How can I encourage my wavy hair to go curly?
October 28, 2016 8:00 PM Subscribe
I'm a man with medium-length, thick, generally wavy hair that's prone to frizz. It's curled up at the ends since forever, and I've always tried to tamp that down by working in mousse while it's still damp. However, occasionally I'll accidentally wash it in a certain way and wake up the following morning with lots of big O-shaped ringlets. I quite like the look, others do too, and it does away with my curly-ends problem. How can I achieve this more consistently?
Tips in the following areas would be much appreciated, in terms of what I should be doing to get those curls and tamp down on frizz:
Tips in the following areas would be much appreciated, in terms of what I should be doing to get those curls and tamp down on frizz:
- how should I wash my hair? Should I be shampooing at all? How frequently should I condition? Should I always condition after shampooing? If I'm showering/bathing, should I be allowing my hair to get wet at all if I'm not planning to shampoo or condition? What kinds of shampoos and conditioners should I be using?
- how should I dry my hair? Is it true that I should blot the excess water out of my hair with a towel instead of rubbing it dry? Should I ever use a hairdryer (or only with a diffuser)? Should I be letting my hair air dry completely? Or something else entirely?
- how should I tend to my hair? Are brushes my arch-enemy? How about combs? Should I be using products to encourage curls / kill frizz? Can I keep using the mousse ('icing') for its benefits in allowing me to shape my hair, or will it weigh down the curls? Should I try using hairspray to keep the curls in place? Is there some obvious thing I'm forgetting? Please don't tell me I need to use curling irons.
- anything else you think I'm missing. (Haircutting-related, perhaps? Climate? I live in Sydney, Australia, if that's relevant. I dunno.)
shampoo: switch to any shampoo that's sulfate free and moisturizing and go at least a couple days between washings unless you're spending time at the beach, then get the salt out ASAP. some people wash their curls with only conditioner sometimes but I don't find it feels clean enough for me, ymmv. the shampoo/conditioner part isn't a big deal and as long as your shampoo isn't too harsh and stripping moisture, you're fine.
drying and styling: yes, blot and squeeze and don't rub and always air dry. the part that really matters is sort of "setting" it in the right way while wet while handling it very gently and minimally. wet curly hair is fragile but you can gently comb through some product (I like the Aveda products mentioned above and the Bumble and Bumble curl creme. this is where to spend $$ to see better results, not on the shampoo) Shape the individual curls with your fingers by flipping, twirling and scrunching while still wet and then DON'T TOUCH any more while it air dries.
posted by slow graffiti at 8:40 PM on October 28, 2016
drying and styling: yes, blot and squeeze and don't rub and always air dry. the part that really matters is sort of "setting" it in the right way while wet while handling it very gently and minimally. wet curly hair is fragile but you can gently comb through some product (I like the Aveda products mentioned above and the Bumble and Bumble curl creme. this is where to spend $$ to see better results, not on the shampoo) Shape the individual curls with your fingers by flipping, twirling and scrunching while still wet and then DON'T TOUCH any more while it air dries.
posted by slow graffiti at 8:40 PM on October 28, 2016
I have your hair- I thought mine was just frizzy until I was 35 but nope, curly, as I discovered only when I posted an AskMe about it. It curls best when
1) I wash it with an oil-based, sulfate-free shampoo. I wash and condition it maybe 3x/week? I condition on the other days.
2) I squeeze drips out of my hair with a towel
3) I finger comb or use a very wide-toothed comb while still wet
4) I shake my head until it separates into clumps and
5) add some Bumble and Bumble Curl Creme or Aveda Be Curly by putting a small amount between my palms, rub it around and then scrunch on my hair
6) let it air dry
The shorter my hair is, the better it works and the better it looks. When I don't shower in the morning I spray my hair with water until it's fairly damp, scrunch it into curls again and go. Sometimes I add a little more product if needed, sometimes not.
If you search my history for my hair posts, people gave tons of advice that probably works- everyone has their own routine. I tried this one first because it is stupid easy, and it worked well on the first try.
posted by charmedimsure at 8:58 PM on October 28, 2016 [2 favorites]
1) I wash it with an oil-based, sulfate-free shampoo. I wash and condition it maybe 3x/week? I condition on the other days.
