How do you get natural, healthy looking hair?

[floofycroissant]

When I let my hair air dry it's got a bit of a natural wave which I like, but it looks unkempt (dull, frizz, poorly defined shape) then if I try and style it I look overdone.

I think it might be the products. Any suggestions for shampoos, styling stuff that might help?

I normally just use simple shampoo/conditioner, switched to Garnier natural blends recently which has helped with volume but still not that healthy look I'm hoping for. Is it sole a case of spending £££?

Tbh I used vosene for years and years and was always complimented on my hair. Agree it is just genes tho. I am prone to grease though, that has dissipated over the years. The conditioner is the thing. If doesn’t even have to be a fancy or expensive one, just as long as it says “dry hair” or silky/smooth etc. I can feel a good conditioner from the texture immediately. Deep conditioners I find don’t work for me as they are too bulky.

Because I’ve stopped colouring my hair I’ve also stopped conditioning it. I think the conditioner must have left a layer of something on my hair, and it’s much better without.

Yep, cg has changed my hair too. No parabens or silicon.

I use a few curly girl method principles on my hair. It has helped its condition no end.

So I don't use any SLS shampoo or any products containing silicone. I can manage with co-washing but if I am washing my hair less frequently I used an SLS free shampoo. I mainly use XHC products from B&M, but Garnier hair food is a good easily available curly girl conditioner. The hair food can be used as a leave in too.

I dry it by wrapping in a microfibre towel, avoid using heat and use a denman brush. I'm not curly enough to not comb it at all.

Can I ask which shampoos you are using that are SLS free ?

I have similar hair to you OP.

But the other day I had a really good hair day... hoping I’ve found the holy graill.

I bought a cheap shower circular brush thing which I brushed around my scalp like a massage whilst washing my shampoo out (I use rehab from lush) and I only condition the ends of my hair.
I then left it to air dry and it was distinctly less frizzy than usual, and the waves were lovely and soft. I had a few frizzy patches so I just quickly went over those bits with a curling wand to soften them into nice waves and I was so happy with the end result!!

Good to hear I've got all the right gear: microfibre towel wrap, scrubby brush and SLS free. Just no idea!

I do think hard water is a factor, and I totally hadn't realised before this thread, also going to look into oil based products

@Lj8893

I have similar hair to you OP.

But the other day I had a really good hair day... hoping I’ve found the holy graill.

I bought a cheap shower circular brush thing which I brushed around my scalp like a massage whilst washing my shampoo out (I use rehab from lush) and I only condition the ends of my hair.
I then left it to air dry and it was distinctly less frizzy than usual, and the waves were lovely and soft. I had a few frizzy patches so I just quickly went over those bits with a curling wand to soften them into nice waves and I was so happy with the end result!!

What is this shower brush thing you speak of?

Just search Silicone shampoo brush boog. Plenty out there

Thank you!

Silk pillowcases are great for hair health. Also ditch the terry towels. I don't like microfibre ones either. My hair snags on them and they're not great for the environment. I started embracing my curls last March after over 20 years of straightening, and I've now strated my own business making (organic jersey cotton t-shirt towels).

Keep products simple. It's so tempting to go all in with several different ones. A bit like with sincere. Most Curlies I know do this but then end up pulling back to a basic routine.

I do struggle with sleep protection. I've tried a silk bonnet and a bamboo buff but they disturb my sleep too much. Pineappling with a scrunchie gives me a headache. Best thing I've found so far is sth called a Puff Cuff which is a plastic circle with teeth, a bit like banana clips if you recall those!

*skincare not sincere

I live in a very hard water area (solid chalk). I use a cheap shampoo and conditioner and wrap it in a towel, and that's about all. I never blow dry it. I don't colour it or use any styling products. I do dunk it in chlorinated pool water a few times a week, and in sea water when I get the chance. Despite all that neglect, when I got it trimmed for the first time in about a year a fortnight ago, the hair dresser commented on how silky it was. So doing not a lot works for me.

NinnyNewName I have no clue what any of the things you're talking about but I want to own them based purely on their names alone.

PSA: please can all follicularly blessed posters exit the thread, I repeat plea...

I use Olaplex and my hair is in the best condition its ever been in.
I am also really careful with it, I use a brush that isn't too harsh on it and I don't use heat as much as I used to.

They are ridiculously expensive, but, cost per use, a Mason Pearson board' bristle hair brush is the best investment.

The product that has been lifehanging for my hair is redken acidic perfecting concentrate leave jn conditioner. It doesn't weigh down my hair at all but really adds shine and tames my very frazzled, bleached hair

Also kukai oil by OGX. I just spray that on when drying, every night before bed and every morning. Just a tiny bit but every time my hair starts to look a bit dry I just spray a little bit on and it brings it back to life. I also spray a fuck tonne on before I wash it, make sure to wash it all off. I don't know if there's any science behind it but those two steps have transformed my hair.

I like dream water on the ends, hair feels so soft afterwards.

This is my hair last March on the day I stopped straightening it Vs this March.

I use the pink hair serum from BeautyPie, it goes on towel dry hair and you leave it in. Let dry. Smooth and shiny.

@NinnyNewName

This is my hair last March on the day I stopped straightening it Vs this March.

Holy crap your hair is glorious! Sadly I don't actually have curly hair, it's just the odd bit of a wave.

@Thisnamewasnttaken123

I use Olaplex and my hair is in the best condition its ever been in. I am also really careful with it, I use a brush that isn't too harsh on it and I don't use heat as much as I used to.

Years later and still haven't figured out what olaplex actually is, I don't colour so assumed it wasn't for me

Thanks @floofycroissant. Thing is, someone told me back then that my hair is more curly than I think. I scoffed at them. I thought I'd get a few waves.

It's sometimes a pain and I do miss the predictability of blow drying it straight, but then a whiff of humidity and it would rebel. And I live that I only wash it twice a week now and not daily.

Just tried a Hask hair mask and the jury is out. It's still looking frizzy, possibly bit more shape/body. Not a totally fair trial and I used Garnier Hair Food shampoo and no conditioner as I tend to find masks weigh down my hair - which it hasn't - so I may just have sabotaged it.

Also think my hair urban might is in its last legs, so if anyone has suggestions for good ones I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for all the tips!