Help shake up my dry coarse frizzy thick hair

[frizzo9]

Wondering if anyone has any tips or ideas. I'd be grateful if anyone has hair like mine.

My hair is naturally very thick, frizzy, coarse and dry. It's massive. Lots of people say they've got this hair type but some of my friends with very thick curlyish hair actually have hair that can feel smooth and drop nicely into shape, mine is like a frizzy lampshade if I brush it.

It is quite nicely curly if I treat it well (loads of leave in, curl cream and gel, diffuse, crunch out etc)...and I can get a decent impressive curly look for a day before it frizzes again - tried everything, curly girl, using and not using stuff etc.

For years I used large curling tongues to kind of smooth the frizz into better curls, sort of following my curl pattern. Got great curls but frazzled hair.

I've stopped any bleach highlights over the last couple Of years which has helped the condition. Tried to go grey but didn't like it so am now using a full head of dye, but darker so no bleach. Condition is probably as good as it's been as an adult - but still naturally straw like. Use loads of super conditioner, olaplex and leave in.

The few times in my life it's been straightened it looks pretty awful even if done by a professional- it's just so thick and dry- sorts of sticks out like cardboard . So I'm not looking to do that at all. I am embracing my curls but I also fancy it wavy with a bit more of a style at times.

So, I can manage the curls. But I'm wondering if anyone manages to get a bit of a smoother wavy look sometimes without damaging their hair. Ive had it cut short recently to cut the bleach out and am now growing it long I think. It's now probably 3/4 inches long all over and huge. I quite fancy growing it into a Wavy short bob and almost fancy a blunt fringe too. I don't want to use heat etc (so brushing it into style with a hot dryer might not work) so had an idea of using loads of conditioner and then maybe using large curlers?! Is this possible. Is there even such a thing as unheated curlers anymore? Or if I used heated ones on a low setting would this be worse than a cool diffuse??

There's pictures of me as a child when my hair is super thick and wavy but it kind of shines! I started dying it at probably 13 so suspect most of my life it's been constantly knackered due to highlights!!!

God sorry this is mammoth but thought I'd set it all out instead of drip feed in case of any Input. Thank you

If it helps I've been to a well known specialist curly hairdresser last year - fab cut! She said that my hair was very very coarse and very very thick - both in terms of amount of strands and the thickness of the individual strands even by her clients standards! Curl Pattern is mix of 2c and 3a/3b. Curls a bit at the roots so more curly than wavy!

I have similar hair type. A keratin blowdry was the first thing that ever made my hair feel smooth and effortless but ££s and newer versions I don't find as effective or long lasting and it got rid of my curl/wave until it wore off.

I can manage a long bob either straight or wavy. I really like the yellow Garnier Hair Foods conditioner in the tub and swear by the remington blow dry brush. I let my hair half air dry and then whizz over it on low heat. It does take a quick once over with straighteners or tongs depending on the look im going for, but more to smooth than straighten. I turn straightener heat down and use a good amount of heat protection spray. I also like the Living Proof Night Cap overnight if its a bit pouffy, styled or natural curl

@Fearless9286

I have similar hair type. A keratin blowdry was the first thing that ever made my hair feel smooth and effortless but ££s and newer versions I don't find as effective or long lasting and it got rid of my curl/wave until it wore off.

I can manage a long bob either straight or wavy. I really like the yellow Garnier Hair Foods conditioner in the tub and swear by the remington blow dry brush. I let my hair half air dry and then whizz over it on low heat. It does take a quick once over with straighteners or tongs depending on the look im going for, but more to smooth than straighten. I turn straightener heat down and use a good amount of heat protection spray. I also like the Living Proof Night Cap overnight if its a bit pouffy, styled or natural curl

Thank you! I use that condition it is really good. Use it as a leave in too. Find all of those in the tub they make pretty intensive.

The blow dry brush sounds interesting... if you use this and then smooth it with more heat (even low), does your hair look dry? I think mine would... not sure. Mine even though really think is very pouffy- I look at my daughters hair which is thick and wavy too, and it's just much less frizzy.

I'd like to try the brush, seems a lot to buy one though! Hmmm, wonder if a hairdresser could try this on me?

Do you have a fringe if you have a long Bob?

Expensive but try get.hairstory.com/

New wash

Have you ever used Ecoslay Banana Cream Deep Conditioner?

I have the opposite curly hair to you - super fine and wavy. However I have never found any product to compare to this in terms of just how conditioning it is, my hair comes out like silk. It gets the same reviews from all hair types.

I started trying other products for a change but nothing compares to how deeply hydrating it is, and I can't be bothered to leave it on the 30 minutes in the instructions, I just do 2 min in the shower.

I like the Ecoslay Rice Pudding as a leave in as well. Only time I have had multiday non-frizzy locks of curls.

I think the brush was about £40 in boots and apologies its the Revlon one not Remington! I get good movement from my hair with it so it doesn't go straight like cardboard iyswim, took a few goes to get tecgnique right. Because I can use two hands, I get good tension on the brush which really smooths my hair more than the heat I think, without being rough or breaking it.

