Is it normal to have curly and straight hair at the same time?
If you’re worried about your hair or curl pattern then you’re not alone. This is one of my most frequently asked questions and I see curly girls asking this question online a lot too.
Yes your hair can be curly and straight at the same time. It’s completely normal to have a mix of curl patterns on the same head. Your curls can and probably will change over time. Here’s my story.
My curly and straight hair story
I grew up with straight hair and when it changed to become curly it had its own schedule. At first it’s just the hair around my temple would curl and then the whole top layer started to curl but there was this underneath section that stayed straight.
Before I actually realised it was curly (and I thought it was just frizzy) that straight section was my favourite part of my hair. It was so silky and smooth and I loved it. Of course, once I figured out that my hair is curly not frizzy that made a big difference and I love all of my hair now.
But for a long time that hair was still straight. I’ll never know how long it would take to change naturally because that’s when I went crazy with colouring and styling my. In only a few years my hair texture changed completely, and not for the better.
I cut all my hair off and as it grew back I noticed that my curl pattern had completely changed as well. That straight section at the back is now the curliest part of my hair. I get really tight rightlets at the nape of my neck. Now the top section, the part that curled first, is more wavy than curly.
I know I’m not alone in having a mix of straight and curly hair, it’s a common issue and it’s hard when you want all of your hair to match.
How can your hair be curly and straight at the same time?
Yes – hair can be naturally this straight and this curly on the same head!
It’s very normal to have a mix of curl patterns on the same head of hair. It starts with your genetics. You see, the gene for curly hair is not completely dominant. It can remain dormant until activated and then it changes the shape of the hair follicle which changes the hair that grows from it.
This change to your hair can be initiated by many factors such as genetics, lifestyle and stress. Your health can also impact on your hair. If you have a thyroid condition, as I do, you’ll know your hormones can quickly change your hair thickness and curl pattern.
If you want some further reading on this topic of curl change, check out my post on “Why did my hair changed from straight to curly?”
For now, I just want you to take away that it’s incredibly normal to have mixed curl patterns in your hair. No two curls are the same and everybody’s hair is different.
Do you have a mixed of straight and curly hair? What’s your curl story?
Hi. I had Covid starting 7/21/21. I am a long Covid in that I still have lingering issues. I am 58. I noticed about 3 months post Covid that I was shedding my hair and also just recently noticed that half my head is getting curly hair and the other is very straight. Even my left eyelashes are curling up. My hair was originally red but started to fade in my early twenties into a dark gun metal mouse gray. My hair strands are super thin now. My eccentric old aunt had an airy cloud of hair that she called her frog fur. Not sure why, Now I tell myself I have frog fur. Lol. Has anyone else seen hair changes after Covid? My hair loss is on my crown from the ears up. It’s the oddest thing. I’m going to see a dermatologist next week and I hope it will grow back.
I had exactly the same pattern of hairloss after Covid and the hair that grew back was curly too. I have just had Covid again in January and I am so nervous I am going to lose hair again.
Ever since Covid, I have had curly hair. I’m not sure how that happened. Also, a guy friend of mine lost his hair after Covid and it came back super curly.
I have naturally curler and straight hair. It may have been curlier when i was younger but honestly I’m not sure. Ive got large ringlets all over my head that start as waves, but my fringe is straight. There is a slight wave to it but thats all. It goes a little up my scalp and just, stops. Its always been hilarious but frustrating to me. Apparently Ive got a lot of my grandma’s traits, who was italian. She had a full head of ringlets like the ones I have while my parents and sister have straight hair. I guess its simply just a mixture of the two genes. Its so weird though
Me! Like you, also long covid. Parosmia (things smell wrong/bad that shouldn’t) and major hair shedding!
When i shed loads of hair postpartum, all the new growth was 2a/wavy so i wonder if the new fallout will also become wavy/curly!
Hair/hormones can be so crazy!
I am so glad I am not alone. I had Covid in Aug 2021. And a few months later it started coming out in he shower. It was so thin and bad looking, I cut it off. And it grew in with curls. Right now the top half is straight to wavy and tge bottom is all curls. Its so crazy!!!
Same here. I had Covid and was hospitalized for 3 month. I started loosing my hair and as it grew back the bottom half of my hair is curly but the top is a mix of straight and wavy. I wish my head was curly. It’s kinda awkward. Hoping that the top will change. So weird and I’m a long hauler as well.
