The Long Hair Community - Poofy, undefined hair---help!

CaliWaves · April 4th, 2007, 05:05 PM

Hello everyone! I'm a newbie from San Diego who's recently decided to grow out my hair. I've noticed that my hair has been kinda poofy/frizzy and undefined near the bottom, and don't know why. Sometimes it gets worse if I brush it, but when I don't brush it I have frizzy waves/curls. I'm not sure if it's over- or under-conditioned, or what else may be the problem. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Meg

akurah · April 4th, 2007, 05:14 PM

Oil will often smooth out frizziness.

CaliWaves · April 4th, 2007, 05:17 PM

I've got some oil, I'll give it a try! Thanks!

spunkymonki87 · April 4th, 2007, 05:17 PM

Explaining you wash/dry routine and whether or not you color, perm, or heat style your hair can lend insight into why your hair is this way

Shiin · April 4th, 2007, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliWaves

Hello everyone! I'm a newbie from San Diego who's recently decided to grow out my hair. I've noticed that my hair has been kinda poofy/frizzy and undefined near the bottom, and don't know why. Sometimes it gets worse if I brush it, but when I don't brush it I have frizzy waves/curls. I'm not sure if it's over- or under-conditioned, or what else may be the problem. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Meg

My hair is often the same way - I find oiling it helps also I keep it braided and I do find it cuts down on the frizz/poofiness.

CaliWaves · April 4th, 2007, 05:32 PM

Oh man, where do I start? I work at a beauty supply store, so I have a LOT of shampoo, conditioner, and styling products. I usually wash every day with a sulfate-free shampoo like Enjoy, and follow it up with a moisturizing conditioner. I then detangle with a wide-tooth comb and let it air dry. I have never dyed my hair, and I almost never use heat. Once a week, I clarify with either Bumble&Bumble Sunday shampoo, or Abba Molasses Purifier, and then deep condition.

velvetcat · April 4th, 2007, 05:50 PM

you might start stretching out the time between washes and only clarify when the hair is built up.

Most of the time, hair doesn't need to be washed on a daily basis. I used to have really frizzy hair until I started washing less often, and quit brushing the wave/curl out. It still frizzes a little, but my hair isn't terribly keen on oils.

Antarestar · April 4th, 2007, 05:56 PM

It sounds like we have similar hair. Mine tends to behave if I wash it very rarely. I started out once a week and am down to about once a month. I also put some oil in the ends, olive oil. I've found that the less I wash it, the more it behaves. The more it's wavey and not poofy. Also, the most important thing I have figured out, while it's drying Don't Mess With It! I have such a hard time with that one. The more I leave it alone, the better behaved it is.

CaliWaves · April 4th, 2007, 06:01 PM

it'll be hard to not wash as often, but I'll give it a try! lol. thanks for all the feedback!

CaliWaves · April 4th, 2007, 06:42 PM

one question though....for those of you who don't wash every day, do you not wet your hair at all, or do you just not shampoo?

vanwa · April 4th, 2007, 11:56 PM

i do not wet at all, only every 2-3 days.

Katze · April 5th, 2007, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velvetcat

you might start stretching out the time between washes and only clarify when the hair is built up.

Most of the time, hair doesn't need to be washed on a daily basis. I used to have really frizzy hair until I started washing less often, and quit brushing the wave/curl out. It still frizzes a little, but my hair isn't terribly keen on oils.

velvetcat has the right idea. My hair isn't as wavy as hers, but i do have this very problem. On the ends I suspect the chemical/heat damage, because the virgin growth behaves differently.

Moisture is often the secret for wavy hair; in my case that means less washing, and washing with conditioner, baking soda, or vinegar. Every 4-7 days as I feel like it. And I don't clarify, because I don't use sulfates or silicone-based conditioners.

hth!

Katze

CaliWaves · April 5th, 2007, 11:19 AM

thanks so much!

spidermom · April 5th, 2007, 01:19 PM

It helps me to have more defined curls/waves and less frizz if I do not comb or brush my hair after conditioning. I comb the conditioner through in the shower to be sure my hair is relatively tangle free, then I blot it carefully with a flannel pillowcase after the shower and drop it into the hood of my workout jacket to dry. If I leave it hanging to dry, it pulls a lot of the wave/curl out.

Sometimes I finger-comb some aloe vera gel or styling gel or styling cream through my hair after washing/conditioning.

Since you're used to washing your hair every day, try every other day and/or dilute your shampoo in water and squirt onto scalp. You don't need to specifically wash the ends of your hair as the suds running through it as you rinse is enough.

**LisaJaney** · April 5th, 2007, 02:27 PM

Yes, I like that "the suds running through will be enough". It will. What *I* found to be really helpful in moisturizing my hair was to quit using shampoo on it. Get yourself a cheap light conditioner (extra body versions are good) and just use THAT on your scalp and length to clean it. I know it sounds weird -- it did to me at first, too -- but there are surfactants in conditioner that will loosen and lift any dirt and oils (the sebum that your scalp produces) and will CLEAN the hair plenty without STRIPPING it dry and making it prone to frizz. You can cleanse the hair with conditioner every single day if you want, or you can do it twice a week like I do. Three things I have to do in order for my hair to look clean: Use a cheap LIGHT conditioner (nothing moisturizing to clean the hair or else it won't lift the oils well enough), use plenty of it (I use about a half-cup of it and work it in until every strand is slick), and rinse like crazy to get it all out. If I use too heavy a conditioner, or use not enough of it, or don't rinse well enough, my hair doesn't look as clean as it could.

Like I say: I get away doing this twice a week (and I'm a greaseball on day four, you may as well know it) but my hair is clean and lovely when I clean it this way. Honestly, my hair's been so greasy I swear you could lube a CAR with my head, and I cleanse with conditioner and it gets it clean and wonderful.

Save your nice conditioners for a second conditioning AFTER you've "cleaned" the hair with the cheap stuff. Put the "good" stuff (richer stuff, the moisturizing stuff) on from your earlobes and down the length. You will find that your hair doesn't need as much moisture, when you quit stripping the natural moisture from it by shampooing (the pH lifts the cuticle, allowing more moisture to escape, IIRC).

I swear by this method, and I've been doing it for YEARS.