Can you fight curly hair?

[Namechangeforhair]

I'm naturally curly and have embraced it for years but struggle to make it look nice. Thinking about trying for a bob but it might look shit. Maybe I just need a good cut but no matter what I do or try it just looks bloody awful. And yes I've tried the curly girl method.

Thank you. What else do you use?

@MissVanjie that’s the one, i’m eeking out hair washing —dirty grease bag— so will try it on Friday!

You need Boots Essentials curl creme in your life! I've been using this stuff for years and nothing is as good.

I put some of this on damp hair and then defuse it. I have to defuse my hair otherwise it goes limp and flat. Leaving my hair to dry naturally makes it look terrible!

I do straighten my hair a lot as well. Personally, if you want to do that then invest in good quality straighteners and also a hot air styler to blow dry it quickly and easily. I blow dry mine and then straighten it. With some dry shampoo, it will last 3 days before needing washed. But do also invest in good conditioner and treatments.

Personally, with your hair, I would get it cut a bit shorter and put some layers in it. They should give your curls more bounce.

Thank you fatted. It has got layers in just doesn't look like it!

Just for example and proof that you can have sleek hair, this is me with curly and straight hair

Obviously there's some time between images. Shorter one is more recent.

This is mine
I wash with conditioner, apply more conditioner and leave some in. Lots of eco gel on soaking wet hair then Pantene mousse. Diffuse and apply some silicone free lube partway through
When it's dry and crispy I scrunch it with mizani hair oil

Ollivander thank you. Is ecogel a brand? Where do you get silicone free lube

Eco gel yes, I like the olive oil one. Cheap too, about a fiver for a massive tub
I think boots own brand lube is silicones free, I'm using lubidoo at the minute

I find cantu makes my hair sticky 😬

Mines curly, wavy, thick and frizzy, I use a basic shampoo and once or twice a week use the Argon oil hair mask and while it's not perfect it does keep my curls in place. I have my hair cut into a bob as it is very heavy once it gets past my shoulders and makes my face longer.

OP I have curly and fine hair so I really understand where you are coming from. Only a few days ago I decided curly hair never looks as 'finished' as straight hair. Due to it being fine it's hard finding exactly the right products that people with thick abundant curly hair can use. I have also tried the CG method and it didn't work for me. So after a lot of trial and error I recommend: a good haircut with someone who understands curls; I wash with shampoo and conditioner (I use Aussie mega); then I very gently pat a towel over my wet hair against my head - don't rub or wrap your hair in it - just push once or twice against wet hair so the water doesn't run down your back; I comb through very damp hair
with my fingers only; I use a dollop of Tigi Bedhead curl recall cream and scrunch it over my hair; diffuse very gently without actually touching my hair - dry a bit so it retains some moisture; about 20 mins later when it feels dry it is hard and crunchy so I squeeze it all to remove the crunch. Generally it looks good. It's pretty curly this way without frizz and limp bits. My hair is in a longish bob - shorter at the back and longer at the front.

Visit Matt at Spring Hair in Birmingham. He trained under Lorraine Massey (she of the CG and Deva Curl). He cuts my hair so well I make the pilgrimage to see him twice a year - a 375 mile round trip each time.

The salon only cuts curly girls (and guys), cuts individual curls dry, advises about curl care and uses Trepadora products which suit every kind of curl.
Honestly I learned more about what my hair needs from him in the first appointment than in 50 years of going to hairdressers who assured me they 'knew' how to cut curly hair - and then proceeded to cut it like they cut every other kind of hair.

Anyway OP your hair is lovely and it has shine too which isn't easy to achieve with curlies.

I think it's about finding the right products, the curly girl technique is good but you've got to adjust it for you.

My hair is fine and I use Palmers Olive Oil co-wash, it does have a silicone in (very low down ingredients list) but works for me, I use a low-poo (Avena) once or twice a month along with a Protein mask. I also rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar once/twice a month.

I've just started using Cantu cream and have found it works better without any mousse, cream is definitely better than gel for me.

Thanks everyone.

I do pretty much the same as Ollivander but no mousse or lube and my curls look very similar despite not having thick hair.
OP looking at your hair I think mousse and diffusing hair upside down would help give body. Do it on a low heat though and leave hair upside down for a few mins until cool.
A spray of hairspray also helps hold.
I blast my hair upside down on nights out under Hand driers in toilets and works a treat!
Ecogel is for sale on Amazon.
It’s the only gel I’ve ever found that isn’t like putting glue in my hair!