What will straighten my unmanageable frizzy birds nest hair?

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Posting here for traffic. I have very frizzy/curly/birds nest hair. Some sections are ringlets and other bits are straight. It is basically a mess. I have tried numerous different things to try and straighten it/make the curls hang looser rather than a frizzy birds nest type mess but nothing has worked. I have done 2 x keratin straightening treatments (which didn't actually straighten my hair), phytorelaxer etc. None of these products have worked. I can't afford to do it every few months in a salon and have had bad experiences in salons anyway so wouldn't risk spending £££ for something which will last a few days. Is there any product that actually works and will give me nice straight or at least manageable loose curls and not this birds nest frizzy mess I currently have?

If your hair is dry and brittle it will likely have too much protein - when hair is clean and wet give a few strands a stretch and see what happens. If it just stretches/snaps after a long stretch it has too much moisture, if it snaps too easily it has too much protein. Also when hair is clean and wet check your hair porosity. You can do a float test to find out (Google how to do it). If you have low porosity hair (i think a lot of curlies have low po) you will have to use heat to get the moisture in. I like to use a (sweet) almond oil. Rub into damp hair and scalp, wrap with cling film (and a hot towel if low po) preferably overnight, and wash out in the morning. You will have to be consistent with it though as over-proteined hair can take a while to get moisture in especially if it's low porosity.

HTH

I did a home keratin treatment from Amazon and was really impressed.

I have hair like you describe and it’s made a big difference.

Find a really good hairdresser who is good with curls. Ask around locally, you tend to find them by word of mouth and get a really good cut to start with. My hairdresser is worth her weight in gold as she understands curly hair, how it bounces, layers etc.
I tried the Curly Girl method, but it leaves my hair very greasy and lank, no matter what products I use. So I’ve gone back to Aussie shampoo and conditioner and then I style with leave in conditioner and curl controller - love the Redken one. Once I’ve run that through my hair I take sections and twist, and I try to leave it to air dry where possible, when my hair is dry means I get defined curls. Second day it gets shoved into a messy bun/pony tail to avoid washing twice.

Designstatement OGX is sulphate free, as is L’Oreal Everpure, Bumble & Bumble do sulphate-free as well. Pureology is a decent brand but only available in salons/online.