Curly bottom, flat straight roots (pictures)

[MargeSimpsonswig]

I've been doing CG method for 2 years and have always struggled with flat roots. I think this is partly due to the weight of long hair dragging it down so I'm thinking of getting some shorter layers at the top but don't want to look like a bowl head. I really want to try short side swept "bangs" but I'm not sure how they will look with my curl pattern and I don't want to loose overall length.

I'm booked in for my (first) curly specialist cut but it's not until June 2020 (long waiting list) and I'm getting it cut on Tuesday by a hairdresser who I've been to before but it was when I wore my hair straight.

I've attached pictures of what I'm aiming for but my hair is less curly so I'm not sure how it will sit. Anyone else with wavy/loose curls tried this and did it turn out OK?

Remember Those women will have had a professional hairdresser style their hair for hours before those pics were taken. I bet 💯 they don’t wake up looking like that... or nip to Tesco’s

Could you curl the top manually with a wand or similar? I think you probably do need layers in to stop it “hanging” and make the top curlier.

I think you will find when your hair is shorter it goes curlier. Which may give you the issue of a curly fringe and flat roots every where else.

@Redtartanshoes, I wish I could wake up with my hair like the photos! I can't make mine look even semi decent on day 2.

I'm trying to avoid using heat and need a wash and go style (normally go to work with 80% dry and then SOTC) so curling irons not an option other than special occasions.

@Bluntness, that's what I'm worried about, that I'll have a poof of curls at the front and still flat roots.
I was thinking of asking for maybe ear length layers at the top but would they stick out and look silly? I've never had a haircut to suit my curls so not sure what I should even be asking for.

Have you tried root clips? From what I have heard they lift the hair at the root and it dries in a way that adds more volume. I haven't tried them myself but I've seen good results from people that have.

I did try root clips but I don't think I've got the right technique because it doesnt make much difference to volume and they rip out my hair when taking them out. Also tried drying my hair completely upside down and it was a huge frizzy mess with no definition.

I think I'm still finding my curl pattern plus best routine and products because some days I have ringlets and some days I have weird S shape waves. It's so temperamental I feel like giving up CG!

Assuming you are the first one, you look utterly stunning. And much better than the next two pictures.
Why is having a straighter top section something to struggle with? It looks awesome .

I think your own hair looks amazing! Back in the 90s I used to use a diffuser to blow dry my naturally curly hair with my head upside down and it made the roots and top part much curlier. But it did look very 90s! Now I let it dry naturally and I think it looks much nicer, albeit with straighter roots.

Your hair already looks great! Agree that shorter might be lighter.

I think the pictures you are looking at have a tighter curl pattern then you do currently. Cutting shorter layers might give you a tighter curl on top but the length would still be looser and it might look a bit bitty.

But then it's only hair and will grow back! So if the shorter bits don't work you cut cut again to even the length and then grow it out again.

As a fellow curly haired person I think your hair looks beautiful; really shiny and lovely.

Having said that I would be just the same and would want curlier roots
Do you need to keep the overall length? I've come to the conclusion over the years that my hair needs to be above my shoulders if the weight isn't going to pull it down too much. I prefer having it shorter overall rather than very long with shorter layers.

Your hair is gorgeous, I prefer it to the pictures you’ve shown.
Could you share your CG routine? Mine swings between overly moisturised/flat/weighed down and frizzy and flyaway. Still need to nail the routine two years in!

@Egg, I'm full on Tina Turner if I dry upside down!!

I could lose some length but I'm nervous about having a big chop before my appointment with the curl specialist as I'm hoping they will have a better idea how to style it.

I'm really a wimp when it comes to cutting my hair @WeirdAndScary as I've had some really bad hair cuts in the past.

Thankyou for the compliments, I really wish I could see my hair that way but whenever I look at photos I just see spaniel ears 😂

@JoeGargery I am unashamedly a curl product junkie so I play around with lots of combinations in the hope of finding the curly hair holly grail. I'm starting to think it doesn't exist and I'll forever be chasing the perfect combo.

