Curly girl method but the top layer is straight

[daisiesinmay]

Has anyone overcome this? It's like I've got 2 different types of hair, the underneath probably 2/3rds which although dry could go into a good wave/curl and then the top part which will not. It just ends up looking a mess. Or should I ditch CGM?

No idea, but after years of fine poker straight hair, the underneath and randomly gone curly.

So I am interesting in the responses!

I have this problem. To be honest, I usually get round it by having it cut well so that the straight layer is a bit shorter and just blends into the curls. Totally possible because the curls don’t really start at the top of my head. Right now it’s a total mess. Thanks lockdown!

Do you tip your head upside down to scrunch and apply products? It's easy to miss the top layers when you do this. I have to apply upside down and then to the top layers the right way up after.

Thanks I've tried scrunching products into the top layer, and today I even curled the top layer with a curling wand and that quickly fell out even though the underneath is curly. It's like they're 2 different textures

I’ve seen it described that the top layer is like an umbrella. It takes all the weather and damage so it takes longer for the top layer to adapt to curly. It’s true for me as well. I’ve resorted to a half ponytail some days as the underneath is looking great but the top is rubbish. But if you preserve it does start to adapt more.

I’m wavy rather than curly but I’m finally at the stage that I have gorgeous waves on the top as well.

That's interesting CrystalFlyer A half pony might work. How did you get to waves on the top in the end, was that just through persevering with the no sulphates?

daisiesinmay. To be honest I got a bit fed up with all the rules associated so I just kinda do my own thing now. I don’t think I’m using sulphates but I’m not sure! I love the brand OGX and mostly use that and my gel and mousse is curly girl approved.

As I said, I’m wavy more than curly so I feel like the full on curly rules don’t apply to me so much anyway.

For me though the biggest difference to my curls/waves was doing everything from conditioner on upside down. So once I’ve rinced out my shampoo I flip my hair/head upside down and squish in my conditioner, rinse it out, squish out water and plop upside down. Then gel/ mousse whatever upside down!

Thanks CrystalFlyer will give that a try

Try a protein treatment on the straight bits, it will bring back the curl

Thanks Annettebee thinking about it I have been putting olaplex at the bottom so maybe I need to do that top straight bit and see if that helps

Try twisting the straighter hair in large sections around your fingers into kind of coils and blow dry on a low heat (or air dry if you think the curl will stay in).

Yes, the inflexibility of the CGM wasn't for me (I tried for maaaany years) so I just do what works and even straighten my hair quite often!

I think it’s very common for people to have curly hair underneath and it
Being straighter/frizzy on top. My toddlers is like mine and his hair so I know nothing I do to it will change the curl pattern (or lack thereof). Not protein, moisture, nothing. I’ve wasted quite a bit of time thinking products might change the inevitable! If this is you, you could accept it as-is, tie the top bit up or perm/curl the straight bits to match.

Thanks all the comments are very helpful. Curling the top section is the best option, but it doesn't stay in, so it may be like Pinkclarko says that I can't change it. I'm not sure I'll have the staying power to stick with CGM either but will try a few of the tips here first

I sometimes put the top layer into a twist while my hair dries, then undo it.

What protein treatments are people using? Finally feel like I've got the moisture content right in my wavy/curly hair, but think looser curls of late suggest I need more protein.

It's unlikely that you genuinely have a different type of hair on the top compared to underneath. What is more likely (as @CrystalFlyer says) is that the top layer is exposed to different things. It's known as the "canopy" and it is usually much drier and more damaged than the hair underneath (because it is exposed to more heat and cold, chemicals in the environment, hoods and hats etc.). This means you need to put extra moisture into the canopy to get it to match the hair underneath. So extra conditioner, richer conditioner, leave in conditioner etc. You may need a different product on the canopy to the rest of your hair. But if you keep at it, it will start to resemble the curl pattern of underneath. It may never be quite as luscious because you can't stop it being exposed to all that stuff, but it can catch up quite a lot! I would 99% guarantee it is not actually straight, it is just very very dehydrated curly hair!

I am going to try Olaplex for my frizzy waves, but I've seen a lot about it being recommended for people with patches of straight hair. Might be worth a try.

Mine is the opposite! Curlier on top, loose waves underneath
@rbe78 I like this or I do a gelatine treatment
https://www.beautybay.com/p/matrix/total-results-miracle-morpher-kick-up-protein-bodifying-treatment/?ctyid=gb&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImux9JD57wIVS-3tCh2NGwb9EAQYASABEgKafD_BwE