2) I squeeze drips out of my hair with a towel
3) I finger comb or use a very wide-toothed comb while still wet
4) I shake my head until it separates into clumps and
5) add some Bumble and Bumble Curl Creme or Aveda Be Curly by putting a small amount between my palms, rub it around and then scrunch on my hair
6) let it air dry
The shorter my hair is, the better it works and the better it looks. When I don't shower in the morning I spray my hair with water until it's fairly damp, scrunch it into curls again and go. Sometimes I add a little more product if needed, sometimes not.
If you search my history for my hair posts, people gave tons of advice that probably works- everyone has their own routine. I tried this one first because it is stupid easy, and it worked well on the first try.
posted by charmedimsure at 8:58 PM on October 28, 2016 [2 favorites]
Try The Curly Girl's Guide to Plopping Your Hair. My routine is close to charmedimsure's with the addition of plopping between steps 5 and 6. For me it seems to result in tighter, more defined curls.
posted by Lorin at 9:16 PM on October 28, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Lorin at 9:16 PM on October 28, 2016 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Lots of great answers already, thanks everyone! Will buy the Aveda Be Curly, try a couple of routines and report back.
posted by Panthalassa at 9:31 PM on October 28, 2016
posted by Panthalassa at 9:31 PM on October 28, 2016
Read Curly Girl! Wash as rarely as possible (depending on hair's oiliness), condition frequently, dry gently by blotting with a towel (no rubbing, no hair dryer), and use a wide-toothed comb while wet -- no brushes, no combing while dry.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:34 PM on October 28, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:34 PM on October 28, 2016 [3 favorites]
The secret for my hair was to towel dry until it didn't drop and then either scrunch or finger comb. If I even touch it with a comb or brush, I lose the curls. Scrunching makes it curlier but finger comb lets me give it some shape and direction (especially trying to control what it does around my ears).
posted by metahawk at 10:35 PM on October 28, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by metahawk at 10:35 PM on October 28, 2016 [1 favorite]
A couple different strategies I take:
Wash with nonsulfate shampoo (always!!), condition well, blot dry, spray with a blowdrying spray and blow until it's not sopping but not totally dry. Let airdry the rest of the way..
Or, as you say, wash before bed and sleep on it, which makes my frizz totally go away but sometimes also squashes my curls. I can usually revive them with some sea-salt or texturizing spray.
Also, sleeping with hair in twists/braids/a bun (esp. when slightly damp) will do cool things for it. I think this could work for a manly look if you styled it right after waking up.
posted by stoneandstar at 10:56 PM on October 28, 2016
Wash with nonsulfate shampoo (always!!), condition well, blot dry, spray with a blowdrying spray and blow until it's not sopping but not totally dry. Let airdry the rest of the way..
Or, as you say, wash before bed and sleep on it, which makes my frizz totally go away but sometimes also squashes my curls. I can usually revive them with some sea-salt or texturizing spray.
Also, sleeping with hair in twists/braids/a bun (esp. when slightly damp) will do cool things for it. I think this could work for a manly look if you styled it right after waking up.
posted by stoneandstar at 10:56 PM on October 28, 2016
Air dry, decent product after showers, regular trims, never comb dry or use a brush or hair dryer. On days I don't shower, I just wet my hands and run them through my hair to smooth down the worst frizz. Otherwise after a shower with both shampoo and conditioner (although I don't shampoo two days in a row), I do a quick comb, add my light product -- I wouldn't recommend anything that says it's for smoothing since it usually flattens hair, and then finger style while it's still pretty wet. I prefer a pick or wide toothed comb as well. My hair has never been curlier since I cut most of it off.
posted by possibilityleft at 11:13 PM on October 28, 2016
posted by possibilityleft at 11:13 PM on October 28, 2016
I agree with the detailed answers you've got. My product recommendations are different but that's because I'm in the UK.
It's also worth adding that curly hair varies. Some curls are more robust than others. I have quite fussy curls so I couldn't get away with some of what is being suggested here, and you'll need to experiment to see what your curls like.
I can't comb after washing, even when my hair is wet, otherwise I will get straightish fluffy hair. Even blotting with a towel makes my hair significantly less curly. I scrunch/squeeze it in the shower after turning the water off to get the worst of the water out and then it has to drip dry. I can't put my hair up or pull it back even once it's dried or the curls turn to fluff. If I use product that is too heavy I get sad thin crispy ringlets. I also can't have hair that is long enough to reach my shoulders without the curls starting to fall out.
