Curly Hair Chat 👩‍🦱

I have really curly hair which is the bane of my life. The latest advice from my hairdresser is a good regular cut (I have mine monthly) and just a dab of serum nothing more to style it. I have coloured hair so I use John Frieda Brilliant Brunette shampoo (1 wash only) and conditioner. I have a Panasonic EN-NA-65 hairdryer which cost about £60 and is the best hairdryer I have ever had for combatting frizz. I wash my hair every 3 days (roughly) and blow dry to smooth it. Each day I use the dryer again to restyle - takes about 5 minutes. I have short hair. How I wish I had straight hair!

Fanny, I can't work out whether you've got curly hair and want to straighten it? or have straight hair and want it curly?

My hair's naturally straight, blonde and grown long (boring!) so naturally I've longed for red, curly locks. I've finally (nearly) achieved the aim. The red comes out of a bottle, and when I had my hair cut short (jaw length) it curled itself - the shorter, the more curls. I suppose the weight of the hair pulled it down and straight.

I was recommended a 'salt spray' to use on the ends and to scrunch it - and it works.

Boheminan I’ve got long 2C hair (on a good day), more like 2B on a bad day.

I want it to be as curly and defined as possible, and stay that way!

I only realised that my hair was curly when I grew from being very short a few years ago.
When I was younger it was definitely straight

My red is out of a bottle too!

I got a diffuser attachment that fits on the end of a hairdryer, and it makes a big difference. Look on Amazon for 'universal diffuser' and lots will come up. Some suggest particular brands of dryer, and others give nozzle sizes - mine has buttons on the side that increase the diameter of the opening.

I use Only Curls products - shampoo, conditioner, curl creme and mousse - and find they help to encourage the curls and keep them in place. I 'plop' my hair in an OC microfibre towel and twist it into a turban to let it half dry, before finishing it with the diffuser. I couldn't get away with the Co-wash sold by OC. It is moisturising, so may work better on frizzy hair, but I find it weighs mine down and pulls out the curls.

Fanny - I should have guessed, with a name like Fanny Cornforth of course you'd be a curly red head

I’m a long way from a Pre Raphaelite stunner!
But I can but try!

Doodledog I can’t be doing with co wash either.

I’m currently trying out Only Curls samples, and I’ve got some Flora and Curl ones too.

I’m struggling with gel. I’m not sure if it’s for me.

I’ve got a Bellasima diffuser dryer, which I recommend, but it’s not brilliant, I still get a bit of frizz with it.

I usually air dry, but I’m wondering if I’d get better results with a more swanky hair dryer.

This is the Bellisima
Bellissima Ceramic Diffon Hot Air Diffuser for Curly Hair, 700 W, 2 Air/Temperature Combinations, Gentle Heat Technology, Frizz-Free Curls Equipped with UK plug amzn.eu/d/elZ5mpK

I use the Noughty range of products for curly hair. Only wash twice a week, using a deep conditioner once a week too.
On the days I don’t wash, just spray with water into which is a small amount of conditioner.

Usual hairdressers have no idea when cutting curly hair, well worth the cost of a curly hair cut x

I have long curly hair I’ve tried every shampoo, conditioner, serum and gadget etc etc etc for years never happy with it. Now I buy Simple shampoo and conditioner let it dry naturally sometimes curly and sometimes I straighten it with my hot air brush or stick up in a messy bun and I’m relaxed about how it turns out at last. My daughter trims it with a few layers and I don’t stress about it anymore. I do think it’s actually pretty versatile having curly hair.

I re-discovered my curls during lockdown when hairdressers were mostly closed. I was pleased to be able to change my style after many years of 'cut and blow dry'. Moving to a new area, I looked on line and found a salon that specifically mentioned curly hair. Mine is silver and very fine, so needs sympathetic handling and I have been lucky to find a stylist who really understands what is needed. Between cuts, I shampoo, scrunch it and let it dry without heat. I use a product called 'Naughty' which I discovered in Waitrose, to give it body.