The same thing happened to me after my second bouts of covid-19. The doctor said mine was probably caused by the high fevers that I had.I also have thyroid issues-hypothyroidism.
thank you for letting me know that im normal after menopause i lost 70 percent of my hair it was such a bad timefor me but then i took hormon s and i t took 2 years to grow them back but mythick hair become soft and thin but its ok as i never had a soft silky hair before
theninoticed my back ofhead from under ear hadbecome curly and the curl isbeautiful i wish one daymy wholehead hair becomes curly lets be happy
Man i thought it was weird having a few curly bits and then the rest of my hair straight but i’m glad to hear it’s normal and nothing to worry about. I’ve had really long hair since I was younger, it used to be really curly like my dads but at some point in around kindergarten it turned completely straight, now in 9th grade i’ve noticed that all my hair at the front of my head is curly and the rest is straight. So now i don’t know whether i should keep using shampoo for straight hair or if i should get curl defining shampoo. Any suggestions?
Hmm.. I would suggest using a sulfate-free shampoo with a silicone-free conditioner. You can also use maybe a leave-in conditoner without silicones for curly hair or maybe a curl gel or mousse. It’s your choice. And try to not use heat that often and just let your hair air dry. If you want to use a blow dryer to dry your hair I suggest purchasing a diffuser attachment and drying it until it’s 90% dry and just let it air dry. I hope this helps! 🙂
My hair used to look a lot like the picture you shared. It looked almost exactly like that, except my curls are larger. My story is – my hair was always straight as a board. Around 17/18 I noticed it was wavy underneath but only when wet. As soon as it dried (ALWAYS air dry – I didn’t know how to use a hair dryer until my late 20s… talk about late bloomer ?) it was straight again, but the texture was always very course. I’m Caucasian if you’re curious & my mother’s hair was the same texture. We always thought it was frizz. She was the only one of the 9 children in her family that didn’t have curly hair! After my son was born (I was 34) my hair changed & I noticed it was suddenly kind of curly when I got out of the shower one day & all over. I bought some curl defining mousse & a diffuser to just see what would happen. I was shocked to see actual curls on my head! They weren’t amazing, but they were there. It took a lot of coaxing to get them to look decent but my hair was bleached & pretty damaged. I because frustrated trying to figure out what I was supposed to do w my new hair; it seemed there were 1,000 differing opinions & it was all so overwhelming & seemed time consuming. I gave up & went back to treating it like straight hair. Fairly early this year I decided I wanted to embrace my natural hair though bc that’s the real me, after all. I’m still trying to figure out products & methods & TBH, it’s pretty frustrating. Everyone has their own opinions, products aren’t cheap (& I lost my job due to COVID but haven’t been able to return to work) & I have major spinal issues so bending is very difficult for me & dry-time is much longer w curly hair. It would be much more convenient to just go back to treating it as straight hair again, but I want to be true to who I am. Besides, I have seen a difference in my curls over these months & even the part that was straight is now beginning to curl. I just continue to try to find the right products in the price range I can swing & try to think of various methods I can try to dry my hair without putting so much strain on my back from the bending.
My hair is most curly around my temples. We’re talking ringlets. hat area, no matter what, is always curly. It is at its peak after I wash it, as my curls are moisture activated. The rest of my hair is wavy. After going 2 days without washing my hair It goes back to being straight wavy. My hair is strange. Not even the color is consistent. But oddly enough, I like it.
I used to have very curly hair until I was about five years old. Then it somehow started to go more straight, still I had some curls, but most of my hair became straight. When I was 11 or 12 years old the down part of my hair started to curl a lot around my ears and at the back. The top of my hair turned more wavy with some straight strands. And that’s how my hair still looks now. I really don’t know what to do with that, I would want all of my hair to curl the same way.
So I have 3b thick curly hair on top and limb straight hair underneath it’s so weird I dont underwear how that’s possible, I have a hard time accepting it, I dont quite know what to do in terms of product or anything, I feel like I’ve been living under a rock as I didnt know I could find out my hair type, all I use on my hair is water and the scrunch method, and tips would be much appreciated, lucy
Hi I have always had kinda wavy hair ( I’m 15) and now for about a year and a half my hair on the sides is really curly, then the back and the outer sides is just wavy and kind of straight. Now I have started straightening my hair because it’s so frustrating, but I don;t want to damage it. So how long does it take for hair to become fully curly or will it just stay like that or is it because the outer side of my hair is more prone to being stretched out and more weighed down?
