African American curly hair

[aprilpgb22]

Okay ladies,

I am getting really frustrated with my hair. I have been trying to go natural for a couple of years now. My hair is almost bra length(had to cut it because i put bad color in it). I have a problem when I wear it natural and when I wear it str8. I will start off with the natural and then str8.

1. When i wear my hair natural it looks pretty and curly but once i let it air dry it starts to look dry and the curls lose their definition. I wanted something to enhance the curls and i have tried just about everything(paul mitcheel, ms jessies curl puddy, paul sebastian). nothing works. Someone suggested washing it and wearing 2 strand twists and then letting it down once my hair is dry(i can barely braid correctly). I also heard that the more you straighten your hair that also takes away from the natural curl pattern. I wouldn't straighten it as much if it looked right natural.

2. Since i have moved back to ATL i can't find anyone that knows how to get my hair bone straight(i mean silky straight like i had a perm). I don't see how hard it can be. My older sister does hair and did mine in NY and did it perfectly. I have been back here since March and have been two a different stylist every two weeks. I am seriously thinking about getting a perm again. People say don't because my hair is so pretty, but i can't get it right natural or straight. I don't know what to do. I ask people can they get it silky straight and i guess they don't know the difference between straight and silky straight. I am open for suggestions please help.

 

[Alien8]

I have hair just like yours. I bought a book called Curly Girl that taught me how to take care of my hair. I live in New York and I've only found one salon where they know how to blow dry my hair bone straight. Everywhere else they tell me that my hair is too curly. I only hey my hair blown dry about 2x a year because it can ruin curls.

I highly recommend that you read that book. It changed how I do my hair completely. Have you thought about a very mild relaxer or a texturizer?

I use leave in conditioner or hair gel to control my curls. But mostly I just wear it wild and I love love love my curls.

 

[aprilpgb22]

I have tried some but they aren't the right ones. Which do you use?

 

[Alien8]

Originally Posted by aprilpgb22 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have tried some but they aren't the right ones. Which do you use? I don't use any expensive products. Just what's cheapest or on sale.

 

[Palacinka Beaut]

There is ONE brand that is the best for African-American curly hair and that is:

Miss Jessie's. In particular, I would recommend their Curly Pudding.

It does't dissapoint!

 

[LookLovely429]

You hair sounds just like mine. I used to have the Dominicans blow it out and it comes out silky straight. But I am having the same problems in getting my hair to stay curly once it dries.

 

[aprilpgb22]

I thought that I mentioned that Miss Jessies did nothing for my hair. I have tried the dominicans and they can't do the job as far as getting my hair silky straight(not at all)

 

[Cassie]

The more you use heat, the more heat damage your hair will become. Thats where the term "trained" comes from. The constant use of heat will damage your curl pattern and there isn't anything you can do to return to that state.

If you don't have heat damage, then start by deep conditioning your hair. I find that the basis of a defined curly look is a really good deep condition. Add honey to your DC and your curls will pop. Also try and rinse with ACV if you can( thats apple cider vinegar)

I'm not sure what kind of curly look you are going for but have you tried kinky curly products? I have heard that these products are good

( i only have 3 posts so i can't link)

Kinky curly.com

Curls.biz

2 strand twists are an easy way to create a curl pattern. There are two ways of doing sdo. On wet hair, will create a more curly but shorter appearance, on stretched out dry hair, the hair will look longer, but the hair not as curly ( i dunno if i'm explaining that well

)

When you get your hair staightened do you use heat protectant?

What products do you use now?

There are a lot of good websites out there for curly hair, that can teach you how to apply these products. Am i allowed to post them?

 

[reesesilverstar]

Nappturality.com

That's my hair encyclopedia...

 

[Cassie]

If your gonna post about straightening or curl definition NP is a no-no!

Naturallycurly.com

happycurls.com

and for hair health

longhaircareforum.com

for pure madness

blackhairmedia.com

 

[Palacinka Beaut]

I see. I'm curious which Miss Jessie product(s) you tried. Each of them is really designed for a different type of curly hair, AND for different needs (repair vs moisture/frizz control, etc.). Some of them also work best in damp or very WET hair first, vs others that work better on dry hair.

Of course Ouidad is another brand a lot of curly haired women get good results with, as well as Chaz Dean's WEN haircare (I forgot to mention this one before!) You can find his line on his website and also via QVC. Lots of curly haired actresses/celebs like stacey j, Eddie Murphy's ex-wife Nicole, etc use it.

 

[yourleoqueen]

salonbalisi

Salon Balisi, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 - Kudzu.com Profile

If you are anywhere near, you should def look her up. I've seen pics of her work and she is very talented. Health of hair is her utmost concern, unlike most AA stylists who only seem to want to chop hair and then burn it into submission with those too hot stove irons.

Balisi and Mizani Thermasmooth are the Bomb! - Long Hair Care Forums