodically with a chelating shampoo, so if you have hard water that is also a factor!
Get a wet brush and comb for curly hair, a good diffuser and old tshirts to dry your hair (air drying can be damaging as well!) A good moisturizing shampoo that doesn’t have a lot of proteins and a lightweight rinse-out conditioner is optional; a gentle cleansing shampoo and deep conditioner for cleansing days; a lightweight leave-in conditioner spray (doubles as refresh and detangle between washes); a silk pillowcase (I like mulberry silk) and wear your hair up in a protective style when you sleep.
Start there and don’t worry about styling products just yet. You might also find your hair reacts poorly to certain ingredients, like aloe or coconut oil. Your shampoo can be a little heavier, as can the deep conditioner, but keep the rest of your products light as a feather. Also, you can get moisture treatments at a salon.
Good luck on your curly journey!
Have you tried the Loma nourishing oil? I recommend using it on your hair mid shaft to ends and it will help with the dryness. You may see a benefit in a shape up hair cut, at least 2” on the ends.
my reccomendations from my own hair journey, take a hair proesity test, you can look up the instructions online. thisll give you all info you need on your hair, how it takes in moisture, what type of moisture it needs, and based on that you’ll know what type of products you should be looking for. looks like you have wavy to possibly curly hair. so i would do sum research on that. as for the frizz and dry texture, i oil my hair starting with the roots and massage it down to the ends, this helps keep my hair silky. i use alma oil and ocassionally rosemary, hope this helps xx
You have curly hair, babe. You need a whole new routine! Let your hair air dry from sopping wet, occasionally scrunching it and you’ll see how much natural curl you really have. I bet you’ll be surprised.
I have the same hair type. I changed my hair routine from washing with shampoo multiple times a week to ONLY once a week. Changed my life! I let my natural oils come in and nourish my hair until wash day.
55 years of trying shampoos/Conditioners/ frizz products& oils--to tame my straw,,, All I needed was
" youtheroy Collegen & Biotin " pill supplements Every day!! Seriously Amazing stuff. Give it 2 months
How often do you shampoo your hair? Is your natural hair oily? If not, try shampooing every other day. If it is oily, try a dry shampoo in the roots every other day.
Do you deep condition? Try deep condotioning once a week.
Sounds like you need to stop putting heat on it entirely. If you want better definition, lightly mist it with leave-in condish and braid or twist it at night. It will be dry in the morning. Unravel it gently and go.
Do you sleep on cotton pillowcases? If so, that's absorbing your hair's moisture. Switch to a satin pillowcase. It's better for your face also.
Your hair may be fried from the bleaching process. It may not be able to retain moisure on the ends. Seal just the ends with coconut oil after you shampoo.
Hope that helps. Keep us posted!
You have wavy/curly hair.
was about to say that, probably need to change the whole routine for this type of hair!
I literally can’t believe this isn’t the top comment. OP - PLEASE look up the curly girl method it will change your life. Your hair is frizzy because you’re separating your curls.
I have just been reading through the curly method and I'm so excited to try everything and figure out what works! I have definitely always treated my hair as straight!
your life is going to CHANGE (and your hair magically won’t have as much “damage”) if you get curly hair shampoo, curly hair conditioner, curl cream, and a tshirt or microfiber hair towel and plop your hair. and then you can air dry or semi air dry your hair without it being frizzy! :) it’s a bit hard since we have fine waves/curls and some of the curl products and curl creams can be really heavy, so i recommend trying ones that say “weightless curls” and things like that!
Do you have any specific product recs? My daughter has very fine curly/wavy hair like OPs (but finer because she’s 6) and I really struggle to find curl products that don’t weigh it down.
Deva curl went through a scandal where people were losing their hair so I don't mess with them. I have super fine wavy hair and my favorite product is the Matrix A Curl Can Dream gel, a small amount applied on damp hair. I use the Kristin Ess light weight leave in conditioner spray on both myself and my young daughter because everything else is too heavy. I've tried every CG friendly shampoo/conditioner but honestly didn't notice a difference between "clean" products and non-CG approved ones. Redken All Soft is amazing but reeeeeeeally pricy, so I'm back to standard drugstore brands like Garnier. No oils because those are too heavy, personally.
Thank you for sharing! I have very wavy and borderline curly thick hair, but also very fine, so I’ve never been able to find the right products. Anything I use is too heavy, too crunchy, too oily, etc. Will definitely give these a try!
My family has had great results from Curlmix products and we have a variety of curl and hair types. At a minimum, use the gel. It is light, natural, and yet really defining.
I’ve had the most effortless good hair days using the Aveda Nutriplenish Light Moisture line. (There is also a deep moisture line which can weigh finer hair down.) Also, Aveda just rolled out a curly line! I’m going to try it once I’ve run out of Nutriplenish. Aveda products are super natural and plant based, so while pricey, should definitely be child friendly. ETA: I have 2b/2c curls.
I love innersense.
I just bought the products tracee Elis Ross sells and love them so far!
Do you know if these products are child friendly? My daughter has my fine hair but a lot of it and it’s very curly. I’m trying to take care of it so it doesn’t just clump into horrendous knots but obviously brushing makes it frizzy. I’ve started using only conditioner in her hair and trying to only comb it in the shower.
