How can I bring out my curl?

[Beloved]

When I sweat I have corkscrew curls on all the sweaty hair. When I let my hair airdry it is slightly wavy with a halo of corkscrew frizz. I usually blow dry it straight or weigh it down with product to get a straighter, sleeker look.

Is there a way I could actually bring out the wave pattern?

My mother has similar hair which she blowdries and flat irons straight. Same with my grandmother, who actually has very tight curls that want to go vertical and horizontal.

Advice appreciated!

[spidermom]

Wet your hair, then finger-comb some gel through it, maybe with a drop or two of oil mixed in. You can use a hair-styling gel or aloe vera gel. Smooth a final bit of gel between your palms, then over the top surface of your hair to discourage the frizzies. Don't run your fingers or a comb through it after that. Allow to dry.

[Roseate]

I have wavy hair, and it becomes downright curly if I treat it right.

The big difference for me is how I treat it while it's drying. If I plop (http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/its-a-curly-world/to-plop-or-not-to-plop) it for a while, then do not comb it or run my fingers through it until it is 100% air dried, it will keep its curls. If I comb it, it's right back to plain ripply waves. I used to blowfry it out often, but I'm liking my curls more and more these days.

It's also key to make sure your hair is well moisturized, but not weighed down. Check out the curly/wurly thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=369&highlight=curly+wurly)for lots of talk about curls!

[sibylla]

I´ve heard of people who let their hair dry in hair nets to get more curl.

[Heidi_234]

Try air drying your hair in a rope braid. :)

[suicides_eve]

air dry hair, microfiber towel to blot hair after shower, use a good moisturizing cone free conditioner. Cones kill waves /curls

[Speckla]

Air dry or scrunch while diffusing?
________
Ferrari 637 (http://www.ferrari-wiki.com/wiki/Ferrari_637)

[YogaGirl59]

I´ve heard of people who let their hair dry in hair nets to get more curl.

Wow, I never thought of wearing a hair net, but I bet it would work! I think I will try it.

[Shadow]

Hi Beloved,

I find my curls are best when I dont really do much to my hair at all after washing, although I do have to wash everyday to avoid my curls turning frizzies and going all flat and stringy. I wash/condition my hair as normal, doing my final rinse with my hair tipped upside down. Then, with my head still upside down, I gently squeeze out the excess water once and then put a small amount of curl enhancing cream (I just use a cheap Avon one) into the palm of my hand, rub my hands together and then very lightly 'scrunch' the cream into my hair, being very careful not to seperate the strands too much. the I flip my head the right way up and then just leave it to dry, I dont touch it at all. This gives me perfect spiral curls almost every time. If I'm in a hurry I'll blow-dry very, very gently with a diffuser on the lowest heat setting, but this does tend to make my hair a bit frizzy.

Hope this helps.

[SHELIAANN1969]

I realized I had curly hair when I stopped brushing it all the time and rarely comb it or only finger comb it.

Also if you stop blowdrying it and straightening it, that will allow your curls to be free.

Air drying will help a lot.

Good luck and don't forget to show us the results! ;)

[backtolonghair]

Hmm... I'm going to have to try some these techniques as well since I have wavy hair, and sometimes want it to be curly without the use of a curling iron... :)

[Isblå]

I don't know if this applies to you, but as my hair has been getting much more moisture since I found LHC the curls has really come out too.

[lapushka]

Try plopping, or "plunking". Here's a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2qD38ZYX6A

Also check out the forum @ http://www.naturalycurly.com

[crystal_89]

My spirals come out when I don't use cones, airdry, and most importantly; I don't brush/comb and very rarely fingercomb.