How to style curly hair?

[LillethTheCat]

DD1 has got naturally curly hair and I just dont know how to look after it. My hair has got a wave to it, but is predominately straight so Im at a loss.

She's only 4 and starts school full time on Tues so I would like it to be semi smart (if possible). My hairdresser recommended getting an afro comb, but searching the internet of how to use it, Im a little confused as to what to do.

So how do I tame the mess she has in the morning? If I brush it, her curls come out a bit and it just ends up messy by mid morning. Bearing in mind she is still young so I would like to avoid chemicals on her hair too.

So any tips please? Thanks

Have you tried the infamous tangle teeze brush? I haven't got one but people say they are great.

I use a mason Pearson brush on my dd and it sounds a bit dramatic but it has changed our lives! my dds hair was so knotty. Like a carpet.

I have also started using a babyliss big hair on them. This has made their hair smoother and therefore easier to manage.

I sometimes put it into plaits the night before, if I can be bothered.

I only use conditioner, I don't shampoo it.

I use a spray bottle of water to brush it through in the mornings.

It is best to comb it while it's wet. I never brush my hair. If it is tangled and I'm not washing it that day, I comb through it with my fingers and wet it a little bit, before scrunching it. Spray in conditioners might be good and you can get very gentle ones for children.

Thanks Savoy. Ive never heard of the tangle teeze brush, but I will have a quick look on ebay.

I use Johnsons baby spray conditioner on her hair while brushing it.

Plaits are a good idea too, as savoycabbage says. And layers (but not too short).

crossed posts there dontcallmehon so you would advise never brushing it. I will not use her brush again then.

crossed posts again

Her hair is just past shoulder length ATM (though would be longer if it was straight) so Im not sure about layering as I think they might be too short?

She doesn't like her hair up and always wants it down, but I could make try to persuade her, just for school I suppose.

I struggle with my dd1's hair too OP. I only comb it when wet, never brush it on advice of the hairdresser. It goes a bit frizzy at the sides. We use that johnsons spray but wondered if I should get something specifically for curly hair.

We are strongly encouraged to have hair up at our school because of the nits. Somebody always seems to have them!

If it looks ok without brushing then don't brush it. My dds hair is matted in the mornings. Dd1 sometimes has an Amy Winehouse type beehive.

Oh, I used to use and live that Aussie three minute miracle conditioner. Ironically I have moved to Australia now where you can't buy it!

dd is mixed race and has very curly hair. I never brush it (or comb it. I've got wavy hair and I haven't brushed mine for years!). In the evenings after her bath I either plait it in two french plaits, or 2 bunches. Having the hair separated at the back of the head really stops the knots when she's asleep. In the morning I spray it with watered down conditioning sprays.

Her hair is shoulder length at the moment. It's the longest I've ever let it grow. I've agreed she can grow it now, but when she starts school (this September) I'm planning to do it in 2 plaits every day, and she can wear it down at weekends.

Serum can help prevent the curls getting tangled up and stop it looking fuzzy.

DD1 had nits a year or so ago so I bought the nitty gritty comb and give her hair a run through once or twice a week just to make sure. It is a good idea though about having hair tied up to avoid them.

Her hair never looks OK first thing in the morning so I do have to do something. So Im thinking of trying to put her hair up, but if she really insists on having it down I will use either the johnsons spray or water and just combing her hair with a wide tooth comb.

Always comb or brush while wet with a wide tooth tool or instrument or whatever the term is

Plaiting the hair is also great if done when the hair is still slightly damp but not wet as it will actually stay in really well that way.

The hair sounds a good length for layering IMO. If you explain to the hairdresser that you want a bit of the thickness taken out to make it easier to style and manage at home they should be able to do it without taking of more length than a usual usually does.

Have you tried any products from an African hair shop? These are great for very curly hair.

Oh, and I rarely wash it. Probably about once a month! but she gets it wet everynight herself in the bath.

So I need to stop using shampoo as well?

These are really good tips Im getting. Thank you.