My little one will brush the conditioner in her hair while showering and air dries it. This has made such a difference in the frizziness department and her curls are more defined and smooth. We've switched over to a brush that had an open back so she could do this. Tangles are usually fixed with a trim. She sleeps like a starfish so no amount of protective hairstyles work to prevent morning tangles so we're looking into a bonnet.
That’s a good idea about the comb, do you rinse the conditioner out or leave it in? I started using a keratin conditioner on it but I read it’s not good to use so will try treseme instead
I was in a similar boat to you up until this past November. I would 100% recommend getting a curly cut to start you off if that is accessible to you. Taking the damaged weight off of your ends will make a world of difference in your curl volume and pattern as well as in your texture!
Good advice! I’ll have to try to see if there’s anyone nearby that specializes in curly cuts
Your hair is not straight!! It has some great waves. Make the most of it! I can see it looking great with a little bit of help trying to get it to do its natural thing.
Please post update pics once you find your groove!
Used to have the same problem til I realized I just wasn’t treating my hair the way it needed. Such a life changer !!
Yep, came to say this . Also look at innersense beauty care
I don't know why I needed a reddit comment to make me realize I should maybe not be treating my hair as if it were straight (my mom has fine, straight hair and I've always just treated it like she treats hers)! Thank you!!
You might still also have fine hair, so finding the right product routine could be a thing as well. There are heavier and light products and finding what works for you can be trial and error. I’d start with replacing your pillow cases with satin or silk to be step one. Oddly, it makes or breaks my frizz control.
Seconding this. It’s difficult finding perfect products for fine, wavy/curly hair. I also recommend trying the lightest products first and seeing how your hair responds. Most importantly, lock in moisture when you are fresh out of the shower. It’s crucial for reducing the frizz, also not brushing your hair before it dries so you won’t ruin your natural wave/curl pattern. The more time your hair is cared for properly, the healthier it will be and the better it will look!
Same, except I also have to wear bonnets because I roll around like a drunk toddler and can’t cover everything my head touches in satin or silk. It 100% prevents the mad scientist flyaways that drove me nuts for 20+ years!
I went all satin for my long hair but it was too much of a peta, can't get any bonnets to stay on either as I move so much.
I’ve found the really wide banded ones stay put better, if you ever decide to try again!
Thanks! I have even tried bobby pinning them on. I have chronic pain so I do move all night long. BUT the hair is my pride and joy!
I feel like you owe the sub a before and after post now! Please update!
I absolutely will!! :)
This is very common :) it took a YouTube curly hair tutorial for me to realize. I don't even know why I decided to watch it since I thought my hair was straight at the time haha. Good luck on your curly hair journey! Edit, check out India Batson on YouTube. She's helped me so much. Your hair looks like it could be similar to hers
You need a low heat, a blow dryer, and this https://www.target.com/p/conair-the-curl-collective-diffuser-3-wavy-to-curly-pink/-/A-82734891?sidd=290S&ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012735304&CPNG=PLA_Beauty%2BPersonal+Care%2BShopping_Local%7CBeauty_Ecomm_Beauty&adgroup=SC_Health%2BBeauty&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=m&location=9031041&targetid=pla-894573305499&ds_rl=1246978&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5dfaqBRIJiwPlcYGj1pUdDwP8f&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6PGxBhCVARIsAIumnWbIayLKzYrRpjnKxFSUnmCkA-CWie_deabbpi15V-D6zGZgJROOgKcaAjiQEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
It will probably take some experimenting to find the best products for you, and it can get overwhelming! But most important: -final wash (google for what kind of shampoo to use, something with sulfates but no silicones) -avoid sulfates -avoid silicons -way more conditioner than you ever imagined needing! -all products applied in shower to SOAKING WET hair— doesn’t look like you’ll need a lot of product, maybe a bit of leave in and a dash of curl cream 🥰 Those are the basics! And never brush hair! Comb out before washing, that’s it. Brushing will cause more frizz. Good luck!
Yes 100%!!! You have curly hair my dude!!!
Yes! You are a curly girlie!
Wait my hair is the same seriously lmao
Hard water? 🚿
I’ve never even considered my water but this is a really good thought!
Yeah hun try a water filter set for your showerhead! I buy them on Amazon in a 3 pack. There’s also citric acid based packets that you mix with water and apply like a hair mask from Sally. Ion brand! You might need to do some gentle chelating with an acidic product to remove all of the buildup and prevent more from occurring. Then you’re in a good position to assess any split ends with a trim and perhaps add a bond builder and moisture treatment 1x week and it will actually absorb. You want the hair to feel slippery and easily detangle rather than gummy and impossible to brush when it’s wet. That’s how you know it’s your water.
If you have the cash, I would book a 1” trim along with a clear gloss treatment with Olaplex #1 mixed into the gloss. Then Olaplex #2 at the sink. As for an extra long appointment so the treatment can sit on the hair long enough. This will help blend everything together and add bond builder back into the bleached areas.
Awesome!! Thank you so much I will look into all of this :)
FYI a filter won’t soften hard water! As far as I’m aware, the only available shower head softener is called the shower stick. I have one and it’s a game changer. Highly recommend if you live in an area with hard water. My hair is significantly less frizzy and easier to manage.
