Help my hair! :(

[hairhair]

I have always had very thick, slightly wavy hair. I always used to blow dry or straighten it for it to be manageable. Since my 20s it has got progressively wavier and curly in places. Although some bits stay resolutely straight!! I have no idea how to cope with curly hair. I have two kids so no time to style it!
I don't want to go too short, have had this before. Mid length it can go very puffy. I keep hoping if I grow it longer the weight will drag it down but it never works 😂
I've never properly tried the curly girl method as don't know if it's curly enough. I tried some leave in conditioner and curl cream but it went horrendously greasy. It just about looks okay if I put in mousse and let it dry naturally, but it's so thick I can only do this when it is really quite warm or it takes most of the day to dry. And it then looks terrible the next day. I usually wash it twice a week, when it gets greasy at the roots.
I want to get it cut soon, does anyone have any recommendations for a cut which might make it more manageable? I'd love to wash and go but think that is just a pipe dream...
Thanks!
Have attached pics, the last one showing weird straight bits at the front when the rest is wavy!! 🤬

I have very similar hair, probably a bit thicker. I have just (today) had an undercut and I'm already really happy with it. So the underneath of my hair has been cropped really short and my hair is way less bulky and sits flatter, it'll dry quicker and take less time to style. You can't see it at all with my hair down or in a low ponytail so I'm glad I went for it.

Twocoffees I totally agree I need to find a good stylist!! I think next time I might try a hairdresser that my curly haired friends go to. I always feel like a bit of an imposter going to a curly hairdresser as my hair isn't properly curly 😂
I had a fringe when I was younger and it gonna wasn't great... something to think about tho!

Pepper I've also toyed with the idea of getting an undercut but what puts me off is the idea of trying to grow it out in the future 🙈

OP, I have similar hair. After years of putting layers in it to thin it out I now have it cut in a one length bob that is slightly longer at the front. I find I can wash it in the evening, put some mousse in and let it dry naturally. If its still damp i just sleep with a towel on my pillow. Then when I wake up in the morning it's wavy without the puff. I just add some more defined waves with my ghd and scrunch in some salt spray. Ive had loads of compliments since i started doing it.

I know, growing it out may be a hassle but I'm hoping that as long as it's hidden by the rest of my hair which is currently is then at least I won't look like a mad woman

Higunny I might try your technique! I presume it's a curl enhancing mousse you use? I bought a curling wand recommended earlier in this thread but haven't had the time to try it yet!! 🙈

Argan oil ?

Tried Argan oil, just made my roots greasy 😭 went out tonight with curly gel stuff in my hair and it looked SO puffy it was insane :( I'm thinking an undercut must be the only way!

I have this hair too. It went curlier when I had DC, so the back is now wavy but the front and top is still straight. I hate it. I used to wear it long in my teens and twenties and all I ever did was wash it and let it dry and it looked ok down (though I usually had it in a loose French roll/bun or ponytail). I can't wear it down now as it just looks ridiculous as the straight hair sits on top of the curly hair and it all looks weird. If the curly hair grew from the top of my head and the straight stuff was underneath it would be fine.

I was really hoping somebody was going to give you really good advice on a cut! It's nice to know other people also have curly and straight hair.

It really is ridiculous! No one knows what to do with it!!!

Just you update, I've been trying the Curly Girl Method for about six weeks now and my waves are getting more defined! Would attach a pic but it's not working for me right now 🙈

I have the same texture hair and the only thing that has worked for me is having it very long as the weight helps decrease some of the puffiness. Every hairdresser I've had has advised me to keep it long because of the texture. I've become great at doing stylish 5 minute updos for work that always get compliments.

This is never really going to be a wash and go texture unless your hair is very short. I think you could maybe get away with a Phoebe Waller Bridge type cut and it could work if you followed curly girl...although not sure that would work now if you've had a Keratin blowdry. Youd have to make sure you stick to how you are taught to style it. If you just left it to dry naturally and then brushed it for example it would look dreadful.

In the meantime, do you have a Babyliss big hair? That and as a pp have suggested, a curling wand should help. Heated Rollers could look amazing to. You are going to have to style it every time you wash it. My advice would be not to wash it every day.

You need a better stylist who will deep cut and slice into it rather than an under cut. I have the same hair.

I used to have issues with wavy thick hair. I found an undercut can really help to take off some of the weight. I ALWAYS straighten mine and never get it cut wet. Maybe next time your in the salon take off some inches to uncover your neck and lighten the load? Looks really nice though! Would love to see an after from the first trip to the hairdressers!

“I always feel like a bit of an imposter going to a curly hairdresser as my hair isn't properly curly”

Mine is as wavy as yours if I brush it like straight hair... finally went to a curly hairdresser, turns out if I treat it like curly hair it does this... so actually your hair is probably a lot curlier than you think it is.