Results 1 to 21 of 21

Thread: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Joined
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    143
    Thanks
    68
    Thanked 55 Times in 22 Posts

    Default How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    I realize that this would be a better question for the long hair care forum, but I figured I'd start here since I have yet to create an account over there.

    I *love* the way my hair curls naturally, but it pretty much always looks unkempt and not sleek enough to wear in a strip club, as illustrated by the attached images. What can I do to make the top to smoother and look less like my hair is starting to dread? Ideally, anything I do would require minimal effort and damage, but I would infinitely prefer effort over damage.

    My routine is as follows: I usually "wash" my hair with Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine or Triple Nutrition Conditioner, then towel dry before applying Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner, which I let sit in my hair anywhere from 5 minutes to 1/2 hour. If I'm not too cold in the shower, I rinse with cool water. After I rinse, sometimes I'll scrunch in a little more conditioner. To dry, I either wrap a towel around my head (usually without flipping it to the front) or scrunch lightly from the ends up, then air dry. When I sleep, I wear this satiny shower cap type thing.

    Suggestions?
    Last edited by Harlequin_Phoenix; 05-26-2011 at 09:09 AM.

  2. #2
    Featured Member Odette's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2010
    Posts
    1,096
    Thanks
    517
    Thanked 1,272 Times in 520 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier

    I have naturally curly hair too, pretty similar to yours, except mine curls almost all the way to the top of my head. I've always straigtened my hair for work because I've thought it looked sexier/classier and I also like to look less "like me" at work, and that+extensions really does the trick. To make the top smoother though, I would get a few layers put in your hair so that you can flat-iron the top ones to make them smoother, and then leave the bottom ones curly. Use a wax to keep the hair from getting frizzy.

    Oh, and if you're like me, even when you straighten your hair, it will probably start to curl with the slightest hint of moisture. And since you sweat at work, that's no good. To prevent having to re-straighten my hair, I actually curl a few pieces loosely and tease the top for big sexy hair, that way, if my hair starts to curl again it's way less noticeable than if I just try to style it super-straight.

    Hope some of that helps!

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to Odette For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    1,430
    Thanks
    2,070
    Thanked 1,896 Times in 746 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier

    I have a similar issue with my thick wavy hair. It's straight at the top like yours too. I usually wind up straightening it or curling it for work so it looks sleeker, but on days where I like what it's doing I run a little bit of mousse through the frizzy parts, use some shine spray, and use a shit ton of volumizer on the roots so it looks like more of a deliberate style.

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to lol1337a For This Useful Post:


  6. #4
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Guam
    Posts
    370
    Thanks
    145
    Thanked 155 Times in 109 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier

    Wow. When my hair is long it looks exactly like yours-- Have you ever tried to french braid it (it turns out better when you do when it is wet and let it dry in the braid) and then take it out before work? That used to work for me..
    I agree with the layering. Maybe that would help out a little bit?

  7. #5
    God/dess Kylea2's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Denver & San Fran
    Posts
    6,907
    Thanks
    181
    Thanked 2,002 Times in 1,285 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier

    Looking at your hair it seems like the texture & curl might be similar to mine. I generally dry my hair & then use a conical curling iron on it. Whether I let it dry naturally to curl on its own, or re-curl it with the curling iron, if I want to not worry so much about frizz & add shine I use the classic LottaBody Setting Lotion.
    http://www.lottabody.com/site/classic_-_volume.html

    This girl discusses it in her video:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cgNThJRou8
    Don't you ever sleep?
    Not at night...that's when the stars have rather better things to do. They're coming out, shining, that sort of thing.
    - Blog -
    My PM box fills up quick. If you have a question please with your username.
    Congrats to Pryce on doing some much needed tending in his garden!
    - -


  8. The Following User Says Thank You to Kylea2 For This Useful Post:


  9. #6
    God/dess DesuvsDeath's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    4,016
    Thanks
    2,110
    Thanked 4,475 Times in 2,023 Posts
    My Mood
    Brooding

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier

    Quote Originally Posted by ZePeanut View Post
    Have you ever tried to french braid it (it turns out better when you do when it is wet and let it dry in the braid) and then take it out before work? That used to work for me..
    This'd be the first thing I'd try. That or you could try a smidge of product and pin-curling just the top (I find that looks a lot more intentional/less frizzy than my natural curl). to get that under control... if you do it right, it should blend out into your natural hair just fine.
    I'm a big fan of no-heat styling whenever I can get away with it since I'm trying to grow my hair out.