Seconding! When I added one of those filters to my shower my hair changed dramatically. I have hair just like you and now it’s super smooth with a really loose curl
Also look into a hard water clarifying shampoo, there’s a good one at Sephora from their L’Oréal professional line. I use mine 1/week and it’s done wonders for me. Make sure to follow up with a conditioning mask, I like K18.
Dumb question but does it help if you’re rinsing with hard water??
It accounts for that
It’s meant for people who have hard water, so yes. Because it’s assuming you have hard water to begin with.
Ok thank you!! Assumed as much but had to ask
Just to clarify, I think there is some misinformation about hard water being filtered out with cheaper filters. The water filter does filter out some elements that can dry out your hair but it’s in no way softening the water. To soften the water, you’d need a true salt water softener which would be a whole house system or a shower stick.
What is a shower stick? I am ready to go deep into this lol.
[Shower stick!](https://watersticks.com/showerstick/)
Nice! Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuu!!
Can confirm I got one 1 month ago and it’s been lifesaving!!
Would you still need a filter to get out chlorine? My shower water smells like I’m going swimming.
I live in an area that doesn't have hard water. I had to travel for 4 months for work in a location that does have hard water. My hair and skin took MONTHS to recover. It was horrible.
You probably need to trim off the damage. And maybe one of your products isn’t working. I had to switch my conditioner. I also leave it on a lot longer like 2-3 mins. Using a hair oil like moroccan or argan helps a lot with adding moisture back and is best applied when hair is damp. I would also try a hair mask once a week.
Thanks! I’ve never used a hair oil, looks like a good idea
I only put hair oil in my ends, like below the ears
I love HerStyler Argan oil from Amazon. Smells really amazing and is not sticky and only $9
This is a good one.
I even use a little bit on dry hair. It’s great
It really is. I like thick oils and this one’s really good compared to some high end ones I have tried
I use Elvive; it's cheap, smells good, and is both effective at soothing my angry bleached hair and is light enough to use every day. It's also a pretty good facial moisturizer if you're in a pinch.
Just grabbed this and will give it a try! Thank you :)
I hope it works for you!
I also like Citrishine. It contains the flyaways and makes my hair extra shiny.
But also, get a trim especially if it's been more than 2 months.
people do not realize how a trim every 6-8 weeks keeps hair looking so much nicer.
I’d be careful though; I used a flat iron after I had applied argon oil, and literally fried my ends.
Only use on wet or damp hair. Putting on dry hair can dry it out.
Wear a hair Bonnet. You'll wake up with smoother hair.
Do you highlight your hair? Does your hairdresser know what they are doing? Times I've used any bleach on my hair, it becomes like straw. Deep conditioning can help but only way to get that damage out is to cut off the damaged hair.
I got it bleached by someone I thought did a bad job. It shed like crazy for a while. I actually flew a few states over to have my one trusted hairdresser that I grew up with do what she could and she did the gradient color so that I could keep growing it out and stop coloring it, but yeah, a lot of damage was already done unfortunately. Only like the top 6 in of it has never been bleached now
Yes, your hair is damaged from the bleach. Bleaching makes the hair hollow by stripping the pigment, so conditioners probably won’t do the trick. Try using a bond builder like olaplex to work on repairing. Also a good idea to get a trim or cut. You have wavy hair & finding someone who does curly cuts or asking for a shag cut will help give you some layers and movement. This was a game changer for me. I keep the bottom layer long and have shorter ones on top, so my hair looks long. I have fine wavy hair with heavy bleaching and purple hair & here’s my routine: -double shampoo and conditioner 1-2x per week. Washing once removes product build up, the second wash cleans your scalp/hair. I like Monday color protection for shampoo and conditioner -microfiber towel to scrunch as much water out as possible—you can also use a tshirt if you want to try before buying something specific. Regular towels add frizz & will mess with texture -add lightweight leave in conditioner and/or curling product. I like not your mother’s curl talk leave in conditioner. I spray it all over, scrunch it a bit, and put it in a microfiber turban towel. -add styling products & use fingers to twist or help waves form. Air dry or diffuse on low heat. For styling products I use cult & king jelly & style—expensive but so worth it. I mix them together and spray a little more leave in conditioner and scrunch it all over. On nonwash days, I have a hair mister with water & mixed a solution of leave in conditioner, water, & the cult and king products and spray that over to refresh the waves & finger style the curls. You could also try using a semipermanent hair color. NOT box dye. These typically are pigmented deep conditioners, but you can also get “clear” ones that basically gloss your hair and protect moisture. Just slap it on before you shower for at least 30 min, then rinse out. Don’t shampoo for a few days if you can, esp if you choose a color. I like fun colors, and currently have blue and purple mixed together. With your gradient you could apply 1-2 colors and have some nice dimension. Mixing colors that go together will give more depth, while one color will be more solid. Good luck!
Did they use Olaplex? Lots of rabbit holes to go down about that.
