Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Frizzy thick curly short hair - HELP!

12 replies

Spinning9Plates · 15/04/2018 23:48

Hello everyone!

I have very thick curly frizzy hair with a LOT of split ends and a weird fringey but that is determined not to grow (even that has split ends!).

I don’t know what is causing split ends all over my head on literally every strand, I rarely blow dry, almost never straighten it and haven’t dyed my hair for probably 5 years!

Before I just had it cut, it was down to the top of my bra. But I’ve just had it cut and he took off a lot this time as he thought it would help but to me it looks and feels the same - but now it’s shoulder length and so it poofs out as it doesn’t have the weight to pull it down. Also the split ends are still there!

I am so unhappy with my hair and I was wondering if anyone has any tips at all. I would be SO grateful!!!!

P.s. I know this seems so trivial but it is making me upset and is giving me a lot of anxiety and affecting my confidence levels.

OP posts:
Crashbangwhatausername · 15/04/2018 23:49

Frizz ease and hair straighteners?

Spinning9Plates · 15/04/2018 23:52

Tried frizz ease serums and argan oil. Get rid of a bit of the frizz but not for long especially when it’s humid :(
As for straighteners - makes my hair bushy and because of the split ends it makes them stick out and more noticeable :(
Thank you though!

OP posts:
FluffySlippers21 · 15/04/2018 23:54

Not sure if you're interested in straightening your hair but if so I can definitely help! My hair was always the exact same as yours and I was literally at my wits end with it!
Tresemme keratin shampoo conditioner and serum are a game changer
Wahl Afro straighteners are about £30 and are amazing
And tresemme keratin heat protection is absoloutely marvellous stuff - I'll rough dry my hair then spray this all over before straightening and my hair looks like it's been done by the hairdressers. I've tried it without this heat protection and it didn't look nearly as good!!

FluffySlippers21 · 16/04/2018 00:27

Basically my routine is
(Sounds time consuming but it's so worth it)
Shampoo and condition with tresemme keratin shampoo and conditioner
Towel dry and apply tresemme keratin heat protection and the serum (directions suggest about ten pumps - this will feel like loads but deffo follow the directions)
Tiny bit of frizz ease serum to ends
Comb through
Rough dry with hairdryer
Section off apply tresemme heat protection and use babyliss big hair and straighteners recommended above
Then tiny bit of body shop coconut serum to ends and to sooth flyaways

This literally changed my hair

LoveInTokyo · 16/04/2018 08:28

I wouldn’t straighten your hair. Learn to understand and embrace the natural texture of your hair.

First of all, learn what is in the products you are using. People with curly hair should avoid using styling products with silicones in them because they coat the hair and then you need to use harsh shampoo to get the hair clean, which creates a never-ending cycle of damage.

From memory I think frizz ease is full of nasties. What Argan oil are you using? If it’s that “Moroccan oil” stuff, I think it’s active ingredient is actually cyclopentosiloxane, which is one to avoid.

Google the “curly girl method” for more information. The basic principle of this method is that you use conditioners and styling products which have water soluble ingredients, meaning that they come out of your hair easily and you don’t need to use harsh detergents to wash your hair. A lot of people don’t use shampoo at all, they just use a light conditioner and massage it into the scalp to remove dirt, and then a heavier conditioner to moisturise. The key is to know what ingredients to avoid and choose products which don’t have them. There is a ton of advice about this on hair forums and on YouTube.

As a starting point, try using a shampoo and conditioner like Faith in Nature, Tresemme Naturals (the one without silicone in, not the regular range) or Yes to Carrots. From memory I think these are silicone free, but you’d be better off Googling and finding a list of “good” products.

Then for styling I would start off by trying Boots curl creme, which is pale pink and comes in a round tub, as well as a hair gel. The Umberto Giannini one for curly hair which comes in a pink tube is good.

Here’s a basic routine to try to begin with:

When your hair is wet, comb out any tangles and fix your parting. Rub a 1p sized blob of the pink curl creme between your hands and work it evenly through your hair. Then rub some hair gel between your hands and scrunch it into your hair to encourage the curl. Then use an old t-shirt (not a towel) to gently squeeze the excess moisture out of your hair. Let your hair air dry as much as possible. If you don’t have time, use a hairdryer with a diffuser attachment to dry you hair 90% of the way through without disturbing the curl pattern and then leave the rest to air dry.

That’s just a suggestion for starters, but curly hair forums and blogs, and particularly YOUTUBE will be your friend here.

If you really can’t make it work then you can try straightening it, but I really would avoid going down that road if possible. It’s a shame that so many people think the only thing to do with curly hair is straighten the crap out of it.

Straightening your hair is like smoking - damaging and a very difficult habit to kick. Your hair will never grow straight (so you’ll be trapped in an endless cycle of having to straighten it all the time) but if you straighten it too much it won’t grow curly anymore either, so if you want to stop and go back to curly you’ll essentially have to cut off all the damaged hair and regrow it.

GreatThingsWork · 16/04/2018 08:35

Don't use frizz ease. Stop using anything with silicone in it. Look at the curly girl method. It seems very complicated for a start but it's worth persevering.

Spinning9Plates · 16/04/2018 09:05

Thank you!! I’ll give the curly girl method a try and see what happens!
If I ever want to straighten my hair though I’ll give that method a try too!

OP posts:
Twilight456 · 16/04/2018 09:10

The Cantu range is brilliant for your type of hair. Loads of products, sold in boots and also online from the Sallys trade shop. White/orange bottles.

LoveInTokyo · 16/04/2018 09:14

Yes I think the Cantu stuff is silicone free. Some of it definitely is because I’ve used their conditioner and it was good.

You can often find products designed for black/afro hair that will work well for thick curly hair.

123bananas · 16/04/2018 11:50

I have very thick hair of different textures and have had success of late with Natural World Brazilian Keratin products.

My two mixed race daughters use Keracare shampoo wash only once a week maximum followed by the leave in conditioner. Daily conditioning detangler spray and wide tooth comb only no brushing or wet and condition only if washing more often than weekly. Taliah Waajid hair creams are great and she does several for different hair types/textures so you should be able to find one that suits your hair.

Spinning9Plates · 16/04/2018 12:14

Ah amazing!! Will go and hunt for some new products to try out! Thank you so much!

OP posts:
saison4 · 16/04/2018 14:48

curly method! Silicone free conditioners, sulphate free shampoos etc. Frizz ease is full of this kind of crap - I wouldn't use that on curls at all.

and bin the straighteners!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page