I have this same problem
I’ve got straight hair, but I have a few curls on one side of my hair line. How long did it take for your hair to turn curly?
All of my siblings and I have curly hair everywhere except for the back of our necks. My sisters and I started with straight hair, then it changed at around middle school to what it is now. Our brothers hair changed way sooner than ours did. Some people think it’s damaged hair until I explain that all of my siblings’ hair is like this. I’ve been contemplating what to do about it for years, but never decided on a solution. It is what it is I guess, haha.
I have completely straight hair in the back of my head. As you go to the front it gets curlier(the curliest being 3a curls). It’s pretty hard to manage because some of my curly products might be too drying for the straighter parts of my head. Sometimes the curls goes all the way to the back and vice versa for straight. I am most definitely mixed if you were wondering.
Hi,
I just realized how long ago this was uploaded. I am 16 years old and I’ve had my fair share of bad hair days and haircuts. So when I was about 10 my mother did a big chop to my hair. My hair was about to my waist and it was cut to ear length. When i was about 12 I noticed my hair pattern change. In the back of my head it’s about a 2c texture. But the top half is like a 1c to a 2a. It’s really irritating because my cousins and family members have curly hair. I just wanted to ask if there’s a way to make my whole head the same pattern/texture?
Hello,
I know this is a way old topic but thanks you. My daughter is 6 and there is one section of her hair that is curly/wavy.
The rest of her hair is straight, very straight. Both the curly/wavy and straight sections are really soft and easy to work with.
I have no curls. Nor does my husband and neither of our families have curls. So it confused me..
Thank you so much
I have the exact same problem!!!!! The problem is the section is in the front of my head by my face! It is so annoying. I have no idea how to manage it.
If I could guess I’d bet that she has the few curls because of a distant relatives genetics. If you wanted all of her hair to be curly you could have her get a perm, but I wouldn’t suggest that because I bet in the next 5 or so years her hair will even out and It’ll all be curly or it’ll all be strait (or possibly all wavy). If you just wanted it to be strait the simplest solution would be to just flat iron it every other day or so.
I am 15, Caucasian with dark brown hair and have some VERY different curl patterns on my head. When I was little I had very curly hair, but it got straighter as I got older. I started the curly girl method and it started to transform my hair back. The problem being that it is extremely temperamental, some days I have a thick lucious mane of curls and waves and others I just have extremely frizzy almost straight hair that I refuse to let people see. Is there anything that I can do to make my hair more uniform from wash to wash. I have been using the same products, and the weather has stayed the same, so it’s not either of those. Help!
My dad is a red head and so am i. You can imagine his curls, but my hair is both curly and straight. It was straight like my mom’s for the longest time, and now it’s starting to curl around my hairline. I hate this so much, because I always get weird stares and I am really insecure about it. I’m still early in my high school years if that gives you any idea of my age. But this article has helped me understand that it’s normal, so thank you. I do have a question though. How do I care for my hair if it’s straight everywhere except for my hairline?
My hair is starting to change with age. I have straight hair in the front and wavy and curly hair in back. I don’t know what to buy to help my hair. I would like all my hair to be the same. Is there anything I can buy to help the front to be more wavy or curly
OMG I have the same problem. The front (up to the ears) is dead straight and the back is wavy/some bits curly. It’s all got to do with your thyroid, as it starts to thin out, so does the make-up of it.
It’s hard, I know. Somehow you have to find a good cut stylist – not many around as the art of cutting hasn’t been needed in the last few decades. The shorter the straight hair, the more bounce it’s going to have – and somehow it has to blend with the curly bits. Scrunch drying the front, volumizing mouse but generally it’s all in the cut.
Unfortunately there’s virtually nothing online of hairstyles of this nature, even on youtube, you can’t find anything.
my hair is straight and curly at the same time can I use brush or just only a wide tooth comb
Honestly, it depends on your variety in curls and what you’re going for. I use both depending on what my hair is like. When I wash my hair and I’m in the mood to have it straight I dry it straight and brush it (no heat). When I’m in the mood for wavy/curly or I don’t care I leave it. And when I’m in the mood for the most curly hair I scrunch it with water and just leave it. Method 2 and 3 both give me straight hair at the back at most 2a, method 1 usually gives me about 80% straight hair and then if any water touches it then it goes curly at the front like always. My textures range is from 1a-2c but mostly 2b.
