How would you style this mess?

[jvdb]

I a long haired 2a girl trying to find a better way to treat my hair. About two weeks ago I started co washing and avoiding all silicones (except a water soluable cone when I need a light shampoo). I use my hairdryer but want to avoid my straightener at all costs. The problem is I am having a VERY difficult time embracing my natural hair. Its not wavy and its not straight....and its VERY limp. (was even before I started co washing). In the past two weeks I have been not brushing and only finger combing but near my roots my hair looks nasty and neglected. I have cute wave potential on my ends but my hair looks weighed down and nasty especially in the back (see pictures).

Any suggestions for styling? Do I need a cut and some layers to lighten it up? (if so I would LOVE example pictures). I LOVE LOVE LOVE long hair and would like to avoid anything above the shoulder but at the same time if keeping it long means it will be flat and limp than maybe I can get used to it shorter. Thanks guys.http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/attachments/2/15127d1312831985-2a-style-tips-gross-hair-jpg

[HairFaerie]

I don't see/can't find any pictures!

[jvdb]

I should add...it looks actually better in the pictures than in real life, so picture that but worse lol

[jvdb]

sorry, here is a picture that actually works.http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv78/jlretouching/grosshair.jpg?t=1312832743

[lapushka]

I don't quite see it as being limp. On the contrary. You do have lots of layering going on.
Frankly, I don't see what's wrong with it. :shrug:

It's not easy giving up a straightener, I guess, maybe you need to give it more time?

[HairFaerie]

If you want a full, non-limp looking style, and you don't mind blow drying.....a simple way is to turn your head upside down as you dry, also, lift at the roots on the top when you are drying (when you are not upside down). It will give it body and fullness.

If you are avoiding heat styling, there is a cool thing by Caruso. They are rollers that use steam. You could use the big rollers on the ends of your hair and that would look super cute, especially after blow drying upside down!

Mind you after you use the blow drying method described above, you may have to finger comb to calm it down a bit to avoid the "80s look"! :)

[Sweet_Decadence]

I think your hair looks really nice actually!
Maybe try a using a boar bristle brush to distribute the oils from your roots? You could also sleeping with a high bun in your hair get a volumious effect at the roots (this works a treat for me) and it could maybe enhance your waves.

However if that doesn't pan out for you I've had great luck with the Shwarzkopf got2b POWDER'ful powder. You massage it into the roots of your hair and give you an instant lift, the ingrediants list in it ain't to bad either.

[tinywife]

Hmm, it looks to me like it may be too dry. Have you tried a deep conditioning or oil treatment? I'd start with a SMT and see if that helps.

[dragonchickx]

maybe you should go back to the washing method you like best?? than just blow dry on cold and not straighten.. Lately I have noticed that whne I CO my hair gets like yours... -.- Have you heard of the tangle teezer? Try that instead of finger combing it will seperate ALL of you hairs and make them look fuller plus it is a no breakage brush which I love..

[spidermom]

A top-of-head bun is good for giving volume.

I'd say no more layering, though; I think your hair will look better sleek and smooth and shiny rather than broken up by all the layers.

[Angel_099]

I think your hair looks pretty good. Maybe you could just trim it a little and then try a cassia treatment...it sometimes adds golden tones, but with your color i doubt you would notice any change. :)

[Khiwanean]

You hair doesn't look lank or nasty to me. :shrug: It clumps a little at the roots, but wavy hair tends to clump together more than straight hair. Frankly, I think you may be wavier that you realize: it looks like your layers are making your hair flip outward because they don't have the length to make s-waves.

[Madora]

A top-of-head bun is good for giving volume.

I'd say no more layering, though; I think your hair will look better sleek and smooth and shiny rather than broken up by all the layers.

@Spidermom...Yes, indeed, you hit the nail on the head!

If the original poster wants to have lovely long hair, and particularly if she wants to wear updos to protect that hair, layers are devils to work with! Talk about frustration city!

