Not quite waves, not quite straight. -__- AHH.

[SouthernSweetie]

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8504&d=1388616438I stopped using heat and started CO-washing when I joined in November, and my hair is starting to change. I'm really starting to be annoyed by my "flippy" hair that sometimes I feel like using the flat iron again. I never feel pretty anymore because my hair is so short and having to be trimmed every 6 weeks due to damage, and I don't style it with heat anymore so its always just blah. I don't have enough hair to do buns because it just looks like a little ball on the back of my head, and pieces of my "face-framing" layers that I'm growing out are always falling out of my regular braids. I'm tired of not looking put together, and I need some help with no-heat styling. The ways you sleep in to get curls don't seem to work for me because they end up looking crazy and wild when I wake up, and what I really need is a quick routine that I can do with damp hair to make more defined waves so it looks like I actually did something to my hair. I hate wearing my hair in a bun or a ponytail all the time, so I need some help.
Any suggestions would be wonderful.
Thanks,
Kayla

[Cania]

My waves looked nicest at that length if I put my hair in two quick cinnabuns for half an hour while I got ready in the morning. It gives more defined waves, but they are more "random" than braid waves, I find, which is a look I prefer. I've also heard that sea-salt spray can help define waves, have you tried anything like that?

[SouthernSweetie]

I'm a newbie to anything pro-natural curl/wave. I never learned how to curl hair well until about a year ago, and that was with a curling wand. The only "styling" I've ever done to my hair has been to flat-iron it for about 4 years straight before November. So, no I haven't, but I wish! It sounds interesting. Would I make it at home or is there a store-bought product out there?

[Sharysa]

Have you tried pin-curls? Normally they use heat, but you can just let them dry out naturally. It gives a really glamorous and bouncy feel, and since you're a borderline-wavy like it seems from the flipping, pin-curls would look great on you.

I'd love to try pin-curls, but I have waaaaaay too much hair since it's long and thick now. Pin-curls are naturally suited to shorter hair.

[Cania]

I'm a newbie to anything pro-natural curl/wave. I never learned how to curl hair well until about a year ago, and that was with a curling wand. The only "styling" I've ever done to my hair has been to flat-iron it for about 4 years straight before November. So, no I haven't, but I wish! It sounds interesting. Would I make it at home or is there a store-bought product out there?

I think LUSH sell a version, but it's easy enough to make yourself. Fill a spray/mister bottle with filtered water, add 1tsp of fine ground sea salt, half a tsp of your favourite conditioner and a dollop of aloe vera gel - might want to experiment with the amounts a little bit but might be worth a go. I think Aussie do some texture sprays too. Of course, I also like to scrunch with just AVG alone. I just coat my palms with it then close my hands around the waves and it brings them out a treat - or did! My hair just seems to get straighter the longer it gets, I quite miss my waves now.

Pin curls are another great suggestion, I'm just too lazy for them myself :P

[Anje]

Ah, the joys of being in the 1c-2a range.... :p

High buns are pretty good for inducing more wave. (I think bee-butt buns are especially effective for this because they don't create quite the same sort of kink in my hair as cinnamon buns.) Combing a few times during the drying process seems to reduce it, at least for me. Braids are nice. But ultimately, I think there's a lot to be said for accepting that you have gently wavy hair. It can be a very attractive texture -- subtle movement and texture that the straighties don't have, but your growth doesn't get eaten by big waves or curls. Straivy hair is OK, even if it's not clearly in one category or another.

[Luly]

I sorta know what you mean! My hair is curly, wavy and straight! Curly at the front, wavy at the back and then straight on the right side. I too am trying not to use heat except for special occasions like getting my photos take etc. I like to wear my hair down but if i cant I usually do a bun or something. My hair is not very long either though (shoulder/ armpit length). Sometimes if i dampen it it may go sightly curly, enough to wear out but other than that I don't really know?

[SouthernSweetie]

Hmmmmm. Very interesting. I might try to make some of that spray! I've got a bottle that was (spray) leave-in conditioner that would work perfect for that! Haha. I always re-use stuff. Thanks!
And pin curls...I've tried making them and sleeping on them...end result: poofy wild mess. I don't think I did it right, but who knows. I move around way to much in my sleep.. haha.