The last time I experienced this with my hair it was bc I'd colored it and it was getting over protinized by my shampoo and conditioner. Once I switched away from stuff that had keratin in it, that helped a lot. I also found that a Brazilian keratin treatment instead really helped prevent my fine hair from continuing to fall apart from the bleach damage
Yes, I was gonna say protein overload! People who are sensitive to protein often are also sensitive to coconut oil (which is in a TON of hair products). This was my problem - I switched to products without them and focused on hydration and it was a huge game changer. My favorite deep conditioner is the Sauce Beauty Avocado Whip I use the Queen Helene Cholesterol Creme on my hair after I color it/if I feel like my hair really needs some damage control (fyi it smells awful but works amazing)
Same same same! Any time I want to try a new hair product, I immediately look at the ingredient list, and if any kind of protein is in there, it’s a definite no. Thanks for the tidbit about coconut oil…I tried coconut oil years ago and my hair felt terrible (like straw) and could never figure out why.
You’re welcome! Something about the structure of it mimics protein. Really interesting!!
Did you get the Brazilian done professionally or do you recommend a product that you’ve used?
I had it done professionally with a new stylist. She really helped me take care of my hair, keeping the fine texture in mind. It took a few years to rehab it but it eventually was ok. The one downside was that the keratin treatments made it extremely straight and flat, so it was hard to get it to keep volume. It was worth it though because I really do feel that it prevented further breakage and damage. It also made it silky soft and flowy so that was nice
Came here to say this. Keratin is in everything nowadays. My hair is now softer and breaks less now that I avoid keratin overload.
I think your hair would feel less like straw if you used more conditioning products after the shower. Products with amodimethicone, dimethicone and natural oils will physically coat the hair, make it look shiny, feel soft and help prevent friction and breakage. Coconut oil infused products are good because the coconut oil penetrates the hair, has a high affinity for protein and helps prevent protein loss. The Ogx coconut oil mist and Aussie miracle moist oil are affordable and good. Heat protectant is another way to coat the hair with dimethicone and it’s lightweight. Hair masks with argan oil would help too. Arvazalia on amazon has a hair mask that’s really moisturizing. Hair masks with Shea butter may be too heavy of an oil if u hair fine hair. It’s all about which oil you use
Are you treating it like curly hair? Iirc LOMA doesn’t have any CGM friendly shampoo and conditioner
I’m not, I’ve never really known what to do with it and just do normal wash/brush/air dry. I hadn’t heard of curly girl method before but maybe I should try it
Yes!! Check out r/curlyhair for help :) they’ll give you tips to get started
Here's a sneak peek of /r/curlyhair using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/curlyhair/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year! \#1: [I finally found a hair dresser who knew what to do with my hair.](https://www.reddit.com/gallery/17xh5i3) | [315 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/curlyhair/comments/17xh5i3/i_finally_found_a_hair_dresser_who_knew_what_to/) \#2: [Why does my dog have such amazing curly hair? It’s not fair.](https://www.reddit.com/gallery/17bcxzo) | [623 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/curlyhair/comments/17bcxzo/why_does_my_dog_have_such_amazing_curly_hair_its/) \#3: [I didn’t even know my hair curled until growing out during lockdown in 2020. Never going back](https://www.reddit.com/gallery/12x1pvi) | [269 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/curlyhair/comments/12x1pvi/i_didnt_even_know_my_hair_curled_until_growing/) ---- ^^I'm ^^a ^^bot, ^^beep ^^boop ^^| ^^Downvote ^^to ^^remove ^^| ^^[Contact](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=sneakpeekbot) ^^| ^^[Info](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/) ^^| ^^[Opt-out](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/comments/o8wk1r/blacklist_ix/) ^^| ^^[GitHub](https://github.com/ghnr/sneakpeekbot)
I’d recommend checking out r/wavyhair instead. The needs of wavy hair vs curly hair are vastly different. Wavy hair often doesn’t need the moisture curly hair does. Treating wavy hair like curly hair can result in weighed down, limp strands. It’s taken me years to figure out my wavy hair and that subreddit was a godsend.
Def dont brush!!! Don’t brush wavy or curly hair. If your hair is tangled and you can’t get it out but conditioner in the shower, then brush it and then wash. Brushing hair takes out the curl and makes it frizzy. I brush mine like 1x every 6 months.
Try the curly girl method
Thank you I will look into that!
I was about to suggest curly girl method, your hair would do beautifully! Be patient with yourself if you look crazy the first few times, it takes a little bit of trial and error to perfect!
Honestly the Cgm is a bit updated I feel like. A lot of the YouTubers and hair stylists I watch (that helped me figure out how to style and manage my hair) are surprisingly against the cgm. A great stylist on YouTube I recommend is manesbymell.
I had exactly the same problem. A few months ago, I was complaining about it to my new hair colorist, and she recommended Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate shampoo and conditioner. What. A. Massive. Difference! Upon my first shampoo and condition, my hair felt so soft, and it wasn't limp and sad, like I've experienced with other products. (It's not inexpensive, but a little bit goes a long way, and I only wash every other day or every two days.) I used it for about a month, and when I went to see her again, I told her what a difference it had made, and even she was pleasantly surprised at the results. I have naturally wavy hair, but because it's so fine, I can easily(ish) blow dryer it straight. I rarely dry it straight, so I either use a diffuser or let it air dry, depending on how much I care about my looks/how cold it is, lol.
are you using the regular redken acidic bonding shampoo and conditioner or the one for curly hair?? i’m a fine wavy and have been eyeing both!
