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Original poster

Curly girls - help

23 replies

Katenotts · 27/04/2011 22:15

Does anyone else have unruly curly hair? I can't do anything with mine and go through a cycle of trying products, them working once or twice, then they don't and I abandon them again, then try them again three months later. I'm getting very tempted to try hair extensions, cutting it really short, anything to make it more manageable. I spend the whole of winter thinking it'll be better in summer when it's dry and then all summer thinking it'll be better when it isn't so humid.

Anyone tried any fantastic new products? Know of any good hairdressers in the Midlands area? Got any words of wisdom to help. I am desperate!

OP posts:

LakeFlyPie · 27/04/2011 22:34

Have you tried the Curly Girl thing?

It's really good (IMHO) and saves you a fortune on shampoo / products.

controlpantsandgladrags · 28/04/2011 13:03

Yes, me! I have tried the curly girl method but personally didn't get on with it. I know there are others on here who swear by it though! I use tresseme shampoo and conditioner (for curly hair) on mine and put some Boots curl creme on it before letting it dry naturally. hairdryers are a big no-no for me, even with a diffuser.

I wash it 2 or 3 times a week and just put some curl creme on on the days in between to de-frizz it.

Insomnia11 · 28/04/2011 13:05

John Frieda serum and a hair straightener?

BulletWithAName · 28/04/2011 13:10

Agree with controlpants, I use Tresemme as well, wash it twice a week and John Freida serum before letting it dry naturally. I look like I have a very, very bad 80's perm if I use a hairdryer!

BornToYolk · 28/04/2011 13:13

CG works really well for me.
In a nutshell - avoid anything with silicone in. It coats your hair, preventing moisture from getting in. You also need harsh shampoos to get it out again. Frizz Ease is the terrible!

I wash my hair every day with Original Source Mint conditioner. I rub it really well onto my scalp and rinse. Then condition with a conditioner that doesn't contain silicones. At the moment, I'm using Superdrug Coconut conditioner.
Then I use Boots Pink Curl Creme (rub it well between the hands first) and then Umberto Gianni Curl Friends gel. Then leave it to dry as much as possible, and give it a quick blast with the hairdryer to finish it off.

I use a SLS free shampoo about once a week.

It takes a bit of getting used to, but my hair is in much better condition now than before and looks loads better - shinier and less frizzy.

British Curlies is a really good site for everything curly!

LooloosMummy · 28/04/2011 13:14

i wash mine, let it drip dry but brush it out while its wet then use avon curl defining gel on it, i find that works really well and doesn't let it get too fluffy and fly away

georgie22 · 28/04/2011 13:15

I've recently had my hair cut by Matthew James in Birmingham. He has trained with Lorraine Massey who devised the curly girl method and has done a really good job with my curly hair. Google him - he's really nice and has a loyal following of curly girls.

Listmaker · 28/04/2011 13:16

I use tresemme shampoo and conditioner, wash it every single day without fail, put in some anti-freeze serum - currently using a Charles Worthington one but I experiment and vary them - seems to help.

Blow dry - no defusers etc but scrunch the curls with my hands.

I think I'm quite lucky that mine's not too dry though but this method has worked for me for years.

georgie22 · 28/04/2011 13:18

I second the advice to avoid all shampoos with SLS - I use Dr Organics products from Holland & Barrett which are often on buy one, get one half price.

flippineck · 28/04/2011 15:24

Another vote for the curly girl method here; the British Curlies . I'm a fairly recent convert but my hair (shoulder length, with loose curls) is looking much shinier and smoother. Yes, I still have a bit of frizz, but it's improving. No silicones anywhere now, and nothing with sulfates in either.

I never brush my hair (wet or dry), and never use a hairdryer. Currently I'm 'washing' my hair with some cheap pink conditioner from Boots, 'conditioning' my hair with Original Source White Pear and Almond stuff, and then use a bit of whatever's lying around as a leave in conditioner. Once every week or 10 days or so I wash it with some SLS free shampoo.

I'd love to be able to use the Boots pink curl creme - it's such a bargain price for a start!! - but it doesn't agree with my hair. But I know a lot of people like it.

flippineck · 28/04/2011 15:25

Aaargh, posted without previewing! That was meant to say that the British Curlies website already mentioned is a good source of information.

