To cut or not to cut? A curly topped dilemma!

[Joycey29]

I have curly blonde hair that is about 3 inches below my shoulders.
Condition is ok, not amazing.
Problem is with 3 dd, a full time job and sports I end up with it scraped back which ages me massively!
Should I cut it or not?
Tried haircut app - good fun but not hugely helpful!
ADVICE PLEASE!!

[BeauNeidel]

I cut mine about a year ago, never looked back. I have a sort of graduated bob which I mostly wear down. I love it, it looks a lot thicker and healthier than the long layers I had sported for my ENTIRE adult life!

Just cut it! Worst case scenario, you don't like it and grow it again.

[Joycey29]

I think you may be right - just nervous as had a few dodgy cuts due to curls!
Need to find picture to show exactly what I mean

[MagdaMagyarMadam]

Joycey - I'm in the same boat as you except I'm brunette. Can you tell me more about the haircut app?

[BeauNeidel]

This is the sort of cut I have, in fact I took this in as inspiration. The woman in the photo is a mod on the britishcurlies forum so this is her natural hair! My hair is not greying though and the curls are a little tighter I would say If you look at the other pics of her, mine isn't quite so rounded at the back.

[BeauNeidel]

And god yes - so many dodgy cuts! Why don't hairdressers get specific training in cutting curly hair?

[MagdaMagyarMadam]

Beau - I love that cut!

[BeauNeidel]

It's lovely isn't it Magda!

I must admit though, I was a bit when the hairdresser didn't believe it was natural curls. Even though she has natural curls.

Oh well. She still cut it nicely!

[pollyteapot]

That's a beautiful style. I have curly hair which frizzes at the front - I tie i back ALL the time cos it drives me crazy, but too scaredy cat to get a shorter style cos I've piled on the pounds this year and have a heavier face now - worried I'd look like a dumpling.
I have favourited one of her photos so I can take inspiration and maybe pluck up the courage to get mine cut

[Joycey29]

Beau - that is just what I want but know if a muppet cuts it too short I could look like a poodle!
My current hairdresser is great but off on maternity leave soon so got to make a quick decision or risk a newby!

Magda - it s called haircut pro and my sister has it so assume from App Store. The colour is crap but the styles really help get an idea.

Dreamt I cut it last night - must be a sign!!

[BeauNeidel]

polly - I am very, well round at the moment but still feel the shorter hair is nicer. That was my one thing I was worried about tbh, that if I cut it short it would accentuate the double triple chins! BUT as it is still longish in the front and shorter in the back, it doesn't do that, the length frames my face more. Also, my hair used to frizz a lot more when it was longer than now - I still have these odd bits that don't seem to want to dry very curly, I think it's because they are always the bits stretched backwards into a ponytail, but it is 100 times better since I got rid of the really dead ends. I'd used tongs and straighteners so much that although my hair wasn't in bad condition as such, it just wasn't as curly as it could have been. If that makes any sense! Also, I conditioner only wash now (shampoo maybe once a week) and may hair has never looked better.

Joycey - I had to have a different hairdresser last time (went to Toni & Guy on recommendation - should have known better ) and she cut it sooooo short! It looks great now it has grown out a bit, but now I need it cutting again as the ends are a bit split.

When I went, I was pregnant with only a few weeks to go, and she really didn't want to cut it all off (was probably about bra strap length before) but she did. She erred on the side of safety though and probably didn't go a short as she could have done! I think so long as you take a picture in and get someone who is not a junior to do it, it will be fine.

[pollyteapot]

Beau - no shampoo? Sounds interesting.How does your hair get clean? I use Mousse and hairspray on my washed hair so I use the shampoo to get my hair clean but alos hoping it takes off the biuld up of product (it probably doesn't)


I have found a shea liquid one that always makes my hair look fairly decent once my hair gets used to the difference in shampoo, but it's sadly not in my budget for everyday use.

your hair cut sounds brilliant and I echo the must have of getting a more senior stylist rather than the juniour. Been there, done that, cried a LOT

[curlyLJ]

Pollyteapot google the Curly Girl Method which talks you through the no-poo method of washing with conditioner. You do have to be careful not to use anything with silicones in it though, but the website explains it all...

I have tried it recently and it has totally changed the way I style my hair and I am beginning to actually like my curls again. I was almost at the point of cutting it all off recently too, before I discovered this method.

[Joycey29]

Am so going to try the curly girl method!
Might solve my problem.....

[curlyLJ]

It really is worth a go Joycey - here's a link to the site I found where it shows you what products to use and most importantly not to use here

[Joycey29]

Ok LJ - what conditioners do you use - sending DH out to buy tomorrow!

[curlyLJ]

I have got Tresemme Naturals to wash with (make sure it's the Naturals one, the others have silicone in them) which Superdrug have got on half-price at the moment, and Naked leave-in conditioner to er...leave in! I don't think it really matters which ones you use as long as they haven't got all the nasty silicones etc in.

I am still experimenting and I guess it will take time to find the 'right' products for my hair. I have got the Umberto Giannini (sp?) gel which is in a bright pink tube, and also Naked curl creme, but I haven't tried that yet...

[JetJungle]

I just wanted to add that if you no-poo, you must make sure all the products you use are silicone-free otherwise you will get product build-up when washing with conditioner.

I co-wash with Tresemme naturals. I wash and condition once a week with Naked. I use coconut oil on damp hair everyday and finish off with Naked leave-in.

I never brush my hair and run my fingers through my wet hair to distribute the conditioner.

This routine has totally changed my curly hair. I love it now and would never dream of cutting it.

[Joycey29]

I use morrocan oil -which I love- is that ok.
All set to try this -fingers crossed!
Anyone else up for trying????

[Joycey29]

So first day in and already my curls have lasted with less frizz than before.
Can see how this will work if this is day 1!
It's 5pm and my hair is still down!

[curlyLJ]

nice one Joycey glad it's working for you - I so wish I had discovered this method about 10 years ago!

[pollyteapot]

thanks CurlyLJ - I might give this a go - I am pants at styling my hair but so often want to take a pair of shears to it it drives me crazy. The no shampoo method must be worth a try xx

[Innat]

Very interesting and inspiringn thread, thanks ladies! Just a question about the conditioner washing...I go swimming at least once a week, any ideas about what kind of wash to do or not do after that? I always feel that you need to use shampoo to get the chlorine (or other chemicals) out. Is there one that is compatible with the conditioner washing technique? Thanks :)

[BeauNeidel]

Morrocanoil has silicone in it, so you might need a sulfate free shampoo every so often if you find it builds up.

Innat personally, I think I would do a proper shampoo and conditioner wash on those days. Just use a sulfate free one - Tresemme naturals are nice, and smell nicer than the Naked ones IMO. Plus they're cheaper!

[Innat]

Cheers beau. Think I will use up the stuff I have then start a new regime!

[brighthair]

Inspired by the photo earlier in the thread I've just had 7 inches cut off my hair... Shortest I have ever been