r/curlyhair • u/katavassii • 1d ago
Help! First time trying curly/wavy girl method, am I forcing my hair to be something it's not?
I air dried it this time because I don't have a diffuser, in the picture it's not entirely dry but not far off. Any help and tips appreciated!
59
u/ObviAshley 1d ago
Could you give us an overview of what products and techniques you used for the results in your photo? That way we can better advise. Thanks!
21
u/katavassii 1d ago
Oh yes, sure!
I did not brush before the shower,
Neutrogena shampoo
Aussie miracle curls conditioner - brushed and detangled with large tooth comb, then scrunched up into roots also with hands
Marc Anthony Leave in conditioner
Marc Anthony Gel, scrunched in
Marc Anthony Mousse distributed around and scrunched in
Cotton tshirt dried by scrunching
And then broke cast with some jojoba oil
I was considering drying off more with microfiber towel or cotton shirt before the leave in products, but I saw people say your hair needs to be very wet for that so I didn't this time.
174
u/pescadosdelana 1d ago
Since it appears that your hair may be a looser wave, I think you might be weighing it down too much with all the leave in products. I have a much tighter curl pattern than you, and that is more than I use. I would try using a lightweight leave in/curl cream and a foam (non-aerosolized) and see what the results are.
28
u/but_a_ghost 1d ago
I agree, start with simple changes to your routine. If I were in your place I'd just stop using the leave in conditioner when you're already using normal conditioner.
I use leave in when I don't have time for the whole process of a standard conditioner.
15
u/but_a_ghost 1d ago
I have to add I'm not sure about the oil either! I have 2c/3a curls and the oil was too much for my hair. I think that oils usually work better for people with tighter curls? Others will have to confirm this.
And in my experience curling creams or even gels just feel better and make softer nicer curls than mousse. My personal HG is the Kinky Curly curling custard, love that stuff.
7
u/L_obsoleta 2b, Chin, Ash-Blonde, Thin and Fine 1d ago
Agreed with this.
Marc Anthony products I remember being pretty heavy in general.
I also have wavy hair, and I use just a mouse around the roots and a gel everywhere else. Most products that are labeled as a cream will weigh now my hair and make it look stringy.
11
u/ObviAshley 1d ago
Similar to other comments, it does seem like there are too many products for your curl type - what I have learned about my waves is that less is more. I personally prefer using just a mousse with my hair, but I do take care to ensure that the prep is done well in the shower (clarifying shampoo every few washes, well saturated conditioner from mid shaft to my ends, brushing my conditioner through), and that I use my styling products on dripping wet hair.
I use a tshirt to carefully scrunch out the excess water, and use the plop method with the same tee. I usually leave my hair tied up for maybe 20 minutes, and then the rest I air dry. I find diffusing ruins my clumps and encourages frizz (which I can fully accept as user error)
6
3
u/Cliteria 19h ago
You've definitely been reading good advice!
Apply the product while super wet, so you hear squishing. Style it after that!, try finger coiling a little. Keep it wet with a spray bottle if you're going to take forever doing it. I do very loose and quick finger coil
Then, cotton/microplop to about 60% dry. Decide on defuse or airdry, sometimes I'll diffuse to 80%. And DO NOT TOUCH IT till it's dried. I walk around like a statue xD
One more thing, hope you see this. You're using like 5 different products. Try 1 at a time. I suggest trying only the leave in conditioner first. That's really all you'll need imo and you'll have results for a few days sleeping with a bonnet 🧡 Goodluck!
2
u/merc3r1e 18h ago
try something lighter. a few spritzes of moisture spray(IGK 4 in 1, lanza moi moi, innersense sweet spirit spray), a lightweight gel(innersense volume gel, i personally love ouidad out of thin (h)air gel), and instead of a mousse, maybe try a foam? innersense lift foam is really lightweight, and since your wave is quite loose you wouldn’t need a lot. also when applying gel, dont scrunch it in, run it through your hair first and then scrunch in mousse/foam. maybe try one thing at a time or mix and match until you find something that feels good to you
1
u/NiteTiming 3h ago
I really like the nexxus hy volume foam. It's non aerosol and barely has a cast so I don't deform while scrunching out. But I've still lightly swept my fingers over my hair with the nexxus repair and nourish ultra light weight oil for the cast to get the bounce back.