I'm fully aware that these rules don't apply to everyone with curls, but if stuff doesn't work for you it doesn't necessarily mean you're doing it wrong. You'll find what works for you.
posted by kadia_a at 11:47 PM on October 28, 2016 [1 favorite]
It's also worth adding that curly hair varies. Some curls are more robust than others. I have quite fussy curls so I couldn't get away with some of what is being suggested here, and you'll need to experiment to see what your curls like.
I can't comb after washing, even when my hair is wet, otherwise I will get straightish fluffy hair. Even blotting with a towel makes my hair significantly less curly. I scrunch/squeeze it in the shower after turning the water off to get the worst of the water out and then it has to drip dry. I can't put my hair up or pull it back even once it's dried or the curls turn to fluff. If I use product that is too heavy I get sad thin crispy ringlets. I also can't have hair that is long enough to reach my shoulders without the curls starting to fall out.
I'm fully aware that these rules don't apply to everyone with curls, but if stuff doesn't work for you it doesn't necessarily mean you're doing it wrong. You'll find what works for you.
posted by kadia_a at 11:47 PM on October 28, 2016 [1 favorite]
Here you go! These instructions changed my hair life.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:08 AM on October 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by DarlingBri at 1:08 AM on October 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
Tell your hairdresser you want it to be curly. Mine's wavy and if I get lots of layers cut into it, it curls right up. Without them it's too heavy.
posted by penguin pie at 4:06 AM on October 29, 2016
posted by penguin pie at 4:06 AM on October 29, 2016
Hey hair twin! My hair is sometimes just really full and sometimes legitimately power-curly-- have to admit I find the wild-curls much more "my spirit animal" and so try to make it happen, when I am not lazy. I never actually tested whether switching shampoos or shampooing less or more made a difference in a systematic way (I think shampooing less or using hippie shampoos tended to make my hair look worse rather than better) (but inspired by this thread, maybe i will give it another shot!). But here are some things that do tend to work:
1. Squish to condish. This is probably in one of the guidelines linked above because I learned it from the internet. It really works.
2. Air dry 100 percent of the time.
3. Cotton hamam towel instead of a terrycloth towel, blot the scrunched up curls, don't comb or weigh down your hair. You should be able to see the ringlets from when you condition through to when it dries so it's not that mysterious.
4. Shorter hair.
5. Tell the person cutting your hair that you like to wear it curly and if they could work some haircutting magic to emphasize the individual curls that would be great (NB this requires a decent stylist, which hopefully you have?)
6. Big guns-- put some crap in it. One salon recommended this stuff which is drying and does seem designed to add texture to fine hair, not curl up wavy hair, but it does work to separate and hold ringlets that are on the edge. I just put it on my fingertips and scrunch it into my hair holding my head upside down. Too much and it's crunchy but I put in a buuunch for my brother's wedding when I wanted to look like a fun muppet until the end of the night and it worked.
Following this thread with interest!
posted by athirstforsalt at 4:53 AM on October 29, 2016
1. Squish to condish. This is probably in one of the guidelines linked above because I learned it from the internet. It really works.
2. Air dry 100 percent of the time.
3. Cotton hamam towel instead of a terrycloth towel, blot the scrunched up curls, don't comb or weigh down your hair. You should be able to see the ringlets from when you condition through to when it dries so it's not that mysterious.
4. Shorter hair.
5. Tell the person cutting your hair that you like to wear it curly and if they could work some haircutting magic to emphasize the individual curls that would be great (NB this requires a decent stylist, which hopefully you have?)
6. Big guns-- put some crap in it. One salon recommended this stuff which is drying and does seem designed to add texture to fine hair, not curl up wavy hair, but it does work to separate and hold ringlets that are on the edge. I just put it on my fingertips and scrunch it into my hair holding my head upside down. Too much and it's crunchy but I put in a buuunch for my brother's wedding when I wanted to look like a fun muppet until the end of the night and it worked.
Following this thread with interest!
posted by athirstforsalt at 4:53 AM on October 29, 2016
If Aveda's Be Curly leave-in doesn't work well for you, I love Unite's Boing curl creme. It has hold and smooths away frizz and helps shape curls, and for me has better hold and curl enhancement than the Be Curly leave-in.
posted by shortyJBot at 4:58 AM on October 29, 2016
posted by shortyJBot at 4:58 AM on October 29, 2016
Also, get it cut regularly. One of the things that makes curly hair frizzy rather than curly is scraggly, split ends.
posted by colfax at 6:31 AM on October 29, 2016
posted by colfax at 6:31 AM on October 29, 2016
Another product recommendation: Bumble and bumble (un)dressing creme.
