I need major help with my hair!

[el oh el]

I've finally had it.. I'm 18 years old, and I can't stand my hair any longer. I've put up with it for the longest time, but now that I'm in my senior year I want it to look at least normal..

My hair is pretty short, maybe an inch or so long. It's soo thick and wavy, and right after I wash it and for a day or two afterwards, it's really poofy so my head appaers to be a lot bigger.. and it's just ridiculously wavy.

I've tried everything.. anti-frizz stuff, 10 hold gel, conditioners, etc. None of them are strong enough.. Even the toughest gel doesn't work. By the time it dries, my hair is wavy as **** again. Even if I blowdry it before it can begin to get wavy, it gets wavy right away.

The only moderately-helpful thing I've done is use an electric comb that heats up. Unfortunately, it burns the hell out of my scalp, and my hair/bangs are still wavy a bit afterwards and it still looks just as crappy. Someone told me I should use a perm kit and instead of crimping it, just comb it straight and leave it in. Any ideas from you guys?

Thanks a ton..
-Jason

 

[ratboycom]

grow your hair a little longer and then try some strightener. I have come to embrace my curly/wavyness, perhaps even like it. Sometimes its a *****, but once you figure out a good style its not so bad.

 

[CliffLee]

Originally Posted by el oh el

My hair is pretty short, maybe an inch or so long. It's soo thick and wavy, and right after I wash it and for a day or two afterwards, it's really poofy so my head appaers to be a lot bigger.. and it's just ridiculously wavy.

I've tried everything.. anti-frizz stuff, 10 hold gel, conditioners, etc. None of them are strong enough.. Even the toughest gel doesn't work. By the time it dries, my hair is wavy as **** again. Even if I blowdry it before it can begin to get wavy, it gets wavy right away.

Thanks a ton..
-Jason

My hair is virtually identical to how you describe yours.

I tend to have my hair 'thinned' at the barbers in order to make it less poofy which helps - not sure if youve tried that. When I want my hair to look good, say if im going out, first I'll wash it with a mild shampoo (normally one made for dry hair) using only a small amound of shampoo so it doesn't lather. Once I've done that I will gently towl dry my hair until it is damp. Then I will leave it dry naturally, whilst at the same time brushing my hair along its naturall growing pattern until it is fully dry. I dont use my hair dryer almost at all now. Sometimes it will still look alittle poofy so I then wear a beannie hat (I'm not joking) for about 15 mins to flattern the hair (you don't want to wear the hat for too long as the hair loses shape and just looks stuck to your head!). Once I've done that then im free to style it, normally with wax etc. And yes I am always late for everything... I blame my hair.

 

[hotspur]

From your description, it sounds like we have the same type of hair. I kept mine short throughout highschool, but as soon as I hit college I couldn't find a decent barber and started growing it longer. I've tried almost every product and still cannot find one that works great, although I would have to recommend a cream pomade. Ive been using Got2be cream pomade, which is extremely cheap, and when used on slightly wet hair will allow let your hair dry much straighter then without. Also, Ive found small things, like washing my hair in cold water, shampooing only the scalp, and conditioning only the ends of my hair to be helpful. Also, a leave in conditioner or de-tangler applied after towel drying makes my hair less wavy and poofy. Id recommend blow drying your hair, especially if your hair is thick like mine and takes literally hours to dry on its own... plus then you know what it looks like and it doesnt shift as it dries and look ridiculous.

Also, whoever offered wearing a beanie is amusing, I often noticed how moderate "hat hair" actually made my hair look awesome.