Help with new wavy hair please

[lovelovelove]

Hi! About 1.5 yes ago I was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure (super early menopause) and had a hormone crash. My hair had been falling out for over a year at that point. I'm on HRT now and have had about 7 months of stable levels, so hair has stopped falling out. One thing that is new within the last couple of months is my previously straight hair is now wavy. And seems like it's getting more wavy by the day (it's not curly but I did find a ringlet this morning). Any tips, things you like to do, should I care for it differently than regular shampoo & conditioner? I keep putting salt spray in it but feel like that's not always ideal or the look doesnt come out how I imagined. I don't spend much time on my hair - usually wash and go, but I think it needs a little more than that now? I think some of it is just the shock that I don't look the same, it's not that big of a deal, but wondering if I need to care for it differently or if I'll adjust a little easier if there's a bit of purpose to the look. Thanks so much!

[ssmjlm]

There are a ton of tutorials online, although when I do wear my hair curly, I am pretty low maintenance about it.

I would maybe look into a curl cream to give yourself some more definition.

[livinitup]

I’ve had wavy hair my whole life - that weird in between curly and straight. The best thing I do for myself (sometimes) is a hot curling iron (large barrel) for a few pieces of hair on the top of my head and around my face. It is super simple but makes a big difference to me in the way I look. And it lasts all day.

I like a good conditioner in the shower (rinsed) and a tiny bit of smoothing cream on the ends after I towel dry. I also use hair spray after I blow dry/style. That seems to hold the wave until the end of the day or u til I put it up in a ponytail. Haha.

[blondemoment123]

a.co/d/c031qBK

This stuff is amazing!

[CurlyQ284]

I use Ouai Air Dry Foam. My hair is fine though, I don't know how this would do for thick hair.

After I get out of the shower I run through my hair with a wide toothed comb. Then I run the sink, and get water in my hands and scrunch my hair. It kinda makes pieces go together so it's not like singular pieces making a ton of 80s waves. Once it's kinda wet and dripping, I scrunch in the foam. Then I use a thin towel like for drying glasses, and I scrunch my hair again. It helps form the curl, and gets the water out so it's not soaking wet.

Once my hair is dry, I scrunch in some Bed Head Manipulator, and then hair spray. I work from home so it's fine to just sit at my computer with wet hair for a bit.

[fivechickens]

The thing I have found since embracing my wavy/curly hair is finding a technique that works for me is trial and error.

My hair is fine and leans dry but not super dry so a lot of the shampoo/conditioners for wavy/curly hair don’t work for me (too heavy) so I am still on a hunt for that.

As far as styling, I like the following:

Kristin Ess Leave In conditioner
Kristin Ess volumizer
Curl activator (currently using Curlsmith but I like Amika and Bumble & Bumble too)
Amika Curl Enhancing Gel (love this stuff)

A lot of people suggest products that leave a cast on your hair but I can’t do that. I don’t know if it is because my hair is so fine and/or leans more wavy than curly but I don’t like what it does to my hair.

I also have to let my hair air-dry for at least 1.5 hrs before I defuse it, which is annoying and inconvenient but any other way doesn’t work for me.

All that to say, watch some curl tutorials (it’s a good starting off point) but ultimately what works for your hair might not be something they suggest and that is okay.

[Poppy]

I am very low maintenance about my hair. I comb in the shower while conditioner is in with a wide tooth comb. (I use drug store products - L'Oreal Everpure volume or frizz control shampoo and conditioner.) Then I wrap it in a towel while getting dressed (no rubbing dry) so it's not sopping wet. I add some curl cream (usually Aveda Be Curly curl enhancer) and let it air dry.

I have thick hair FWIW. I agree that wavy/curly styling takes some experimenting, but it doesn't have to be complicated. Also I have come to accept that it is not totally predictable, the curl pattern depends on the weather and the conditions while drying. I just try to embrace the variability.

[lovelovelove]

Thank you all so much! I'll watch some videos and try these products!

[mrsukyankee]

This was one of my fav wavy/curly hair influencers - youtu.be/5MAgTOq6D4w?si=9HOkVMole-7Eh--7. She's talking less about her hair now but she has a lot of stuff on how to style. My hair used to be super curly (ringlets) and is now a mix of curl and wave. I experimented a bunch with products and techniques.

[VillainV]

Spend some time on curly/wavy TikTok (or YouTube). There are tons of videos showing different variations of techniques. You might just need to mess around a little bit to figure out what works best for you!

A few things that are more or less universal:

1. Don’t brush your hair when it’s dry. Use a wide-tooth comb in the shower, and maybe a brush to help apply products while your hair is soaking wet.

2. Some combination of curl cream/mousse/gel (order and application techniques vary).

3. Hair “plop” or some kind of microfiber towel to catch drips (“microplop” or wrap) — NOT a terry cloth towel.

4. Air dry or diffuse.

[mae0111]

I agree with a microfiber towel, and NOT terrycloth. I can't believe what a difference it made when I stopped using a regular towel on my hair. If you don't have one handy, use a cotton t-shirt or pillowcase.

My hair is curly/wavy with product, and a complete mess without. Or I have to straighten it, but as soon as any humidity hits it, the blow out is ruined. So I leave it curly all summer.

I've had really good luck with Ouidad products. Light leave-in conditioner (a very small amount), then curl cream, then scrunch with gel (again, a very small amount of all). It usually lasts all day. I don't ever brush it dry. I haven't experimented with a sleep bonnet, so I just rewet it every day when I'm wearing it curly.

[fivechickens]

Oh yes get a microfiber towel. I really like these. They are thicker than the turbie twist (hate those). These are my favorite:

www.amazon.com/YoulerTex-Microfiber-Hair-Towel-Wrap/dp/B0B3XJB54T/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=2VOWAKPQFNBHD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xlvSrcqbLEOWZaqM7y07QxLvsqayrpLLihxVaj3c_A4H5HkMf66l1mIIXc2qrMwOXUvN9uUKjduKLIIBp3tvgSj8Z-0UoHuH2csNTTHNHcda_p4tVL5zv4LWWLim_TnO1Y_dD9ETOUkkF_Ce7ThqwNsCtqeHfUPhluwAceWVdB2kCMA_hybbY1p7hxjwYb9B7Is_pG8hqFGmaFf9SMiVCA.vINMJlN55dL2aI19eO71zepGjfPd04q6gmIj_jUrT6s&dib_tag=se&keywords=youlertex+microfiber+hair+towel&qid=1711391196&sprefix=youler+microfiber+hair+towel%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

[longtimenopost]

I recommend finding a curly hair specialist in your area before you spend a bunch of time and money on products. They should have a first time cut that includes education and styling. My hair came out much curlier after I had kids and I spent many years trying different products and routines before finding a specialist. The cut makes a HUGE difference and styling depends on your hair type, texture, and curl pattern. For example, I learned I have really low porosity hair (takes forever to saturate and forever to dry) so the curly girl method of no/low shampoo was never going to work for me. I use minimal products and need to shampoo every wash and clarify once a week. Even with professional help you might have some trial and error, but hopefully less wasted time and $$!

[meanie]

I never mastered it but the #1 thing is to not touch it. If I am wearing it wavy/curly I will comb it in the shower with conditioner and not brush or comb it when I get out.

Lots of upside-down scrunching and use a diffuser on your hairdryer. Heat protectant and some type of product with hold.