[sourgrl]

I do damp beebutt buns for loose waves (see profile pic) and braids for beachy waves. I second embracing your natural texture. The biggest challenge may be your current length. Personally I hated my hair at the length. It seemed like the length stops right in the middle of good waves at that length. Also, half ups will give you more style options. I can't recommend products as I don't use them.

[spidermom]

Wow; I think your natural subtle waves are very pretty.

Two top-of-head buns would probably give a more defined wave pattern. Use a little gel when you form them. Just gather half of the hair and twist until it starts collapsing onto itself, then twirl the length around the base and pin into place with bobby pins. Repeat on the other side. I've gotten the prettiest bun curls from doing this.

[diddiedaisy]

I tried the head buns yesterday on my sl hair. I have nice waves at the front but the back is straight with a few funny kinks. I left them in for an hour on almost dry hair. Result...poodle perm lol So I would suggest to do the twisting lightly ,rather than till they collapse on themselves.

[SouthernSweetie]

Anje: I love your term for this type of hair. I'm going to steal it! STRAIVY! :)

I think I'll try a couple different buns with some of the stuff y'all are suggesting!

Spidermom: Thank you so much! I think I will reallllyyy like my slight waves when I hit my goal length of BSL. Like someone had mentioned, this length is aggravating, and my waves will look better when they aren't all flippy! AHH.

diddiedaisy: I know what you mean! Ughhh. Poodle perm is what I got when I tried some stuff too! haha.

Oh, quick question: Would that sea salt spray dry your hair out? I mean, salt is used to draw out moisture for curing and things, so wouldn't it make my hair dry? Or crunchy? Or maybe the aloe gel and conditioner would counteract that effect?

[Anje]

Yes, salt sprays are drying, though I've heard it argued that sprays made with Epsom salt/magnesium sulfate are less so and can still enhance waves. (Can't comment on that, myself.) If you go that route, don't DIY a super-saturated solution, and don't go nuts with it. Moisturize your hair will between uses. (Way back when, before I joined the site, member Snowymoon made a strong sea salt spray, overused it, and did some lasting damage to her hair. The SMT was invented to help her hair recover and maintain moisture after that fiasco.)

[MaryO]

I think that I also have this half wavy thing going on at the moment and I like to enhance it by washing my hair at night and sleeping with it in a topknot fixed with spin pins. As for day looks- if you feel like your bun is too small perhaps you can try one of those fat bun supporter things to make it look larger? I also have a very small bun but have accepted it and now wear a type of a topknot almost every day! :-)

[Naiadryade]

I think your waves are quite lovely, myself. But I can understand being frustrated at that length. It will pass! And there's nothing wrong with shaping the waves with buns and braids, nothing at all.

In addition to the suggestions of bun and braid waves, you might like to see what rope braids do to your wave pattern and how you like that.


Wow; I think your natural subtle waves are very pretty.

Two top-of-head buns would probably give a more defined wave pattern. Use a little gel when you form them. Just gather half of the hair and twist until it starts collapsing onto itself, then twirl the length around the base and pin into place with bobby pins. Repeat on the other side. I've gotten the prettiest bun curls from doing this.

I like to do two buns formed this way, or like bantu knots held with a scrunchie. I usually put my buns on each side at the nape of my neck though. For me, it's more comfortable to sleep this way. On top of my head they are heavy and pull at my scalp. You could try both ways and see which you like better, both for comfort with the buns in and for the look of the waves after.


I tried the head buns yesterday on my sl hair. I have nice waves at the front but the back is straight with a few funny kinks. I left them in for an hour on almost dry hair. Result...poodle perm lol So I would suggest to do the twisting lightly ,rather than till they collapse on themselves.

To fix the problem with the lack of nice waves in the back, you could do three buns: one on each side, and one centered at the back. And did you try to brush or comb after taking the buns out? That could definitely create the poodle perm effect. Try just carefully separating the hair out so it's not just one chunk: take the bun down, and just gently pull the hair apart a little bit horizontally. At the most, slowly do a just a few passes of finger-combing. This should give soft defined waves (or curls, if you do more smaller buns as opposed to fewer bigger ones) instead of frizz.

