Feeling fragile, but what on earth can I do with my hair?

[belindarose]

Slightly windswept, but this is my hair on a good day. It’s awful! What do you suggest I do with it? I have had very short pixie for a long time. Friends prefer it longer (as it is now), but it’s such a scruffy mess!

Not a hair expert but those curls are gorgeous! I am with your friends, why not grow it out and show them off?

Gorgeous colour and curls! I'd grow it a bit longer and go with it x

I think your curls are amazing, but I know nothing about curly hair. I think you need to find a great curly hairdresser, ask locally?

Curls are gorgeous! You should have a look at the 'curly girl method' online. Especially before and after photos!

I think there's a few curly girl method threads on here too x

I have finally found a way to keep my curls frizz free and tidy.

Trick is to keep your hair well hydrated. Stop using any shampoos that dry it and find a better conditioner.

I use this mouse on my wet hair www.superdrug.com/View-all-Schwarzkopf/Schwarzkopf-got2b/got2b-Twisted-Curling-Mousse-250ml/p/474701, then scrounge the curls into place (they will stay pretty much as they look wet so if you like how they are positioned while wet, it will be okay when it dries), let it dry naturally and once is dry loose the curls a bit from underneath it (don’t touch the top layer).

It took me a couple of weeks to work out how wet my hair needed to be before applying the mouse and how much mouse to apply, but it has been so worth it. I feel free now when it rains!

And yep, search the Curly Girl Method. (If someone finds the all elusive alcohol free gel please let me know where)

Go longer. The weight of your hair will make the curls less curly and more sexy beach waves. I think you have great hair. You need to embrace it.

It does look lovely long but have you considered going really short at the back and just leave length at front? I mean really short, shaved with clippers. Something like this: images.app.goo.gl/32PxJbBYisSdTZQ57

Idiot - thought I saw the boots own brand cheap gel was ok?

Thanks everyone, I’m glad I was brave enough to post the photo now.
This is with curly girl method, so thank you for that advice. I know a lot of that tends to be about finding the right products, so maybe I haven’t found them yet. I use the Boots pink curl cream, but will try the mousse suggested upthread. I don’t like crunchy curls though!
Regarding colour, I was going to ask about that too. This is my natural 45 year old colour. I used to use box dyes but haven’t for over ten years. I feel like it looks dull at the moment (but maybe that’s my mood - see divorce threads!).
I LOVE the shorter style linked to above, with the very short back. I don’t know if I’m too old to carry it off though.

It’s lovely. I feel your pain with the trial and error.
The boots pink curl cream isn’t CG unfortunately.
Bouclème gel is one of my favourites for CG. A little goes a very long way and it smells gorgeous.
Try a curly hair cut. Whereabouts in the country are you? The curl whisperer (Lindsay Hughes) works in W Midlands and London if that’s any good.

Thanks, I’ll look for boucleme gel. Not in a position for an expensive cut at the minute.

Why don't you try a semi permanent colour?
I like the casting ones as they (eventually) wash out plus they make your hair look glossy and shiny

It’s absolutely gorgeous, I like the colour too.

Here’s a photo from today, without the wind.

So jealous, I would kill for curls - you always want what you can’t have.

I’m with your friend and other posters, grow it out and use the curly girl method. Also the more you grow it out the more it should get tamer, due to the curls being weighed down,

It’s still lovely!

You are definitely not too old! Go for it, if you don't like it you can grow it out easily...

You look gorgeous OP! I would grow it, you've got great hair

I think I have the same hair as you. Mine is a bit longer and shaped in a sort of angled bob. I use John Frieda hair colour, 5N usualy and then top that up with root touch up after a few weeks. I use tresemme conditioner three times a week and once a week shampoo. My hair is much better than it was but it still has its days, I think the problem is that it is not so curly that it is inevitably curly, so it might just get blown about and become wispy. But now that I never brush/comb it, condition it more than shampoo, it's much better. When I wash it I use Morrocan hair products curl creme, other days the pink boots curl creme.Good luck!