See, my hair has been the bane of my existence since it grew in. That's over 40 years. And I STILL keep trying to make it different...better.
Well I've had $400+ straighteners that didn't work, tried flat irons and Brazilian Blowouts. I've used products for African-American hair and done "perms" on huge rods. If I had all the money I've spent fighting my hair and trying to get it straight, I'd be wealthy now.
But like my momma always said: "You're never satisfied." Yep, Mom...you were right.
Well I finally exhausted every single possibility that I know of and decided to try and embrace my curls. I did the co-wash method for as long as I could with poor results.
From Naturallycurly.com -
Co-Washing
Also known as conditioner washing, co-washing is no-shampoo method of cleansing your hair. Conventional shampoos can cause natural hair to become dry, unmanageable and frizzy. Washing your hair with a good rinse-out conditioner can keep your waves, kinks and curls moisturized and healthy.
Finally I discovered Kinky Curly Curling Custard. If I put it on my hair wet, it actually tames the curls enough where you can at least see that they're curls rather than just a big poof-ball.
I'm not posting a photo of my hair without product because, frankly, I don't think you could handle it. This is what I end up with AFTER lots of product.
I've been using it for quite a while now and although I'm not what I would call "happy" with my hair, at least I feel like I can go out in public without scaring children and small dogs.
My latest order from CurlMart (naturallycurly.com's boutique) came today. I'm going to try out some new serum, too (spray bottle) and see how that does.
With my order I was surprised to find a sample of Olive Oil gel! Yay! I've tried a few different brands and types of coconut oil without a lot of success so I'm excited to try Olive Oil gel. And 4.5 ounces in a sample? Awesome. And a couple more samples that say they "eliminate frizz." Yeah, I've heard that before. I'm not holding my breath but I'll give it a shot!
How many other frustrated curly-headed people out there? Have you tried these?
Have you found anything that works great for you? If so, please share! (I'm a 4b, just FYI)
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I would KILL for curly hair, but you're right, if it was curly I'd probably want it straight! We're never satisfied x
ReplyDeleteAt least if it's straight, you have a choice. Perms usually work. Straighteners, on the other hand, don't. Yep - never satisfied!
DeleteSigh...why can't we all just be bald?!!
ReplyDeleteI've considered that! Wondering if I shaved it would it grow back in straight. LOL!
DeleteBefore I became obsessed with nail polish, hair was my thing. I have been co-washing for a full year now, I have a product routine that works, and recently I realized I can go product free without looking crazy! Unfortunately, with school I rarely have time to do my hair and it usually ends up in a bun.... Your hair looks fabulous, by the way. I love right curls but I'm more of a 2c/3a. Anyway, I hope this routine continues working for you!
ReplyDeleteMine stays in that clip in the photo or a pony tail 95% of the time.
DeleteI tried the no-poo thing for a while with minimal success. Now I have decreased my use of shampoo to about 4 days a week… Have you tried Lush products? They have a coconut shampoo called Wurly Curly that I love, just be sure to get the little coco bits rinsed out well!! For styling, ie "control" product I use Catwalk Curls Rock Leave in moisturizer and to tame it down the rest of the way I add Garnier Fructis anti Frizz Serum. Whew! It's really not that much, and it gives me curly, non frizzy hair, except when its raining…. which it has been doing a lot in S Tx this winter…..! Lana
ReplyDeleteThe Garnier products actually make my hair worse! But I haven't tried Wurly Curly. *makes note to google it* I'm in SoTx too! And it's actually raining NOW! But it would have to rain 40 days and 40 nights to make up for the drought we've had.
DeleteI didn't know you were a curly girl too! My hair drives me crazy too :-)
ReplyDeleteCurlies UNITE!
DeleteWell, I am a little jealous! My hair is fine, thin and limp. I have always hated it. I tried getting a perm three times in my life and three times it looked like someone left a box on my head for 100 years and then lifted it off. NO GOOD. I like your curls! We are on opposite ends of the hair spectrum and we both are frustrated with our hair! LOL
ReplyDeleteGirl, your hair is far curlier than mine but I can totally relate to trying almost everything under the sun. That's why I chop mine down so short, I don't have the patience to deal with it long - but the products you're using now make your curls look pretty gorgeous in that picture! I'll have to keep that in mind for if I decide to grow mine back out again.
ReplyDeleteI have straight hair. Just plain flat. I can't wear a hair clip like you do, it is quite disappointing that not even curling irons give my hair some volume. Your curls are super cute. <3
ReplyDeleteTry Jessicurl brand products, they're amazing for curly hair! Also, WEN hair cleansing cream is great - no suds or lather, kind of like co-washing, but better, IMO.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam - I'll check them out!
DeleteYour hair is gorgeous Sheila! But I completely understand, I hate my hair. It's curly but not nearly as curly as yours, I feel for you, I would hate that. And my mom tells me that ALL THE TIME. And it's true, I am never satisfied. I just colored my hair again and I am already thinking of changing it AGAIN. LOL Did you like the olive oil gel?
ReplyDeleteO - M - G !!
ReplyDeleteThis one requires a long comment!! I better email it to you!!
Hi Sheila, I also have naturally curly hair, though not your type. I've accepted the frizz, and the super curls, and then not-so-curly curls. The one thing I still haven't nailed down about curly hair is finding that person I trust to cut curly hair! A lot of hairstylists don't understand that you can't cut curly hair like straight hair, or that once it's cut it curls up really tight and becomes super short! ::sigh::
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this! I like this post because it's SO hard to find products for curly hair! I agree with Kali that it's risky to let just anyone cut curly hair. I found a salon, actually, that does what are called "dry" hair cuts. You come in with dry hair, they cut it, THEN they wash and style it. They use this method because they say you can get more of a feel for what the hair is like, how it falls, etc. when your hair is dry versus it being wet within a few minutes of you arriving at the salon. They can see what your hair is like naturally and then shape the cut to what your hair does. It's brilliant! I have yet to try it (it's super expensive!!) but I would LOVE to! Everyone leaves that salon looking fabulous - men and women!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your two-year blog-aversary!!!
I feel like my daughter will have this issue. Shes mixed and has really curly (sometimes unmanageable) hair. I have my own issues, I'm black and have been natural on/off but it can be so expensive AND time-consuming so most of the time I'm not taking care of it the way I should! Babbling now...
ReplyDeleteBelatedly reading this blog. Love it. My hair is wavy, baby fine, and easily knotted in the back and straight in the front. It's constantly suggested that I comb my hair-- as if that was the problem. Any product with alcohol makes it worse. I found a Japanese professional salon product that tames the back so I can get a comb through it and then I keep it longish layered and straight. Anything else is too labor intensive. I only have to use the product in a like once every six month type of treatment and then I can make do with a normal conditioning wash every week or so. I tried the curly girl approach but I had to pin curl the front to match the back and it was too much trouble. I have a long-ish face so it's not a super flattering style for me but it least it looks neat.
ReplyDelete