Best product to define waves and give a natural look

[AutisticLegoLover]

I can't upload a photo of my hair on the app but it's quite fine and reasonably wavy. It's long (not far off the top of my bum). It's in decent condition although it's due a trim. I've tried many different shampoos and conditioners and some make it worse in terms of frizz but none make it much better. I've tried cantu curling creme but it's too heavy for my hair. I've tried Boots curling mousse. Frizz ease curling creme. Serums, extraordinary oil, miracle water. Nothing yet has proved to be the one that will make my hair look if not amazing then at least cared for and defined. It's very soft hair too which doesn't help and I walk everywhere in all weathers so I always look wind blown. I suppose it's beach wave hair most of the time if left to its own devices. Is there a miracle product out there for me that will give me smooth defined waves?

Avoid silicones, have you read up on curly girl method? Transformed my curls

I couldn't bear not to wash my hair less than alternate days so curly girl didn't appeal at all. My hair is better with silicones than without but

But I've only tried a couple of silicone free shampoos and conditioners.

I’m trying Percy & Reed stuff at the moment. And it’s making my unruly thin wild hair look almost normal!
I need to try different combinations I think. So far tried the wonder balm, volumising hair spray and mirror mirror shine serum. It’s all lightweight and isnt heavy on my fine hair.

DD has long wavy dry hair and we do a “lite” version of curly girl which is basically only using shampoo once a week (and only on the roots), any washes in between we use conditioner only. We also use Aussie leave in conditioner Miracle Moist which really helps define waves, use enough to make the hair damp, brush through and leave to dry.

Not an actual product but my wavy frizzy hair has been transformed into daily curls / waves by using a heatless hair curler which is basically a silky wired tube like a hair band that you put on your head and wind chunks of slightly damp hair round, ( lots of tutorials on you tube) looks cute to wear around the house or even for popping to shops or gym. I find it ok to sleep in, when it comes out i have nice frizz free hair with curls or waves. Good enough for days but would probably use my heated tool for special occasions, i just love being able to get my looking half decent without the drying effect of heat.

Following- like tbe sound of this.
Also interested if anyone has tried ouai air dry foam.... I'm holding off as it's £24 but if it works I'd get it. Basically I think I might need a non crunchy mousse type product!

Try Merwave. It's really good. I was put off it a bit because it looked a faff, but it's pretty easy and far less constrictive than full-on 'curly girl' (which is too much for my hair)

Try flaxseed gel. It's been the best thing for my waves. Buy or make by boiling the seeds with water for 7 mins then straining. It will form gel which lasts a week before going off and freezes ok.
I put on wet hair and leave to dry or diffuse. Scruch out any cast

A good curling creme whatever you like, i like cantu, you need the smallest amount but the one thing I have found that really helps is a good brush!

What you definitely need is a denman brush which is made specifically for curly/wavy hair.

If you have tik tok/instagram just search methods for brushing and twisting the hair (sounds weary but its VERY easy ) I always get great compliments when i wear my hair natural.

I have 2 different brands that I use, depending on where I am. Noughty gives me soft curls and Cantu which gives me tighter curls

I've followed the curl clump, upside down, hair plopping, glazing of product and diffusing method. The 80s have called and asked for their hair back 😁 I used the cantu curl cream. I find it takes ages for my hair to dry if I use that even if I use a small amount.

The best one I've found is Pantene Curl Affair, BUT I must admit that the best results with it have been since cutting my hair just above shoulder length so it has lost a bit of weight, which must have helped.

You may not get a great effect unless you cut your hair a bit shorter to lessen the weight pulling down the waves.

Best I've found is Aveda be curly.

No need to only wash occasionally if using CG method and no need to have an elaborate, time consuming routine with plopping and brush styling either (let's be honest, we're not all influencers). I did it for 18 months and washed my hair every other day with conditioner only.
I use a sulphate free shampoo now but still mostly follow the rules re alcohol, silicones, sulphates.

I have fine wavy/curly hair although not as long as yours. I quite like the Umberto Giannini gel (pink tube - curl jelly), Noughty gel (lilac tube), or Twisted Sista dream curls gel (tub with a white lid). They are all similar IMO with lighter hold. However, I prefer the Giovanni LA styling gel - has a strong hold. You can water it down a little before applying by wetting your hands but I like it as is. Easy to scrunch out the crunch.

I don't use any leave in conditioner, deep condition my hair or use anything like curl cream as my hair becomes too soft and fluffy / shapeless. Something like cantu is a definite no no for my hair.