[browneyedsusan]

I like a French twist to make deeper waves. I've also set pincurls for lasting, bouncy curls. They take some practice, and need lots of brushing to look good. This lady (http://www.youtube.com/user/LisaFreemontStreet/videos?sort=p&view=0&flow=grid) has some great tutorials. (I just use bobby pins, and they come out nice.)

ETA: I think I have some pincurl pics in my album. Feel free to have a snoop through! :)

[Cania]

Oh, quick question: Would that sea salt spray dry your hair out? I mean, salt is used to draw out moisture for curing and things, so wouldn't it make my hair dry? Or crunchy? Or maybe the aloe gel and conditioner would counteract that effect?

They are pretty drying, but I never had a problem. I have always made sure I put lots of moisture back in with oil treatments. The aloe/conditioner mix will stop it getting as dry, but you still have to keep an eye on things. You want it to be really, really mild if you do try it.

[SouthernSweetie]

From the looks of this, I'm going to have to do some serious trial and error. I'm gonna make sure I don't make the salt spray too strong!
This is so helpful! :)

[spirals]

My advice is to be patient. The longer it gets, the more complete the waves will be. It's just flippy due to being on the shorter side. In the meantime, try cute updos or half-ups with pretty accessories and braids.

[Firefox7275]

Curly Gitl method: you may well have more wave than you think once you stop combing/ brushing: check out Chupie on YouTube. Might hold strays off your face with silk/ satin headbands kruse flaxseed or okra gel - they can blend into hair better if you wear it wavy. You don't have to have straight hair to look 'put together'.

Salt sprays are always damaging if used regularly: the crystals are rough and they work by dehydrating the hair. Gentler curl boosters include hydrolysed protein and xanthan gum.

[HintOfMint]

No more advice to give (other members have it pretty well covered), but have patience. Once your hair gets long enough, I have a feeling that damp bunning will turn out great for your hair. It just takes a little length to get one bun on top of your head. Once you get past that milestone, it's low maintenance heaven.

[WoolSweater]

I just want to say, that looking at your photo made me do a double take, because it looks JUST like the back of my head. Haha! We have the same hair type and length. Honestly I can't stand my hair at this length (along with the wonky half straight/half wavy thing), so I just put it up in a bun. I use just a tad bit of curling serum so it will hold the bun better. Maybe if you can ride it out another inch or so with up dos, you'll feel better after about it down. I feel like once we get just a couple more inches, it will be past this awkward not short/not long/not curling/not really doing anything stage. Message me if you ever need to drown your sorrows; every day it's a battle to not chop it off, or cry, or both. ; ) :flower:

[SouthernSweetie]

I'm trying to be patient and let it grow, but with trims (that are very necessary) it is soooo hard cause I feel like I'm not getting anywhere! Ughhhh. And WoolSweater, I'm so glad we are hair twins! Not that I want you to suffer along with me, but ya know. Haha. We will get through this!
Today I tried to find my natural texture by not combing my hair straight when I got out of the shower and I had a few more waves than that first picture! When my hair was almost completely dry I got a little curling creme and scrunched a little, and it turned out better than I thought. Tomorrow I'm going to try scrunching before it gets too dry and see just how much wave I can get out of it! I'm on my phone so I can't put a picture in this post, but here's (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=11437&attachmentid=8516) a link to my pictures.

[ExpectoPatronum]

I love your waves! It'll be interesting to see the texture more as your hair grows out.

[ravenheather]

I think you need to change your hair type. I think you are at least a 1c/2a.

[lapushka]

I think you need to change your hair type. I think you are at least a 1c/2a.

IMO 1c for sure, but I wouldn't go so far as 2a.

[SouthernSweetie]

I think you need to change your hair type. I think you are at least a 1c/2a.



IMO 1c for sure, but I wouldn't go so far as 2a.

I think 1c will do. I'll change it in just a second.