So, I have a bit of a weird situation with my hair and I’m currently trying to figure out what hair type (or types) I have. When I was around 3 years old, I had cute little ringlets until I had my hair cut into a bob; it went straight and the curls never quite came back… but now, almost 15 years later I’m finding that my hair is curling into large, loose looking ringlets by my face and waving everywhere else, and if I pull my hair back while it’s wet the small bits that fall out curl into tight ringlets. I’m not sure whether to think this is normal, or what to do about it? I doubt there’s anybody still replying to comments on here, given it’s been four years, but if there is anyone here with some advice, I’d love to hear it! I’m really struggling with this mess of a head
I also used to have straight hair but during my senior year in high school, I noticed that my hair has become wavy on the front but still straight at the back and now my hair is really messy and frizzy so I always have to tie it in a low ponytail so it doesn’t look as messy as it is. Anyway, I hate it so much and I definitely think straight hair is more convenient. Can I still get my straight hair back?
I too have Hashimoto, my hair is curly/wavy and I’m just now realizing it at 28. The top section like a previous poster is much less curly and covers my pretty curls. I started using gel etc. but it ends up leaving white residue all over my head. I think it may be my shampoo/conditioner. I have issues where I get cradle cap if I don’t use head and shoulders. My scalp just breaks out in a itchy dry patchy rash. ? At this point I’m not even sure what I can do. My hair looks so pretty if I use gel but once I scrunch it out it looks SO bad.
Go to your doctor. You may a special shampoo to help with the cradle cap. As far as your hair, try a layered cut on top to show off your curls, or do a half updo with the straight top part to reveal the curls underneath.
Okay so I’m currently 17, my hair has been straight all of my life but the last 4 years I noticed my hair has been a little more wavy, some hairs are really wavy and other are straight, at times my hair is really wavy and at times it’s really straight. Now my hair is becoming more wavy and frizzy but some are really straight. I’ve been looking more into my hair changing and I think my hair has potential. But, I just don’t know how to bring out my curls, what should I do ?
I have a question, what if the hairs that are around my hairline/baby hairs are curly but the rest of my hair is straight and I have frizzy hair?
Im man and im 14 years old and my hair is curly on front but straight in back i dont know why?. Icut all my hair and i thought it’ll going to grow straight but it doesn’t please help mee?. Im getting bullied in school because of my hair and just please help me?
I hope you found a way to deal with this. People suck! Idiots at school should be concerned about something more than your hair!
I have a question!:) I have curly hair and i have cut my bangs in the past and everything was fine until recently, i cut them and my bangs went straight!! How do i get them to have the curls that they used to?:(
Gahh, I’m 17 and I have hypothyroidism. When I was 14…15-ish my stick straight hair became frizzy and nothing helped calm the frizz. Eventually I figured out my hair was trying to curl but needed a little encouragement. After using products for 2 years, the top of my hair (and especially the back) have become really curly. However the innermost layer of my hair (near my neck) has remained stick straight and won’t budge. Do you have any product suggestions???
I was so happy to read I wasn’t alone. My hair is super curly some waves and a few straight parts. In on dialysis and I was assuming that had a part in it. I had straight hair when I was young. After puberty it became more wavy or curly. I had recently had my parathyroids removed. I’m not sure if that would affect it as well. I’m just glad it’s not just me. I do wish it was all curly now though. I didn’t use to. But my hair is so thin that it helps make it look more full since it falls out quite a bit with dialysis.
Hope you’re ok Christy, and you’re definitely not alone! Good luck with your treatment and hope your hair keeps growing back curly xx
I am new to the CG method as I’ve finally decided to commit to embracing my curls in my mid thirties. My issue is that the hair around my hairline is extremely curly (tighter coils) while the rest of my hair is wavy. Do you have any suggestions for how to relax or stretch out the tighter curls near my face as I wait to see whether my curl pattern evens out? I wash at night before bed and was thinking of possibly pinning them somehow… Any advice would be much appreciated!!!
My granddaughter lives with me. She is almost 6. She has waist length hair, the front, sides and top are straight as straight can be. The underneath in back though, I have noticed is getting more and more wave/curl to it, and its seeming to increase in amount. I had never seen anything like it. My question is, I can’t spend time straightening the back or curling the front daily. Besides heat daily isn’t something I want for a 6 year old. My q6is, how do I deal with her hair? It is wild straight flyaway in the front and always trying to look like never seen any type of grooming in the back. Even French braids look off when have is smooth and sleek and half is curly. Suggestions. If was up to me I would cut it shorter. But that option is not on the table.
