Women with curly/kinky hair... anyone sick of it?

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flatbellybella
flatbellybella Posts: 303 Member
in Chit-Chat
I've been relaxer free for 3+ years and it's been a journey lol My hair is a wild mix between 3 different cultures and at times I can't stand it.
I'm either at work (i'm a nurse) or I'm at the gym so my hair is usually up. Which means I have to use a TON of gel/products to slick it back. I get compliments but unfortunately I always have to hold myself back from saying "well ya, I can't stand it". I feel like the only people who compliment me on my hair are my older patients who have perms lol
I workout, eat right to look the best I can be... but then I don't do anything fun to my hair.
I spend at least 2x on products vs what I would spend on when I would always be in the salon.

I wear it down and straighten it once in a blue moon... but it's not the same...
I haven't been to the salon in a long time.... ever since I've been natural

Anyone in my shoes?

I want to get a relaxer and do something wild to my hair... BUT I don't want to regret it.
( I bought a curl softener kit but I'm scared to use it) I'm rambling on but someone has got to feel my pain
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Replies

  • sagefitnessfanatic
    sagefitnessfanatic Posts: 75
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    YES! Welcome to my world. The positive - My hair is soooo much healthier in it's natural state - thicker, longer. I only straighten it once in awhile (hubby loves straight hair smh LOL). But bc I'm a gym rat, it reverts back to curly as soon as I break any type of sweat LOL So, I just "werk" the curly styles and when my body needs a 3 day+ rest/recovery, I straighten it : ) BTW, love your curly hair! You're beautiful!
  • SweetTeaAndCutoffs
    SweetTeaAndCutoffs Posts: 59 Member
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    I have curly hair that's slowly started to relax a little over the years. I use a combo of several different things, but nothing has made a huge difference. I had to comment because I think you are stunningly beautiful!!! You hair looks so good in your profile picture!!!
  • PhoenixJR
    PhoenixJR Posts: 32 Member
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    I love my curls. You can love your curls too, you just have to take care of them and unfortunately most hair advice is geared towards striaght hair.

    1. Go buy a sulfate/silicone/paraben free shampoo and conditioner - I personally use Devacurl No-poo and conditioner. Sulfates are way too harsh for curls and silicone dries it out, both of these things are found in a lot of shampoos and conditioners and frizz products. Parabens are just gross.

    2. DO NOT BRUSH YOUR HAIR. Especially when it is dry. brushing pulls out the curls and separates them, resulting in frizz. I run my fingers through my hair while it is wet and saturated with conditioner to get any tangles out. Then I put gel in it (silicone free), blowdry it with a diffuser (that weird attachment that kind of makes your hairdryer look like a raygun) and put a drop of almond oil at the ends. Then I do not touch it. Oh also don't towel dry it, keep it as sopping wet as possible and kind of squeeze the excess water out with your hands when you scrunch the gel into it. Then gently dry it with the diffuser.

    I hope this helps.
  • MorgueBabe
    MorgueBabe Posts: 1,188 Member
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    I HIGHLY recommend reading http://www.amazon.com/Curly-Girl-Handbook-Michele-Bender/dp/076115678X and to STOP using ANY shampoo, and switch to JUST conditioners.

    Also check out - http://www.naturallycurly.com/CurlyGirlChallenge
  • geerunz
    geerunz Posts: 163 Member
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    I too have curly hair. I only shampoo about once every six-weeks. That helps witht the dry, frizziness. I rinse and just condition. Usually I do every other day and the of days pull it up. I've used a ton of different products. The best thing I've found is a good stylist. she cuts my hair dry and she too has beautiful curls. she has a web site "live curly, live free" with tips and stuff. Also there is a book called Curly Girl with lots of tips.

    Your hair does look beautiful! Embrace it, there are tons of girls who want what you got :smile:
  • zaftiggirl
    zaftiggirl Posts: 82 Member
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    I 'wash' with a baking soda solution and 'rinse' with apple cider vinegar, and then top it off with a light leave-in conditioner - my hair has never been healthier! That way, when I *do* straighten it... it looks fantastic :) French braids and head scarves are my best friend right now, and then I've gotten creative with bobby pins to work on some easy up-dos.
  • flatbellybella
    flatbellybella Posts: 303 Member
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    I too have curly hair. I only shampoo about once every six-weeks. That helps witht the dry, frizziness. I rinse and just condition. Usually I do every other day and the of days pull it up. I've used a ton of different products. The best thing I've found is a good stylist. she cuts my hair dry and she too has beautiful curls. she has a web site "live curly, live free" with tips and stuff. Also there is a book called Curly Girl with lots of tips.

