Please tell me what product I need for my hair

[nickEcave]

I've got thick, slightly wavy hair which is currently cut in a graduated chin length bob. If I put a straightening cream in and blow dry for hours it looks OK but because it's so thick and quite coarse it soon turns into a dreaded mushroom shape. I've decided to embrace the wave, and try and grow it a bit longer and have a more natural, less groomed style but what styling product do I need? I've used "texturising" sprays before but because my hair is quite coarse anyway these just make it look drier and coarser. What will make my hair wavy but also shiny and soft without that "crispy" texture? I live in London and find that when I'm on holiday in places with softer water my hair looks and feels a lot shinier and nicer. So please tell me, is there a secret wonder product that will give me soft, shiny waves?

I have the same type of hair (although it is short at the moment) and have recently started using Be Curly Curl Enhancer by Aveda. It's expensive but I love it and am really impressed with the results. They have a whole range, including a spray. It does enhance my curls and prevents it from going frizzy. If you put too much on, it does go a bit crispy! I put it on straight from the shower, when my hair is soaking wet which seems to work better than when I put it on after towel drying my hair.

Thanks heather, I'm definitely wavy rather than curly (when my hair is cut short it looks straight) so I haven't really tried products for curly hair, but I might give this one a go.

Do! My hair looks straight when short too - people never believe me when I say I have curly hair! Even when longer, it's a mixture of wavy and curly really, so it might work for you too. Oh, and I am very familiar with the dreaded "mushroom" effect! At school, someone used to love saying that my hair look a 'lampshade' (I hate to admit it, but it kind of did....)

looked LIKE a lampshade!

Surely oils and serums are the way forward to soften your hair? And yes to growing it!

I have wavy hair that mushrooms too - it grows in a pyramid shape.

Just had a TIGI product used on my hair at the hairdressers Curlesque Serum . Feels lovely and soft.

Watching with interest (another afflicted with mushroom hair tendencies)

I LOVE Schwarzkopf Keratin shampoo and conditioner - I have crazy bushy corse hair (lovely!), and it turns it into sleek no frizz curls - that's just the standard shampoo and conditioner, I don't even need to use any products if I leave in the conditioner... They also do styling products in the range. Black bottles are the colour of the range
www.amazon.com/Schwarzkopf-Ultimate-Repair-Anti-damage-Keratin/dp/B00B5R71E0/ref=sr_1_9?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1400945602&sr=1-9&keywords=schwarzkopf+keratin

COCONUT OIL.

Seriously I know I bang on all the time but it's great for texturising thick wavy hair. Use on its own for soft weight or mixed with a little aloe vera gel for more hold.

I have wavy hair and live in London, it was a nightmare after I moved here but I change the routine and now it feels just like when I wash with soft water.
what I do
clarifying shampoo (I use Rusk) every two weeks
and
apple cider vinegar for rinse every time I wash my hair. it dosen't smell after that, and leaves hair shiny, soft and you dont really need to use any other kind of product for shine after that.

this two things clean the hair from any buildup the hair get from hard water.

Unfortunately someone told me about bumble and bumble products, the prices are way over the top IMO, but they do make a huge difference to my hair. Maybe it's worth a try??

Sounds like my hair, I have tried the keratin treatment from Amazon which has helped improve the texture and reduce the bouffant effect

Sounds like my hair, I have tried the keratin treatment from Amazon which has helped improve the texture and reduce the bouffant effect

Have you tried the Paul Mitchell skinny serum, I quite like it, it makes your hair less thick, without making it fine if that made any sense?!

My hair is also wavy but as it's gotten longer (22'') the waves have dropped out and left me with a frizzy mess!