Hi Sabrina, does it really look that bad when it’s half straight/half curly? I bet she looks super cute! I wouldn’t heat style kids’ hair unless it was for a special occasion. I would use more conditioner to help with the curly section and maybe style it wet into pigtail plaits. Then when her hair is dry, the curls will be stretched out and the straight sections will be wavy so it will blend well 🙂
My hair was slowly getting its curl pattern back, but then i was getting some split ends. so, i decided to get a haircut. The hairstylist handled my hair so roughly, plus he cut my hair wet. Now, my hair has lost most of its curl pattern. I don’t know why my hair which is close to the roots has some curls left and the ends of my hair are sharp straight.
I had two traumatic bowel surgeries, one in 2017 and where I lost all my lower bowel and got an ileostomy and one 7 months later due to severe stricture of the original ileostomy. The doctor had to rebuild it in February of 2018. Both times, I almost died. Two months later, I lost 3/4 ths of my hair. It was straight all my life. I am now 63 and it has grown back curly. The top part is very long with S curls and underneath, it is shorter with tighter curls. It tends to puff out the back side of my head because it is shorter under the long parts. I haven’t cut any part of it yet, just my bangs only. I guess I don’t know how I should have it done and I am afraid it will go strait again. I rather like the curls! My hair is grey now. Do you have any advice for me? My longest top strand hits below my shoulders.
I am 15 years old. When I was a kid I had really straight hair until about the third grade, when me and my sister played barber shop and used kid scissors to cut each other’s hair in the middle of the night. My mom took me to one of her friends, where she cut my hair so it was really short and layered. All of us were shocked to see that I had really curly hair. Throughout the years I let my hair grow out and it got even curlier and dryer as I went through puberty. I suffered from hella frizz. The bottom half of my hair has always been straight. I have very thick hair, and a whole bunch of it. Recently I decided to cut my hair short, but they totally did it wrong. They gave my so many layers that now I have bangs! I look like Espin (Bella Thorne) from the movie Blended with Adam Sandler and Drew Barimor! Now the curly parts of my hair are really short, and all my straight hair shows! I wash my hair upside down, and use a hydrating hair mask 2 times a week. I come my fingers through my hair, air dry, and scrunch gently before putting some stuff in it for curls. I’ve never died my hair, and I’ve only flat ironed it a few times. I do take the pill however, as well as ADHD medication and an anxiety meds I don’t know the name of, as well as another pill. My skin is really oily, and I do sweat a lot. I do have to admit though, I wrap the bottom half of my hair around my finger and rub my thumb over it sometimes when I’m stressed. I don’t know what to do, and I love my curles, PLEASE HELP
I’m pretty sure my hair is all different textures, because I’ve seen my hair under a microscope (I work in a lab) and it’s different colors and thicknesses.
This article was so helpful! I think it’s probably to do with the chemotherapy I had as a kid. I had leukaemia twice so I had a lot of chemo. In turn this made my straight blonde hair fall out and it come back as a dark brown Afro. It is now straight at the top and curly at the bottom. It stays curly even when wet, so it’s no match for gravity lol. Makes it a pain to brush where it’s all silky at the top until I get to the curled ends, sometimes I just go a day without even brushing it because curls are messy anyway so no one notices the blooming difference!
I have straight hair, like hairpin straight. My girls on the other hand BOTH have straight and curly hair. My eight year old has random curls amongst the straight while my 2 year old has curls under a layer of straight.
I meant that my temple edges and nape is tight waves for 2 inches. My hair hates to hold a curl.
I am multi-racial African American. No flat ironing. Since I was a child, my hair has been hard to style. My mom would braid or twist in a certain direction and in minutes, it would untwist. My temple and all my front and nape of neck edges are right way for about 2 inches, then the rest of my hair, which is mid back, is straight even wet. I’m 54 and what may work great for 2 weeks, won’t work at all the next time.
FYI rather lengthy response.
Same here! My hair is med length, long layers, with the top straight and looks weighed down, middle start to see some waves and looks frizzy, underneath the waves are tighter…some super curly spots, then right at the nape on both sides I have 2 crazy kinky curled spots about 2″ if I have a pony tail and 6″ long when flatted.