So, I made a concoction without salt yesterday. Haha..
I used curling creme, conditioner, aloe vera gel, regular hair gel, and water. Everything but the water was as close as I could get to equal parts(a couple of squeezes). I think the spray bottle was 8oz. I sprayed my hair with it after I took off my turbie towel, and scruched it with a dry towel. I have to say, last night when it dried it looked very nice, and soft! No salt needed, and it had some body. I think I might add a little bit more of the Herbal Essences Hair gel though, because I wanna make sure it holds. This morning when I got up, I spritzed some more on it and scrunched again, and I'm definitely rockin' the messy look today. Haha. :D I love experimenting!

And thank you ExpectoPatronum, I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's long either! :disco:

[peppermintgomez]

Hmm, burning and headband curls never worked for me. I have layers so I'd always end up with a few bits that didn't wrap quite right, and they'd end up getting kinked and frizzy. My hair is also very fine so I'd always get a funny demarcation line.

What I do now is much simpler, and the results look a little more natural, which I prefer. Basically I take a wide tooth comb and gently, from ends to root, detangle after my shower (slippery conditioner is imperative here). I then wrap the soaking wet hair loosely in a microfiber towel and make my morning tea, do my makeup, etc. When I take it down, I gently comb it out again and run a smoothing product through. This gets it tangle-free and smooth. You may not have to a second detangle, but I have to because my hair tangles just by virtue of existing. The product I use is Davines hair milk. It's lightweight and smells wonderful, but it does have a (soluble) cone so if you're avoiding cones or don't have hair that's as fine as mine, another product is in order.

Once I do that, it's time to make waves! I pull my hair up in sections and smooth it out with my fingers, then gently twist each section away from my face. Pulling it straight up and twisting gives some volume at the roots. I then release and it will unwind a bit. I do larger sections through the front and smaller in the back, where my hair is more dense, but I never go too small. My hair has a very loose wave and the general rule of thumb is the tighter the wave or curl, the smaller the sections should be.

Once I've twisted my whole head, I spray a bit of beach wave spray and let it air dry. In the summer, I might rake some gel or curl cream before twisting to give more frizz control and hold.

The results are loose beach waves. They're slightly uneven and imperfect...not like Hollywood waves...but I prefer that. I can post a picture later. It sounds like more work than it really is. Most of the time is spent just letting it dry.

[meteor]

You mentioned flipping ends and that you have to have hair regularly trimmed. Next time you go to a salon, try to get a curly hair specialist to trim your hair and ask to trim on dry hair, making sure the ends are not left on the "flip-out" part of the wave. Discuss and show your flipping ends with the hairdresser before he/she gets the scissors out. Most hairdressers cutting straight hair care only about the length, but on curly/wavy hair they have to consider the curl pattern as well.

I agree with the braids/buns recommendations for enhancing the wave. I do this every night anyway, because I cannot leave my hair uncontained for the night or it's tangle-hell next morning. Rag-curls can be useful too.

Also remember to sleep with a silk scarf/sleep cap or on a silk pillowcase to help the curls set without the frizz. Smooth surfaces smooth down the cuticle and rough and absorbent materials can roughen up the cuticle and encourage frizz.

To "set" the waves during overnight braiding/bunning, spray some water + a bit of oil (e.g. coconut). You can also try aloe vera gel, flaxseed gel, okra gel to set waves on wet hair.

I can't recommend salt sprays: salt is ridiculously drying if used regularly and won't give you moisturized, shiny waves long term, instead it will end up giving you dry, wiry, damaged frizz - the kind that women often notice after a summer spent at the beach without protecting hair.

Also, you might want to look into finding the right kinds of tools - many wavies can't use any brushes, but use wide-tooth combs or even only fingers.
Check out the Curly Girl Method.

[peppermintgomez]

Ok, here are some pictures.

Sorry they're tiny but I think they get the point across. This may or may not be to everyone's taste, but it works for me.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/ranabow/image4_zps07d5e719.jpeg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/ranabow/image3_zpscf51b92b.jpeg


I can't say I've had any drying/frizzing issues with the beach spray I use (at least not more than is typical for me). If there's one thing i have learned from my hair journey, it's that there isn't a hard and fast list of do's and don'ts...rather, there is a lot of different things to try. There is just too much variation in hair properties for the same routine to work for everyone. If what you're doing isn't working, change one thing. If that doesn't help, try again. It's an iterative process. The only way to find the right hair routine is to try a LOT of different things, and rule out the things that aren't working. For me, curly girl didn't work. I gave it a solid shot (for about six months), but my hair just looked limp, felt dirty, and after a while it even started smelling weird! But for some 2a's, it worked wonders and even got their hair type to be curlier than expected.

