Horrible hair

[MrsDrudge]

I’m a bit old for Mumsnet - just turned 60. I have gradually grown out my blonde dyed hair to try and embrace my grey/white. My hair is naturally very curly. Although I am granny age i don’t want my hair to look like a granny wig which it does st the moment. I’ve tried every hairdresser in my area with disappointing results, other than a keratin blow dry which looked good but I dislike the harsh chemicals used. Any suggestions for styles, or hairdresser recommendations within a train journey from Rugby?

Thank you Josepheen - I would gladly swap my curls!!

So what exactly bothers you about your hair? The curls? The white/grey? Is it dry/coarse/frizzy? Are you liking it curly or just leaving it curly because everything else is too much effort? And how long is your hair? Need more details

It’s short, coarse and so curly it turns to frizz if I try to blow dry it straight. I don’t mind the white/grey too much, more the texture I hate. Tried a new hairdresser today and despite asking for the curly pixie cut in the pic I showed her, I came out looking like the Queen.

Have you heard of the Curly Girl Method? It involves getting rid of certain harsh chemicals and doing specific hair routines to encourage, nourish and protect curls.

A cut with a curly specialist might help too as it's a completely different way of cutting and styling hair that doesn't seem to be widely practiced.

The CGM method takes some research and getting used to but if you google 'curly girl method before and after pics' the results are

Thank you for replying Summersby and flimp. I’ve never heard of the CGM or curly hair specialists, will certainly look it up. Much appreciated, here’s hoping!!

I can't post a pic (too many cat photos today!) but this should link to my hair before and after CG method
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjegrMGncmP/?utmsource=igshare_sheet&igshid=1w12tzcttglaj

Your hair looks amazing Ollivander. Thanks for pic -how long did it take to get into that beautiful condition?

@Ollivander84 could you give me a quick rundown of your products and routine please? I have tried the CHM before but my hair looked awful with it. Really greasy and flat, like someone emptied a bucket of water over my head!
OP your comparison with the queen made me laugh! I have frizzy/curly hair and I found it helpful to stop straightening it altogether, and condition it really well. Also I live in the sticks so there is no hairdressers anywhere near here specialising in curly cuts, but I always ask for a dry cut now because that’s the only way thy get the layers right because my hair curls differently at the top to underneath. Hope that helps a bit!

Try putting Argan or coconut oil hair product on your hands and running through your hair after you’ve washed it.
I have similar hair to yours and prefer it straight, so wash with organic coconut shampoo and conditioner, run through a small amount of argan oil on finger tips, and when it’s nearly dry, dry with a Babylis hot air brush. Not the rotating one.

Sure! About 6 months I think but it looked different v quickly
I have dry, thick hair
Mostly my routine is
"Wash" - as I am Co wash or wilko happy hair
Condition - ultimate blends in white or moogoo (I rinse this and then add some back to leave in
Products - eco olive oil gel and Pantene mousse
Diffused until crispy and then I scrunch out the crispiness!

The CGM is very much trial and error to find the right products for your hair depending on your type of curl and porosity etc.

This blogger has done a great beginner's guide, here: likelovedo.com/2018/08/the-curly-girl-method-quick-start-guide-in-the-uk/

And for anyone interested there is a Curly Girl UK group on Facebook, here: www.facebook.com/groups/CurlyGirlsUK/ they've published instructions and product guides but it's most useful for asking questions and nosying at people's progress.

Thanks everyone for your help. I have started the CGM today and hair is much improved- the Queenly style is being replaced by funky curls, feels and looks much better. I’ve also found a specialist curly hairdresser in Birmingham which gets rave reviews so plan to have my next cut there.
Feeling hopeful and much happier, and look less like a walking Brillo pad. Thanks to everyone who took the trouble to reply, appreciated so much!!

Thanks from me too

oh great!

Remember to take lots of photos so you can look back on your progress. Sometimes you can have a bad CG hair day but then you look back and see how far you've actually come.

And I'll look forward to the update!