Hi all,
Just an update, also i don't think i have posted a before pic. I don't have a picture of my hair when its wet but i can say that it shrinks by about 50% (my bangs touch my chin). I want to try and keep my hair looking something like the damp picture (Only a bit neater as i was drying it quickly before blow-drying for a party (and the Fro was a bet!!). The problem is as it drip drys it shrinks and any hair i have tucked behind my ears falls out and then looks a mess. I know with my hair type my awkward stage probably has another 6 months but there must be the odd trick out there, so Any tips?
Cheers
Mat
This is what I have found works well. When my hair has just been washed, conditioned, and combed, I take some regular conditioner, just a small bit, about a drop the size of a nickel, and to that I add a few drops of L'Oreal melting gel. Mix the two together in your hand, spread it about your hands, and work it into your hair, the sides, then like your making a tail or something like that. Let it dry without touching it, and then kind of scrunch sections to make it less crispy after its all dry. It's really so simple but it works. My hair is not as nice as yours or quite as curly, but we have similar enough hair that I think this might work for you. I end up with decent looking hair after doing this. Your hair is still going to shrink in length, but it shouldn't frizz out or look messy. It ought to make nice curls that look as good damp as they do dry.
MB
Thanks for the speedy reply,
I used to use gels when i had very short hair but i have not used them since i have been growing my hair. This is mainly because if i touch or mess with it when wet it goes frizzy. Does this melting gel have a good enough hold to combat me touching my hair? Also what is the consistancy?
Mat
I touch my hair when using it; it does not leave hair stiff at all; right out of the container, it is about as viscous as conditioner.
You've made great progress from the first picture, try to use some leave in conditioner to keep it looking like the wet hair.
Gel frizzes my hair. What I do is I leave just a bit of conditioner and while it dries I put it behind my ears. If it falls in the process I put it there again. Usually when it dries it stays there. Its only a bit of conditioner, mind you.
Also I would like to point out that you hair looks great in the picture you took one month ago. Its definitely a great look for you so I wouldnt consider it an awkward phase as such (though it might still be a bit hard to take care of).
Hope Ive been of some sort of help.
Esoterik
I'm in about the same boat as you.
When damp, my hair looks very similar to yours! Even when blow-dried! lol... anyway.
I know that my hair looks the best after it dries is if I wash my hair and let it dry while I'm very idle for a few hours (like on the computer, or indoors). If my hair dries while I'm out, it grows a lot in volume! Drying indoors it shrinks a lot (looks like my hair is REALLY short) but it looks best, shininess, softness and general look. However when I'm going out for the day, I dab just a tiny bit of gel over the roots at my parting (all along the crown of my head) and spread them out a bit. Then I hairspray very lightly. Does wonders for the frizz! (Even though my hair then looks very "deflated" lol, whatever!).
Or use conditioner instead of gel. That would definitely tame the hair a lot as it dries! Oh, and if you go out in windy weather, our curly hair becomes a bit similar to that blow-dried pic you have. lol
Hope that helps!
Shawn
n/t
look at the poster on the wall over your "do"...
....giggle giggle
Hi Mat and welcome to the mlhh:)Your have really cool hair already but I hear you about the awkward phase.Possibly wearing a ball cap or bandana might be your best way to manage your hair until it gets longer.I'd avoid messing too much will gel goop and other types of axl grease!LOL.Just be patient and you'll get there in no time buddy.Cheers
Mark