BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Hair I need a new do!!

I have really tight curly hair. How do I get the smooth hair with big curls?? Sort of like Kelly Ripa's or Sara Jessica Parker's in her new movie (Failure to Launch). When I was younger my aunt put two perms on my hair, trying to do the reverse method to make it straight, and even as the solution was still on my hair and she was pulling at it with a comb it still curled up!! I'm telling you this just to let you know how resistant my hair is to change. I'm also Caucasian. I have also had my hair ruined by doing this later on in life and it was sort half and half (curly and wavy) and just looked horrible. At that time I actually tried to perm it (the normal way) and it didn't take at all. Right now my hair looks good and it's healthy. I've figured out how to straighten it (which is time consuming) and can have that look along with my really curly look, but what I want once in a while is an in-between look. I just don't know what to do. Do I use rollers? What type? What kind of products do I use?? I tried this also when I was younger and when we took the rollers out it looked horrible. Please, can some one give me instructions on how to use rollers or on what products to use so the big curls will hold???

Sorry this is so long, but I felt I had to explain in detail how my hair acts in certain situations. It does have a mind of its own after all!! Lol.

Thanks! Tina

Hi Tina,
Welcome to the forum!
Getting the look that you want may be very difficult on your hair as you describe it.

First, use products with lots of moisturizers. Use smoothing serums or cremes. Anything that is smoothing and works for your hair. - I like Matrix Smooth and Sleek, Nioxin Smoothing products, and some of the ARTec Kiwi products - Smoothing Serum, & Texture Creme.

Sometimes I will get the look you describe by using the smoothing serums and gel on the hair and combing it smooth. Then I let it dry completely without touching it. A heat lamp works well to dry it fast. After the hair is dry, I loosen it with my fingers. It will start to wave and curl - but usually not a TIGHT curl. Then I use a curling iron to add a few big curls.

Curly hair is different on every person. I think you have to find the right method to deal with each individual head of curly hair.

The problem I have run into when using curlers is that the style can get very full. It's usually better to blow it straight and then use hot rollers. - Lots of work <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for the reply. I have a feeling that trying to comb the products through and letting it dry on its own wouldn't do much for my hair because it would just spring right up. I might try using the products you mentioned and put my hair in big rollers and use my new blow dryer (which is very hot). I doubt that will work either, but I'm willing to try anything. It's the price I pay for being easily bored!

Here are a few suggestions for using rollers Tips for using rollers

Hi Tina,

I have natural curly hair too. I tried the reverse perm but my hair wouldn't take it either. I wear my hair straight alot but I've finally mastered wearing it curly after the years, so here's my advice. After showering, do not brush your hair, put in a good but light leave in conditioner I like Paul Mitchell - The Conditioner. Then I use a spray gel so that I can spray it evenly over my hair I like L'oreal Vive for curly hair. Now brush your hair one time to spread the product evenly. Now use a little bit of hairspray to cover your whole head I like herbal essence. Blow dry your hair for about 2 minutes to set the products. Depending on how curly your hair is on top you might need to pull it back in a pony tail to keep the hair on top straight. Then once your hair is dry like the next morning take a big curling iron and wrap it around a section of your hair, you'll have to determine how long to leave it on for, but do this all over your head and you should get a wavy look, it's time consuming but this is what I always read in my magazines and it's what they do on celebrities. Make sure your curling iron is on the highest setting. I hope I helped.

Heather