Curly Girl tips, hacks and cheats

[LittlePearl]

My hair has got a lot more curly / wavy lately, possibly because it's thinned with age and isn't as heavy as it once was. Having despaired of trying to style it during lockdown I've decided to give the waves a chance to shine and see how I get on.

I've spent ages reading the old CGM threads and watching videos and now feel slightly overwhelmed! Can any wise mumsnetters give me their 'top tips' for getting decent results while keeping it fairly simple?

My hair is just shy of shoulder length and fine. I did my last sulphate shampoo wash last week - I've had a couple of better days where it looked ok and a couple (today included) where it looks like a bird's nest

[vengeancer]

I also scrunch my hair for a few mins. Not sure how a photo would help though

[tiredanddangerous]

I wash with sainsburys coconut conditioner (costs about 80p) then apply lots of tresseme undone, detangle with my fingers, then head upside down and scrunch hair upwards towards my scalp. I leave that in as long as it takes to wash etc then rinse it all out. I wrap it in a microfiber towel for 20 mins or so then scrunch a couple of handfuls of the coconut conditioner through it, then add eco gel and scrunch again. I diffuse it for 5 mins or so then leave to air dry. It does take quite a while to dry but if I use the hairdryer any longer I just get frizz.

The trial and error stage can be a right pain, but it's so worth it when you find the correct routine and products. It's also worth noting that you really don't have to spend a fortune...some people do but I've never spend £20 on a bottle of conditioner or styling product, and I never would!

[Agapantson]

@LittlePearl

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Today is a (fractionally) better day though still a strange mix of definitely curly bits and almost straight. Fortunately DH loves the unkempt look and is encouraging me to persevere!

I wish someone would come and look at my hair and tell me exactly what I need rather than have to do all the trial and error stuff. Patience isn't my strong point.

The other thing I was told by a Lorraine Massey trained hairdresser, is to remember, if you have frizz when it is wet it will be frizzy when it is dry. I guess this holds for straight bits too. So if you have either frizz or straight bits when it is still very wet then tackle them then - grab the section, smooth it a bit (add a bit of water/gel if needed) and then maybe finger twirl that bit and then scrunch it up to your scalp. That should fix it when wet so it is good when dry.

Agree with PP - you do not need to spend a fortune on expensive products. Especially in the early days.

Nor do you need 27billionty products. Some of the instagrammers or bloggers have 2 or 3 different conditioners, a curl cream, a gel a mousse etc etc. Lorriane Massey came over to the UK to do some training a few months back and she was very clear that it is all about simplicity. Really you need one conditioner and one styling or gel. Adding loads of different products just confuses the issue and does not add to the shine and shape of your curls.

[Greenvalleysightseeker]

@spookmeout

I use aldi apple conditioner for washing and conditioning
I do this as soon as I get in the shower, and leave the conditioner on whilst I wash myself etc.
I wrap my head in a towel but don't rub it dry
Then I put shockwaves mousse onto wet hair then cantu curl cream
I do this upside down and scrunch each one in or use an Afro comb

@spookmeout Is the Aldi apple conditioner silicone free? I had no idea! My favourite conditioner from Wilko has been discontinued so I might get some and try it instead.

[spookmeout]

Yes it is, as is the coconut one and the raspberry.
I checked the ingredients against the apple as my local one didn't have it

[Greenvalleysightseeker]

Brilliant, thank you!