Wavy hair gals, come in please

[persa]

What products and techniques seem to work for you?

I'm going to see if I can make something work with my natural hair texture now that it's grown out from the Japanese thermal reconditioning in Feb 2012.
I think my hair is a 2b according to the naturally curly website. Basically thickish and wavy.

I just bought Pureology hydrate shampoo and conditioner but need styling product recs and techniques. Also what do you do to refresh and style next day hair or hair that's been pulled back in a ponytail holder, which is what I really struggle with. And I need the routine to be easy and low time commitment.

If I can't figure out a way to embrace my hair, I'm going back to getting it straightened or doing the Brazilian keratin thing. Chemically straight hair is much lower maintenance.

TIA!

[hz80408]

I use Pureology hydrate as well.

I switch off wearing my hair wavy and blow-dry/flat-iron. When I wear it wavy, I either go to bed with it wet or do the plopping technique. I use Fructicus curling mouse.

If I wear it up to workout or something, when I get home and shower I keep it dry, then I put it down and mist it with a spray water bottle and "scrunch" it up.

eta, fwiw, here's my hair:

[pooh8402]

my hair is also 2B. but I haven't quite figured it out yet, it only started getting really wavy in the last 2 years since I've been off BCP (that's the only thing I can think of that may have caused it). in fact, I went a year and a half without seeing my stylist, and when I walked in with my hair air-dried, she said, "omg, your hair is curly!" so anyway, I'm still learning how to take care of it.

I also use Pureology Hydrate shampoo, with the Hydrate Light conditioner. I have thick wavy hair, but fine textured so it is very heavy and falls flat at the crown. volume is just as important to me as moisture/frizz control. I only shampoo about 2, maybe 3 times per week, and condition every time my hair gets wet. some days, I will co-wash (wet my hair, use conditioner only, rinse) and on those days I wear my hair wavy. when I wear it wavy, I use Redken Curlwise throughout my hair to encourage the wave, but this product has been discontinued. I don't know what I'll use after I finish my last tube. I also add Redken argan oil to the ends for softness and lightweight frizz control. if needed, I add Aquage sea salt texturizing spray to the top layers to encourage the waves further. all of this is finger combed through. a comb does not touch my hair after the initial detangling. if I go to bed with my hair wet, it is up in a ponytail or a bun the next day. bedhead on me does NOT look cute.

once it's dried, if I need to refresh the waves, I mist it with a spray water bottle like hz and scrunch it.

[statlerwaldorf]

I detangle my hair in the shower with a wide toothed comb while my conditioner is still in. Flip my head over and scrunch the water out after my shower. I scrunch in a good amount of Curls gel and do the plopping method (check youtube) in an old long sleeve t-shirt. I leave it plopped while I get ready, do my makeup, get breakfast, etc. Just before I leave, I take my hair out, flip my head over, and finish drying it with a diffuser.

I wash my hair everyday because my roots get greasy.

[jacquie]

- I wash my hair every second or third day. I never use shampoo. I just use whatever cleansing conditioner, or regular conditioner, I have laying around. I use hydrating conditioners in a variety of brands, all formulated for color-treated hair.

- I detangle my hair in the shower with a wide tooth comb. If I'm planning on leaving my bangs straight that day, I try to separate them from the rest of my hair. After I comb, I rinse a final time and don't comb or brush after that point.

- When I get out of the shower, I wrap an old t shirt around my hair to soak up some of the wetness. I squeeze any excess out.

- Apply whatever product I'm trying out at that time (haven't found the holy grail yet) throughout my hair, trying not to separate the curls too much, or "comb" with my fingers if I can help it. It's hard not to do that.

- Flip my head over and shake out the curls a bit, allowing them to separate naturally.

- Scrunch just a teeny tiny bit, just to help the curls form a little better.

- While my head is still flipped, I diffuse on medium heat until my hair is still a little damp, but mostly dry.

- Lightly spray a little bit of setting spray throughout, then allow to airdry.

- If the curls look "crunchy" after drying, I'll scrunch a bit more but don't touch it after that.

It turns out looking like this (sorry the pic is sideways):



My curls hold for days. If the roots start to look greasy, I'll pull it half back or braid the crown or whatever. I don't have an issue with ponytail indents, I guess the curl hides it well enough. I'd think spritzing just a little bit with some water to help the curls reform would be helpful.