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the last two times, i just got so aggravated with the mess and awkward stage (i have really thick wavy hair, it's a mess!)... i regret cutting it, because i realize where i'd be now if i hadn't cut it the first time (it was nearly to my chin). well, i am now going to try again. no, scratch that, i WILL grow it out this time... in the words of yoda, "do or do not, there is no try." i believe it's been around 3-4 months since the last time i got it cut, the one major thing that really bugs me about growing it out is the back... it's crazy, goes in all directions, even with gel or hairspray. my bangs are almost to the bottom of my nose, and the sides just cover the top of my ears. so any suggestions on how to tame the back would be helpful. i used to use this stuff called frizz-ease, and blow dry it back and forth until it would lay down smooth - which worked, but left the hair feeling very coarse and after a day, very greasy. also, i am naturally very oily i guess... any suggestions on shampoo/conditioner as far as that goes? wish me luck in this venture! oh, and i must apologize for the long message!
I have thick hair as well, though some of the guys here kind of disagree with me from the photo's they've seen. The back of my hair can get kind of unruly also, but what I do is use a detangler comb (pictured below, notice the curved out sides for gently spreading the hairs apart as it combs through the hair). I use this quite often to tame down the hair all over but especially in back.
The best advise I can give you is to look to the future when your hair gets long enough all over to weigh itself down and pull it straighter. This will happen if you endure the awkward stage long enough to give it a chance. I have made the same cutting mistakes you have made in the past because I couldn't make it through the thick awkward stage. The reason being is because I didn't give my hair the chance it needed to get long enough to let gravity and weight do it's magic. It WILL make a big difference the longer it gets. I am still in the awkward stage awaiting the day my hair gets long enough to control itself. My bangs are right at the bottom of my chin where you said you made it to before, but I still have a ways to go before I will be completely satisfied. I WILL make it thought this time. Hope you do the same, bro! Welcome, Good Luck, Happy Growing and Peace to ya'! (remember, see pic below for comb)
Ditto. Been there, done that
it's crazy, goes in all directions, even with gel or hairspray.
Speaking from experience, just go with gel and really gel it. I mean, run it thru with gel! You know, you can make your own using guar gum or xanthan gum powders. Just add 5 g of powder to every 100 ml of warm water. Stir it in bit by bit with a whisk. There might be lumps but they usually disappear after a day or so. Or just put it thru a strainer. You'll need to add a bit of citrus extract to keep it going off. The advantages of this gel are:
Costs about 40 c to make a 300 g tub.
No chemicals.
It sticks like superglue but comes off easily in the shower.
As for shampoo, try liquid castile soap. It's very gentle and you're not ravaging your hair with petrochemicals which cause most of our hair problems.
Good Luck dude!!!