Giving up on my natural curls.

Feb 15, 2014

Seeta K.

I'm not usually a quiter, but I'm quitting my natural curls. There are a few reasons why, like: I'm tired of the frizz, I'm tired of the constant trail and error with hair products, the money wasted on those errors, getting sick from having to air dry, I just want to have more time to do relaxing things and not wake up 30 minutes earlier to work on it.

My usual routine recently has been to wash and straighten my hair on Sundays. If I wash it any sooner or later, I shed like a persian cat. My hair takes a week to get oily. I use coconut, olive, and argon oil only on Sunday. It takes me 2 hours to blow dry and straighten. After, my hair look and feel naturally straight. There's no weird texture and it's light and bouncy. This routine is my dirty secret that I rarely tell anyone.

I'm admitting all this because I want to know if there's a way to end this madness. Is there a straightening treatment that I can not feel guilty spending money on and that doesn't have a filmie residue? Does anyone share my problem? What do you do? I really enjoy my straight hair, but I feel it's mostly because it's easy. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

(My work hours does not allow me to go to a salon. I work 10 hours a day, or more, and usually 6 days a week. Off on Sundays and I never really know which Saturday.)

Thanks for putting up with another of my rants?

Feb 15, 2014

Diana T.

I haven't seen your past posts gurl and I don't have curly hair - I have wavy hair that gets weighed down easily when my hair is longer - but I personally love your curls! and curly hair in general I personally find so beautiful - and I personally find straight hair to be quite boring - but if you are fed up then I understand - there are days when I hate my hair for being straight! because I love my waves so much but as they get weighed down by products, length etc.my hair gets straight as the week progesses without washing - if you could keep your curls I think that would be so beautiful and unique - you don't see too many women rocking their naturally curly or wavy hair - but if you find your troubling maybe stop in the salon and ask the stylist their opinion - but of course go to a professional who knows how to style your curly hair too because not every stylist has much experience with it too.. I hope you do find a way to keep the curls because they do look beautiful and I wish you the best of luck!

Feb 15, 2014

Grace D.

If you want to wear your hair naturally curly but don't want to wait for it to air dry you can try a diffuser on low heat.
Do you know your curl type? That would help to know which are the best products for your curl pattern.
I would normally recommend a co-wash, leave-in conditioner, protein styling gel (or mousse- again, depends on your curl) & coconut oil.
Use cotton and not terry cloth after cowashing and just do a "flop" at first to absorb as much of the water without causing frizz.
At bedtime use a satin wrap or cap, and in the morning simply spritz with leave in-conditioner to freshen.

Feb 16, 2014

Megan S.

If the frizz is what is frustrating you most, do some research on the brazillian blowout. It's a service that is pricey, but it gets rid of the frizz. Depending on your curl pattern, it might relax some of the curl as well. It is a salon only service, but there are many salons open on sunday that do them. Plus, if your curls are pretty tight, the nice thing will be you can keep your curl but not have to fight frizz, because natural curl is amazing, but I know what you mean about the frizz problems. Just do a little research on it and see if it's something you might like :]

Feb 16, 2014

Jane C.

I've heard that using a t-shirt to wrap your wet hair up in, (instead of a towel), will prevent frizz. I know some people who try to tame their beautiful curls and their hair looks really damaged at this point. Good luck!

Feb 21, 2014

Seeta K.

Thank you, Diana! That's exactly why I do wish to learn to keep them. Yet, I feel like I'll never get to truly know and understand my hair. I'm 26 and I feel exhausted by it. I'm exhausted everyday in general and not having to worry about doing one more thing would be great. At the same time, it will be amazing to go natural.

Grace, I think I'm 2c-3a. I will definitely try cotton. What brand of leave-in and gel/mouse do you use. I haven't used moose since I was in middle school because it made my hair crunchy and dried into white flakes. Thank you so much for your help. I'm definitely going to try your routine.

Megan, I've been looking into getting a keratin treatment. I'm a little afraid of damaging my hair more and the price, but it seems like dream if it does work.

Thank you, Jane!