Until today I didn't realise I wasn't supposed to brush it. Well she can have her brush to play hairdressers then instead.

I brush my dd's hair. I have two dds and their hair looks the same but it isn't. I have to use different brushes, different conditioner and different methods on both of them. It's just trial and error.

I would always comb when wet. My dds have a slight wave in their hair, which can be coaxed into curls and I do brush their hair. I have full on corkscrew curls and my hair does not respond well to dry brushing.

My hair is shoulder length when wet (it looks shorter when curly) and I have layers. Not too many, but just to take a bit of the thickness out. As long as the layers aren't shorter than chin length it should be fine, but a hairdresser would be able to help.

Intensive conditioner is a good idea if dd is prone to dry hair (curly hair tends to be coarse in texture and needs the extra moisture). Sometimes I even scrunch regular conditioner into my hair when it's dry. I have the type of hair that doesn't look greasy though - it just depends on the type of hair. Mine is very very thick and coarse. My mum used to brush mine when it was dry. It hurt and was not a good look!

Thanks for the layering advice. I will ask about that next time she has her hair cut.

So I have learned to NEVER brush it, not to shampoo every time, always wet it before combing, get it layered a bit and its best to have it up. Right I will set about doing that then. Thanks everyone you have been a great help.

I have curly shoulder length hair.

Yes to not brushing it.

Yes it using wide tooth comb with conditioner once a week in the bath/shower to get tangles out.

Yes to layered hair cut.

Yes to frizz control hair product.

Yes to tying it back/plaiting it to avoid nits.

I didn't learn not to brush my hair til I was 18.

Anyone recommend a particular frizz spray or serum?

I'm learning lots!

Ive just tried to give it a little comb. We are having a lazy weekend before school starts next week and I haven't touched her hair since yesterday. Anyway I sprayed it with the Johnsons baby conditioner and tried to comb it, but there were still knots in it. Am I to just leave the knots alone or try to get them out? Is it just the downside to having curly hair that there will be knots in?

When you comb start from the tips and work through, each time going a little bit higher with the comb. If you leave knots in they will just get worse. Get the hair as wet as possible. If dds hair is really knotty I put on normal conditioner to comb it and leave it to dry. I often use conditioner to style my own hair as well.

I don't stick to any particular brand. For years I didn't want to use any chemicals on her hair. Now I just use the same stuff on me and her and we have a lot less tears over knots!

Look up the Curly Girl Method - there is also a book. www.amazon.co.uk/Curly-Girl-Lorraine-Massey/dp/0761123008

As well as the not combing/brushing unless wet with conditioner, also dont use shampoos with sulfates, dont use products with silicones (eg dimethicone) wash with conditioner not shampoo. You can mist the hair with water to bring out the curl in the morning - tie it up for sleep. The book has a great section on children including how to cut their hair. Oil is good.

I am mixed race and now have glorious bouncy curls (after 30plus years of doing the wrong things and hating my hair), my DD is quarter african and has gorgeous blond curls - Shes 2.5 and I can cut it myself easily.

Products dont have to be expensive just right - so I use tresemme conditioner on both of us - the smoothing one on her and the nourishing one on me (also Naked products, some boots own brand, just make sure there isnt an ingredient that ends in -one).

I comb her hair out in the bath with conditioner once a week. Otherwise I mist it with a water spray or put a little oil in it if its dry. She has a wee ponytail or open curls. I shampoo it occasionally - maybe every 6-8 weeks and currently use Johnsons baby shampoo but only because she still gets it in her eyes otherwise I would use a SLS free shampoo.

If you need a style product boots do 'curl creme' - huge tub of pink goo for under 2 quid - good stuff. Put it in damp hair and it helps define curls. A lot of it is about how you handle your hair - dont scrub at it and tangle it up. Gentle smoothing wash the scalp not the hair and dont vigourously towel it dry - pat it.

Oh and solve it before shes a teen becuase being a teen and hating your hair is so depressing

You want the curl to define so dont comb it lots, comb just to prevent dreading - leave curls alone and they just get better