How to Style "Irish" Hair

[EdithGrantham]

I have mid length hair that is very wavy, almost curly at the back and lower layers then almost straight from the ears forward. I've been trying for around 2 years to use curly methods in case that would convince the front sections to develop a wave, all to no avail. I saw something on Reels that described this hair type as "Irish" I don't have any Irish roots so I'm not sure it's that scientific but was nice to finally see someone else with the same hair type.

Anyway; I was hoping there'd be some styling tips in the comments but nothing, so any ideas? I usually just clip back the front sections but I'm bored of that but also don't have much time/skill to do much else. If a particular cut would work I'd be open to changing that as well, I have a fringe but am in the process of growing it out.

I have the same, and the closest Irish relative is at great grandparent level.
I have no tips, I'm a messy bun always as can never get anything else to look good.

That said as more grey comes in through the front there is more wave there than before

Wow this is me! Never heard of this before. Usually either style or straight with a hairdryer brush thing or have it in two french plaits overnight which semi evens out the waves.

This works for me as well; keratin treatment every 4 months or so, and using the OGX keratin shampoo and conditioner once a week only. Plus a decent argan oil on the dry bits. I also keep it long and the weight seems to keep it straighter than if I cut it shorter. Sounds like a lot but it's far easier than the years I spent with straighteners, diffusers, etc.

Mine is exactly like this too. It used to be manageable by putting into a bun while damp then it would be gently wavy when dry and sort of stay like that. In the last few months though the back/underneath has got even curlier and now it just looks terrible unless I straighten it (I'm 44 so perhaps hormonal changes?). So frustrating!

I wouldn't mind if the whole lot went curly but it's corkscrew curls underneath at the back, mostly straight with a slight bend at the front then the top layer at the back is somewhere in-between.

Thanks all, so basically it's a lost cause 🤣 I'll maybe have a look into keratin treatments

I'm Irish and mine's like this too. I always wear it up. Like a pp, the back and underneath has got curlier as I've had pregnancies and got older, so definitely affected by hormones. I don't think it was anywhere near as curly when I was young.

I saw that reel too and recognised my own hair! Keratin treatments and salt-free shampoo are the only things that work for me, as I've given up on trying to nurture the curls. I use a home kit from Amazon.

Oh wow, my tribe 🤣 I didn't know this was a thing either! I think my maternal great grandfather's family come from Ireland. Mine is almost corrugated underneath but straight and frizzy on top, I also pull the front section back.

Mine has got much curlier as I've gone through peri, it's also better with non silicon shampoo & conditioner.

I straightened it for years and now can't be bothered, it takes 40 minutes to dry and straighten but is then good for a week. I'm currently embracing the curl and I refresh it daily with a Bumble and Bumble invisible primer or a milkshake curl spray. As pp said, I'll often plait it and leave it which helps.

I googled it after reading this thread and it's apparently common in people with Celtic ancestry. I have both Scottish and Irish ancestry from grandparents and further back so there you go.

Mine is curlier than yours (I’m Scottish of Irish ancestry) but not sure if that’s because I haven’t straightened it in years. I keep it in a shortish bob as longer length weighs it down. I finger coil the front and let dry naturally in big chunky ringlets then separate when totally dry. I use only curls products. Cantú would be far too heavy for me so probably more so for you. Have you tried merwave?

I looked at Merwave a while ago and tried to compare it with Only Curls but wasn't sure which one to try. Interesting to hear Cantu might be too heavy, maybe I'll buy some trial packs of others with any Christmas money I get

Irish great grandmother and my hair is exactly like this. I have found my people.

Shame it won’t get me an Irish passport.

Well you’ve certainly surprised me OP. I have exactly the type of hair described as Irish hair… wavy underneath and straight on top. My father was Irish so it explains things though I was totally unaware Irish hair is a recognised thing.

I wear my hair long because it’s a nightmare to have a short cut.

Yep, mine is similar to this, and I have an Irish parent! As others do I kinda try to convince the front straighter sections into a wave pattern while wet and it helps, but definitely isn’t perfect.

This is me too! (Irish grandfather).

I have my hair in a jaw length bob as I find it easier to manage that way.

I use leave in conditioner, Tresemme at the moment, and blow dry it then straighten it.

When I have my hair longer it is a disaster, so bushy.

weird and a pain in the arse just for the sake of it

yeah that tracks for damn near everyone I know and their hair

(add in cowlicks & double crowns for a laugh)

I wear plaits so often my other nn’s are heidi & pocohontas

I have this type of hair but am not (to my knowledge) Irish. Though my great-grandmother’s surname was Doyle … but I am told she was Scottish.

anyway. My hair hates Cantu with a passion, but loves the Umberto Gianini curl jelly range. I’ve been using the shampoo and conditioner on it since 2018, and it’s got quite a bit of body now. I keep it short (above the shoulder) and as it gets longer it gets some loose corkscrews. I use different styling products on it roughly at different lengths, but use the Aussie curl cream on it, and usually the umberto beach waves gel or the curl jelly mousse.

I’m Scottish/Irish and have a mild case of this too. Have some lovely waves underneath but they’re covered by a layer of straightish frizz. Also double crown and insane cowlicks. For me length helps as anything approaching shoulder length or shorter will just explode.

I have a cowlick and so does my sister. Also at the back of my neck I have what they call a nape whorl which produces one perfect tight curl!

I'm a mix of English, but with Irish great grandparents and some Scottish and Welsh ancestry and I have weird hair, too. Slightly wavy underneath, but then 3A curl pattern ringlet curls everywhere else. My hair has become a lot curlier in middle age, and is easier to manage now, but the mixture of straight, curly and frizz was very frustrating.

This is a revelation! I'm Irish and about 6 months ago I developed lovely curls at the ends of my hair - except not at the front which remains straight. It must have been hormonal (over 60). I've bought every type of styling tool to make it all look the same but no luck. Think I'll have to have a keratin treatment.

Not sure if it helps, but my DM had extremely curly hair that grew upwards vertically as a youngster. After being on the 1960s contraceptive pill for a while, her hair went completely straight. So I think hormones must make quite a big difference.

Post menopause she had lovely wavy hair.

3/4 Irish, 1/4 Scottish. Shoulder length hair. I wash, pat with a towel, run a pompadour comb through use those bulldog type clips to push it off my face, helps lift it too and let dry naturally
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I've found the GOT2B hairspray to lift and hold it tends to keep it in place.

My hairdresser cuts it every eight weeks, long layers and long bangs. The bangs I use a heated styler on if I'm going out.

Post menopause it's still lovely and thick.

Well I definitely have no Irish dna but this is my exact hair!

Nice to see, I thought I was the only one, I've never met anyone else with it before.

My granddaughters have it. Their mum plaits their hair after washing. I bought them pompadour combs because the knots hurt them with normal brushes and combs