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Tips for a curly-haired tomboy?

 
(@kiwistrawbs)
New Member Guest

So, like I said, I'm a total tomboy. I was raised by all men and did not have any female influence growing up, so hair/makeup is WAY beyond me. I have no idea how you ladies have the patience to do your hair/makeup everyday.

I have very, very light and frizzy curly hair. I wore my hair up in a bun everyday from about 11-18 and got sick of it..I started using a flat iron about 5 years ago and I know it's horrible for my hair, but hate just stuffing my hair in a bun everyday. I really, really wish I could just leave my hair down and have it look at least decent, but that isn't an option with the way it frizzes/loses it's curl..Which is why I came here πŸ™‚

Do you ladies have any advice? I don't have a whole lot of money to spend on products, and am unwilling to spend more than about 10-15 minutes a day on my hair.. I've tried using some gels, hairsprays and serums, but nothing seems to help control my hair.

Let me know if you have any ideas on how to control this mop!

Thanks

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Posted : May 14, 2014 2:54 am
(@Deloria87)
New Member Guest

Have you tried using mousse and blow drying your hair with your head upside down? I don't have frizzy or curly hair but I have heard this helps, then easing a drop of serum through it afterwards to keep it smooth.

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Posted : May 14, 2014 8:06 am
(@kennii)
Estimable Member Registered

I've heard that pure coconut oil is really good for curly hair and stops it being frizzy. You just rub some through your hair after you wash your hair and while it's still damp. I don't have curly hair though, but I know a lot of people use it.

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Posted : May 14, 2014 8:34 am
(@Wicked Pixie)
New Member Guest

You are not the only one who is too busy/lazy to spend ages on their hair lol. Some days i can't even be bothered to drag a brush through mine lol
I also have fine curly hair, but I have a lot of it. Mine was also frizzy and unmanageable, so I used to smother it in serums and flat iron it. Then it got more dry and frizzy so needed more ironing, it was a vicious circle.
The secret to low maintenance curls is changing your whole routine. I stopped using shampoo and silicones (commonly found in conditioners and serums) and I gave up heat styling all together. I started CO washing (conditioner only) with silicone free conditioners and using natural oils instead of silicone laden serums. It takes a little while for your hair to adapt, but your natural curl pattern is enhanced and frizziness diminished.
I let my hair dry naturally and just scrunch some coconut oil into the ends to define the curls, or twist is while it is drying to make it smoother. I add Argan oil once it is dry to make it more sleek, and that is it for me. I only wash my hair about once a week maximum, so once it has dried it it is maintenance free, apart from de-tangling.
I don't know how long your hair is, but a good cut that can dry naturally is a good idea.

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Posted : May 14, 2014 1:03 pm
(@katiesiepierski)
Prominent Member Registered

CO washing is wonderful and I think it would benefit you a lot, like how Wicked Pixie described. Eliminating sulfates which are in 90% of the shampoos out there really makes a big difference - sulfates are the same thing they put in laundry detergent, dish soap, etc. If you don't use silicones (which are in most of the conditioners and serums out there, they basically make a thin coating on the hair), you really do not need sulfates at all. Even if you use silicones, you only need to use a sulfate based shampoo every few washes or so. Your hair and scalp will be less dry, you curl pattern will be more defined, especially if you let it air dry and use some pure oils like coconut and argan, it's just great all the way around. All you do is use usually a thin, silicone free conditioner to 'wash' with, then usually a thicker one for your lengths, that's it. Elinimating heat makes a huge, huge difference too. It makes the hair looks smoother and nicer when you do it, but just creates more dryness and frizz.

A really good oil that reminds me a lot of Argan oil, but it doesn't leave the hair looking/feeling oily at all, is sesa oil. It makes your hair so smooth  and soft without any weight, it seems to moisturize very, very well! I've a huge advocate of coconut and argan oil, but I like the sesa oil better - it's like the best of both worlds and then some. It takes away that fluffiness you can get when you wake up or when it's humid out, or after a workout or being outside all day, etc.
http://www.hairdyeforum.com/index.php?topic=13689.0

If you do want your hair straighter though, I would highly recommend the Cocochoco Brazilian Keratin Treatment, specifically. It is silicone free and makes the hair so much straighter and smoother and I think lasts up to 8 weeks or so. @Alexia did a review on it here, and I added my own experience to it too:
http://www.hairdyeforum.com/index.php?topic=12334.0

It is a process doing it, but it's really not that bad. You just clarify your hair and blowdry it, apply the keratin, blowdry it, then straighten it and don't wash it or put it in a ponytail or anything for the next 3 days. For aftercare, just use a sulfate free and salt (sodium chloride) free shampoo, when/if you shampoo, to make it last longer. It IS pricey, but it gives you straight, smooth hair for weeks. Like, the first couple weeks I literally did not have to do a single thing to my hair. I didn't get any tangles, my cowlicks were tamed down, all I did was just brush it, but it really didn't even need it. After a couple/few weeks it will start to slowly fade off + you'll notice your curliness start to slowly come back with more of a wave at first. If you do it once every 4-6 weeks though, your hair will pretty much always be straight and smooth. When I had this in my hair, everyday was a GREAT hair day lol

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Posted : May 14, 2014 3:00 pm
(@kiwistrawbs)
New Member Guest

Thanks everyone who replied!

I have tried TONS of mousse, it usually just makes my hair look sticky/gross..

I use Organix conditioner, and I shampoo once a week.. I don't own a blow dryer anymore, but the one time I used one, my hair poofed about to about 30x the size of my head.

@Katiesiepierski - by coconut oil I'm assuming you don't mean the kind I can buy at a health foods store, right?
Do you have a preferred brand that you find works the best?

Thanks again guys! πŸ˜€

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Posted : May 14, 2014 5:55 pm
(@Wicked Pixie)
New Member Guest

The kind you buy at the health food store is exactly what you want, pure coconut oil.

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Posted : May 14, 2014 5:59 pm