RoseCampion · 28/04/2011 16:25

My hair is exactly the same! It seems to like products for a while then hates them.

I have found the Curly Girl method works for me. Within a month or so of starting, my curls were less bedraggled and more defined and my hair is super shiney . I use Tresemme naturals conditioner, alternating between the moisturising one and the nourishing one.

Products wise I have to rotate them. Usually I can use something for about a month before my hair starts to dislike it. I have 3 staples that I just alternate. Unfortunately it's trial and error to find the ones that are suitable. Luckily though mine seems to like cheaper products, a good combo is Boots curl cream with Umberto Gianni scrunching gel on top.

Agree with everyone else about British Curlies. There are loads of tips/tricks to help you get the best out of your curls. It's a science on it's own

A good hairdresser who understands curly hair is a must. If you can't find one, keep your eye out for someone who has hair like yours and ask them who they use....us curlies are lovely approachable people

BornToYolk · 28/04/2011 18:38

Flippineck, are you rubbing the Boots Pink between your hands before applying? I really didn't like it when I applied it straight from the tub, but if you rub it between your hands it goes all white and feels more moisturising. It makes an amazing difference!

I picked up two huge bottles of Tresemme Naturals in Superdrug today as it was BOGOF. Hope my hair likes it!

MrsSnow · 28/04/2011 19:18

My friend with very curly hair just had a Brazilian hair treatment done and now has uber sleek straight hair.

MinginInTheRain · 28/04/2011 20:12

so are you all saying that John frieda frizz ease is actually the work of the devil for us curlies?? been using it for ever and just accepting the remaining frizz and wondering what the hell my hair would be like if I didn't use the stuff.

I am stunned. but happy to ditch the box of products under my bed ( always buy when on special ) and start afresh.

is this to do with Argan oil?

(remembers the days before even mousse existed when I just got used to looking like Diana Ross)

TeddyMcardle · 28/04/2011 20:18

I use tressemme and drip dry, twice a week. Brush when wet and put loads of conditioner on afterwards, normal conditioner, stops the frizz the next day. Usually plait it when wet too. Works for me! I'm pretty lazy though so this is the easiest method I've come across and I have very very curly hair.

ruddynorah · 28/04/2011 20:25

I use moroccan oil. Nowt better.

SaggyHairyArse · 28/04/2011 21:20

I am going to share my best kept secret with Mumsnet.....It is Vitapoint and it cost £1.70 - bloody marvellous stuff!

Dilligaf81 · 28/04/2011 21:26

I was mine every other day with This wrap my hair in a towel for no more than 5 mins (otherwise its too dry and frizzes) then use 2 pumps of this

On the 2nd day I rinse my hair through and use a lot less amplifier, depending on how you sleep you can get away with just spritzing with water and going.

I use this on myself and my 2 DD's - we all very curly / mad hair but this is quick not too expensive and works. (the amplifier lasts well over a month)

Dilligaf81 · 28/04/2011 21:28

Plus I NEVER use heat on my hair.

flippineck · 28/04/2011 22:01

BornToYolk - yes, I've done that thanks. I've tried applying it to wet hair, damp hair, dry hair...however much I use and however I do it, it just dries my hair out and makes it feel very producty. And I've worked my way through two tubs trying to get it right! Just come to the conclusion it just doesn't work for me [csad]

BettyBleu · 29/04/2011 21:01

I have similar hair and had Eternity Liss Brazilian Blow Dry - I can wash it and leave it now without any product in and it has a slight wave to it but no frizz.

Its made me start to really like my hair

Hazbo · 01/05/2011 23:00

Another one for Tressemme here! I wash my hair every day, squeeze out excess moisture (no rough towel drying) then apply Toni & Guy Label M leave in conditioner, followed by Label M curl cream.
I use a diffuser but just place my hair in the bowl and leave for a few seconds before moving on to the next part. I dont scrunch it or play with it whilst I am drying it. Have my hair dryer on lowest power but highest heat settings.

Have you tried using different hairdryers? I can use the same products but my hair comes out differently with other peoples hairdryers. My favourite ones are from Remington

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