Is this possible for my hair?

[MissTesseract]

I have always had fluffy waves that curl after washing then drop out. At it's healthiest there is frizz. It's just nature and I've grown to like it's perks.

For most of my life I straightened it with a heated brush or a dryer. I have never used irons. When long it would taper at bra level then thin out. So I kept it shoulder length for this reason.

It's a natural dark blonde and can blow up like atmosphere in moist conditions, which is always seen as a negative thing, but I do find this hair type styles really easily and holds a braid or knot really well. Now I am older I appreciate that it looks thicker than it is, and would like to work with it instead of against. I am really not interested in forcing a curl as it isn't my hairtype and I don't suit them. I experimented with CG and it's not for me, it was a strain to force the curl to stay in and I much prefer it natural. If I leave it alone the frizz smooths out on it's own over a day or so.

So! If I stop using heat, is it possible that my hair will grow longer without breakage or thinning at the ends?
I was considering highlights as it looks a bit dull but maybe this would wreck it? I would like it to just a few inches below bra strap ultimately, but no idea if this is possible without it going stringy.
However i do notice that when i havent straightened it for a while it has a decent growth spurt that looks positive.

It's a bit like the pic on the before/left, and I like it god help me, lol. I don't want the hair on the right at all. How can I keep my fluffy nest healthy and long?

Stopping using heat will help the condition but won't make it grow longer.

Yes, bleach damages hair but it has the added benefit of swelling the individual hairs which makes your hair look thicker. The damage would also likely mean that those heavier protein rich curly girl products will suddenly work well for you if you've still got those hiding in the back of the cupboard. I would make sure the salon uses Olaplex to minimise damage and be cautious with heat after though.

Wavy with frizz tendencies! Looks like pre raphaelite long, wavy hair if you want to search for inspiration.

I'd plait after washing, apply leave on conditioner and oil on ends, and leave to dry, also plait overnight. I have similar hair and brush the freshly waved braid out with a wide-tooth comb. My hair is also at its best after a couple of days then it settles down into a more natural wave. I think the braid waves help initially (brushed out partly with the comb) and look uniform.

Oil on ends and no heat will help with breakage, yes.

Thanks!
I didn't think not using heat would make it grow, just hopefully stop it from breaking and drying out. Unhealthy hair looks dreadful long:(

I flattened my hair for decades thinking the frizz was too ugly. But I never gave it a chance. What I only discovered during the lockdown was that if I brush it then leave it to settle, the frizz just drops out, leaving fairly nice tousled hair.

It was hiding there all those years and i never knew

I dont suit or take a curl, it would be harder work than straightening, which is easy for me. I want it just how it is, which is always tricky but am just shocked how nice it is when i dont use heat. Would be lovely to grow it out again.

I had highlights a few years ago nut not sure I can be arsed again. It is a darkish blonde with pale ashy sections from the sun.

Fellow frizz here. If I wrap it up wet in a towel overnight it does nice things in the morning.

Agree be careful with highlights. I got some and my condition was bad for a while. I do swim a lot though. Improved with Perfectil hair vitamins and good diet - don't underestimate these! Love them now. I went for very fine ones and letting them grow out so turning into balayage. It lifted the colour over winter. In summer it picks up natural sun.

I had Percy & something anti frizz in my glossybox, it's one of the few things I will buy when it runs out

This might sound a bit weird but i have noticed that when I completely forget to put anything on my hair, it looks better later

I used to use kerastase (an expensive serum) and the colour wow dream coat stuff. Neither made a difference. So now I just wash and condition with Molten Brown (a luxury but I adore the scent) and leave it alone.

This then led me to notice that men never tend to use after-wash products to have nice hair. I think a heat serum is essential if you use heat, but I have found my own frizz just settles down on it's own now - but trust me I look like a bird's nest initially!

Thanks for the tips. I can never fully decide about highlights. Will mull it over.

Don't blow dry, straighten or dye it.
Wash with any old shampoo but use a conditioner that works for you.
Wrapping your hair in a towel or turban when still ever so slightly damp will perk it up in terms of volume and waves.

Thank you Kristen, how long would you leave the turban on for?

I don't leave it on for long, and sometimes do it on dry hair. It has a sort of same effect as drizzle, but less frizz.
I like Avalon Organics conditioner.

If you leave it on while doing your skincare and makeup, that will help.

Stopping the heat won't make your hair grow quicker but your hair will be healthier and stronger with less 'weathering' (split ends etc). Wash it gently and stopping using a normal towel will help with frizz. Use either a cotton tshirt or a towel such as goodwashday. Don't sleep with wet hair wrapped up though.

Thanks, will give this a go!

I've recently discovered Elvive wonder water. It's great, expensive, but it's half price at the moment. Takes away most of the frizz, and makes my hair soft and smoother.

Hi everyone, I don't want to eliminate frizz, mine settles after a few hours and i dont use anything for it. I dont think having frizz is a problem.

Just interested if anyone has noticed hair growing healthier after quitting heat tools

I agree that having frizz isn't a problem. Part and parcel of wavy or curly hair and can look nice as part of the overall look.

Yes, quitting heat helps with breakage, especially on the ends. Definitely healthier and more growth/length will be seen. I also take biotin and omega supplements for my hair.

Yes i have stopped using heat on mine, i spent years straightening then spent years curling it once it got a bit longer. Now i wash it less, let it dry naturally and when a bit damp is left i use a curling band usually sleep in it and get lovely curls the next day that drop into lovely waves after a day or so. My hair is certainly less dry and seems to grow faster.

Sounds lovely! I do prefer low maintenance so this is a great idea. I do have to wash more frequently though as my roots are flatter and go lank easily.

I hope it does repair a bit. It did through early lockdown until i began drying it again. Never know what mood it might be in as going through meno, too.

I do like a bit of frizz, if i wear a loose knot or folded ponytail I like to pull a few whispy frizz-bits out and let them hang like tendrils (artfully placed of course, lol).

Gosh, I'm confused why you didn't like your hair curly - it was beautiful.

Look at the curly girl method

Wavy girl method. Curly girl will be too heavy.