I also learned to embrace certain attributes that might be perceived as "flaws" by a lot of people. I remember complaining about my frizz to a friend, and her response was a very confused "but why? It's cute." Frizz is just a natural part of my hair's texture and it's always there regardless of what products or methods I use, so I have learned to accept it (within reason).

So anyway, to go to your original post...it sounds like it's your haircut that's the most problematic thing, so I agree that the first step you should take is probably to try a new cut or stylist. My stylist cuts my hair wet, but finishes dry. This allows her to cut evenly and precisely when wet, but shape and contour it appropriately when dry. I also learned that too many layers, or layers that are too short, cause problems because they stick out in all directions and look weird. Long layers work best. Since your hair is shorter, you might need to just be patient and grow it until the stick-out parts start twirling back in, if that makes sense.

[SouthernSweetie]

The results are loose beach waves. They're slightly uneven and imperfect...not like Hollywood waves...but I prefer that. I can post a picture later. It sounds like more work than it really is. Most of the time is spent just letting it dry.
This sounds like something I would like to try. Maybe with the spray that I made yesterday after I add some more gel. It seems we have pretty similar hair, so I bet it'll work! I'd like to see a picture just for the hell of it though! :D thanks





You mentioned flipping ends and that you have to have hair regularly trimmed. Next time you go to a salon, try to get a curly hair specialist to trim your hair and ask to trim on dry hair, making sure the ends are not left on the "flip-out" part of the wave. Discuss and show your flipping ends with the hairdresser before he/she gets the scissors out. Most hairdressers cutting straight hair care only about the length, but on curly/wavy hair they have to consider the curl pattern as well.

I agree with the braids/buns recommendations for enhancing the wave. I do this every night anyway, because I cannot leave my hair uncontained for the night or it's tangle-hell next morning. Rag-curls can be useful too.

Also remember to sleep with a silk scarf/sleep cap or on a silk pillowcase to help the curls set without the frizz. Smooth surfaces smooth down the cuticle and rough and absorbent materials can roughen up the cuticle and encourage frizz.

To "set" the waves during overnight braiding/bunning, spray some water + a bit of oil (e.g. coconut). You can also try aloe vera gel, flaxseed gel, okra gel to set waves on wet hair.

I can't recommend salt sprays: salt is ridiculously drying if used regularly and won't give you moisturized, shiny waves long term, instead it will end up giving you dry, wiry, damaged frizz - the kind that women often notice after a summer spent at the beach without protecting hair.

Also, you might want to look into finding the right kinds of tools - many wavies can't use any brushes, but use wide-tooth combs or even only fingers.
Check out the Curly Girl Method.

I sleep on a satin pillowcase! So I'm covered with that, and I've decided not to use the salt spray. I'm too much of a worrier. haha. I'll talk to my hairdresser next time, and I'm gonna look up the curly girl method! Thanks!

[SouthernSweetie]

I really like what that does to your hair! I hope mine looks kinda like that! haha.

[Naiadryade]

I think 1c will do. I'll change it in just a second.

So, I made a concoction without salt yesterday. Haha..
I used curling creme, conditioner, aloe vera gel, regular hair gel, and water. Everything but the water was as close as I could get to equal parts(a couple of squeezes). I think the spray bottle was 8oz. I sprayed my hair with it after I took off my turbie towel, and scruched it with a dry towel. I have to say, last night when it dried it looked very nice, and soft! No salt needed, and it had some body. I think I might add a little bit more of the Herbal Essences Hair gel though, because I wanna make sure it holds. This morning when I got up, I spritzed some more on it and scrunched again, and I'm definitely rockin' the messy look today. Haha. :D I love experimenting!

And thank you ExpectoPatronum, I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's long either! :disco:

Pictures? :popcorn:

[SouthernSweetie]

I don't have any from yesterday, but I'm gonna wake up in the morning and do the same thing. Since I washed it today, it should look about the same! :) I'll try to put some pics up then!