I made the mistake of a full fringe with naturally puffy hair about 15 years ago after begging my hairdresser who tried to convince me otherwise! Never again! First hint of humidity and boom its straight up in the air! A too short bob can also be difficult in winter wrather, I try to stay between chin and shoulders, very long layers only.

I'm also a fan of Pureology hydrate shampoo which I discovered during my keratin days and still use. Its a bit spendy but I buy the 1l bottle and it lasts me at least 6 months. The matching condition was a bit meh for me.

Trial and error with products and techniques and blimin expensive!

@AnnaMagnani

Have you ever used Ecoslay Banana Cream Deep Conditioner?

I have the opposite curly hair to you - super fine and wavy. However I have never found any product to compare to this in terms of just how conditioning it is, my hair comes out like silk. It gets the same reviews from all hair types.

I started trying other products for a change but nothing compares to how deeply hydrating it is, and I can't be bothered to leave it on the 30 minutes in the instructions, I just do 2 min in the shower.

I like the Ecoslay Rice Pudding as a leave in as well. Only time I have had multiday non-frizzy locks of curls.

No I've heard of though and am now going to order some! Thank you

@Fearless9286

I think the brush was about £40 in boots and apologies its the Revlon one not Remington! I get good movement from my hair with it so it doesn't go straight like cardboard iyswim, took a few goes to get tecgnique right. Because I can use two hands, I get good tension on the brush which really smooths my hair more than the heat I think, without being rough or breaking it.

I made the mistake of a full fringe with naturally puffy hair about 15 years ago after begging my hairdresser who tried to convince me otherwise! Never again! First hint of humidity and boom its straight up in the air! A too short bob can also be difficult in winter wrather, I try to stay between chin and shoulders, very long layers only.

I'm also a fan of Pureology hydrate shampoo which I discovered during my keratin days and still use. Its a bit spendy but I buy the 1l bottle and it lasts me at least 6 months. The matching condition was a bit meh for me.

Trial and error with products and techniques and blimin expensive!

What do you put on your hair before using the brush. I use leave in and curl cream etc... so you put anything on if not letting it curl?

I have actually got something that might be like that brush but it's a Vidal sassoon thing. Someone gave it to me. Never used it! Is it like a brush on the end?

@Embracelife

Expensive but try get.hairstory.com/

New wash

Worth a try thank you

Check out Curl Maven on Instagram. She has lots of advice for different curl types. My hair got a lot more coarse and started to behave differently when I hit perimenopause. Protein treatments helped a lot.

I have hair just like yours OP and I have tried absolutely everything over the years (I'm now 60). My hairdresser once told me I had the thickest and coarsest hair she had ever worked with.

I'm afraid my solution has been to straighten my hair. Curly girl techniques just don't work on me and any curls or waves turn to pure frizz whatever I do.

The two things that have helped: Body Shop banana shampoo and conditioner. I really have tried every other kind of shampoo from cheap to very expensive and this one is the best. The other thing, sadly, is GHD straightening but I do it so it isn't actually straight. I curl the ends under with the straighteners so it looks rough and bouncy iyswim but with smooth defrizzed roots.

I have lost a lot of hair in the last couple of years, I guess it's age. The great thing is that I now have a slightly more normal quantity of hair. So that's something to look forward to! Friends my age complain how little hair they have as they get older and for once I am happy with what I have.

Have you tried the Cantu range?

If using the brush I use a heat spray, have teoed expensive and supermarket brands and bot noticed much difference, currently using a tresemme one. Mine is like a hair dryer and brush in one. Section it off, I do 3/4 layers and run the brush through, keep the brush moving no matter what to reduce risk of frazzled your hair. Quick run through with straighteners or tongs in 3 layers and try not to touch at all for at least 15mins. Then run fingers through if tonged or just go if straightened. Typically get 2 full days with a touch up of straightner or tong on day 2.

If going with natural curl, I use boots curl creme in soaking wet hair, bit of gel (umberto Giannini is current fave), if I have time style with denman brush (only started doing this recently, look on Instagram for inspo but good results for my hair), and then dry with diffuser on medium heat, low speed. It takes agggeeessss though, maybe 40 mins for hair to be dry. Quick scrunch and then go. I sleep with a satin bonnet that was a few quid if I go curly and can get about 3 days out if it.

Placemarking cos my hair is a dry frizzy mess. I use gel after washing and on days I've washed it can look nice but can't wash it everyday. Tried curly girl for months but results weren't worth the effort.

@sofakingcool

Have you tried the Cantu range?

I have and quite like it... used 2 or 3 products. I know some curries don't like it but I think my hair does.

@cheeseisthebest

Placemarking cos my hair is a dry frizzy mess. I use gel after washing and on days I've washed it can look nice but can't wash it everyday. Tried curly girl for months but results weren't worth the effort.

Mine is awful. Bizarrely some people like it but that's when they've seen me on a wash day. If I don't do the whole curly faff it's pretty shocking. I don't know anyone who has such naturally dry hair!

