My hair looks terrible when not straightened, anyone else?

[whiterabbity]

I have no idea how this has happened, I never had this sis sue until 2 years ago. I have thick hair but for the last two years, if I blow dry it it’s puffy and fried looking and if I air dry it it looks limp and greasy. I have to straighten my hair for it to look decent, just wondered if anyone else has the same problem? I’m late 20’s so not menopause or anything like that.

I'm a lof older than you but seriously couldn't go out in public if I didn't straighten my hair. I've seen people just wash and leave theirs so it's nice and wavy but mine is just a frizzy mess that sticks out almost horizontally from my head.

Could be water hardness in your area if you moved 2 years ago perhaps from a soft water area to a hard water area? Could also be chlorine build up if you go swimming or colour? Have you tried a clarifying wash, followed by moisturising hair mask?

Are you sure? I believed for years that my hair was a frizzy mess when not straightened but now in my forties I’m discovering that my wavy blond hair is actually quite beautiful

I can upload a before and after picture next time I wash it (did it today so will be two days from now) but I’m 100% sure but the water thing could be a good shout!! @Gastons5dozenEggs

The water checker website says I live in a soft water area so probably not that

During lockdown I stopped straightening my hair. After six months it was in a much better condition. No frizz. Soft waves. Maybe yours is just in bad condition from the straightening?

Yes I have to straighten mine...I tried to embrace the waves but it just doesn't work...it looks dry on the ends and greasy at the roots if I do and feels horrible around my shoulders. It's huge, frizzy and dry....I straighten it in tiny one inch sections and then lots of serum on the ends.

This is why I get a keratin straightening treatment on my hair every six months. Without it's a frizzy mess and I was sick of daily straightening. I would never go back, I've been having them about 5 years now and it means I can roughly blow dry my hair and it's smooth and sleek. Well worth the money!

I used to look like a reject from Crystal Tipps and Alistair whenever I washed my hair, but I stopped using "products" and went cold turkey with just head and shoulders and a cold rinse. No issues any more. (3 weeks of omg, but now soft, wavy hair)

I was going to suggest the keratin treatment too. Why not get a consultant at a salon?

Yep, straighten every day as I look horrific with triangular hair. It's thick and wavy but the waves are completely unruly.

Yes. I am much older than you and my always family straight fine hair just goes Ll wild, wavy and pouffy withough a light straightening and some kind of serum now.

I look like Hagrid from Harry Potter if I just leave my hair.

It is so unmanageable and has become so much worse since having kids.

my shampoos / conditioners seem to do nothing - and I have thrown money at this!

no idea what to do!

Get a keratin treatment at your hair-dressers. As, @GameOfJones says, you get them done every six months, and only a quick blow-dry and your hair looks straight and shiny.

It's weird the way this suddenly started happening. My hair (wavy) is not great left to dry, it takes hours for a start. What helps me is a microfibre wrap (no towel), something to volumise and something to take out the frizz. Also not brushing it, I just use a wide toothed comb.

I look like a dandelion clock if I don’t straighten!

A game changer for me was the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer with the coanda attachment. Similar results to straightening but with lower heat. Well worth the money.

I've been using Tresemme lamellar shine products and for the first time ever I'm happy with how my hair looks and people have actually complimented me on it

Pity it's taken decades 😂

I used to GHD my blow dried hair in sections. Bought an airbrush with a large head and now just rough dry my hair with a hair dryer, go over with the hot air brush (don’t section) and then quickly run over with the GHDs for shine. Takes about 3/4 of the time. It’s not perfectly straight but looks bouncy and healthy as the airbrush lifts the roots.

I had this problem too and it took a long time for me it to look decent again. Basically I stopped straightening it over lock down and eventually it looked ok again, it probably took about 6-12 months however.

I have a trim every 6 weeks and hair is blowdried straight using Moroccan oil shampoo conditioner and balm,
At home I use hot brush but isn't sleek like the salon visit straighteners I use occasionally

I have to straighten my hair everyday, unless I put it in a ponytail, when I was young it was dead straight I didn't own hair straighteners, but now at 64 its thick with a slight wave which I hate, and triangle in shape, if I leave it to dry natural it look like a hay stack.

I have/had the same issue.
My hair is naturally getting better now and I can either leave it or do it once and it stays perfect for days!!
i have very thick long Dark hair.
But the things I do now are the following: (its a long list but worth it)

• Wash it once a week unless sweaty then twice if i must.
• Religiously sleep with a silk pillow case.
• Started using Lush Hair products.(honey shampoo bar, power conditioner, sheild serum)
• Prepping. Its all about the prep. I now wash my hair the day/night before an event and let it dry as naturally as possible to limit any heat damage. And after putting serum in, absolutely do not touch it. Don't even brush it until it's dry.
• I brush my hair in the shower with the conditioner in.
• I actually dont brush it much either in general. Just the ends sometimes if it looks a bit scraggley.

And the obvious standard hair tips:

• shampoo only on the scalp/roots. Gentle circle motions, dont vigorously rub it all over your head. It breaks and creates frizz.
• no towel rubbing. Just squeeze. Even use an old Tshirt to wrap your hair in if you can instead of a towel.

My hair is in very good condition and very shiny. So while these tips aren't for everyone and every type of hair, they work for me. Deffo give the pillow case a go if nothing else. :)

My hair used to be dead straight but thanks to menopause it is now a fluffy mess when left to it's own devices. I usually let it dry naturally which doesn't take too long as I have a lot of very fine hair. When it is practically dry I use a Babylis Big Hair on it which takes out the wavy fluff but still gives it some body.