Give me your thoughts on what to do with my hair

[thelilachen]

I'm 46 with greying, thick, coarse dry hair.

I dye it at home every 3 weeks.

I've had the same home hairdresser for years. I tried a salon a few years ago and they have me a wonky cut which put me off trying again.

I used to love my thick hair and got lots of compliments when I was in my twenties and thirties.

Now I hate it. I scrape it back and it's just a frizzy mess no matter how hard I try with it.

Please give me your thoughts on what I could do with it!

I have grown in my grey having a similar problem and its so much better.
I also think you should lose the layers. I have thick hair too, naturally wavy. Grow it all one length and get them to thin it out underneath with the thinning scissors. They can do that when its dry to see where the weight is.

Do you like this style OP? Horsemad that style is lovely.

@Horsemad Yes, I do! It's really nice. Have asked for something similar before but not really achieved it. Probably due to the hairdresser.

And yes, taking the weight out from underneath sounds like a good idea too if I want to keep some length. Otherwise I end up battling with the sticking out layers.

I actually own the wide GHD straighteners and they used to do a good job on my hair but as I've got older and my hair has changed, they just don't do seem to get the same finish. The picture shows my hair straightened the day before.

I also deep condition with a salon deep conditioner several times a week.

Ok, I'm making some enquiries with some salons now.

Horsemad's photo is great.
I'd grow out the colour and have lowlights.

How long have you had the GHDs for? They might need replacing if they’re leaving your hair looking like that.

Ok, I've been to see a stylist at a lovely salon to discuss everything.

I'm booked in for kerastraight and then sit and live with that for a week, then going back for ash toned highlights and a haircut.

Depending on how the straightening is, will determine what style I might go for but she gave me several options for losing the weight including thinning from underneath and an undercut.

I have coarse, dense, wiry hair that always flipped out like yours, when I tried to style it straight.

I gave up fighting it and we have come to an amicable understanding. This wasn't a particularly good hair day as I tried a new combination of styling products that didn't really work together but it's so much healthier and easier to handle than it used to be and no longer feels dry all the time.

Just a little update....

Been to the salon for the kerastraight treatment.

Back next week for the cut and colour. 👍

What a difference! I love it!

Looks great! Are you throwing your arms in the air in happiness in the picture?!

Wow, that looks amazing! Tell me more about the treatment please OP! 😃

I would look into the curly girl method and go away from all straightening. And cut the ends off.

@Horsemad

It's a Brazilian blow dry / keratin treatment.

I'm due to wash it tonight for the first time so I'm hoping that the beautiful sleekness will remain or at the very least, the "wide ness" of my hair will be reduced. Sulfate free shampoo to try and preserve the process.

Sounds good @thelilachen, let us know how it goes after you've washed it. 👍

The end result after a cut which took out all those nasty layers, some highlights to blend in the greys and some thinning of the underneath layers.

Cost me a small fortune all in all, but I'm very, very pleased. I love my hair again.

Now I just have to tell my home hairdresser of 20 years, I don't require her services anymore!

Wow! Your hair looks amazing!
I love the colour and smoothness.

That looks amazing OP.

That looks FAB op!

Just be sure it's not so much sulphate free shampoo you need it's salt free (or will say 'sodium chloride' on the list of ingredients) It's the salt that breaks down the keratin and will undo all the work you've just had done!

I buy a keratin treatment online and do it myself, it's a total faff that takes hours but saves me a fortune. I can definitely recommend this shampoo to use afterwards.

@LifeInAHamsterWheel

I checked my shampoo and it does indeed include sodium chloride.

I've ordered your recommendation. Thanks for that.

Looks lovely! 🙂

OMG OP that looks miles better, I’ve never seen a more satisfying makeover pic on here! Really love the cut and colour.

Wow! Looks lovely!

What an amazing difference. Hard to believe that is the same head of hair. You must be delighted. ( I have a colleague with hair like yours was, would love to suggest she does the same...🤔☺️)

OP that looks lovely! My hair is very similar to yours, but also thinning at the temples. Would love to see how you've got it done around the face, if you don't mind posting a pic.
I asked a salon here (not in the UK) but they say keratin treatment is different from Brazilian blowout .
Is this style maintenance free, or do yo need to style it after every wash?

I came on here to say go get a Keratin treatment, then colour 2 weeks later, then grow it longer.

It's great that you went and had a keratin treatment, but you don't need to do it in a salon. The reason why it is £££££ is because it takes so long. I've been having them for years and I do it myself and I do a better job of the salon who used to charge me £130. Search keratin treatments on here and Cocochoco and buy yourself a decent keratin shampoo and conditioner and use M organ oil before your dry your hair and never look back. You will have the best hair in your life after you keep up the keratin.