Do you think it's possible to look really well groomed if you have curly or wavy hair?

[MrsFogi]

Or does your hair need to be a bit more tamed before you really look groomed?

I am sure it is possible, but I have no idea how to achieve it for myself.
Dds have been know to say "mum you look wild today"!

Some folk have commented how lucky I am not to have to bother as it looks nice that way.

Grooming is subjective IMHO.

Only with straighteners!

no no no, I have been saying for years that no matter what I do my hair (v curly) always makes me look scruffy.

On the plus side, i don't need to brush it.

depends on your hair really. mine is long fine curly so it only ever looks smart when up, which it almost always is, gets all wispy and tangled otherwise. if it were in a regularly trimmed style, perhaps a bob, it would probably look more groomed

the main prob is that those hair straighteners have put curls out of fashion

Fuck fashion, curls are great.
I refuse to straighten my hair, it makes me look like a seal.
Curls rock. But no, are not wildly groomed.

nope. i look like a right freak if i dont dry my hair straight. it sits funny otherwise, like a triangle or something

I'm very tempted to have my hair chemically straightened to give me half a chance of looking groomed on a daily basis rather than on days I have time to get the ghds out. The only problem is that dh hates my hair straight! The other thing I'm considering is to go in the opposite direction and get my hair permed so that the curl is more even (rather than random from day to day) although I fear this is the sort of action I could sorely regret!

Message withdrawn

dd who is two has curly hair and she looks wild some mornings, but gorgeous will teach her to love her curls

No chance on straightening or artificially induced waves here - much too thick and with a mind of its own.

I find best option is 1) good hairdresser who knows what to do with curls and has got used to cutting your hair - mine now keeps mine in a short, layered bob and 'fringe' kept out of my eyes with clip.
2) very heavy conditioner (I use Aussie 3 minute miracle every wash (1x per week after ds's swimming lesson - less if no swimming)
3) Paul Mitchel Supersculpt - putting through a little of this when its wet means that it sticks together somewhat in curls - comb it in the morning then run wet hands through and this gets the PM SS reworking
4) for special events try the pink 'Bedhead' in a conical bottle - puts a fantastic shine on and smells nice too.

Occasionally I do put it up, but its always a trial getting the side bits to look non-frizzy, and ds sure to pull it out just as leaving house.

doodledootoo I know I know, it's just that little voice in the back of my mind that keeps whispering that a perm could give me those lovely "perfect/uniform/ringlet" shiny curls some people seem to have - are they real or have those people found the perfect perm? Knowing my luck I'd end up looking like a poodle.

DO NOT PERM YOUR HAIR!!!!!
i speak from experience also!

DO NOT PERM unless hairdresser knows what they are doing.

no. Don't perm it - the poodlicious look beckons if you do that.

Men think curly mad hair is sexy.

No, they do. Really!

Mousse works somewhat - scrunch it in and leave it to dry. DON'T try to brush it straight without straighteners, it will never compete.

i love my curls, but looking groomed is not my top priority! lots of products & daily washing are what i do to counteract frizz.

Could all you curly-haired ladies who live in london please get over to my thread asking for hairdresser recommendations? I'm desperate. Many thanks.

oh yes, deff, if smooth curls and not frizzo

My hair is very thick and wavy - and dd2 has inherited my weird kinks and untamable cow licks. I hate straightening, it leaves my hair crackly and dry. I've faced the fact that i'll always be ungroomed. But clean, at least i'm clean.

I would also not recommend perming over curly hair - I had the tightest white afro in the early 80s in my attempt to go from curls in the wrong direction to a loose shaggy wave. Was awful.

Now my curls are aging and matronly - whenever I straighten them people comment on how much younger I look. Which is nice to a point, but a PITA when I cant be bothered to straighten every day, or the humidity rises!

Trevor Sorbie hair wax in your hair when it's still wet, twist your hair into curls and let it dry. No frizz. honest.

I'm jealous of all you curly headed people! My straight hair is so fly away I end up with it tied up all the time, even for going out / looking neat - it just doesn't do being down!

Mines dead straight - I wish it was curly.

I think curls are lovely. Feminine and romantic. I am