new thread
Hey everyone. I've been growing my hair out for just about a year now (first time ever trying it), and this site has definitely given me much needed encouragement. I kept the back trimmed for a while so the top could catch up a little (it's near mouth-length now), and the back is maybe 3 inches below where the top and sides go down to. Till it gets longer, I've been trying to keep it in a style like Tom Cruise in the film MI2 - key word TRYING. How the heck do you get it to stay like that? If I put nothing in it, it looks good for about a minute (while it's still slightly damp), then it gets very puffy as it dries and I end up with a semi-afro, and if I use hairspray or gel, it seriously looks like crap, all sticky and dirty looking. Is there anything that makes hair stay in place, and not puff up or fly all over while still looking clean like there's nothing in it?
Also, how do you get the very bottom in the back to not curl up and out? That really bugs me. Thanks a lot
I think the main reason Tom Cruise, like all film actors, manage to never have a hair out of place, is more down to the army of on-set stylists that rush in to "do" them between shoots, rather than any sort of magical hair fixative etc.
As for the "afro" problem, try this [assuming you don't already]...
Only wash it when it starts to look/feel greasy, using a decent shampoo & separate conditioner intended for "dry" hair. Avoid the so-called "hair and body" shower gels etc.
After washing and drying your hair, brush through a SMALL amount of soft moulding wax. One word of caution here though, make sure that product you use is water soluable and will wash from your hair easily.
If you have to go out during windy weather, wear a cap,hat or bandana etc.
Hopefully, this might "tame" the afro enough to make this difficult stage at least a little more bearable while time and hair growth do the rest.
I usually dry my hair with a towel till nearly dry, and then take a hair dryer (big taboo) set it on the cool air setting and curl up the back with a round brush while using the dryer.
While you're sleeping, sleep on the bottom back area and make sure the pillow is snugly tight against the hair. It seems to "iron" the hair into a straighter shape. You may want to comb it straight and hold it with your hand before setting it down onto the pillow for the night.
I'm still in the akward stage like you are. I have found that after I get a shower I usually towel dry my hair but leave it kinda wet, then take a towel or something and press it tight against the back of your hair and wear it there till it drys. Sometimes it does better than others but it does work. And maybe if your getting ready to watch TV and your hair is still wet crumple up the towel and lay it down on a pillow and press your hair tight up against that as you do. It mats the hair down and keeps it from flipping up as bad. As far as your other hair goes I have just been tucking it all behind my ears after towel drying it a little and letting it dry like that. It may get a little poofy but it's nothing like the semi-afro your taking about (I 've had it too!!!) You may still have to use gel to get some loose ends down on top but it should look decent without it. Good luck.
Hi, thanks for the advice. I discovered the towel trick about a month ago. I just wrap it around my neck over the hair until it dries a good amount, and it does help a lot. But unfortunately, the benefit only lasts me about an hour and then it puffs up and curls up again, although not nearly as bad as it would be if I did nothing at all.
To eliminate using a gel or styling products that make your hair look and feel greasy, try using this: TIGI Bed Head "A hair stick for cool people". It will create "a soft pliable hold that will create texture". Found only in salons, cost $13.96. *I know this product is pricey, but it lasts forever. You only use a little at a time (perhaps the size of your pinky finger nail or a little bigger. It's kind of waxy in texture. Rub both hands with product and run your hands through your hair. It sort of separates the locks, giving a fuller, more texture look. It doesn't weigh your hair down (unless you'd use a lot at one time, so Keyword: less is best.
To eliminate the ends from flipping up at the bottom (which mine do a lot), try: Back to BASICS - Basic Texture..So Straight (anti-frizz straightening balm). Found only in salons, not sure of cost, but not too bad. Once again, you only need a little bit at one time, so it lasts. This is more of a liqu-gel in a plastic tube with red lettering. Rub through your hair, especially the ends. If you use a blow-dryer, try using it on medium heat and get yourself a round brush (one I like is sold at Wal-Mart - it's got vents in it - it's has a metal plate with black bristles through it). Wrap you ends around the brush and dry. This product will straighten your ends out, I guarantee it. There are some products I've seen to straighten hair outside of salons, but I don't know how they work. Using the brush, blow-dryer, and a product such as this should help with curling ends.
KEEP GROWING! You've got beautiful hair. It's your crowning glory!
Take Care, D