soapdragon Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 I know that there are some curly girls out there so hope that someone can help me find the right product! My hair is curly, thick and co"Ooops, word censored!" and I have had it shoulder legnth for some time. However, yesterday I had it cut into a sort of very 'layerd' bob (if that makes sense!?) The hairdresser said she thought it needed 'a finishing product' to calm it down a bit and provided some conditioning. She sprayed me with something unbearably expensive and floral but, by the time it had dried (I NEVER use a dryer on it!) it had gone a bit 'crispy' and slightly wet look both of which I hate! I spent about half an hour in Boots this afternoon looking at the various sprays and came out none the wiser - in fact more confused! What is this salt spray stuff which seems to be everywhere? What does it actually DO? Not sure I want to look as if I have just got out of the sea.....would be quite nice if I looked like I had just NOT got out of bed!!!!! What I would really like is something to spray on after shampooing and conditioning which will add a bit more moisture/conditioner and encourage curls and calm the co"Ooops, word censored!"ness. What I really don' t want is anything that will leave it looking 'gelled' or feeling crispy or sticky ! Given that there was nothing that I looked at under £5.00 (and up to £12.00) there is the potential for me to make some very expensive mistakes soooooooo, can anyone recommend anything suitable, please, please!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 I don't have curly hair (as you know) but Rosie's is wavy. She sometimes uses the slat spray to give a matte curly effect, which is slightly crispy. Other times, she just uses either a serum or conditioning spray to calm it down and make it soft... perhaps this is what will work for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted September 10, 2015 Author Share Posted September 10, 2015 Ohhh, like the sound of the latter! Soft would be better than crispy! Can she point me in the direction of a particular brand? I did come out of Boots in mental overload (poss a touch of the the Asperger's kicking in too ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 My OH has shoulder length curly hair and currently uses either a very cheap argan oil (think it was around a pound) or L'Oreal Studio Line hot and smooth hot curl spray, which he combs through his hair and leaves to dry. He also doesn't use a hairdryer and doesn't like a wet look finish, just natural controlled curls. The L'oreal stuff is well under a fiver if you go to somewhere like Bodycare. Have just checked in the bathroom cabinet and he is currently using an Avon leave in argan oil product, which I think was around £3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksRCute Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 I have curly hair too & know the problems it presents - I've been using argon oil spray or any dry oil spray d e pendant on what's on offer at the time. I'd recommend the dry oil, conditions well and offers some control too ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Ohhh, like the sound of the latter! Soft would be better than crispy! Can she point me in the direction of a particular brand? I did come out of Boots in mental overload (poss a touch of the the Asperger's kicking in too ) It's Pantene Night Renewal Nourishing Mist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted September 10, 2015 Author Share Posted September 10, 2015 Thanks, DM. Will know what to head for in Boots now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 I have frizzy, wavy hair, and I know just how daunting staring at the products in Boots etc can be. I make sure I wash my hair in a shampoo and conditioner for frizz hair, so a smoothing one is good. After towel drying, I use a couple of squirts of Loreal Extraordinary oil through the ends and can pretty much let it dry naturally. It doesn't go crispy at all. If you want a bit of a curl boost, Boots do a curl cream which is dead cheap and last for ages as you only need to use a little. Its in a small clear pot and the product is pink. If you don't want crispy hair, which is also my pet hate too, use curl creams and not a sea spray. They have salt in them so will make you hair feel crispy. Other good curl creams are Smith England which is available in Sainsburys and is very reasonably priced. I am lucky as the chap who created this product actually has a salon here Hope that helps you a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 I have thick frizzy hair and use the frizz ease products with quite a lot of success. I dont mind the beach chick look when I am on holiday or have a bit of a tan but as an English rose albeit an old thorny one and the UK weather thats not that often. And dont start me on fake tan I cannot get a glow for love or money even with the shower in stuff. If I had to swap 2 things it would be my hair and skin tone. I feel your pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted September 11, 2015 Author Share Posted September 11, 2015 Thanks everyone! Now I know to avoid the salt spray I will gear myself up for another foray into Boots tomorrow but at least I know what I am looking for now The Smith product sounds interesting too and I'll look out when next in Sainsbury's (tho our nearest big one is some distance away ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 I feel your pain, I too have spent hours (and ££££s) in Boots trying to find the right product (crispy/wet ). I have given up all all potions and lotions and now just use a shampoo that doesn't make my hair feel like straw immediately after I've rinsed it out (any of the thick creamy ones for dry hair work) and then a conditioner for dry/damaged hair. I never ever blow dry my hair and having short hair really helps. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 I get my hair products from Curly Harmony. I have long afro textured hair. It is kept in loose soft curls with product. I use a decent conditioner and my routine is: Wash & Condition twice a week. After washing pat dry and brush through (paddle brush) some Buttercream mixed with Curl Reviver (this when dry leaves ringletty soft curls and no frizz Inbetween washes I let my hair get 'misted' and slightly damp in the shower. I then brush through some Leave in Conditioner. This keep curl in and the frizz away. I never go near my hair with a hairdryer - always allow to dry naturally and never go near it with brush when it is dry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 I have co"Ooops, word censored!", very curly, shoulder length hair. It's trimmed every 10 weeks so the ends are always in good condition, and coloured every 5 weeks as I'd be very grey otherwise. Iabsolutely, 100% agree with ChuckyMama on th hairdryer and brushing. Never let a hairdryer near it, and don't brush it when dry. In fact, I don't do anything to it when it is dry. I don't let the hairdresser use a dryer on it, and the only time I use a normal shampoo and conditioner is when I go to have my hair cut. I wash my hair once a week. I use a no poo product called DevaCurl No Poo (here's their website, but I buy it from Amazon) http://www.devacurl.com/no-poo-curl.html It doesn't lather, so it took me one wash to get used to it. They also do a conditioner and a spritzing spray, but I don't use them. I use a herbal hair rinse spray http://www.soapnuts.co.uk/collections/hair-treatments/products/herbal-hair-rinse-conditioner-200ml After I've rinsed it out, I leab over to turn my head upside down. I squeeze some of the excess water out, and then shake my head like a dog to get the water out. I I then do a bit of scrunching on the top of my head with my fingers, and shake my upside down head again like a dog. I don't use a towek at all. (Not on my hair, anyway!). In between, I dampen my hair each morning in the shower, run a comb through it (usually this one https://www.denmanbrush.com/product/d12-black-three-row-comb.html?r=13 which has the teeth set a reasonable distance apart buct close enough to get the tangles out. I do the headshaking/scrunching thing, which doesn't take so long as on a washing day as I've only dampened my hair. If I want my fring to go the side, I push it to the side and put a clip in to hold it. Once my hair is dry I can remove the clip and it stays in place. I don't use mousse or serums (I did in the past before), and I don't use glossing sprays. I used to quite like the effect of the glossing spray, but it would inevitably give e a bit of a product build up on my scalp. I don't have that issue with my pared down routine now. I have a very wide toothed comb which I would use in an emergency, but I found that the morning damp-comb-shake generally means I don't need to do anything else. (One of the advantages of naturally curly hair is that it already has a bit of an unstructured look to it). Appreciate my routine might not suit you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted September 11, 2015 Author Share Posted September 11, 2015 Oh wow.....thanks so much for all the info, peeps! I wash and conditon about every 3 days and then wrap my hair in one of those special moisture absorbing towels - which seem flimsy but jolly well do the job If its still soggy then I blot with kitchen paper on the ends and use an afro comb or my fingers but I have noticed that afro comb are now getting hard to find....none in Boots or Superdrug recently I would NEVER put a dryer near my hair (think hay bale ) and tend to 'tousle' it as it dries. I am going to have another look at serums etc tomorrow bearing all your brilliant recommendations in mind - thanks. I am fast approaching 51 and, tho I look after my skin, don't wear make up, the bags under my eyes could hold a weeks shop ...... I am not vain but DO like my hair to look good as I feel people might focus on that rather than what is under it I am content to go grey - OK, white - naturally ( and bit by bit as Mother Nature sees fit tho she is capricious as far as my barnet is concerned!!!) However, if my hair feels good and is how I want it then I feel more confident and 'doodle' everyone else!!!! If I can keep my hair and waist in reasonable nick as I get ever older then I will be happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 Can I please urge you to look at the extraordinary oil mentioned above. This particular one is by Loreal but other brands