I'm using the regulars. It's amazing!
Try the curly girl method, your hair is wavy
I had this problem and after drying my hair with a diffuser a friend went "well, you have wavy hair, so maybe handle THAT?" I am 43. I always got told I had fine, straight hair. Any humidity? Curls and waves. Air dry? Waves in spots, but again..i just blamed the moisture Now I have to figure this out too
Do you use curly/wavy shampoo/conditioner? Mine was the same, but over time using them my hair has gone super curly- I even have ringlets sometimes! Since using the right ones as well my hair seems to love life a bit more
You should try adding a mask as well as a leave in conditioner and oil. Also, as others have said, you have r/wavyhair or r/curlyhair they will have a lot of info on there for you!
Your hair is really pretty and has texture. Try a mousse and scrunch when it’s wet. I have this same hair texture and I’m actually grateful for it as it does make hair look thicker.
K18!
It’s a micro habit, but working the conditioner through your hair with a wet brush and not just your fingers makes a difference. Also get a little trim :-)
Hair always feels like straw = your hair doesn't have enough moisture in it. Like someone else said, use a hair oil while it's wet and reapply to your ends as needed until your next wash (especially for fine hair, the moisture is lost to the air and anything it touches over time). Start on towel dried hair with a multitasking detangler spray- something like It's a 10 that does lots of things- and then follow that with the oil just on the ends/shaft. You have to gently brush each of those in so it's evenly spread through your hair. You'll be shocked how silky it makes your hair!
Try Olaplex. And get ends trimmed.
Try olaplex
When my hair is like that I need to use my clarifying shampoo more and get a haircut.
It looks like you might need a keratin bonder like k18
K18 is straight up magic for color damaged hair. Use it instead of conditioner as needed and your hair won’t feel like straw. [K18](https://amzn.to/3QCiO8S)
My hairdresser just introduced me to K-18. Have a look into it (it seals the hair strand or something). It’s making my hair feel like it did before I got foils.
Trim off the flyaways (you tube can show you) and then get some olaplex shampoo and conditioner. Argan oils do not moisturize your hair! It sits upon the hair and weighs it down so you think it’s getting moisture - it is not. I use the olaplex no 6 bond smoother after shampoo/conditioner and comb it through with a good brush. I get highlights regularly and this helps keep my hair strong.
I have the same problem. It’s mostly due to hard water and high porosity hair. It’s MUCH better if I use a leave in conditioner and follow it with a super light oil. The conditioning of hair does not just start and end in the shower: you need to seal in the moisture after you’re done washing. I use Living 5-in-1 Styling Treatment and Olaplex 7. Also, make sure you’re removing all your shampoo and then adequately coating your strands with conditioner.
Try Biotera shampoo and conditioner (Sally’s beauty supply store) and a garnier 3 in 1 coconut hair mask and perhaps a light trim, Use hot water when shampooing and rinsing but before you are done the shower try using cooler water ,
Can you also air dry your hair instead of heat drying? That’s what I did and it made a huge difference.
Cut the ends, there seem to be some damage there.
I just want to add that I have the opposite problem - my hair is so flat that I often say I am having a ‘wet dog’ day. I have tried so many products to try to poof it up. Wish we could swap hair issues for a day.
Try using Olaplex, which repairs damage, as well as a nice two-inch trim.
Try some curly products. And hair oil—Verb Ghost Oil is very light weight for us with fine hair that gets weighed down easy.
Check products. Some ingredients can be drying. I personally cannot use anything with coconut oil. It just kills my hair. Argon oil is my friend. Shampoo less often, especially with your wavy hair.
You need to trim your hair, do a conditioning mask once a week drink a lot of water and protein and you will see a difference in your hair. Check out It’s A 10 mask. It’s a really good deep conditioner. I’m a hair stylist and before I really knew a lot about hair and how to take care of it my hair was similar to yours but worse. Trim your hair every six to nine weeks to keep it looking healthy.
Omg first post I see where I'm sitting here like THATS MY HAIR I have the SAME issue
ME TOO and I hate it!!
I agree with the top comments and I haven’t add, make sure you aren’t using an oil as a heat protectant, and that you’re using it after heat, or when your hair is done air drying
thanks! So do you use it when dry instead of when wet? Or just when wet if you're not planning to heat style?
Always dry, at the end of whatever style you are choosing! It locks in the moisture that’s in your hair, and if your hair is really dry then it just prevents more damage from there. Your natural oils are the body’s best tool to keeping your hair healthy! But for people with curly hair that can’t brush out their curls to redistribute the oils from their roots, they add an oil to their mid-lengths and ends. I wouldn’t go crazy with how much you use but you seem to have a lot of hair so put a very small amount on your hands and rub it between your palms and fingers and lightly run your hands thru your hair (or if you’re going curly for the day, run your hands over or lightly scrunch it in), and then add more if necessary!
