Calling all wavy/curly haired mnetters who are not fighting the curl

[sleepsforwimps]

Please help me, I do not know how to tame my hair. It was wavy until I had my dd then it went curly, must have been the shock of childbirth. Looked like I'd had the roots permed for a while there (not a good look) Luckily it has now grown enough that it is all the same level of curliness, hurrah!

I just can't seem to find a product that isn't heavy, but holds the curl and stops the frizz.

Help!

OMG, I almost missed this thread!!! Loads of useful tips on here.

It's so gratifying to hear all those stories of having shit hairdressers for years, and being stuck with shit Crystal-tips triangle hair. That's ME!!!! I have had 2 fantastic hairdressers in the past who really understood how curly hair behaves, cut it so well, reallyl took the time with the layers. One from one salon went to America, and the other one from a different salon left for god knows what reason but I sank into a depression when I found out cos I knew I'd be once again on a "fantastic hairdresser for curly hair" mission. That was 7 years ago and I am still searching!

Can anyone PLEEEEASE recommend someone in Liverpool who really really knows how to cut curly hair?

Due to lack of funds since having kids I've been going to the old dears' salon over the road. Seem to have got stuck with someone who has curly hair herself but doens't know how to cut it - cuts the layers too short on top so they stick up and look make the overall look too "big", then doesn't put enough layers round the shoulders so that it all just has too much weight around it and goes triangular. A few of you have the hairstyle I have had in the past that works - shoulder length, lots of layers - longer on top, shaped in a bit at the bottom to take the weight out etc, etc.

Every time I go I try and explain exactly what I want her to do, but I always end up very disappointed. Trouble is, I see her at nursery as our kids go the same one, and she also cuts my kids' hair and is really good with them (and very cheap!) so I've kind of got stuck with it up to now as she's more like a friend. But there must be SOMEONE who could do a job elsewhere (would feel guilty dropping her but am fed up of the Crystal Tips look after all this time and seeing this thread has prompted me to do something finally.)

BTW, interesting to see I'm not the only one whose curls have changed over time..My hair used to be exactly like the girl who plays Donna on Two pints of lager whenn I was a lot younger - that type of newly-famous Nicole Kidman tight ringlets type of thing. Then I got pregnant and now the curls are not half as tight, but I just don't suit it blow-dried straight so want to keep curly!

Anyway, sorry for waffle.......yes, can anyone recommend a great curlies hairdresser in Liverpool?!

Oh, and yes, I totally agree, the right product is essential too. I do like Frizz Ease serum but it seems to irritate the skin on the sides of my face. I used to love Curl Jam (Tigi, I think) years ago, till they discontinued itfor something that wasn't as good.

Kerastase is great for shampoo and conditioner but too expensive for me at the mo. Willing to pay for a decent curly cut though!

What a great thread!! I have just moved abroad and am missing my hairdresser and can't pluck up courage to try one here. Had years of hairdressers who thought curly hair was some kind of terrible affliction.

My tip for longer lasting curls is wash hair before bed and dry with diffuser (in summer I only half dry it) curls last better as they don't drop out.

Plus I like Tigi Curls Rock but not too much to avoid crunchiness - or far worse suspicious looking white crusty bits in hair!

My hair is very curly usually, but goes straight after child birth when it is curly, I use VO5 curl(can't remember)or frizz ease. Use a diffuser. Between washes, I wet my hands and dig fingers in and lift, no extra product though. Easy!

Can't wait for my curls to return properly. They are starting to come back, but not enough not to have to straighten.

I also find a curly conditioner is a good thing to use.

LOL at loads of us being the embodiment of Crystal Tipps! I used to hate my hair so much, but now I am 40, I have finally learnt to love it! I keep it short though.

another recommendation from me for Boots Curl Creme (the pink stuff) - great price and lasts ages.
Frizz Ease serum made my hair a bit lank, but I like the Dream Curls spray.

I live in a country where everyone has straight hair, and they can't believe my curls are natural. Luckily, I have found a hairdresser who can deal with it.

So fellow curl lovers, anyone else feeling brave enough to share some photo's of their hair, past or present?! Would be nice to see others cuts, especially dying to see the Crystal Tips ones

I will when I can find a pic or two

Please, please please, anyone who has a good curly hair hairdresser, please post their details here (namechange if necessary) I am desperate to get my hair cut well.

My hair is curly, and has dried out loads since having my DC's, I had DS almost 2 yrs ago, and my hair started to fall out when I stopped Bfing last summer.

I now have loads of short wispy bits, and straggly longer bits. My hairdresser cut it to jaw length, but I hated it, I felt too mumsy. It is growing out a bit now and it still looks dry and awful. I used to have lovely shiny curls, and it is really getting me down.

Product I rate - and I used to develop haircare products for a living are:

To stop Crunchy bits with mousse: Mix a moisturising mousse with either a bit of leave in conditioner (THe Charles Worthington one is good) or a styling cream (if you want more hold)

If you are looking for a lighter product then the Bumble and Bumble Styling Creme or the Curl Conscious Styling cream are very good.

The lightest product I have forund is John Frieda Dream Curls Spray, ideal if your hair is fine textured.

For more hold the Trevor Sorbie Curl Cream is brilliant, great hold and definition.