All these years I’ve used shampoos for “Normal” to “Dry” hair types because that’s how it looks and feels having thick hair. Extra moisturizer in them or their conditioners left my hair still flat/weighed down on top then thick and frizzy middle on down. So I used the conditioner on just the middle and bottom same problem. It would be such a nuisance that it looked like I didn’t do anything to manage my hair. I could let it air-dry and poof! Brush it then sleep on it wet…ok pretty tame, but I still gotta brush it…then poof! Ok let’s straighten it then not wash it for a day or two for ease of less time to get ready in the morning, by the end of day 2 it was pulled back in a ponytail because if I brushed it there’s the fly-aways. Mousse! Let’s try that…put some in, give my hair a little scrunch, and waves took definition, but straight parts looked “greasy”. Spritz hair spray while it’s wet with a little scrunch helps the straight parts with a lil wave. Spraying a little of the kids detangler while wet helps the waves, not so much the straight parts. I’ve even done a coconut oil treatment for a few hours…nice and oily inside then step out on the porch/laundry room hard as candle wax recently bought Castile soap (ya know natural, chemical free, and multipurpose) tried it out and that was a disaster too…turns out it needed both an acidic rinse afterwards and leave in conditioner vs just the leave in conditioner. As of this past week I came across a deal I couldn’t pass up at our drug store 3 hair products for $10! I grabbed 2 Joico daily cleanse shampoos and Not Your Mother’s brand leave in conditioner for kinky hair…score $3.33 each vs $17 and $8 each! SO FAR I’m please with the results of the leave in conditioner; granted I still have a few straight parts but at least the top half doesn’t look weighed down and the frizz is maintained so curls and waves are under control (I do give the straight parts a little scrunch or slight twist to look like part of the rest).
Shampoo Products I’ve tried:
*VO5 normal and moisturizing varieties…frizz
*VO5 2-1…greasy all over
*Tresseme… different varieties except for colored hair, weighed down on top and frizzed bottom even using the sleek and smooth.
*Suave…different varieties, weighed down on top and frizzed bottom even using the sleek and smooth.
*Dove…different varieties, weighed down on top and frizzed bottom.
*Pantene…different varieties including 2-1, weighed down on top and frizzed bottom.
*Garnier…greasy
*Aussie…frizzy
*Carol’s Daughter (no parabens, sulfates, phthylates)… didn’t feel like it cleaned without all the suds, nor did it feel completely rinsed and still had flat on top and frizzed bottom half.
*Hask Cactus Water (no parabens or sulfates)…didn’t feel like it cleaned without all the suds, nor did it feel completely rinsed and still had flat on top and frizzed bottom half.
*Johnson and Johnson BABY SHAMPOO!…didn’t feel like it completely rinsed and still had flat on top and frizzed greasy feeling bottom half (skip a wash and looked really oily).
*Clear…does a fairly good job all around, but a tad bit much on the price tag for a small bottle compared to the rest.
*Castile soap unscented (bottle says use just a little, but just a little didn’t cover my medium length hair)…suds up, doesn’t rinse clean, left my hair feeling waxy, thicker, frizzier yet softer, and unable to run my fingers through it without getting them stuck.
*Joico…not to bad I’m still working with it till the bottle runs out.
Styling Products I’ve used:
*Suave highest hold spritz spray…helps but stiff till you break the tension after it dries (leaves white flakes)
*Tresseme highest holding spritz and mousse…helps but very stiff till you break the tension after it dries (no flakes, soft and tamed)
* Dr. Bronners leave in conditioner (natural organic)…left weird oily/greasy/waxy sections although it was distributed tip to root all over.
*Not Your Mother’s leave in conditioner…has done wonders (VERY tame, minimal frizz, soft to the touch, manageable…still straight spots with a little scrunch to work them into the waves).
I had my first child 9 months ago. After his birth I noticed my hair became very thick and half of it ( underneath the top few layers) and extremely thick and wavy! I’m very confused how and why this changed happend.. I need answers!
Hi! I have a question. My hair is 2b/2c i belive, i have curls and waves. My problem is that my hair is straight at the top of my head and then big curls at the bottom. Also my hair is really curly at the front but if you look at me from behind it’s very loose waves, almost straight and it’s so annoying because i want my whole hair to be curly. Any tips?
I would recommend pin curling the less straight pieces of your hair while it’s wet, then waiting for it all to dry completely before taking it out. To pin curl your hair you wrap a small section of hair around your finger, then gently slide up to your root then pin it in place, it’s hard to explain but there are plenty of amazing videos on YouTube. I hope it works out:)
I have both curly and straight hair, they haven’t changed from being one or the other. Having both is bothersome, but when I look at other people’s hair types, I feel like I’m an exception.
