I need hair help, please! PIP

[lauren0319]

These are two recent pics that show my head o' hair. Not the best pics but the only recent ones I have without a child pulling my locks. One with my hubby and the other with my 93 year old grandma; isn't she cute!?





Here's the deal. I have been sporting this "look" for about ten years. The length changes (shorter... my hair doesn't really grow any longer than this) but this is the style. I'm not really sure what other options I have as far as style. I don't really want anything drastic.... BUT I need a change, whether it's a new product or something. I do highlight my hair and want to stay light.
The problem is the texture of my hair. I actually have naturally curly hair. It is very very curly, especially in the back and underneath. The crown is more wavy... and it's just not pretty. I have tried many times to embrace the curls and they just don't look good. However, I have super stubborn curls, especially in the back. My hairdresser can't even get them fully straight. I have a LOT of hair (no post-partum hair loss here and volume is not a problem!!

I'm thinking I need a change in products.... something to really help me smooth my hair out. I have been looking into Wen and Moroccan Oil. Do you think these would be good things to try?

Finally, I do just wash my hair just a few times a week. Once I straighten it, I can usually get it to last 2-3 days.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[bimbi284]

It looks like you have nice hair! I think you could maybe get away with some shorter layers to give it some movement. Maybe change up the color of your highlights to give it some dimension (some lowlights mixed in maybe?) As for products, we have similar hair, and I use sulfate free shampoo and silicone free conditioner. For products, I like fekkai glossing cream, josie maran argan oil hair serum, and kerastase elixir ultime. I recently got a sample of living proof nourishing styling cream and I really like it, maybe even more so than the fekkai! Bonus on the living proof is that it doesn't have silicones, yet still works really well!

[bimbi284]

Oh also, make sure you have a good hair dryer and straightener/curling irons. I like Hot Tools because they work really well, but aren't ridiculously expensive.

[lauren0319]

Thanks so much for your response! I will look into those products I have both a CHI straightener and hair dryer that I love, thankfully

Can you tell me how you use the products you mentioned?
Thanks!

[bimbi284]

Sure!!

So I wash and condition as usual, and while I do my makeup and get dressed, I have my hair up in a microfiber towel to absorb excess moisture. When ready to do my hair, I start with the styling cream (Fekkai glossing or Living Proof nourishing) and for both I just use a little bit...somewhere between the size of a pea and a garbanzo bean, haha. I then rub my hands together, and apply to sections of my hair, making sure to concentrate the most on my worse sections (the back, like you). So I basically start at the back of my hair with it so the majority of the product goes there, and work my way forward. I avoid putting too much on my roots so it doesn't weigh anything down. I usually just do a quick light swipe over the top of my head just to get at any flyaways.

I do the same for the serums. I actually currently am mixing the two, so I put 1 pump of each in my hand, and then rub my hands together a bit, then use the same technique I did with the cream.

You may need more depending on your hair, but just experiment a bit to see what works best. For me, a little goes a long way, because I don't like the way my hair feels when its all "producty". I put just enough in to keep it frizz-free, smooth, and shiny, but not heavy.

I do have to say that I started using the Living Proof stuff at the perfect time because it has just been really hot and humid here lately, and it has maintained my hair a lot better than anything else I have tried.

[lauren0319]

Thanks!!!

So you use both the cream and the serum on the same day, first cream, then serum? Then blow-dry and straighten as usual?

That is basically what I do, just with different products. And I'm just not totally thrilled with the products.

I'm hitting Sephora this week!!

[bimbi284]

Yup! That's exactly what I do!

You should find the Living Proof cream and the Josie Maran serum at Sephora. Some do carry Fekkai as well, but I haven't seen Kerastase there. Before getting the Kerastase, I was only using the Josie Maran though, so you can start with that. I just really like how soft my hair is when I use the Kerastase too, haha.

[treedimensional]

Your gramma is NOT 93! Stop lying! She is obviously about 70!!!!