    Alternately... on days where I'm getting frizz/flyaways I sometimes add a REALLY light touch of conditioner after it's dry to sleek it down. It doesn't interfere with natural curls or waves... but it does smooth things down really nicely.

    Your hair is LOVELY btw.
    Quote Originally Posted by camille27 View Post
    i am losing my fucking mind and i really just want this chloroform dream because i think that would just get me right with jesus.

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to DesuvsDeath For This Useful Post:


  11. #7
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Guam
    Posts
    370
    Thanks
    145
    Thanked 155 Times in 109 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier

    ^Oh yes!! You are so right about the conditioner!!
    I love putting it in a spray bottle to prevent getting carried away, lol.

  12. #8
    Featured Member FiendishGyrator's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Touring Louisiana
    Posts
    1,915
    Thanks
    532
    Thanked 1,536 Times in 735 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    How often are you shampooing your hair? That might be increasing the frizzies.

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to FiendishGyrator For This Useful Post:


  14. #9
    Senior Member Annastasi's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2011
    Location
    secret headquarters
    Posts
    173
    Thanks
    139
    Thanked 148 Times in 65 Posts
    My Mood
    Cheerful

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    I have pretty similar hair to you; it's a constant hassle when I'm working. So far, these things have helped:

    Bumble and bumble no frizz serum -- it's also a shine booster. Put it in when your hair is wet.

    Sock buns before bed! These are a miracle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FV-Y...feature=relmfu

  15. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Annastasi For This Useful Post:


  16. #10
    Senior Member Vogue's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2011
    Location
    Behind PC
    Posts
    146
    Thanks
    61
    Thanked 248 Times in 87 Posts
    My Mood
    Happy

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    regular straightner and K-Pak oil for color protection ! i use that for years
    My twitter @iamchloeswift

  17. The Following User Says Thank You to Vogue For This Useful Post:


  18. #11
    Veteran Member setian's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2010
    Location
    east coast
    Posts
    233
    Thanks
    59
    Thanked 161 Times in 83 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    this product "It's A Ten" works wonders for my hair.

  19. The Following User Says Thank You to setian For This Useful Post:


  20. #12
    Featured Member tampadancer's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2004
    Location
    tampa
    Posts
    1,582
    Thanks
    178
    Thanked 394 Times in 179 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    When your hair is still wet, work biosilk into it, working from the tips up. Don't put much near your roots though, or your hair will appear greasy. I'll do that, turn my head upside down to shake it out, flip it back over and let it air dry. The key is to NOT run a brush/comb through it after you've put the biosilk in, because that will separate the ringlets and cause frizz.

  21. The Following User Says Thank You to tampadancer For This Useful Post:


  22. #13
    Senior Member
    Joined
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    143
    Thanks
    68
    Thanked 55 Times in 22 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    I only shampoo my hair when I clarify it 1-2x/month. The rest of the time, I do as described above and "wash" it with conditioner.

    Also, my hair is already layered. Great suggestion, though, because it definitely doesn't curl nearly so nicely without the layers.

    I should probably have said before that I don't (won't) use any hair products with silicone. But, for the most part, these are really great suggestions. I'm going to try some of them out and I'll write back with my results. Putting the top in pin-curls and the sock bun method are at the top of my list. Thanks, everyone!

  23. #14
    Senior Member
    Joined
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    97
    Thanks
    25
    Thanked 29 Times in 21 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    I just switched to using Deva Curl products. I went to their salon and love my hair cut. The products are great. My curls are softer, more moisturized, and less frizzy. It is like a dream come true. I've struggled with crazy frizz my whole life. They gave me some tips about hair care. Here's what I learned. Shampoo as infrequently as possible and only apply shampoo to the scalp, not the hair. Massage/scrub scalp with water everyday. Condition daily, but do not apply condition within an inch of the roots. This prevents oil build up. This routine has totally changed my relationship to my hair. I feel like I'm no longer battling it, but working with it.

  24. #15
    Featured Member Spinnerette's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    1,033
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1,379 Times in 535 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    Denman brush + mousse on damp hair. Pow! Clumps my curls together oh so nicely.