Boots Curl Cream in the pink tub is very similar, and very good too.

Serums are good on soaking wet hair, but can be drying and can cause dulling build up with repeated use.

I haven't read all of this thread, so sorry if this has already been suggested, but I swear by this stuff.

www.boots.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10052&productId=5253 8&callingViewName=&langId=-1&catalogId=11051

Aussie Dual Personality Conditioning Milk.

It's a leave-in conditioner that doesn't make your hair greasy and gives the hair enough cohesion that it doesn't go all frizzy, but generally holds its curl.

It's also great for your hair.

Womblingalong if you live anywhere near Reading, ask for Neil at Marc Antoni. I have been going to him for 7 or 8 years and have now got my mum and dad going to him too (dad nearly 71 and still blessed with lovely thick hair that he used to try and flatten down with a wet comb, bless him).

Thanks Bettymum, I may just track him down, when I am near that way next time.

Any others? Pretty please.

There's a little old fashioned(non trendy)hair dressers in Gravesend that I used to go to until a year ago. It's right near the Woodville Halls and I think it's called Snips. The hairderessers name is Ailsa. It doesn't look much, but she always made a good job of my hair.

Thanks ChocLover

Anyone else?

Am returning to curls here too.
My hair was wavy/mad until I had a very tight perm in the late 70's and then when that grew out it was lank/wavy/thin I have fought the wave for years and ruined the condition straightening it.
Had it short for the last year or so but that takes too much trimming so am going for the full curl.
Am heading to Boots tomorrow for some Aussie shampoo and conditioner.

I've gone and purchased myself some Aussie shampoo and conditioner it was so nice to go into a shop and have an idea which products may work, normally I might as well just shut my eyes and pick one. Keeping my fingers crossed it likes my hair otherwise I shall be working through all the other suggestions here!

Before I had my DD I had a mass of corkscrew curls. Now it looks like I have had a light perm. Its driving me mad. I now live in Cornwall and cannot find a hair dresser thats educated in post pregnancy curly hair. Suggestions VERY welcome!!!
If anyone has had the same experience and their curls eventually came back I would love to hear from you.

Also new products. Ive tried Aussie curl definer and light serum and always use curly shampoo and conditioners, varied brands. Nothing has made much of a difference. I do diffuse but the next day, dead curls again. My hair is fine but I have a lot of it. It was my crowning glory and now its getting me down.

So and good hairdresser and some similar experiences would be most welcome. HELP

tigi s factor cream, best thing ever,

boots curl creme excellent value but not quite as good

I can recommend someone in Leeds for good curly cuts too...

I have very thick, coarse, curly hair. Was curls when I was little, then calmed down somewhat - then had a very short cut when I was about 13 - after 3 cuts it went fluffy and I started growing it - was all one length for quite some time (needed restraining) (crystal tips eat your heart out ) then got it layered and have stuck with the same hair cut ever since!

I use Aussie 3 minute miracle - but I need a really heavy conditioner to try to remove volume - then I use Paul Mitchel Super Sculpt on wet hair - this will refresh with water for quite sometime afterwards and as long as I get it evenly and not too heavily applied, I don't have any cruch problems) (although ds does when he has a go ) - and I have been known to use EgoBoost by Bedhead - great for lovely shine.

I can't blow dry. Ever. Someone once tried using tongs on it to get it to 'comply' but gave up fairly quickly!

I am going to try this pink tub of Boots Curl Creme you are all raving about!

Mistlethrush, Can you share the details of the hairdresser in Leeds? I've just moved to Leeds and am currently cultivating my own afro after being too frightened to go to a new hairdressers after many bad experiences

Nadine

Hi everyone! This is my first post on MN, I've been reading the forums for a while, I've been tempted a few times to contribute but haven't as yet, until now.

(What does it say about me that the subject that has actually made me stump up the effort of typing and joining in is my hair and not something more worthy? Oh well, sod it)

Ok, I have naturally wavy, curly hair, it's blonde with highlights and can be a dry (don't know if the last bit is of any significance?). If I just left it after I washed it it would be a bit frizzy, a bit curly, a bit wavy and generally a bit uninspiring. I have tried a million products, expensive ones, cheap ones, mid range, afro ones, you name I've tried it but none of them made it into the really nice bouncy curls I wanted so I decided to try making my own and it really works.

It's mainly water with a squeeze of ordinary conditioner in it ( I use VO5 moisture soak or VO5 absolute blonde, they're very reasonably priced and are good) and a squeeze of water based gel, I shake them up in a spray bottle and spray on my hair after washing. Then I add some mouse (VO5 curl up I think it's called) and scrunch to shape with a towel. I allow it to dry naturally, blow drying makes it frizzy. Then when it's dry if the mousse has made a bit crispy I use a very small amount of wax to soften it (Think it's a VO5 one again, they should be paying me!). It always gives me lovely, defined, ringlety curls like I used to have when I was three. I use the spray again the next day to redefine (wouldn't use mousse again, too sticky) and sometimes even the next day too.

Worth a try for all you curly girls out there.

Hooray for us embracing and encouraging what we have naturally.

Life is too short to iron your hair

Forgot to add, I only ever brush it when its wet with conditioner on it. Brushing curls=frizz.