Oh, I forgot - I have a misting bottle that I use between washes to refresh the curls. I add a tiny bit of gel to the water (too much clogs the spray) and dampen then scrunch. It's very effective. OC do them for a million pounds or so - I got mine on eBay for less than a fiver .

I have curly hair and I wash and style every morning.
Shampoo, condition, diffuse dry ( Parlux dryer) for a few minutes and tame into shape with a Babyliss hot brush.
8-10 minutes in total.

If I let it dry naturally it is totally bonkers and different every time.

My hair has become quite curly in the last five years or so, having just had a bit of wave before that. No idea why! I’m also a 2B/C on your chart, Fanny.

I’m using Only Curls products at the moment but I won’t buy them again, as they’re not suiting my hair. The Cantu range has better results, I find. I use shampoo then a hair mask instead of conditioner. That seems to give it the extra moisturising it needs to stop it frizzing.

I then comb it with a wide tooth comb and apply serum or curling cream before twisting my hair into curls around my fingers. I usually let it dry naturally but if not, I use the diffuser head that came with my ancient hair drier and dry using the ‘plop’ method. If it’s messy after sleeping on it, I dampen my hair lightly, apply a little more curling cream and re-twist it.

I was complimented on my hair by cabin crew when I flew to the US earlier this year! To be fair, my hair was having a particularly well-behaved day but I was still very chuffed!

I was a genuine redhead but it's snowy now it's naturally curly. I wear mine in a short bob I usually dry it naturally. Occasionally to give it a bit of height I use a diffuser hairdryer on the roots only. With a £30 hairdryer from Amazon it does the trick I don't brush or comb my hair and I use a sea salt spray got2be beach matte.

I'm curious, what does a salt spray actually do?

I’ve not had good results with them, they create volume, but make frizz worse.
Dry shampoo is good for volume, but it’s reported to be bad for the scalp.
Scalp care is a ‘big thing’ at the moment

Have you looked at other people who have curly hair to see how they style theirs? That, of course wouldn't necessarily give you any clues and you might end up full of envy which may you feel worse than ever. The comedian Rose Matafeo has lovely curls.

I keep my hair very short so that it doesn't get a chance to curl. I've had to let the idea of Pre-Raphaelite curls go as I could never attain it without looking a right mess.

Lbc oh, I’ve been on lots of curly girl sites, and in groups etc.
Hence the confusion!
Some people are very evangelical and bossy about it.
I just find it’s easier to chat properly here and wondered what people I ‘know’ do

Salt spray encourages the curl my hairdresser recommended it. I was not convinced at first but I have to say it does. I was using hairspray to give my hair a lift but I don't need to now. I bought the one I use from Superdrug it keeps the curl and stops it going flat.

Oh, I might try it again.

Ooh I’m glad to see this thread as I need help with my hair. I’ve thick curly wavy hair that’s become more curly as I’ve got older, I think, it used to be wavy before that so in effect it’s caught me unawares and I don’t know how to have it cut into a style that suits me and my curly kinky hair or what to ask for

I wash it in a natural shampoo and conditioner for sensitive scalps. I then let it dry naturally scrunching it up in my fingers as it dries. Otherwise I use my hairdryers diffuser and some curl enhancer. - I’ve got one by aveda called B curly.

I wish someone would advise me on what to ask for at the hairdressers or how to find a hairdresser who’s good with curly hair. I get so frustrated by hairdressers who don’t seem able to cut curly hair and seem to want to straighten it or layer it and thin it too much. I’ve had bits sticking out and patchy uneven hair. I’ve had hairdressers tell me they love my hair and love cutting curly hair and then I find out they can’t cut it properly and I’m left with a cut with no shape or style.

I’ve been trying to find a hairdresser for ages who is good with curly hair like mine, asking people for recommendations, Facebook pages etc etc

Hello 👋
Apparently for a good curly cut you are supposed to arrive with clean dry hair with no product or styling.