do similar. WOW I have difficult hair and this stuff is fab and can be used in different ways. Firstly you can put it on your hair after washing. Also if you have a fuzzy or dry looking day you can smooth it through the ends and within a few minutes your hair is smooth, better looking and never greasy. It is relatively expensive. About a tenner a bottle. But it lasts ages and I regularly stock up on 3 for two. I am Mrs product trier but I do stick with this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 I have shoulder length curls, & after MUCH trial & error, my hero products are: L'Oreal Elvive spray conditioner, Smooth & Polish: This is a leave in product & my hair gets a good spritz of this, followed by me running my fingers through it to shape it a bit, every morning. Without it I am a mass of fluff. http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Elvive-Leave-In-Conditioner-Spray-Smooth-200ml_1311171/ L'Oreal extraordinary oil: This is a great oil serum that I use on my hair when it is wet...it is fabulous! I have recommended this to people time & time again at work & my friends, & everyone is pleased with how it helps tame their curls into nice manageable hair. http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Elvive-Extraordinary-Oil-100ml_1262085/ If I want to do the hippy surf thing I use John Friedas Beach Blonde surf spray, which is ace & smells like summer Also I never, never ever brush my hair unless it is about to be washed, & then I use a Tangle Teezer, & I always let it dry naturally, which I think it a key thing with curly hair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted September 13, 2015 Author Share Posted September 13, 2015 I will def try the Loreal oil.....I had ES with me yesterday so he was not impressed with having to trawl Boots (a small branch too so not much choice ) also I had forgotten my reading glasses so had to keep asking him to read all the blurb on the back of the bottles.; NOT COOL when you are one week away from 11 years old ! I did look at it...or rather ES did for me but the word 'oil' put me off. However, you all give it such a glowing reference that I'll get some on my next foray on Thursday. In the interim I popped into an expensive looking hairdressers to try and cadge some freebies as they were advertising same for frizz!!!! Got a minute tube of Aveda something or other so will use it tomorrow - if I can find it...those free samples are always so darn tiny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 I have very long wavy hair. I agree that hair dryers should be kept well away from curly or wavy hair. My hair takes 4hours to air dry I use the Bee Strong leave in cream, doesn't weigh the hair down and is just enough to stop it frizzing. I'm really bad , I only venture into the hairdressers once a year, get the ends trimmed and don't let them do anything fancy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted September 13, 2015 Author Share Posted September 13, 2015 Has anyone tried the Loreal extraordinary oil mist as opposed to the one that looks like a serum? Just thought it might disperse more easily! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 I haven't, but from what I know about it, its more of a finishing product (I think). The serum/oil is very easy to apply though, & the bottle would go much further that a spray too. Don't let the word oil put you off - its not oily! Oils are all the rage at the moment, & I have used facial oils for a few years now, & this hair oil for a good 18 months too - will never go back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 Well, I tried the freebie Aveda sample and its lovely....made my hair really soft and bouncy and defined the curl nicely! I may top up on that next time I am near a salon as, apparently, its pretty neg on the chemical front but am very tempted for the oil too Mind you, the Aveda is double the price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 I had a sample of a finishing product by Aveda, it was really lovely stuff, might have been the same thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 Possibly; they seem to be pushing it at the moment!!! I think its quite new. As I said, its not cheap (about £22) but then, if its good, I don't mind! I have half a bathroom cabinet full of various bottles, jars etc that have only been used once or twice and that IS expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 I recently cleared out Rosie's room, and took a bag of unwanted hair products into work for people to have. I was appalled at how many bottles she had, but at least she paid for it herself, so may learn from the exercise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted September 16, 2015 Author Share Posted September 16, 2015 Eeek! I know what you mean, DM.......I do wish there was more in the way of trial sizes available for all sorts of products. No nec free; I'd be more than happy to pay but buying something that you only use once or twice is so wasteful. Everything seems to come in such large sizes Boots do a 'travel bar' where you can get smaller sizes of some things but theres usually just the same old stuff there; nothing new! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