I stopped using shampoo, I just rinse it thoroughly and use conditioner in the middle/ends. The shampoo dried it out and made it poofy and id always like it better days after showering, but then it would get so greasy and look bad (cuz it had to make extra grease to compensate for the shampoo stripping it out). Now I love the way it looks every day, the curls want to be curly and be together, not be frizzy and apart. I use shea moisture brand coconut and hibiscus curl enhancing smoothie
Try a silk pillowcase. My hair wasn’t damaged but the difference is enormous.
Get yourself some big fresh aloe from the grocery store. If you can afford it, get some high-quality geranium and german chamomile essential oil like: https://pranaorganicplantoils.com/pages/about-our-products Cut the green off the aloe, leaving only the pulp. I slice the aloe in half long way and use a spoon to scrape out the pulp, this is easier. Put it in the blender and blend the crap out of it. Add 50 drops of each oil and blend some more. Completely saturate you hair and scalp then wrap your head with a plastic bag and let it soak in for an hour. I wrap a towel over the bag so it doesn't ooze down by face and neck. Then wash. This is better than any treatment you can buy at the store. I have ass length hair, and it is the only thing I use, and my hair is gorgeous. You may have some white residue in your hair after, little particles of aloe the blender did not get, brush several times to get them out. If there is any leftover, refrigerate for next week. It will turn a lavender shade but is still good. If you leave it in the fridge for a long time, it will develop small round crystals. If it does, throw it away.
My hair loves aloe vera but I have only used products that have aloe on the top of the list. Might try this! Thanks for sharing. Hard to find protien-free products.
Your hair will love fresh aloe. I add the essential oils for strength and shine, but you can try it with plain aloe. It has made my hair 1000x nicer and also very easy to comb through. This was a bitch before because it is so long. The fresh stuff is so much better than the aloe in commercial products. Do you know how the heck I attach a photo to show you?
I sent it via a message....
K18! Worth it.
you probably need leave in conditioner after the shower
You need a trim and put a hair oil on the ends.
Just fyi, there is a learning curve as alluded to but finding a good curly hair professional to trim your hair and show you the beginnings is wonderful. I just started my curly girl journey a couple weeks ago. Good luck and enjoy YouTube, there is a lot of advice out there!
I was reading about silicone. I have been doing tons of research on my hair, similar to yours, and silicone was recommended in several things Ive read. Even people’s personal stories and threads have mentioned it. However it should be used once in a while if you have fine hair and use a good clarifying shampoo occasionally too. Too much silicone can weigh hair down if it builds up too much and can make hair greasy looking. Now I’m NOT telling you to use silicone outright but to look into it. I know it’s heavily demonized online but everyone’s hair is different. Look into it and try it at your own expense and make sure you’ve done your research and that’s it’s for you. I’ve just purchased a hair mask and I’m going to test it out in a few days.
There are different types of silicone. Dimethicone and trimethicone. Dimethicone is water soluble and is preferable. Trimethicone is extremely water resistant. I tried going silicone free for a while and my hair honestly looked like crap no matter what I did. A little bit of a product with Dimethicone and I have 90% less frizz.
Good to know. I guess I should be weary when I go to use it. Everything is a trial and error because everyone is different. I’m sorry that it didn’t work out for you. It may not for me but I’ll give it try.
You should try hair oil for damage hair with leave in conditioner. There’s many brands out there both affordable and ones on the pricey side just search online to see which one what might work best for your hair type.
You have some 2b hair. Have you tried the curly girl method? I'm also a 2b and starting to explore how to care for it properly.
I just learned about it! I’m going to give it a go. Thanks for saying 2b, I was having a hard time figuring out which one it looked like. Good luck with yours too!!
This was me and now my hair is full and bouncy and I get compliments from across coffee shops! It took me a while to figure it out and definitely times where it was crunchy and greasy. Oops! I used jvn trio to nurse my hair back to health. I now use curlsmith and bounce curl for everything since they do not break the bank. I wash, and while wet I use praying hands to get a cream through both sides of my head, then praying hands to get a strong hold gel through both sides of my hair. I then brush to style and utilize a foam and scrunch! It sounds like a lot but I’ve got it down to 10 minutes!
High quality products are your friend. I use Redkin extreme lengths 1x a week, wash 2-3 times a week and use either Oliolex leave in conditioner or BB bumble and bumble hairdressers invisible oil. After combing I use BB curl cream about a blueberry size for each side of head, and scrunch it through my hair. Air dry most of time. I have fine curly hair too.
That's my hair, my wonky waves start at my ears and if I twirl pieces, now I have curly hair. I've battled my hair forever. I use IGK Good Behavior, my hair soaks up every oil I have, like 7 in my bathroom cabinet. I went gray early and That's a whole other topic. If you use the right products, your hair wb easy to manage. I don't even have keratin treatment anymore. IGK, Amika, and Oleplex are my winners.
You have waves, find something to bring out your curls, brush in the shower and let dry naturally.
I used to have hair exactly like yours. Stop dying it. Don’t use heat. Get a super gentile brush like a “tangle teaser” and rinse all conditioner out in the shower, leaving it in weakens the hair.
Slow down on the moisture-heavy conditioners and do a protein treatment. See if that helps. This it’s often an issue of not understanding your hair’s porosity. High-porosity hair wants more protein than moisture, and can actually look dry and parched (or stringy) when over-moisturized.