Wow I actually have the same exact problem. The back is straight and the front is about 2c-3a. I’ve learned to live with it but it can look very awkward
I think I have the worst problem here. The right side of my head is super curly and the left side is completely straight!! It’s bizarre, people can’t believe it. I was just diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I’ve had straight, thick hair all my life until 3 years ago when the right side turned curly. IF I have time I can braid the left side while it’s wet and then when it’s dry it matches. But I usually don’t feel like doing it. It’s very embarrassing. I don’t know what to do with it. It’s still thick and the curly side is coarse. I guess I could have the straight side permed but I don’t know.
I just discovered my hair has curls a couple of days ago (I’m 33 years old). It’s nice to know it wasn’t just frizz! I’m also so happy to have found this post!! The past few mornings I’ve started trying to nurture my curls – no sulfate/towels/brushes/etc. My hair is currently long (mid-back) and I was already planning to chop it to chin length soon and donate it. Currently it appears the hair from the crown of my head is pretty curly, but the lower 1/3 or so of my scalp is straight. If I cut my hair sooner do you think it might facilitate my straight hair to grow more curly? I know it will take time, but I want to cut down the awkward curly/straight period as much as I can… hoping of course that it will turn curly at all…
Thank you for writing this. My daughter had a smattering of baby curls as an infant, then her hair changed to hick and wavy, and now when I do her hair I’ve noticed that she has random hairs with super tight s curls mixed with her wavy hairs. I never knew this was possible. Could it be because of hormonal changes she is starting to go through?
I’m 14 years old and this is a big decision for me ,but I’m deciding to do a big chop ,because my hair has tight curls but in back I have extremely straight hair?But I don’t want to cut my hair off and it just grows back the same thing…I was wondering if it just naturally like that or from damage,but the thing is …I barley flat iron my hair ?But I just need advice bc I don’t like my hair with the straight section…I love my curly hair??
Hi Azalea, I love that you love your curls! Have you always had a mix of curly & straight hair or is this something new? I ask because my hair started to become curly at your age and it took some time but it’s now all curly. Cutting your hair can help curls spring up (because there’s less weight in your hair) but it really just depends on your hair. I’ve had short hair and loved it. If you don’t like it, it grows back 🙂 xx
Hi here! I found this article to be incredibly nice to see, especially since I have the same problem that i’m trying to fix. So, my hair is very coarse, and so is the straight part, and i’m wondering if it’s just dry? What are your thoughts?
Secondly, how short did you cut your hair? My older sister had the same problem with the half straight half curly phenomenon, and she too cut off her hair and it grew back curly – she had a lob. I’m wondering if it would be worth the cut since it’s a problem I’m tired of dealing with?
Thanks again!
Hi Eliza, you’re definitely not alone! I needed to cut of some dry, damaged ends and I had a lob as well. I would start by doing some deep conditioning treatments and maybe try one protein treatment as well. If after a few weeks, you’re not noticing a change, then I’d get a haircut too. Good luck x
Hi, I’ve just come across your blog and it’s great to find others with the same problem! Since I reached my late forties, and being diagnosed recently with CFS/ME (I have had an under-active thyroid for a few years too) my straight hair has started to become wavy underneath, yet the top layer is dead straight!! I’m liking it wavy because I don’t have to blow-dry it, but what to do with the top layer?! (I’ve tried the top layers long and I’ve tried them shorter – but they’re still dead straight!) I can’t mess about with tongs so I’m considering a light perm on the top layers – any thoughts on that would be appreciated!
Hi Sandy! I have thyroid issues as well and my hair tells me when it’s out of balance for sure. I was going to suggest using a curling tong but if that won’t work for you, a perm could work well. Make sure your salon is up to date with their perm techniques. They’re not as popular now so stylist can be out of practice doing them. You can have an olaplex perm which is gentler on your hair as well. Ask around and hopefully you can find an experienced salon near you xx
Hi there! I know this may be an old topic, but it is so nice to find someone who had the same problem and advice on how to fix it. My sister had the same thing but she too cut it all off and it grew back curly. I’m thinking of getting the ‘big cut’ just to fix the dead ends and the straight part, but I am wondering how short you cut yours? My sister cut hers to her jaw and that fixed the problem. What would you suggest?
Hi Stephanie, it really depends on your hair and what sort of condition your hair is in. You might only need to lose a few cm or you might need a big chop. You can start longer and see how it goes. Good luck! x
My hair is wavy to curly except for an 1 1/2 inch section on the top of my head, from my forehead to crown. Those straight hairs fall to each side (right AND left) and cover my curly hair. I don’t know what to do with this straight hair but to curl it with a curling iron. Oh how I wish this section of hair was curly like the rest of my hair and I wouldn’t have to do anything to my hair but wash it!!! Any suggestions?
