So how do you get nice shiny healthy looking curly hair?

[RubberDuck]

I have naturally wavy hair which never seems to wave in quite the right direction. So, I have two choices to make it look presentable: straighten it out, or use a diffuser to make it more curly.

I like it straight, because then it looks glossy and healthy. Every time I get it curly though it just goes into messy frizz - even using serum. If I then take a brush to it, all the curls go and I get back to random waviness.

So how do you get that nice glossy defined curls look? Is there a way of combing it through without eradicating the curls? Am I just using the wrong products?

I'd love to know too - your hair sounds a lot like mine. Except that although my hair looks nice and shiny when it's straightened, flat hair doesn't suit my face.

Long bouncy curls are the holy grail...

Don't brush curly hair!

I wash and conditioner mine then pat dry with a towel but not too much, then add normal hair gel work through then leave or dry with diffuser. When nearly dry I add a tiny bit of wax. Never brush it just fluff or refresh with hair wax.

HTH

So what do you do when you wake up in the morning (assuming you don't have time to shower) - doesn't it all squash flat and look horribly messy?

(Has visions of running out of hair wax within a week and leaving a crust on the pillow )

Have you tried the new Dove Therapy range?
That will take care of the healthy and shiny, don't know about curly thought as mine is straight.

I have similar hair

Not sure I can help with the curly bit really - I have to wash my hair in the morning if it has been curly the day before because it is such a mess after a night's sleep.

If I straighten it it will last a couple of days.

The thing I have learned to do recently is to blow dry it properly using eitehr a round brush or paddle brush.

This straightens it slightly but retains the volume and "bounce" with some wave...does that make sense?

My hairdresser showed me how to do it. The paddle brush makes it the most shiny.

Cherry: I haven't yet, will give it a go.

Yes that does make sense, FrayedKnot and is similar to what I do if I can't be arsed to straighten normally (although I do need to invest in a better brush) - I'm never really happy with how it goes though, unlike when I use straighteners. I just thought it might be fun to go properly curly for a change - thought it might be easier (more fool me!)

Hmm... "frayed knot"... that describes what my hair looks like right this minute actually

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I have exactly the same sort of hair. If I straighten it it's ok for a couple of days, but now it's longer I prefer it curly and have the same problems as RubberDuck. I used to use a sunsilk product that made it look much better in the mornings if I didn't have time to wash it but of course it's been discontinued!

Am currently experimenting withsome others, Toni&Guy soft curl cream seems quite good so far.

I obviously need to scrutinize the shelves of the haircare aisle a bit better. A squirt of mousse and a quick run through of serum just isn't doing the job.

(scribbles notes... dove therapy, tony&guy ... gottit)

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there's a whole load of glaze type thingies that can be used on dry hair. Mine's very curly, so I never brush. Just run my fingers through it.

Am too hamfisted to straighten it myself and when I've tried it's taken ages. Don't know how everyone has the patience!

Is that similar to Avon Anti-Frizz serum Cod, or better, do you know?

Bedhead leave in conditioner suits my hair - I use normal conditioner, wash it out, then use the leave-in stuff as a styling product. You can only buy it in hairdressers AFAIK.

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i have wavy, thick hair, i've been using the aussie formula recently. Makes it look glossy, but not to big.

What about those big tooth combs, are they any good? Are they worth getting?

twoboots: yes, I use aussie shampoo and conditioner which I love... and my hair condition is fine when it's straightened so I don't think it's necessarily dry hair problem. Just hair follicle bloody-mindedness problem

first thing in the morning I dampen the worst bits with a small amount of warm water. Then rub some conditioner through with my fingers. Almost always works.

I've found JASON sea kelp conditioner to give by far the best results.

and boots cheapest 99p mousse immeadiatly after washing (doesnt seem to have the same effect if you put it on semi-dry hair).

Also second the advice to never ever brush it...will definately make it frizzy.

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Used to use them in the '80s when big hair was in.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease - use it when your hair is dripping wet from the shower, before you towel dry.

Mine is highlighted and I also use John Frieda healthy attitude leave in spray conditioner, love it

Kerastase masks are fab but too pricey for me
never brush!

My hair is thick, dry and very curly/frizzy.

Asda Curly Locks creme is good in wet hair.
Don't brush, comb.
Don't wash every day. I only wash my hait once a week and it's natural grease and sweat keeps it under control and in condition. Although I live in the countryside and drive to work, not sure how feasible not washing it would be if I lived in a city and used public transport a lot.

I've got similar hair to Rubberduck too.

I use a big tooth comb, very rarely a brush. My hair does straighten out after a couple of days though.

ANyway, my top tip for coarse/thick/wavy hair is a conditioner, rinse well and use COLD water at the end of rinsing. As cold as you can bear.

When I was in my early 20s and had curlier hair than I do now I used one of those afro combs (not that my hair was that curly) and it was great - no frizz and no tangles.

Not much use for waves though.