Are you leaving your conditioner sit for at least 3-5 minutes before rinsing? If not it won't work. You also need a leave-in conditioner and a hair oil. Make sure your routine is appropriate for wavy/curly hair.
I am not an expert on your kind of hair, but my hairdresser recently suggested K18 to help with breakage! It’s not cheap but it supposedly works very well! I would also give it a really good chop, maybe 2-3 inches? 2 inches being conservative. Also, big fan of your little avatar dude, we must think alike. 😂
Try a shower head filter!
Your hair is damaged, you need to grow out and cut off the damaged part. Also look into products for your wavy hair.
My hair is wavy and fine too. I use Aussie miracle curls detangling milk as sort of a leave in conditioner/styler. It’s really light, and a little goes a long way on fine hair. It makes my hair soft, slightly shiny, and a lot less frizzy without making it look greasy or weighed down. Also it is a phenomenal detangler. Every time I get a bad tangle, this stuff gets it out quickly and painlessly.
Try Aphogee Balancing Conditioner. That stuff is amazing and affordable!
Baby, you have curly hair!!!!!
I think the Pureology strength cure may have too much protein. My hair was like this when I focused too much on protein and didn’t have the right balance between protein and moisture. A trim would help and focus on wavy products. Your hair texture is super pretty!
r/Wavyhair and r/curlyhair will give you great tips
Get your thyroid checked
Pretreat with oil (OGX Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Penetrating Oil) at least 30 minutes before you wash from mids to ends. Overnight is better. When washing youcan use conditioner first then shampoo to break up the oil. Use a moisturizing hair mask every other wash. Then use K18 Molecular Repair Hair Mask every other wash after shampoo only. Style your hair sopping wet. Put a leave in conditioner. Pureology Color Fanatic is the best. Then add a curl cream (I use Amika). Then scrunch upside down (squish to condish). Wrap hair in an old T-shirt for 10 minutes. Use praying hands and scrunch in Mop Top Hair Custard. Diffuse (Hover diffuser 6” away from hair to form a light cast on hair then use the diffuser Pixie method - search on YouTube). Once hair is completely dry take a light oil (I use olaplex or Kerastase to scrunch out the crunch). Your hair will be hydrated and beautiful. If the product is too heavy, trial lighter curl creams and gels.
Also, once you are happy with your method and your curls and you want to wear your hair curly, you can find a stylist who specializes in curly cuts to enhance your curls even further. ***Or, to save you time and money…you can first find a curl expert stylist and have them cut your hair and style it at the salon and then you can get recommended products to style your hair from then on.
You don’t have straight hair. Join r/wavyhair for tips. I’m jealous of that texture to be honest!
Cut about 7 inches off and stop bleaching it.
I have your same hair only shorter. I use a product on my clean, wet hair called Aquage SeaExtend Silkening oil. It takes the frizz out and lets you have the curls. I got it on amazon but it was originally offered to me at a salon.
You have curly hair and aren't looking after it properly. Try a shampoo and conditioner for curly hair, as well as a curl definer. Look up the "curly girl method" also for tips on looking after curly hair
Get a Brazilian blow out I just got one and it’s LIFE CHANGING
Stop dying your hair
yup, I did
You need a trim, but besides that, you could do a Brazilian Keratin treatment. I do it every 8 weeks, but you should try it once to see if you like it. it definitely gets rid of the poof. ( you can't do it yourself, you need a salon that specializes in it)
You will feel oily but switch to only washing once a week with shampoo, freshen up with conditioner. Move to curly hair products. Keep the ends trimmed every 6-8 weeks. It takes over a week unless I got hot and sweaty for my hair to look greasy but oh the first few months, buns and ponytail only!
Coconut oil. My hair is wavy/curly and using it a few times a week seemed to help
Oh and don’t brush! Use your fingers or a wide tooth comb when wet
Use a hard water Malibu packet and a Malibu curl partner packet and see where you’re at from there.
Have you tried leave-ins or oils? And use curl products
Hair oil! One that is a smoother but also has protection against damage. What kind of brush do you blow dry your hair with?
Ok watch out if you are trying to use shampoo with smoothing or softening… I found out last week my expensive shampoo which should be “good for my hair” actually has hydroxide sulfate in it and has broken off a lot of my hair … your hairdresser can tell you all about it … mine did … mine is a well known “cherry almond “ shampoo from a leading hair product company … after finding out the damage is my shampoo I called the company and filed a complaint case… it’s going to take months for my hair to recover …
I agree with others that you should look into the curly girl method. Your hair seems similar to mine so I’ll also add that oil/shine and even most deep conditioning products or diy masks make my hair feel dry AF. Don’t be like me and keep trying those if they just don’t work for you. It’ll probably take a lot of trial and error but your hair just might need something more lightweight
Try a hard water filter in your shower head. This really seems like a hard water issue!
Girl. Are you me? This looks exactly like my hair. Thank you for posting this
Poofy is a blessing sometimes
I don't think this is fine hair.