Today I washed with curlsmith co wash and only rinsed my roots (so left some conditioner in the ends) and squished thoroughly. On soaking wet hair I used about a 10p blob of Trepadora babussu leave in and combed with a Denman then a good blob of Trepadora papaya slip with praying hands and then scrunched and plopped for 10 mins before diffusing. It's my first time trying Trepadora so I need a few more tries to get the quantities right.

My favourite product so far is Uncle Funkies curl stimular used as a gel and blueberry bliss leave in. The Superdrug castor range is also good (it's a cheaper knock off of Shea Moisture) but I'm not sure its 100% CG approved. My hair loves protein so I do homemade gelatin protein treatments and try to deep condition once a week.

I still get alot of frizz and my curls drop throughout the day which is why I'm still searching for the perfect combo. Also, day 2 hair is horrendous. I pineapple at night but always get weird kinks at the roots. I still don't know how other curries get more than one decent day of hair after wash day!!!

I'm still trying to nail CG too so any tips from fellow curries much appreciated.

*curlies, not curries

I was exactly the same - and it was the curly specialist cut that changed it for me. The shape of the cut, the product she used (Boucleme) drying with a diffuser upside down - combined have made the difference. Expensive but well worth it.

Arghhhh I struggle with my curly hair all the time too!
You’ve inspired me, mi thanks ago I bought a couple of packets of supermarket gelatine to put on my hair and try it out so off to do that now.....

Mi thanks?!
It should say: Months ago......

If your curls are dropping are you sure you are not over-moisturised? I used to have this issue and then on a CG Facebook page there was a myth busting session by Lorraine Massey herself and I learnt that my fix for the dropping curls (protein) was unnecessary. Yes it dried it out a bit, so my curls popped, but then dried it out...frizz.

So instead as per the myth busting session, rather than adding protein, I just added less moisture. I used a light, non-protein conditioner (Faith in nature Dragon fruit). Co-washed almost as normal but squished the conditioner a bit as I rinsed. Rinsed thoroughly and then with the same conditioner added a teeny but of leave in. Then added priduct on slightly blotted hair
So ...I totally dropped the conditioning step.

It has transformed my hair. Curls do not drop and they last 4 or 5 days (a bit of frizz first thing but I can tame that...the curl is the same shape). It also curls closer to the root.

Maybe worth a try?

@fridaseyebrows, where did you go if you don't mind me asking? I can't wait for my appointment in June but need to find something that works in the mean time.

@LuluBellaBlue, this is the recipe I use www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/ingredients/diy-gelatin-protein-treatment-for-damaged-hair. Sometimes I use the aphogee 2 step protein treatment if it's really in need of protein.

@margesimpsonswig I go to Lindsay Hughes Curl Whisperer - she usually has a waiting list that long!! But does sometimes get cancellations

@NotSureWhoIAmToday, I have tried using less moisture and my curls are tighter but the frizz was really bad. I tried cutting out protein from conditioner and gel and my hair felt horrible!!!

I have bleached ends so it definitely needs protein and moisture but I never seem to get the balance right.

@Friday, the pictures on her website look gorgeous!!! Its too far for me to travel though as I live in the North. I'm booked in at the curl clinic Leeds. Has anyone been before? Judging by their waiting list I'm hoping it's a good sign.

@LuluBellaBlue, we need pictures of the end result!!

No help but jeez I can't believe that waiting time for a hair cut. Fingers crossed they are brilliant.
Both my girls have curly hair I use curly Ellie or cantu on them although I appreciate your not wanting to use products.
For hair cuts we go to girls trained in Afro/caribbean hair as they are used to different types of curls.
I do this curl clipping as-well

curlycailin.ie/get-root-volume-curly-hair/

OP I'm no use at all as have annoying straight(ish) with a kink hair but wanted to say your hair looks gorgeous

Thanks, OP! I hate the amount of faff and trial and error involved.

I’ve also seen Lindsay Hughes and she is very keen on taking things back to basics, she always tells me not to panic too much as the FB groups sometimes send me into a tailspin and frankly I haven’t the time for all that experimentation. She is probably right abs my hair always looks the best ever after seeing her.

Day two hair though... I hear you!

I can't pineapple at night because it pulls some of the waves out. If I wash my hair at night, dry but leave the cast in and sleep in a cotton buff I get A LOT of volume, including at the roots and in front underneath, which is where I have the most problems getting it to curl.