Curly/wavy hair styling tips needed URGENTLY!

[BettyButterknife]

I had my hair cut the day before yesterday and it turns out my hair is much wavier when shorter. I think it's also got a lot curlier since pregnancy, weirdly.

Anyway, I have no clue as to what products to use or how to style my new haircut. It's still longish - long layers down to my chin, plus a few bits longer to my shoulders - and the idea is that the shorter bits curl up naturally with the curl in my hair. I hate to say it but it looks a bit like Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen

But I'm used to blow drying my hair and getting that lovely sleek finish. My hair now feels quite frizzy and looks flat (ie not shiny).

Can anyone recommend some good products I can use? I guess I just have to leave it to dry naturally (that's what my hairdresser recommended) with just a bit of a scrunch every so often.

This is all very alien to me, can you tell?! I desperately need help!

I use Aveda curl balm or Toni &Guy twist and curl balm. I let mine dry naturally but I do twist it into ropes as it helps the wave stay in longer, when dry run my fingers through and it stays good for a couple of days.

Ah, can you explain the rope thing to me please? I've seen people do that before. When do you do it, how and why? Thanks MrsRogerSterling

I towel dry my hair and apply product and then twist it into ropes, just taking sections of hair and curling them around my finger, very randomly. I do it because it gives it a nicer wave that seems less prone to frizz and stays nice for longer. Probably have about 12/14 twists in all.

Boots curl creme - about £3 a jar I think.

Use sparingly on v wet hair. 'Plop' hair upside down onto an old long sleve T shirt - tie the sleves around your head so the curls are concertinaed down. Go eat breakfast etc... Remove tshirt, shake, don't touch it anymore --> springy defined curls.

I think there are instructions for this on YouTube.

I agree with Himalaya - try not to use sulfate shampoo or conditioner. I don't shampoo anymore.

I blow dry mine though with a diffuser as I prefer loads of volume! Fill a spray bottle with water and a large squirt of conditioner, you can use it on second (or third, or fourth!) day hair - wet quite a lot, then plop and dry as you would as normal.

Also, DON'T towel dry vigorously - just use a T shirt (or a towel with that texture - I use an old baby blanket) to blot and squeeze the water out. It stops it getting frizzy.

I also have wavy/curly hair that is just past my shoulders length. I either twirl it around my fingers to encourage the curl, or blow dry it (which means it goes predominantly straight with flicky ends, which I like).

Fab - thanks for the tips, I'll give them a go. Particularly like your t-shirt tip Himalaya!