Reporting back on curly hairdresser recommended here

[ProjectGainsborough]

On a curly thread here are couple of months ago and someone recommended Matthew James in Birmingham. Had to wait fecking ages for an appointment, but I saw him today. My hair is a miracle, no frizz for the first time ever. I am amazed - I even slept on it this afternoon and it is still frizz free ( DC running me ragged, which is why am sleeping in the daytime, honest.)

He was really easy to talk to and explained the curly girl method to me properly – I think I've been doing it wrong and not leaving the hair wet enough while the curls are forming IYSWM. Only criticism is that it's quite short as it sprang up a lot, but he did say that might happen we would have to work towards the shape that I wanted.

Ohhhh, how much did he charge, if you don't mind me asking.

£55. But apparently curlies don't need as much maintenance, so you have it cut less frequently.

I'm a natural curly that chemically straightened last April with matrix opti smooth... A trip to Matthew James is def on my wish list once I have finished growing out my hair out! I've prob another 4-5 months before it's full out

He had to chop my keratin bits out Red. They were looking most random.

Project can I shamelessly tap into your new enhanced knowledge of the curly girl system?

My hair is much more curly when I put the product in when it's dripping wet and let it dry naturally but it takes forever to dry so not very practical especially on work days or in cold weather (I don't wash every day) - how did he recommend getting it dry?

Liberty have you tried plopping and pineappling the night before?
I've started doing it with dd and her curls are gorgeous now

I did try that Skivvy but the result was insane!! Great curls but totally standing out from my head, I had to tie it up to look half presentable for work. I also ended up with a sore neck from the way I slept on it - maybe I did it the wrong way.

I often wash the night before but it take 5-6 hours for it to dry properly naturally especially when it's full of conditioner and curl creme.

Try plopping in the morning it really does take most of the moisture out

I have very curly very long hair.

So. It needs to be sopping wet when you add product? And dry naturally where possible?

Well, he diffused both sides and then the back, keeping the dryer very still for about a minute each side and then put me under the massive electric heater thingy. Don't suppose you have one of those?

Seriously, he said it would take about an hour naturally. I suppose you could diffuse for longer.

Although then again, maybe that's vorboden because it will dehydrate...

I've been to see him too a couple of weeks ago. So pleased with the results, much better shape and curls seem to be much more pronounced. I'm using CG method, sort of, putting product on soaking wet etc and rediscovering just how curly my hair can be.

oooh, a curly hair thread, excellent.

I don't understand any of this, what's the curly girl method and what on earth is plopping and pineappling???

Project it was me who recommended him. Glad you had a good experience! I was so thrilled when I went to see him, it was such a relief to meet someone who understood wavy/ curly hair and I couldn't believe how lovely my hair looked afterwards. He really helped accentuate my natural curls rather than trying to blow dry it straight or it just looking like a frizzy mess afterwards.

I also took his advice of ditching the sulphates and silicones and that has made a massive difference too. I now use Bodyshop Rainforest range, which he recommended and 5 months on, my hair has never looked so good or been so manageable.

Rivertam I would recommend the Curly Girl Handbook, it explains how to care for curly hair really well.

Also here's an interview with Mathew James which gives you an indication of his approach.

www.britishcurlies.co.uk/articles/article/in_conversation_with_british_curl_stylist_matthew_james_part_2/

I'm also looking at this thread and thinking plopping??? pineapple whats???

My problem is my hair is poker straight but my daughter has curls and I have no clue what to do with them!

Brilliant! I'm so glad it lived up to your expectations.

Ooh how long did you have to wait fit an app? I'm 6 weeks post partum so probably should wait a bit as my hair has gone straighter after birth (does it ever curl back?!) but booking a good hair app would be something to look forward to.

I waited about three weeks. Less busy in the week rather than the weekend. Worth the trip.

Thanks for the feedback Project and Skivvy and great link Scarlett. I think I'll put in product, plop for 10 mins then use the diffuser to take the main wetness off the hair.

I can handle it taking an hour to dry after that.

How to Plop for those who have asked.

I went to see him this week too and was really pleased. I'm in the market for product recs too if anyone has them? Not washed it myself since I saw Matt but I have Naked shampoo and conditioner and the Umberto Giannini curl jelly (thanks Scarletohello!) and am waiting for a diffuser attachment to be delivered. Does anyone successfully do Curly Girl method without a hair dryer?

I think you need to diffuse it when it is wet to set the curls and then leave it to dry naturally. Aloe Vera gel is good too and I've also been using Bumble and Bumble silicone free leave in conditioner which is great. My hairdresser also highly reccomended the Devacurl range which is specifically designed for curly hair and is available on Amazon

I've changed my products. I was using silicone loaded shampoo, conditioner etc but I have switched to a Timotei sulphate free shampoo, still using Aussie conditioner and now using Naked Leave in. The biggest revelation has been Boots Curl Creme. It comes in a pot, costs about a pound and works brilliantly. I wash, squeeze out the excess water, put in my products and wrap my hair in an old t shirt for about ten minutes. I then arrange my hair where I think it should be and leave it to dry naturally. Don't touch during this bit.. then as soon as it's bone dry I add some more Curl Creme and loosen the curl a bit with my fingers. HTH.

I've been doing Curly Girl for a few years now, it's transformed my hair.
Mine is quite short at the moment but still takes ages to dry. I use leave in conditioner then Umberto Gianni gel and Kinky Curly curling custard mixed together onto almost dripping wet hair.

One top tip if you are using a diffuser to dry is to wait ten minutes or so after applying products. It helps to let the curls find their way then I diffuse it until the gel is crunchy then leave it until it is completely dry, which can take hours, then scrunch out the gel, result perfect shiney curls.

If I'm in a hurry I dry til crunchy, scrunch it out and dry until it's dry with the diffuser. It's a bit frizzier doing it like this though.