Curly hair style advice please

[toboldlygo]

My hair is unfortunately poker straight from scalp to ear level and then only curly from there onwards. Following curly girl/no poo/silicone free methods have really improved the curl and reduced frizz but it's still quite a random curl, some very ringletty bits and other parts looser waves. Long, just past bra strap level, with a light sweepy fringe that I'm happy to blow dry straight.

Don't want to do any other daily maintenance, certainly no blow drying a style in every day, just perhaps applying a product and allowing to dry naturally or gently diffusing. Beachy sort of waves would be fine as long as there's no frizz. I want some of the bulk taken out of the ends so it's not lying heavily over my shoulders or bulky around my face (it's fine in texture but lots of it).

Hairdressers' past attempts to style it have involved layers which were disastrous, any short bits in the back go flyaway in a halo of frizz. Another cut it all bluntly and diffused it with mousse which resulted in a sort of first year Hermione Granger type pyramid of hair.

What do I ask them to do this time? I've tried a dozen salons now and none seem to 'get' curly hair, they all want to style it straight, I've even had a few imply that it's a treat to have it styled properly straight for once. Pictures would be most helpful so I can at least show them what I want if I can't describe how to get it.

Thanks!

Hopeful bump

I wish I knew! watching with interest ....

You need layers. I know you said you've had them before, but it sounds like you had a crap hairdresser!

A layer will get the bulkiness out and stopthe pyramid effect (I call it triangle head!) Don't have your layer too short though or it will stick out. The layer I have cut into the back is less than an inch shorter than the longest length. I also have the front layered to chin length...any shorter than this and it looks odd.

In my experience, older hair dressers are the way forward because they are more experienced. I have never had a good haircut from anyone under the age of 40. Definitely never let a trainee loose on it!

I've had some truly shocking haircuts in my time so I really do sympathise.

Oh and I forgot the most important bit! It needs to be cut when dry...especially important when the curl isn't uniform. Dry and not brushed first.

I've never had it cut dry and never seen anyone in a salon having it cut dry - am I going to sound a total loon asking for them to do that? Of the three most local salons there's no-one over the age of about 35 and they all have straight hair themselves, all very sharp bobs and pixie cuts.

I'm booked in for Saturday morning as we're going to a wedding. So I'm asking for a long layer, no more than an inch from the longest length? Plus the usual, I need my fringe cutting back in a bit and chin length to the front.

You do need some layering, not too much.

How short have you had your hair in the past? Mine is always curlier when I cut it shorter, less weight to pull it down.

I need my hair cut, and I am dreading it. Even if I take a photo in, it never looks how I want it to. At the moment my inverted bob is a just a bob.

Actually might make an appointment for Friday!

At its shortest it was just skimming my shoulders - still a good two inches of poker straight scalp hair before the curl kicked in, though admittedly the curl was tighter and more even then. Not sure I'm ready to go any shorter, at least when it's long I can put it in a bun no matter what mess they make of the trim!