[SpinDance]

I think your hair is pretty. I do think that the wave you have isn't being helped much by the layers, though. You may actually have more wave than you think if the very top is trying to clump. Remember that you've been blow drying and straightening the lengths, which has most likely affected the texture. I second the additional suggestion of doing a deep treatment such as SMT. You may need to spend a few months working out whether your hair needs protein, if so, how much, and maybe whether cones work better than oils. It is unfortunately a long, slow process, but well worth the time it takes. It isn't difficult, just slow.

[jvdb]

Thanks for all the kind words and advise. I'm looking to add LOTS of volume, think the first picture not the second (yes I realize that these are almost guaranteed to be both styled with a curlying iron but a girl can dream right?)

Does anyone think I can achieve the first look? And then so will layers help with it? I hate flat on top
http://www.lookgreat-loseweight-savemoney.com/images/jessica2.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJaFLw1YTeY/TZRpSI1DXoI/AAAAAAAAGDc/G-dJnyno0tc/s640/Every%20Day%20Hair%20Styles%20%289%29.jpg

[CurlyMopTop]

You very well may have that hair naturally and just don't know it yet. I agree with the others. A good smt should do your hair a lot of good. If your worried about volume, you may try clipping the roots along your part and where your head begins to curve. Put a little gel on the clips, pinch your wet hair along your part, then clip the roots. Let it dry that way. Once dry, gently remove the clips, slide your fingers up to the top of your head (like your about to give yourself a scalp massage) then ruffle your fingers a little bit to release the gel cast. Good luck and I hope this helps. It works for me! :)

[torrilin]

What I'm seeing looks pretty much straight, with a bit of flipping where the layers are. This suggests to me that if you're really a 2a, your routine and/or cut are flattening out your natural wave. I'd ordinarily expect a 2a to be a lot wavier. In your pictures, you can pass for 1b.

As far as the sample looks you like... they're both heat styled. I also suspect that both women have a stronger hair texture than you do. Your layers are delicate despite the sheer amount of layering, and they look good. This argues that your hair is a relatively fine texture. The women in your samples have much chunkier layers, which suggests their hair's texture is coarser. I don't think it is possible for you to achieve an identical look.

Depending on your curl pattern, it may be possible to achieve something similar where the volume comes from your natural wave. The volume just won't be as huge, and if I'm right about your hair being fine, it may not be physically possible for your hair to get as voluminous as your example pictures. If your curl pattern isn't cooperating, steam rollers or hot rollers might work. Then again, they might not. A lot depends on whether your hair is the sort that cooperates with heat styling.

[Chiara]

I agree with the PP, I think your hair may be more on the fine and silky side, which makes it hard to achieve the styles you've shown.

That said, there are some good youtube channels that show ways of getting extra volume and curl.
Check these out:
http://www.youtube.com/user/lilithedarkmoon
http://www.youtube.com/user/VividMakeup
http://www.youtube.com/user/Loepsie?blend=1&ob=5

[MidnightStar]

Hi, jvdb, I'm also a 2a with pretty fine hair, and I feel your pain! It's pretty frustrating to have not curly/not straight hair that tends to frizz out on you! :(
I agree with the others - don't cut layers, I think they'd cause you problems more than you'd enjoy them. If your hair's anything like mine, too, then I'd also recommend against co-washing, as it just leaves my hair limp and flat. Other than that, unfortunately I can't give a lot of great advice, as I'm still looking for my haircare routine.
Have you ever tried plopping to bring out the curlier side of your hair? I did it this weekend and I was amazed at how well it worked, and it was really easy too.

[katythegreat]

Trim and then braid. I'm a really big fan of Dutch braids at the moment. :)

[americanjan1]

I have random waves in my hair. My hair is very fine and looks a lot like yours when I blow dry. I'm trying not to use my straightener. I've given up cones and now also use conditioner only. I still can't just let it air dry and be done with it or it looks like just a half-wavy half-straight mess. My waves are on the longer part of my hair and I think when my layers get a little longer I will have waves in them as well. I think you might find this too.

[americanjan1]

Oh yeah, I also got a tangle teezer. It's really made a difference. I am having a hard time embracing my natural hair as well...I am still blow drying unless I just put it up with a spin pin.