    Your hair does look beautiful! Embrace it, there are tons of girls who want what you got :smile:

    once every 6 weeks? what???
    what about when you sweat at the gym? I always leave the gym soaked. I couldn't imagine not washing my hair
  • Beckboo0912
    Beckboo0912 Posts: 447 Member
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    Ok! I'm in your shoes, well ok, my hair is just curly however I was takling to Jessie (my hair gilr about it) and she told me about this thermal relaxer but it doesn't get rid of the curly, it just tames the frizz. I don't mind my curly hair if it does what I want. Anyway, it's like 75 around me to do it and it last for 6 months, you use way less product. So it sound expensive but my sister did it in January and has only bought one can of mouse and a pump of hair serum and she can go days without washing washing it, if that makes any sense and it won't be crazy
  • Tamicejl
    Tamicejl Posts: 65 Member
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    Be very careful with the apple cider vinager... that will strip your hair ..... and don't do it that often if you choose to .... cause it will make the hair weak.
  • cuterbee
    cuterbee Posts: 545
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    I'd happily trade my baby fine hair that won't even hold a perm. *sigh*
  • Mimoki
    Mimoki Posts: 115 Member
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    check out curlynikki.com and her book "better than good hair" . I used to relax my hair now I've been natural for a few years. I don't have to gel or put too much product in my hair at all. I just put a bit of morrocan oil and it falls nice and big curls. Just research and experiment, trust me you will find what works best for your hair even though it looks awesome in your prfile pic lol!
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
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    Technically I've been going natural with my hair for a long time but just recently started growing my bangs out. For years - I'm talking 20 or more - I would straighten my bangs with a round brush or curling iron and leave the rest curly. It was tough to part from the routine and start wearing my hair differently but after almost 2 months, I've fully embraced the change and can't wait until my bangs are fully grown so I can pull it all back.

    One product I like for taming fly-aways is Redken's rough paste #12. You just need a little bit and it goes a long way. Tames the frizzies and has enough hold to keep the curls in check without a ton of other junk.

    I haven't done a treatment in a while but I also really love Queen Helene's cholesterol. It's gross but it work so well!
  • zaftiggirl
    zaftiggirl Posts: 82 Member
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    Be very careful with the apple cider vinager... that will strip your hair ..... and don't do it that often if you choose to .... cause it will make the hair weak.

    I only use a tablespoon diluted in a cup of water once a week, and it only strips your hair of dye if you've got colored hair.
  • jesusfreek14
    jesusfreek14 Posts: 21
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    The only way I wear my really curly hair is straight kinked or halfway pulled up... and yes I can get sick of it......
  • MorgueBabe
    MorgueBabe Posts: 1,188 Member
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    I too have curly hair. I only shampoo about once every six-weeks. That helps witht the dry, frizziness. I rinse and just condition. Usually I do every other day and the of days pull it up. I've used a ton of different products. The best thing I've found is a good stylist. she cuts my hair dry and she too has beautiful curls. she has a web site "live curly, live free" with tips and stuff. Also there is a book called Curly Girl with lots of tips.

    Your hair does look beautiful! Embrace it, there are tons of girls who want what you got :smile:

    once every 6 weeks? what???
    what about when you sweat at the gym? I always leave the gym soaked. I couldn't imagine not washing my hair

    You'd be surprised. I don't use shampoo often. http://youngblacknappyllc.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/cowash-natural-hair/ You really don't need it. Just an example; google how to CO wash/
  • Tinamac1
    Tinamac1 Posts: 39
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    I have kinky curly hair and I love it! The bigger it is the more I love it! I didn't always love it tho I used to keep it cut short and iron it out everyday but I decided to go all natural about 2 and a half years ago and I'm so happy with my choice. The good thing about hair is you can change it up as much as you want. cut it, iron it, relax it whatever because it will always grow back kinky and curly! I do understand getting a bit bored with curly hair though, there are not to many hair styles we can have. You can have long curls, short curls, layer it or let it go and that's about it. Maybe play with the way you put it up?
  • TheMrsFitnessGeek
    TheMrsFitnessGeek Posts: 89 Member
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    I am Dominican so I feel your pain. My hair was much curlier 3 years ago then I did the Brazilian Blowout :( HATE IT! I want my crazy curly fro back. It is getting there but be careful what experimenting you do with your hair. Btw- I wash my hair daily unless it's straight then I wash it every 4-5 days. It's too cold to have it wet every morning but I do love my curly hair. Embrace the fact that YOU MS. have the best of both worlds :)
  • Nessiechickie
    Nessiechickie Posts: 1,392 Member
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    I have not had my hair down in its natural curly state
    but my hair is very easy to straighten which I do a lot.
    I love my hair can have it both ways :)
  • Mimoki
    Mimoki Posts: 115 Member
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    I too have curly hair. I only shampoo about once every six-weeks. That helps witht the dry, frizziness. I rinse and just condition. Usually I do every other day and the of days pull it up. I've used a ton of different products. The best thing I've found is a good stylist. she cuts my hair dry and she too has beautiful curls. she has a web site "live curly, live free" with tips and stuff. Also there is a book called Curly Girl with lots of tips.

    Your hair does look beautiful! Embrace it, there are tons of girls who want what you got :smile:

    once every 6 weeks? what???
    what about when you sweat at the gym? I always leave the gym soaked. I couldn't imagine not washing my hair

    You'd be surprised. I don't use shampoo often. http://youngblacknappyllc.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/cowash-natural-hair/ You really don't need it. Just an example; google how to CO wash/

    Im aCO wash gal as well. ;)
  • charc16
    charc16 Posts: 147 Member
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    I have really curly hair - I never straighten it (ok, maybe once a year) and I use Ouidad products. They are expensive ($60 for gel, $50 for conditioner, I use a cheap grocery store shampoo), but it is the only thing that I have found that doesn't make me desperately hate my hair. I didn't discover it until I have 20 or so, and before that I would shower and just put my hair into a giant bun on the top of my head. Now I love wearing my hair down and I get all sorts of compliments.

    Sometimes strangers ask if they can touch my hair, which is weird though... :)

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