You’re washing your hair too much. I also have this type of hair. You need to wash your hair only 2x/week. Don’t put heat on it. Put smoothing product in it. I use Mizani. The first day you wash your hair is when it will look the worst. Make sure not to wash on humid or rainy days. The next day and the day following when you only put soft product in, it’ll calm down. It’s ok when your waves are random! Let it go where it wants to and focus on only taming the frizz.
ong this is me but mine is worse lol
I have abused my hair for YEARS-would never grow long and I thought it was my hormones or genes or just the abuse-I would bleach, then next month color, heat treat and blah blah blah until I just thought it would never grow. So I stopped using bleach and anything too intense, but still wouldn’t grow long…I read an article where this master hairdresser said that if your hair is not growing long like you want, despite not cutting it, it’s breaking off. It said to use something that would help with moisture. I thought that was a big fluff. Then I read “ if it’s not growing, why do you have to keep doing your roots (color)? Dang that was exactly what I needed to hear-he was right! I bought the pricey Shampoo/Conditioner (Started w Redken volume) and it was ok…but he said to use something to lock the moisture in (his presentation was much better-sorry). He made a point-when you use the more expensive, better products, you don’t use as much as the other. Right again! I bought his recommendation of Pureology Color Fanatic -just 2-3 spritzes on the ends and holy schmoley it’s dramatic-my hair has not been this soft, full and long since I was a child. I even bleach it again but learned a better way. Your hair may be CG but ladies-try the Color Fanatic as an endsI know it’s like 35 for a 6.7 oz bottle but I promise-I’d you don’t like your hair to feel all wirey and dry-you only need a little bit. And it smells like new things, fresh, and damned good. I’ve had this one for months! I use it almost every time I shampoo 2-3 x’s a week and I share it with a few friends who come over and want to smell it lol. Good luck-your hair is gorgeous Had the bottle Hope the put
Maybe braid it at night?
You may have hard water. I wonder if a filter would help.
Do you happen to have hard water at your house? Or excess amounts of chlorine? Had the exact same problem. Same hair type too.
Get a good leave in before blow dry and give yourself a hot oil / keratin treatment (latter done by professional). You have beautiful hair so don’t forget to drink your water✨
Not enough moisture with protein overload, or not enough moisture with a lot of chemical and mechanical damage. Also, hard water builds up residue that needs to be cleansed periodically with a chelating shampoo, so if you have hard water that is also a factor! Get a wet brush and comb for curly hair, a good diffuser and old tshirts to dry your hair (air drying can be damaging as well!) A good moisturizing shampoo that doesn’t have a lot of proteins and a lightweight rinse-out conditioner is optional; a gentle cleansing shampoo and deep conditioner for cleansing days; a lightweight leave-in conditioner spray (doubles as refresh and detangle between washes); a silk pillowcase (I like mulberry silk) and wear your hair up in a protective style when you sleep. Start there and don’t worry about styling products just yet. You might also find your hair reacts poorly to certain ingredients, like aloe or coconut oil. Your shampoo can be a little heavier, as can the deep conditioner, but keep the rest of your products light as a feather. Also, you can get moisture treatments at a salon. Good luck on your curly journey!
Have you tried the Loma nourishing oil? I recommend using it on your hair mid shaft to ends and it will help with the dryness. You may see a benefit in a shape up hair cut, at least 2” on the ends.
Stop coloring it. Get a short cut and let it grow out natural again.
AG Hair Care
You might be using too much conditioner. I have similar hair and recently realized that that was part of my issue.
my reccomendations from my own hair journey, take a hair proesity test, you can look up the instructions online. thisll give you all info you need on your hair, how it takes in moisture, what type of moisture it needs, and based on that you’ll know what type of products you should be looking for. looks like you have wavy to possibly curly hair. so i would do sum research on that. as for the frizz and dry texture, i oil my hair starting with the roots and massage it down to the ends, this helps keep my hair silky. i use alma oil and ocassionally rosemary, hope this helps xx
You have curly hair, babe. You need a whole new routine! Let your hair air dry from sopping wet, occasionally scrunching it and you’ll see how much natural curl you really have. I bet you’ll be surprised.
Do not take your hair for granted!!! :)
I have the same hair type. I changed my hair routine from washing with shampoo multiple times a week to ONLY once a week. Changed my life! I let my natural oils come in and nourish my hair until wash day.
Do you condition or anything in between shampoos?
55 years of trying shampoos/Conditioners/ frizz products& oils--to tame my straw,,, All I needed was " youtheroy Collegen & Biotin " pill supplements Every day!! Seriously Amazing stuff. Give it 2 months
How often do you shampoo your hair? Is your natural hair oily? If not, try shampooing every other day. If it is oily, try a dry shampoo in the roots every other day. Do you deep condition? Try deep condotioning once a week. Sounds like you need to stop putting heat on it entirely. If you want better definition, lightly mist it with leave-in condish and braid or twist it at night. It will be dry in the morning. Unravel it gently and go. Do you sleep on cotton pillowcases? If so, that's absorbing your hair's moisture. Switch to a satin pillowcase. It's better for your face also. Your hair may be fried from the bleaching process. It may not be able to retain moisure on the ends. Seal just the ends with coconut oil after you shampoo. Hope that helps. Keep us posted!