Merwave, Only Curls, etc

[Stillstanding54]

Do any of these specialist shampoo/conditioners/gels really make any difference? If so, what’s best for fine, wavy, but damaged hi lighted hair?
Dont mind paying out if it’s worth it but they’re all pretty expensive to take a risk on.
Alternatively, is there anything on the high street that would be a good starting point?
Feel I need to embrace natural as hair has become so damaged as I’ve got older
Any thoughts appreciated 😁
The simpler, the better! 😉

I hated Merwave! Paid £50 and the curls were so crispy and itchy I had to wash it off.

I've heard good things about this Color Wow stuff and I'm very tempted to try it out. I like the fact that it's only one product, you can just air dry, and you can buy a small size to test. My hair isn't super curly, it's more wavy, and I couldn't be doing with a lengthy curl regime.

I'm liking Merwave. I follow the whole system (including the protein stuff) and yes, my waves come out crispy, but I then gently brush them through and re-wet them with my hands, scrunching them, and it's a lovely effect. I have fine hair.

Same, I found it horrible too and made my hair feel so weird

I use VO5 products from Boots/Superdrug now OP. I use the anti frizz curl cream and the defining mousse and just normal shampoo & conditioner

The best thing I’ve found to hold the wave in my very fine hair with a v slight wave is shockwaves mousse which is usually about £3.

override merwave and only curls and they did nothing for me

I have curly hair and have been using Only Curls for a couple of years and am happy with it OP. I also like Umberto Giannini for a cheaper option, and use their shampoo and conditioner. I have gone from straightened and/or frizzy hair to coily curls in the last couple of years and haven’t looked back.

I've never tried them but use an Aussie leave in conditioner and Umberto Giannnini gel. My current method is leave-in conditioner onto soaking wet hair and comb through, a few minutes in a microfibre turban to get some of the water out then brush gel through and scrunch. Semi dry with a diffuser and then gently break up any crunch when it is fully air dried.

I like Umberto Giannini.

Same as pp I've embraced my natural curls / waves.

I got the whole merwave package and yes it works but it's expensive and a faff. Lightweight conditioner and mousse works just as well for me. A little bit of salt spray gives volume if required.

Also get a curl hairbrush and use on hair segments after mousse, it helps set the curl when air drying.

If it's crispy when dry, gently scrunch or slap it out. Avoid touching too much after that.

Only Curls shampoo has made a big difference to my hair and the other thing that has helped is Trepadora Bamboo Gingseg Gel (not the mousse). It is expensive but is miraculous

I follow a similar routine for my waves. Umberto Gianni products are definitely worth trying to get started, quite cheap with offers in boots. I use the gel after either scrunching a curl cream or mousse. There's some trial and error involved but now I can wash and style my hair in under 20mins and wth a quick refresh the curls last up to 3 days.

OnlyCurls is too heavy for my curls, haven't tried merwave because of the cost.

@CointreauVersial I have the colorwow for curls and didn't find it that good. Their smoothing spray is excellent so I was disappointed!

I have used only curls and floral and curl and have personally found that i get better more consistent results from using umberto Gianni curl mousse on soaking hair scrunched in, then micro plop, then scrunch a but more mousse. Its a lot cheaper too. I have fine wavy hair also.

Also ita important to remove build up with a clarifying shampoo once a month or so. I also use zjaja goats milk protein conditioner most days and my hair loves it. Faith in nature shampoos are curly girl approved as is umberto Gianni curl shampoo.

I didn't like Only Curls at all. I love the trepadora products but they are ££ so I use them for special occasions. Mostly I use Umberto Gianni gel & faith in nature shampoo & conditioner (the ones for curly hair).

The Colour Wow was disappointing for air dried curls on me. It was slightly better when I used my diffuser though but not brilliant. I have just started using this which was a gift and my curls are fab with it
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I'm on a FB group called "Charlotte Rich Wavy Girl Method" or similar and most of the products recommended are cheap high street brands. It's made a huge difference to my hair and I've bought maybe one expensive mousse from Amazon. Don't waste your money (but do look at the steps for the method, how to apply mousse etc.)
Which reminds me I'm almost out of the Aldi products they recommend.

I tried merwave and it actually made my wavy hair straighter. Only Curls on the other hand was excellent.

I have fine wavy hair, I prefer Umberto Gianni and Flora and Curl purple mousse. UG gel is amazing for me. I've used Curlsmith products and my head was so itchy even after using the shampoo and conditioner with no products, my neck came out in a rash. I actually thought it was counterfeit it was that bad 😂 (it wasnt)
I also use Noughty, Aldi volume shampoo and conditioner and I love Herbal Essences volume shampoo and conditioner too. You dont need expensive, start by getting your hair in better condition, use a light leave in too. A curl cream would probably weigh it down but I sometimes use the UG air dry one and mist some water on my hands to dilute it. Xx

Only curls gel is great for my hair, but my scalp didn’t like the curl Creme. I haven’t tried their shampoo.

I’ve been out today and purchased the Umberto stuff - Curl jelly shampoo, conditioner, mouse and gel.
Thanks for all the recommendations 🤞🤞🤞

I would recommend not trying both mousse and gel at the same time. Try one for a few days, then the other, then different combinations and see what works for your hair.

Will do 👍 Thanks

The only thing I can add to these comments is that there's no one size fits all here, so manage your expectations!

Personally I quite liked Only Curls fragrance-free curl creme but it wasn't completely game-changing for me. At the mo I use Windle Labs curl cream and it's pretty good, not amazing.

I do think a silk or satin bonnet for sleeping is a good investment.

I use these except for the conditioner - I find Aldi apple gives me exactly the same results and is cheap as chips!

Love the UG styling products though - I use a blob of the curl whip on the lengths and scrunch in upside down then a good blob of gel scrunched all over and then the cast broken after diffusing. Hope it works for you!