How do I tame curly wiry greying hair?

[Beforetoday]

i have very (very) thick curly hair and it is streaked with grey. I usually keep it really short so condition hasn't been a problem. Trying to grow it a bit longer now and the curls are just getting crazy and wiry. Silicone and oils don't tend to work - just coat it, but Dax wax has been great. But wax is too heavy & greasy on longer hair.

I have been trying a sulphate-free curl cream and shampoo recently, but it seems to have given me uncontrollable wiry curls and be quite drying - argh! I think I need a really good leave in conditioner? Usually use Aussie 3 minute miracle products.

Help - any affordable suggestions/solutions otherwise I am going to look like Stephen Pinker by Christmas!

If you’re Facebook then the UK Curlies group is good for advice on products. They recommend avoiding both sulphates and silicones.

Noughty leave in conditioner is good, and also Shea Moisture products. You can use one of their normal conditioners as a leave in. Boots curl creme has a drying alcohol in, but is very good for styling so you might want to give it a try and see how your hair looks with it. Good luck!

Thanks for reply! I can't find FB group with that name (I am being a bit thick).

I don't have afro-textured hair (I don't think?), but often think that the products might work for me, just don't know where to start.

It’s called Curly Girls UK. I don’t follow the proper Curly Girl method but adapt it to my own routine. I also do Shea Moisture hair masques once a week, and it seems to work with my hair, but my hair is very frizzy in texture.

Curly Girl Method is the answer. If you google it you should find lots of websites to help you identify your curl type.

Essentially silicone is off limits, you will need to a clarifying shampoo to remove any build up and then you use a co-wash (was with conditioner) or loo poo.

You may need a protein treatment, mine is a different texture so I'm not sure what the best option would be for you.

You can get the book on Amazon but it's not necessary.

Curly Girl the Handbook

OMG there is a lot of curly stuff out there! I wish I had known this in my previous 30 odd years of haircare!

A good Black hair care routine should include natural hair products such as Primal shampoo and conditioner from Xsandys. A good Serum or oil such as Almocado Energising Hair Oil can improve the texture of afro hair, and can stimulate growth and give you soft, silky, and healthy hair.

My hair sounds very like yours, and my life savers have been Boucleme, their heavy duty conditioner in a tub( bloody expensive) and Cantu CurlCustard, a really really cheap leave in product.

Thanks! Just bought several Cantu products to try; the leave-in conditioner & the curl activator (which I am finding a bit crispy!). Will look up Boucleme.

I like Umberto scrunching gel for styling

This won't help you one bit but I'm going to moan anyway

I have grey hair just like your describing except for one vital difference, the rest of my hair almost black and poker straight! I'm starting to slightly resemble medusa

Try mixing some oil in with your normal silicone free conditioner for a curly girl friendly deep conditioner. I use almond oil, cheap as chips. Leave it on for an hour or two.

If your hair feels too soft you might need protein rather than moisture, but it sounds to me like you need a deep condition/ moisture mask.

If you are finding w product crispy are you scrunching it out?

So, apply, let it dry and then 'scrunch our the crunch'.