@Fearless9286

If using the brush I use a heat spray, have teoed expensive and supermarket brands and bot noticed much difference, currently using a tresemme one. Mine is like a hair dryer and brush in one. Section it off, I do 3/4 layers and run the brush through, keep the brush moving no matter what to reduce risk of frazzled your hair. Quick run through with straighteners or tongs in 3 layers and try not to touch at all for at least 15mins. Then run fingers through if tonged or just go if straightened. Typically get 2 full days with a touch up of straightner or tong on day 2.

If going with natural curl, I use boots curl creme in soaking wet hair, bit of gel (umberto Giannini is current fave), if I have time style with denman brush (only started doing this recently, look on Instagram for inspo but good results for my hair), and then dry with diffuser on medium heat, low speed. It takes agggeeessss though, maybe 40 mins for hair to be dry. Quick scrunch and then go. I sleep with a satin bonnet that was a few quid if I go curly and can get about 3 days out if it.

Thank you. So if using the brush do you use a leave in? Or nothing but spray?

@Fearless9286

If using the brush I use a heat spray, have teoed expensive and supermarket brands and bot noticed much difference, currently using a tresemme one. Mine is like a hair dryer and brush in one. Section it off, I do 3/4 layers and run the brush through, keep the brush moving no matter what to reduce risk of frazzled your hair. Quick run through with straighteners or tongs in 3 layers and try not to touch at all for at least 15mins. Then run fingers through if tonged or just go if straightened. Typically get 2 full days with a touch up of straightner or tong on day 2.

If going with natural curl, I use boots curl creme in soaking wet hair, bit of gel (umberto Giannini is current fave), if I have time style with denman brush (only started doing this recently, look on Instagram for inspo but good results for my hair), and then dry with diffuser on medium heat, low speed. It takes agggeeessss though, maybe 40 mins for hair to be dry. Quick scrunch and then go. I sleep with a satin bonnet that was a few quid if I go curly and can get about 3 days out if it.

And also anything afterwards? My hair likes things like coconut oil afterwards no matter what I do to make it a bit smoother!

Have you tried a satin pillowcase? I thought it was a bit gimmicky but I do notice the difference when I don't use it. Quite a cheap and easy way to improve things without a whole new routine and expensive products

@Horological

I have hair just like yours OP and I have tried absolutely everything over the years (I'm now 60). My hairdresser once told me I had the thickest and coarsest hair she had ever worked with.

I'm afraid my solution has been to straighten my hair. Curly girl techniques just don't work on me and any curls or waves turn to pure frizz whatever I do.

The two things that have helped: Body Shop banana shampoo and conditioner. I really have tried every other kind of shampoo from cheap to very expensive and this one is the best. The other thing, sadly, is GHD straightening but I do it so it isn't actually straight. I curl the ends under with the straighteners so it looks rough and bouncy iyswim but with smooth defrizzed roots.

I have lost a lot of hair in the last couple of years, I guess it's age. The great thing is that I now have a slightly more normal quantity of hair. So that's something to look forward to! Friends my age complain how little hair they have as they get older and for once I am happy with what I have.

Sorry to hear yours is a pain too. Honestly mine cannot be straightened. I once had it done at a hairdressers and it looked great. Went out for a night out and nobody knew who I was. Within about 2 hours it was a massive lampshade. Just too much hair to be straight!

@Thesheerrelief

Check out Curl Maven on Instagram. She has lots of advice for different curl types. My hair got a lot more coarse and started to behave differently when I hit perimenopause. Protein treatments helped a lot.

Thank you I will!!

L'Oreal Extradinory Oil is pretty miraculous.

Redken Frizz Dismiss cream is really heavy duty and what my hairdresser uses on me.

@Fearless9286

Have you tried a satin pillowcase? I thought it was a bit gimmicky but I do notice the difference when I don't use it. Quite a cheap and easy way to improve things without a whole new routine and expensive products

Or a silk bonnet. I got a cheapish one and it does help nice defined day 1 curls to last another day or two. I've just ordered a more glam one thisissilk.com/collections/silk-hair-wraps This serum also helps my coarse curly hair more than any other www.amazon.co.uk/Biosilk-Silk-Therapy-Serum-167ml/dp/B001797W40/ref=asc_df_B001797W40/?hvlocphy=9045270&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=310754896709&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-383970578834&hvrand=2575053489550899276

I've got hair like yours although overall more wavy than curly. It's so coarse I can feel bumps on individual strands, and the cross section is really flat if I roll it between my fingers. I have random hairs that are like little tight zigzags too. Hairdressers also always comment.

I'm no expert but find following curly girl much easier than straightening. I get good day 1 results with snot gel (that's the products actual name!). Thereon after, I deal with frizz by using wet fingers to twist it back into the nearest curl clump, where it dries in shape again. The snot seems to be reactivated this way and holds the hair back in place. The other product I like is curlsmith bonding oil which seems to somehow flatten it all and reduce the volume a bit.

Re conditioners I have found that ones containing coconut initially seem good but end up making it even dryer.

My hair is exactly as you describe but more frizzy. The only thing that has worked for me is Brazilian keratin blow dry. Very expensive but it has completely transformed my hair.