Good advice above: air dry, don't brush/comb, although you can finger large curls apart when it's dry. As half of the world goes into winter, a diffuser attachement to a hair dryer to jump start air drying, or dry completely. Air drying alone can be so chilly! I find it best to diffuse dry my roots and let the rest mostly air dry; this works better on low humidity days.
Styling products are mad pricey and it's hard to find the best one for your situation. Sephora will squirt out some samples for you if you ask :)
posted by Drosera at 7:01 AM on October 29, 2016
Good advice above: air dry, don't brush/comb, although you can finger large curls apart when it's dry. As half of the world goes into winter, a diffuser attachement to a hair dryer to jump start air drying, or dry completely. Air drying alone can be so chilly! I find it best to diffuse dry my roots and let the rest mostly air dry; this works better on low humidity days.
Styling products are mad pricey and it's hard to find the best one for your situation. Sephora will squirt out some samples for you if you ask :)
posted by Drosera at 7:01 AM on October 29, 2016
Also sleeping on a silk pillowcase keeps the frizz lower if you're a shower-by-night kind of person. And they feel so fancy!
posted by Drosera at 7:04 AM on October 29, 2016
posted by Drosera at 7:04 AM on October 29, 2016
Nthing Aveda's Be Curly products for after washing but I have to recommend they Dry Remedy shampoo and conditioner. I was my hair 2-3 times a week.
Typically I'll comb my hair wet and twist it in a towel (which I guess is similar to plopping but I didn't know that had a name). After 15-20 minutes (while my hair is still damp but not soaked) I put Be Curly in and the Dry Remedy essential oil. I only was my hair at night and go to bed with it damp. This helps my hair curl amazingly well with minimal frizz.
posted by toomanycurls at 11:21 AM on October 29, 2016
Typically I'll comb my hair wet and twist it in a towel (which I guess is similar to plopping but I didn't know that had a name). After 15-20 minutes (while my hair is still damp but not soaked) I put Be Curly in and the Dry Remedy essential oil. I only was my hair at night and go to bed with it damp. This helps my hair curl amazingly well with minimal frizz.
posted by toomanycurls at 11:21 AM on October 29, 2016
I like Lush's R&B cream over the Aveda Be Curly stuff.
I'm currently in a quandary, because some folks say to avoid silicone/dimethicone containing stuff, and it's in a bunch of my conditioners. So, condition, but there's dimethicone, or don't, and then...there's no conditioner?
posted by leahwrenn at 12:19 PM on October 29, 2016
I'm currently in a quandary, because some folks say to avoid silicone/dimethicone containing stuff, and it's in a bunch of my conditioners. So, condition, but there's dimethicone, or don't, and then...there's no conditioner?
posted by leahwrenn at 12:19 PM on October 29, 2016
I have curly/ wavy hair. I use plenty of gel and several sprites of any silicone-based shine product. (Aussie always has some) The shine/silicone stuff allows it to curl more than frizz.
posted by theora55 at 3:46 PM on October 29, 2016
posted by theora55 at 3:46 PM on October 29, 2016
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How should I dry my hair?- Yeah, rubbing it dry will add more frizz. The shape it's in as it's drying will be the shape it ends in, so you don't really want it to be inside a towel the whole time- I either air dry or diffuse (high heat + low air). If you do either, kinda toss your head around and upside down to separate the curls, and scrunch your hair towards your head with your hands to help it form the curl shape as it dries.
How should I tend to my hair?- Never ever brush or comb once it's dry. The absolute holy grail of curl enhancing products (for my hair, anyway) is a combination of a half-pump of Phomollient plus about a pea-sized amount of Be Curly Curl Enhancer (or maybe a bit more, it's been a while). Seriously, game changer. Phomollient is a very very light mousse that doesn't make your hair crunchy unless you use way too much, and Be Curly helps it form the curls. You want to apply both once your hair is no longer dripping wet but still damp all over. Mix them both in your hand and apply it throughout your hair. Lately, I really like Aveda Control Paste to help reduce frizz on my hair when I wear it straight. If the other combo isn't working for you, maybe that could be a back-up option. It's pretty heavy, though.
Anything else you think I'm missing- Definitely go to a salon/stylist that specializes in curly hair. They will cut your hair while it's curly to help enhance the shape. Devacurl hair cuts are supposed to be great, but I haven't tried them.
posted by quiet coyote at 8:24 PM on October 28, 2016 [1 favorite]