  25. The Following User Says Thank You to Spinnerette For This Useful Post:


  26. #16
    Veteran Member UwishUknewhy's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    338
    Thanks
    201
    Thanked 185 Times in 92 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    Go to this website! I have totally different beautiful curls bc of the info I got from here!!
    http://www.naturallycurly.com/

  27. The Following User Says Thank You to UwishUknewhy For This Useful Post:


  28. #17
    Featured Member
    Joined
    May 2008
    Location
    wrong side of the tracks
    Posts
    1,332
    Thanks
    307
    Thanked 1,626 Times in 537 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    I second naturally curly, it seems you are working against your hair, not with it.

    If you are wavy/curly, you should try to make your hair look as best as it possibly can before you layer on the product. Product often contains sulfates/silicones that destroy curly hair.

    You should find a low sulfate or sulfate free shampoo. The lower sulfates will not dry your hair out. A few I can recommend are tresemee naturals shampoo, as well as loreal everpure. Shampoo every other day, instead of every day. I also like to put conditioner in my hair, shampoo it over the conditioner, like a shampo/condish cocktail, seems to give me wayy less frizz.

    You should also find a silicone free conditioner, silicones clog your hair like dirt clogs pores, and do not wash clean with water...hence why you need a sulfate ridden shampoo to get rid of them. Stop this cycle of abuse! Try V05 conditioner, tresemee naturals conditioner, garnier fructis triple nutrition (my personal favorite) and loreal everpure conditioner. All of the above conditioners contain no silicones, and if they do they are water soluble (wash away with water alone)

    To add additional moisture, work a little extra virgin olive oil in with your conditioner and let sit as long as you like. BRUSH your hair with the conditioner in and only when it is wet, and scrunch to bring out the curls!

    You may want to add some silicone free styling gel to hold your waves and curls into place. My personal favorite is herbal essences line (silicone free)

    If you want to go all out, look up a technique on youtube called plopping/plunking. You wrap your scrunched hair up in a tshirt and let it sit that way for a while, I usually do about 30 mins, some wear it overnight. It basically holds your whole head of hair into a scrunch and helps to bring out your curl pattern.

    When you are all said and done, with or without plopping, DO NOT BRUSH YOUR HAIR, DO NOT OVER SCRUNCH. DO NOT SEPERATE YOUR CURLS, DOING ANY OF THE ABOVE WILL CREATE FRIZZ AND YOU WILL LOSE YOUR CURL.

    And again, check out naturally curly, tis where I learned to care for my naturally wavy hair and has been a godsend.

  29. #18
    Senior Member
    Joined
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    143
    Thanks
    68
    Thanked 55 Times in 22 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    Let's clarify again: I don't "work against" my hair. I literally wash it with silicone free conditioner, condition it with silicone free conditioner, barely touch it with a towel, maybe add a little more conditioner to leave in and let it do whatever it wants, because I really like my hair. I don't use "product" in my hair, although if I find something good that isn't full of crap, I'm open to trying it. The occasional clarifying shampoo I use is sulfate-free. I only brush it before I'm about to shower.

  30. #19
    Featured Member rareaspasia's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Central Florida
    Posts
    840
    Thanks
    1,822
    Thanked 1,499 Times in 524 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    This is a bit late, but on the days when I don't straighten my naturally wavy hair I'll take a tiny little bit of jojoba oil or coconut oil (like, two or three drops for my shoulder-length hair), rub it between my hands, and then work it through my hair, avoiding the scalp. It adds a nice shine, keeps the frizzies down, and helps add definition to my waves. My hair is really dry, though, so I don't know how well this would work for someone who is naturally oily.

  31. #20
    God/dess shasta's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    2,175
    Thanks
    778
    Thanked 658 Times in 317 Posts
    My Mood
    Breezy

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    My hair is like yours. I use hot rollers.

  32. #21
    Member
    Joined
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    50
    Thanks
    494
    Thanked 32 Times in 20 Posts

    Default Re: How to make wavy/curly hair look sleeker and tidier?

    I just read that drying your hair with a terry cloth towel enhances frizziness. The same source stated you should use a microfiber towel.

Similar Threads

  1. $$ vs. straight vs. wavy hair
    By venusace138 in forum Body Business
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 09-22-2008, 12:45 PM
  2. going wavy/curly
    By MichelleJade in forum Body Business
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-10-2008, 01:26 PM
  3. Wavy hair- Latinarose help?
    By Kaylinn in forum Body Business
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 08-05-2007, 11:03 AM
  4. Hair Products for Wavy/Curly Hair?
    By GizelleDancer in forum Body Business
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 04-17-2005, 03:23 PM
  5. Do you think girls with curly hair make money?
    By Emiliana in forum Hustle Hut
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 01-05-2005, 09:56 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •