Why why why??? (hair/pics)

[TheLastScone]

I look after it, only blow dry twice a week and use good products, conditioning treatments etc. I have tried everything from salon treatments to expensive brands, from every miracle product under the sun.
But this is my hair texture, it has been this way since I was born, and it wearies me when I am supposed to think it is 'damaged' or shit. It's just my hair. I forgive it for being so arsey and I am about to just give up and go with the wild flow of things, but before i do..

If i leave it to dry naturally I get a mass of fluff, some kinks and a lot of wispy fuzz. It's kind of cool in a 70's top of the pops way, but I always wanted it to shine. Never mind! If i put any kind of oil or serum on it, it goes flat and dull. I have tried rollers, big hair, straightening irons, dyson dryer, heated brush, everything, but I come back to blow drying because it's kinder. Sometimes I don't do anything and wear it in a claw clip, a la french chic

I just wonder, is there anything I can do to mitigate the fuzz. In these pics you see it straight after a soft/medium heat blow dry, after conditioning and elasticiser. I don't wear bobbles and am mindful of pulling. I use a cotton towel to dab dry after washing.
I honestly don't want a keratin treatment, I won't spend that, nor can I stomach curly girl. I have tried that and it is not for me. I prefer my natural fuzzy waves to that. With all due respect please dont recommend it, it works for some and not others.

Colour is natural, no highlights or dyes. I have no idea why it thins at the ends and rarely grows at the front. It hasn't been cut apart from trims for 5 years! I am happy to leave it to air dry as the wave is lovely but the halo of fuzz is still there no matter what I do.

Have you tried Colour Wow Dream coat?

the texture of my hair is very different but it also has a frizz/fuzz problem. How does it look if you let your hair dry naturally in plaits? A rice water soak gave me a rash on my neck, but the hair looked incredible (temporarily).

You just have fine hair. So do I. Your hair is a lovely shade and I think your hair is pretty just how it is. Go with it, embrace your natural hair texture. It is an ethereal floating look which is what most of the heroines of gothic mysteries have 😄as long as your ends are trimmed, I would embrace it totally. Put on a plaid cape and tall boots, short shirt you’re set for fall intrigue. Add a jaunty hat on Sundays.

Has it always been like this, or has your hair texture/thickness changed? Might be worth having your thyroid checked if it’s a new thing. Also menopause can cause hair thinning.

I think you probably have textured hair and blow-drying is the problem. Mine would look like this if I blow-dried. I use Briogeo Don't Despair Repair mask and shampoo on only the bottom 2/3 of my hair. Leave to dry naturally, don't rub with a towel, just squeeze the excess out and leave alone. Wash it once a week.

Aveda leave-in conditioner is excellent too.

Worth a try.

To add to my above comment:

See, isn’t this you?

I third the K18 recommendation. It's amazing stuff.

Keratin10 shampoo and conditioner and a Wylera Dreamwave Ultra. You don’t have to go curly, you can do the slightest of waves with it and it kind of smooths at the same time. Finish off with a lightweight hairspray.

Have it cut blunt – layers are pointless when your hair is like this.

Do you eat plenty of protein? Eggs, fish, chicken, dairy etc. Viviscal supplements could help, too. Expensive though...

My hair is a lot like yours. I like John Frieda frizz shampoo + the weightless conditioner. Then I use this hair towel and leave my hair in it for at least an hour. Then a gentle drying with the Dyson Airwrap. The round brush is great.

I don't use oils, because I find them all too heavy for my fine hair – they make the ends look greasy and stringy, despite using the tiniest amount.

I only use a tangle teezer to brush my hair, and only once a day, gently. Don't be tempted to attack it with a Mason Pearson brush, thinking it'll make it silky. Nope. That thing did a number on my hair.

We can't really expect silky, shiny hair but there's def stuff we can do to improve the situation!

Edit: saw you use a cotton towel. Nooooo... honestly, try a microfibre towel. In fact, if you've still got your dyson airwrap, try all of the above.

Edit #2 – get a silk pillowcase too!

I think I would book a weekly blow dry if the hairdresser can make it look to your liking!

Honestly? I think this is just what your hair is. You're trying to fight nature.

I think your hair thins at the ends because it can't grow any longer. I'd cut off the bottom 3-5". Then, I'd add layers to what remains, for bulk and volume. And if I could be bothered, I'd blow dry it sleek/smooth or use straighteners.

We can't all have the body we would like to have or the hair we'd like to have. It's just not possible. Better to accept it and not waste time and energy fighting it.

I too would second the silk pillowcase, & /or a silk turban.

Are you familiar with this condition? Worth seeing if you identify with it at all?

Have you tried JVN Air Dry cream? You only need a small amount and then leave it to air dry. You can also use the cream on dry hair to smooth it out if it needs it.

I have very fine hair that just goes thin and fuzzy if left to dry. I have it cut in layers now, in a kind of modern shag or short wolf cut. I did have chin length bob which was ok but as soon as it started to get longer it just hung frizzy. Have tried lots of products over the years and what has really made a difference is Bumble and Bumble dry oil primer. Then their blow dry spray. I can just about leave it to dry but looks much thicker dried.

I have very fine hair, and I just wash it, condition it and leave it to dry naturally, though i usually plait it while wet. The only time it gets a hairdryer is if I leave swimming and it's icy out - and when a hairdresser doesn't believe me when I say I don't want it dried. I don't use any other products on it. It's pretty shiny and not frizzy, similar length to yours. But maybe it's just different natural texture. I'd try not using anything other than shampoo for a week, to see how it goes.

What's the water like where you live, OP?

I live in a very hard water area and always have problems with my fine hair too. It dries out horribly.

If I go to a soft water area, it's much better and easier to look after.

Just a thought. You can get water softeners for showers now.

Blunt cut. See if you can borrow a dyson air wrap.

Have you tried Moroccan oil? It’s the only thing that stops frizzy dry looking hair.

I know it doesn't matter what I think, it matters what you think, but I think that your hair looks really nice!

My hair is exactly the same but because I bleach it, it swells (and buggers!) the hair and seems to make it more manageable. Over covid, without bleach, it was very unruly like candy floss. Not suggesting you colour it though as yours is such lovely condition.

My hair is very similar. I can't ever brush it. The only thing that worked for me was to go curly girl, it's now between waves and curly. I started in lockdown and cut it short and it was amazing but now I have it longer and coloured, shampooed and it's OK. It eliminates the frizz for me which is what I'm bothered about. I can't straighten it and have only found 1 hairdresser who could do it with confidence every time but I can't afford the time to get my hair faffed with regularly so this is what I live with now. I use a firm hold mousse and a gel and they work for me.

I like the waves and don't wish to have curls or go straight

You've blow dried it straight-ish for the photos though as there are no waves visible?

You say you've only had some trims in five years . I'm going to be completely honest and say that it looks in poor condition. The ends look ragged, thin and dry. I'd say you need a good cut, then to follow a good hair care routine.

I have wavy hair and it's terrible for frizz, and I have much longer hair than yours too, but it's in great condition. I rarely blow dry and oil daily, the silk pillows, hair bonnets all of that. You have to accept the frizz also, especially with our climate, but it can look lovely if looked after. I wouldn't change mine.

Sorry NRTFT but my friends mum used to have frizzy hair and she’d wash it and put some stuff in it and scrunch it and it would go like wavy.

I have no idea what she put in it but I always see products for frizzy hair and so it’s worth giving these a go if you haven’t tried them already.

I've found my hair is a lot less frizzy since changing to sulphate free shampoo and conditioner.