Help me manage my DD's curly/frizzy hair!

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DD(13) has mid length, very curly hair that seems to frizz up no matter what we try. We usually just put it in a pony tail but she's getting older and is getting self conscious about it/wants to try different styles and wear it down. I've tried all sorts of different products and we have tried straightening it once and a while. We can get it to look OK for an hour or two but the frizz returns immediately.
She's my only DC with curly hair and I feel like I'm letting her down. Help!

Look up the curly girl method, there is loads your dd can try with her hair to make it lovely.

Google “curly girl method”, but in summary

Don’t wash it very often (I wash my curly/frizzy/dry hair about once a week or less).
Never brush it
Comb it with a wide tooth comb when wet
Use SLS free shampoo
Use lots of conditioner
Some people reports frizz-reduction by using silk pillowcases.
Get it trimmed regularly, split ends breed frizziness.

Don't brush it when dry is the main thing 🤷🏼‍♀️

I use Soft n Free curl activator from the afro hair shop. You can also buy it online. It smooths and defines curls.

Yep, curly girl method has worked wonders on my dd's hair.

Gel or mousse on wet hair, scrunch it then don't touch it and let it air dry
I find glycerin makes my hair frizz so she might have to be trial and error with products til she finds one that works

Ooh, and the noughty leave in conditioner has done absolute wonders for my frizz

Aww I feel for her. I was (still am) that girl!! Everyone tells you how lucky you are, but you don't feel it!!

I know lots of people swear by curly girl - it was way too much faff for me and my hair looked worse not better. But loads of people do love it so it's definitely worth a go.

But some of it I agree with. Wash infrequently - twice a week max is fine. Loads of conditioner, no brushing, no hairdryer (or minimal hairdryer use). Use a microfibre hair wrap type towel and do not rub the hair with it - gently scoop it into the wrap.

Then I'd recommend a really rich moisturising wash out conditioner (doesn't need to be expensive, you don't want to worry about slathering it on), a good leave in conditioner - I love this one www.boots.com/charles-worthington-moisture-seal-hair-healer-leave-in-conditioner-200ml-10288619 - applied when hair is pretty wet still, a serum (all the curly girl method advocates will hate this but I still love Frizz Ease) also on quite wet hair, and a curl cream once it's dried a bit - so damp hair. I like this one www.superdrug.com/Hair/Hair-Styling/Hair-Creams/Trevor-Sorbie-Tame-%26-Define-Firm-Hold-Curl-Cream-150ml/p/762482.

In-between washing spray with a little water and then reapply some curl cream to help calm frizz. Good luck

I've looked at the curly girl method before but like some others have said it's quite a lot of faff (certainly more faff than DD is willing to put up with!) The issue I have with not brushing is that that is the only way to put it into a neat ponytail, so we are in this cycle where it is too messy/frizzy to be worn down, but also brushing it into a ponytail makes it worse!

Thank you for the product recommendations!

Seriously - don't brush it! Just spray with a little water, add a bit of curl cream and smooth it back with your hands to make the ponytail neat. You/she will get the hang of doing it this way. I can achieve a very neat ponytail without a brush.

Some people swear by twisting the hair in sections when it's wet to make neat ringlets and then gently separating them when they are dry. But again, this is a faff.

When you say curly - how curly? You can find curl pattern examples online. This will also have an impact on how you care for her hair.

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Like this - I'm a 3a mostly - you can have more than one type of curl pattern. And I used to be more 3b but my hair has changed as I've got older

Take her to a hairdressers who specialise in her type of hair. One thing my mum never did with me, which I think would have helped me tremendously!

I have curls but the curly girl method doesn’t work for me. I use lots of conditioner and then style with leave in conditioner (I also use the Charles Worthington leave in conditioner) and curl cream. I gently twist sections and then either diffuse it or more usually leave it to dry (or use the blowers in the car!) If I want to wear it up then I don’t brush it, just spray with a little water and smooth back with my hands and it’s fine. Never ever brush it when dry.
Fine a hair dresser who understands girly hair - a decent cut does make a difference.