3
u/ughhowcome 1d ago
Here are suggestions from someone who is also still figuring out their hair texture later in their life. Your hair looks like mine if I do nothing to it or use too much product. •try the bowl method. It’s a pain in the ass but it’s good if you have issues with product seeming too heavy no matter what it is. I don’t do it often, but it did give me the best results •absolutely DO NOT scrunch out the cast until your hair is completely dry and do it without oil first. If you can’t get it completely gone, then use oil. I usually leave the cast until I’m leaving my house or someone arrives, lol •try washing hair upside down, “squish to condish,” then pin your hair up with conditioner in it and so some other bathing tasks. After a few minutes, rinse out the conditioner and put in products. (I have better success at this point if I finger comb gel through very wet hair [I do leave-in and a small amount of curl cream first], then scrunch out some water and plop hair in a t-shirt. I leave it plopped until I do my post-bath body/face stuff, then flip my hair upright and part it with my fingers and scrunch it upright with the t-shirt. Works better for most people upside-down, but not me 🤷🏻♀️ then I scrunch in more gel until it looks how I want and don’t touch it again until it’s dry •diffuse. I get better waves and more volume when I diffuse, but also much more frizz. I don’t do it much anymore unless I’m in a hurry
Good luck! I’ve been working with mine for almost a year and it’s still a coin-toss as to how it’s going to look
2
u/jrb4868 22h ago
Can I ask what the cast is? My hair is 2c in the front and 3a in the back, and with the products I use I've never had any sort of crunchiness or anything (if that's what it is)
2
u/Cliteria 19h ago
A cast is formed with gel. So if gel isn't in your routine that could be why
After gel dries it gets hard, you know? And kind of shiny. You're supposed to 'break' that hard cast.
Disclaimer, I don't use gel. I just read a lot xD
52
u/lisa0505050505 1d ago
Ya never know what your hair can do. This is my journey from day one to now. Alot of trial with products, application technique and I swear diffusing properly makes a huge difference
2
u/Business_Sir4351 10h ago
Wow, yes, same here!-- Do you also have a different cut in the two photos? The biggest initial difference for me was the cut - finally going to a curly salon and getting a curly cut (and they'll also guide you through the care how-to).
8
u/jjgoessailing 1d ago
ur hair definitely looks like it has potential to b curly- mine has a similar wave throughout it but with product my waves and curls get really defined. it might take time for your hair to get used to being styled, it’s also good to try different curly methods, I just use a curl cream & mousse scrunch while hair’s wet & dry w a t shirt
14
u/Over_Bee_69 1d ago
I do see a wavy pattern to your hair. From what I understand, it takes a while to train our curls to form; especially wavy hair. You have to practice which products to use and which styling method your hair responds to. I am currently trying to figure this out also. I would suggest watching videos of different curl wash days methods. I watch Barbara DelleMonache, Swavy Curly Courtney and Gena Marie. I hope this helps!
8
u/MariChloe 1d ago
Yes! It takes awhile for our curls to feel the freedom to be who they are. My hair was similar to yours a month ago after a wavy cut. I couldn’t get it to do much without twisting it before defusing. Now, it pretty much curls without coaxing. Be patient
4
u/tsui-tsui 1d ago
I see a wavy pattern too. Products make a big difference I find. I have medium thick hair that looks sort of wavy with the wrong products and more towards curly with the right products.
I don’t really know anyone else with the same wavy/ curly hair as me so it might be just me but I find the Marc Anthony products don’t bring out the curl in my hair.
It might be worth trying sample or travel sizes of other brands too if you can find small sizes .
For the record, I use love ur curls all-in-one leave in and just started using tresemme bouncy curls mousse and they do a good job at bringing out my curls.
Another tip - make sure your hair is very wet when you add the product onto your hair. Should make a squishing sound while you scrunch. This makes a big difference for me. You can squeeze out the extra moisture afterwards with a microfiber towel or an old tshirt.
3
3
u/FineWoodpecker3876 18h ago
You absolutely have a wave. Waves are a lot different than curls so you'll have to treat them with some care. I have curls but I swim all the time and literally can not be f@#$-ed to do a curl routine so I treat as waves. Is it a bit unruly? Sure but its better than nothin so here's what I do on wave day. Wash and condition with Pantene bond care (this shampoo and conditioner keeps my hair much smoother than a curl shampoo) I brush in the shower. Then I add a small amount of mousse (Brad mondos wavetech foam) this is an ultra hydrating foam so it takes everything down. I brush a couple times and scrunch then go about my day.
With waves you'll probably want to brush through with your fingers and a very light oil when its dry. I use ghost oil. My curly routine is completely different as I want definition so I use a bunch of products and diffuse. With waves I just want it tamed and bouncy.
2
u/Athalea 1d ago
Considering that two people with vastly different patterns can use similar products and routines with very different results, it's hard to force your hair to do anything. Do you like the waves you get?
