Curly girls who blow dry straight - please come in!

[neveragainsept]

I've been blow drying my hair straight for the past 15 years. Add a 1 year old into the mix and I'm so over it. I'm finding it such a chore. At present I get up around 7am when I hear toddler babbling and jump in the shower for 5 minutes. We then go downstairs together and I prepare milk & water. He sits on the rug to drink while I stand in front of the mirror and blow dry. Sometimes he's ok with it and other times he's tugging my leg and pulling the dryer cord! I had it cut off recently (collarbone length) thinking that would reduce styling time but it still takes wayyy too long.

I definitely can't go with the natural curl. I think it looks hideous especially since it's quite short now. I just hate how it looks and can't accept that's my hair! My natural hair sucks!

I'm really wondering if anyone has any tips. What products do you use? Particular brushes? Methods? Ideas? Help!

My hair seriously gets me down, like seriously. My mind was wandering whilst out walking today and I literally wanted to do a Britney and shave it all off :)

I dry mine almost dry and then use the Babyliss Big Hair. Then, I zap it some more with the regular hair dryer to make sure it is really dry. Then I put it in a ponytail for the school run to make sure it is smooth, and take the ponytail out for work.

This only lasts for one day. After I sleep it is wavy. Wavy is okay too.

I also use curling tongs to improve the curl if I don't have time to wash and blow dry. The natural curl is awful - but the curling tongs do a good job making loose waves.

My hair is best at slightly longer than shoulder length. Too short and it is springy, too long and it sags.