Hi Regina, my hair is the same hopefully it will catch up to the rest of your curls. In the mean time, I use some curl cream and twist it when it’s wet to encourage the curl. You can also pin it until it dries to keep the curl shape xx
I also have that problem!!!! Straight at the front and curly at the back Uggghhhhhhh. It’s like a dead animal on my head
I have the same issue! What a pain!
When I was younger, I used to have very curly hair with ringlets from root to end. However, since I’m taking the pill, my curls are a bit fading. Now only the lower part, starting from my ears, curls in rather big curls. I’m having difficulties to keep the volume in my hair even 2 days after I washed it as they just start to look like strands sticking to my face. Is there anything I can do about that?
PS. I only discovered your blog recently, but I really love it!
Thanks so much, Anneleen! It’s amazing the effects our hormones have on our hair. Try sleeping with your hair up at night – https://www.hairromance.com/2013/11/the-secret-to-waking-up-with-great-curly-hair.html and look through some of my other curly hair posts too – https://www.hairromance.com/category/curly-hair xx
I have 5 kids. My hair was straight before the first, and it has gotten currier with each one. The back is the curries the, and the sides drive me crazy because they are wavy. I’d love for it to even out. I’d love tips for how to deal with that!
that’s a great question Lauren and I should do a video on this. A tip for now, after washing my hair, I use a little curl cream and twist small sections to encourage the wavy sections to curl more xx
I know this thread is old, but yes! Straight hair before kids and curlier hair with each child. Now curly in back with ringlets on the bottom and barely waves in front. Lol
I was thinking the same these posts are what 4 or 5 years ago I wasn’t sure how to post on here so I tagged myself on your reply
Anyways,I don’t have thyroid issues but I’m the opposite of the comments with the straight hair on bottom and curly on top my hair is straight on top and curly on the bottom I like it sometimes especially if I’m having a good hair day but sometimes I’d just rather have straight hair I didn’t realize it was normal my beauticians have said its hormones
same with my hair! it is very very hard for me to manage. whenever i try and style it as wavy\curly hair the straight pieces do not cooperate, and when i brush it out like straight hair all my waves are defined on the bottom and the top gets frizzy. ugh… i wish i had pin straight hat so i would t have to deal with all this.
The hair on the left front and top sides of my head is curly while the hair on the right side is wavy.
it’s so weird how it can be so different! I hope it evens out for you soon 🙂
Great article! This describes my hair very well. Three kids and an underfunctioning thyroid has totally messed with my curls. I know that you are a curl expert and not a doctor but could you write a bit more on the impact of thyroid issues on hair. I didn’t realise it was a thing and I wish I knew more 🙂
Thanks Nellie, and thanks for the suggestion. I’ll definitely write about it. I don’t know about you but there was so much confusing information out there when I was diagnosed with my thyroid condition (Hashimotos). Your thyroid affects so many parts of the body and the way it messes with your hormones has a huge impact on your hair.
Oh please do! Hashimoto’s is also what i was diagnosed with- and it was a long time coming. I would be super interested to hear your thoughts, and how it affect the body (and especially hair!). I have a few friends with the same thyroid issues, we would all like to know a bit more.
sure thing, Nellie! It’s becoming so much more common and I’ll share some of the things I’ve learnt along the way in a post soon xx
Wowww, I just readv this article because my hair is curly on top and not so much at the bottom half. I never realised until now that there’s a Hashimotos connection!
I do realize that living healthy (no chemicals) is curly girl method approved. Thank you for teaching me, ladies!
Yes, I would be interested in a post about how your thyroid affects your hair. I was just diagnosed with hypothyroidism and I’m wondering if I’ll lose my curly hair. Love your site!
Sorry to hear that Leilani and hope you’re feeling ok. Will start working on my post now xx
If I cut off the straight pieces, will they come back curly? The top of my hair is curly but the bottom layer and other strands are silk pin straight!
they won’t.. you cant change the texture just by cutting it-
but you’re describing exactly my hair, curly and/or frizzy on top, silky straight on neck and sides-
styling them is a nightmare, no hairdresser get it-
My hair is a mix of straight wavy and a little curly. Mine was very straight when i was little then once i hit teen years changed to a mix of all three especially grown out.