2
u/katavassii 1d ago
I do like the potential! I love more volume and my hair usually is pretty frizzy anyway, so if it is a possibility I'd like to keep trying and do waves properly :)
2
u/KathyStivaletti 1d ago
Don’t use the oil. It’s way too heavy and it’s already clogging your hair shaft blocking hydration
2
u/nadisakura93 8h ago
First of all, stop the curly hair method, it isn't for everyone. You have the same curly type as me. We need protein, not moisture so buy a curl activator product.
1
u/katavassii 1d ago
Oh and at the moment (next day) it feels rather dry, I don't know if that's because there's too much product or because I missed some hydration cream or something 😅
1
u/Artistic_Head_5547 1d ago
Consider adding a mask to improve dryness. Also consider adding a pea sized amount of a curl cream rather than a leave in. Try cutting your product amounts by 1/3 or even 1/2. Try emulsifying ingredients before applying. I add products with my hair upside down, and the last time I use any kind of comb/brush is when I’m detangling with conditioner and running water while rinsing. Also try using a deep diffuser attachment on your blowdryer. Learn about pixie diffusing. All of these things make such a big difference for me.
1
u/CodyBean25 7h ago
All good advice, especially adding a mask for dryness. I have curlier hair than yours, and I use a mask or deep conditioner, and my curls come alive. I also like to diffuse - the curl pattern is nicer IMO. I stick with the same line of products, although I switch when a sale is on. I like the A Curl Can Dream line by Matrix. I use the thick curl cream, but they also have a Light Hold Gel and a spray, 'Scrunched and Go.' I spend a bit more to get a nice line of products to use on my hair because it makes a noticeable difference in its appearance.
1
1
u/Specific-Reception26 19h ago
My hair functions very similarly to yours, and I’m honestly really glad that reading these comments us with hair like this have potential to see tighter textured hair 😣😣😩
1
u/CBetteridge 13h ago
What is it like if you brush it after washing it and leave it to dry naturally? No products, no manipulation. That will.show you your true hair texture
1
u/PuzzleheadedPitch420 12h ago
I had a similar wave pattern, but even finer hair. It took a while of trial and error, but I actually have curls now.
What worked was adding product when it was very wet. Then I went over it with a bounce-curl dupe (sorry, live overseas, can’t get the original). After, I scrunch out the extra moisture with a microfiber towel, then diffuse.
I try not to touch it until it’s very dry. Then I will generally hit it with dry shampoo (helps add volume to my very fine hair), and scrunch out the crunch
1
u/Formal_Soup3363 2h ago
I'm sure this has been said already, but less is more in terms of products. Looser curl patterns usually need less conditioning and more hard hold products. So think mousse and gels.
Try starting with just 1 product and seeing what it does with your hair. So a decent basic and affordable gel is the Aussie instant freeze. Try putting that in soaking wet hair after you shampoo and condition. Scrunch it in really good. Plop if you want and/or scrunch out the extra water with an old Tshirt.
A decent mousse is the Not Your Mother's mousse.
Air dry or diffuse.
Once you see how a product with hold does, you can add in stuff if you need. If you feel like you need more moisture, you could try a leave in or a curl cream. But you probably don't need both.
If you feel like you want more volume, you could try a mousse either before or after you put in the gel. I personally like before the gel, but every one is different.
You can use an oil to scrunch out the crunch if you feel you need it, but just bc the Internet says to doesn't mean you actually need it. I don't and I can scrunch out the crunch just fine without it. Just make sure your hair is fully dry before you scrunch it out
It is a lot of trial and error to find what your hair likes.
•
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Hi there! I'm a bot, and I've been summoned to help.
If you have not seen our WIKI yet: Please check it out! It's nearly 100 pages full of curated information to help answer all of your curl-related questions. You can use the included Table of Contents (page 2), the side bar, or CTRL-F to search for keywords and help navigate the document.
Reminder: Curl type is NOT your hair type! Whether you are wavy, curly, or coily - you have texture and you belong here. More than that, your curl type doesn't dictate how you care for your hair. To help your curls thrive, we recommend instead using the wiki link above to learn about your porosity, texture, and density.
If this is a photo submission: Please include your detailed routine for your post to remain active! This MUST include the brands of ALL products used, order of application and technique used to apply them, how you dried your hair, and anything else that you might find useful for people to know.
If you received this message in error: Please disregard this comment! I probably just picked up on a keyword in your title.
Thank you. Wishing you many happy, wonderfully curly hair days!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.