Welcome to a week celebrating curly hair!
#curlyhairproblems
If you have curly hair, you will know that it comes with its own unique set of problems.
Often the grass seems greener but once you learn to love what you’ve got, it becomes a whole lot easier to manage. Maybe you just need to see your curls through someone else’s eyes.
Today I’m taking a light-hearted look at some common curly hair problems and offering some tried and tested solutions.
Curly Hair Problem: The Triangle
The dreaded curly triangle is something I know all too well.
It was one of the worst haircuts I’ve ever had and I had to wait it out ’til it grew out. Don’t let a hairdresser use thinning scissors on your curls. They can cut into your hair to reduce the bulk but those thinning scissors aren’t for curls.
Even with the best haircut, I can still find my hair a little flat at the top. The weight of my hair pulls it down and the shape of my curls makes my part seem wider and flatter.
The solution:
- Get a great curly haircut. I can pretty much guarantee it will change your life.
- Change your part as your hair dries. After washing your hair, part your hair on the opposite side to your usual part. When your hair is almost dry, flip your part back over to the regular side and notice the amazing volume you now have at the roots!
- Wear a zig-zag partline. Instead of a straight part, angle your hair diagonally back or create a zig-zag line. This stops the appearance of a wide, flat part and lets your curls sit a little higher.
Curly Hair Problem: Half-curls-half-frizz
It’s completely normal to have different curl patterns. Very few people have identical curls all over their head.
Your curl patterns can also change. The hair underneath used to be really straight but then it changed and it’s now the curliest section of my hair. Weird.
The solution:
- Be extra careful when styling your hair. If you know you have a section that’s more wavy than curly, or prone to frizz, handle it with care. Don’t rub your hair with a towel. Instead squeeze it gently with a microfibre towel or old t-shirt. Twirl your frizziest curls with some curl cream to help them find their shape.
- Cheat with a curling wand. Use a small barrel curling wand that’s about the same size as your natural curls. Take small sections randomly on the top layer of your hair and curl them to match your real curls. Curl half forward and half back so that they appear more natural.
Curly Hair Problem: Spend an hour on your hair but look like you just woke up
Curly girls will know the agony of spending an hour trying to style your hair but you end up going out with your hair in a ponytail. That’s one of the reasons I started twisting and pinning my hair.
The solution:
- Check the weather. Humidity and rain really affects curly hair and not in a good way. Check the weather report before you begin to style you hair and don’t attempt to straighten your curls when you know there’s high humidity.
- Practice makes perfect. I know this isn’t a quick-fix solution, but it really works. Practise 2 or 3 hairstyles that you like and find a way to make them work in your hair. Then when you’re in a rush or heading out somewhere special, you know you’ll have great hair.
Curly Hair Problem: My curls have a mind of their own
I swear my curls have a mind of their own.
Some days they just form perfect ringlets and other days they separate into a mane of frizz. I feel like I didn’t do anything differently, but my curls disagree.
On the days when my curls are winning, I try and remember EXACTLY what I did so that I can replicate it the next time.
The solution:
- Handle with care. After testing a tonne of curly hair products, I’ve found the biggest difference is how I handle my hair. If I’m in a rush and rub my curls with a towel, no product will save them. Be gentle when washing and styling your curls and it will show in the finished result.
- It’s ok to cheat a bit. Like the frizz problem above, it’s ok to reach for your curling wand to tidy up any weird sections.
Curly Hair Problem: Knots and tangles
It’s impossible to brush curly hair so knots are a constant problem.
The follicle structure of curls is more prone to tangles too so we need to be extra careful with our fragile hair. A few tricks can help minimise the problem.
The solution:
- Clip your hair up at night. The friction from your pillowcase to your hair causes knots and tangles to appear while you sleep. You can wake up with great curly hair with this clip trick. It really works and gives you great volume the next day too. Another way to reduce pillow friction is to buy a silk pillow slip.
- Detangle in the shower. After applying conditioner, use a wide tooth comb to gently work out any knots in your hair. Remember that hair is weaker when it’s wet so take care and don’t pull at your knots or you’ll just break your hair.
- Use your fingers. If you need to work a knot out of dry hair, spray the knot with a leave-in conditioner spray and use your fingertips to smooth out any tangles. The conditioner softens your hair so it’s a pain-free way to detangle.
Curly Hair Problem: Lion hair
This was such a funny comment from Anne on Instagram that I had to include it.
Now, I’ve never been mistaken for an extra in the Lion King but I can definitely relate. My Mum used to say that my hair looked like I had walked out of a bush backwards!
The solution:
- Embrace messy hair! I say roll with it. Big hair don’t care! Go back to the first problem and I think you’ll find that you’re just talking to the wrong person and you need to find someone that thinks your hair is awesome.
Have you experienced any of these curly hair problems? What’s the biggest issue with your curly hair?
Thanks for the small curling iron tip! I’m going to try using a small curling wand on the hair that grows really coarse and frizzy. That section of hair has always refused to curl, even before I started coloring my hair.
Hi,
Recently I cut a good 5 inches off my super curly hair. My hair is thick, curly(ringlets), and frizzy. After I cut it off my hair became straight with some slight waves at the back. My baby hairs still curl perfectly but the rest is straight and frizzy. I have tried everything but can’t get my curly hair back and I don’t know what to do. I miss my curly hair. Is there anything I can do to get my curls back?
Thanks for the fun and useful post! I have really thick 3B curls with a bit of 3A on top, and what works for me to avoid triangle head is lots of layers (again, super thick hair) and using clips and roller clamps when drying. I got the roller clamps from Curly Hair Solutions, home of the best product ever for curly hair, Curl Keeper Orignal (I also love their gel). For the clips, I just bought generic metal clips. Deva Curl sells a box of 8 for $13.95; I bought 50 for 5 bucks on Amazon. Anyone want some? 😉
I clamp up 5 sections of my top layers after washing and applying product, then use a couple metal clips at the roots to convince my side-swept bangs to dry in the right directions (I often have to touch them up with a curling iron, as curly bangs don’t always like to behave). Clipping up the top layers of hair helps my hair dry much quicker, and the roller clamps help my lazier curls on top stay formed. I leave them in to air dry for about 30-40 minutes, then do about 5 to 10 minutes with the diffuser and that’s it! It gives me lot of volume on top, and curls galore!
For sleeping, I agree that putting your hair up is best. I’ve found that if I “pineapple” my hair with a soft scrunchie and sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase, all I have to do the next day is fluff and mist lightly with water and scrunch. Curly Hair Solutions makes a water mister that lightly mists but doesn’t soak, and my Curl Keeper original and/or gel reactivates so well, my hair can actually look better on days two and three! If my hair feels dry or frizzy, I wet my hands and rub in a bit of conditioner (I use Davinese Momo). I also make sure not to rinse out too much conditioner when I wash, otherwise, I have to rub in more after I pat dry with my modal t-shirt and before I apply my product (cotton towels add frizz; cotton t-shirts work fine, I just have a modal one I like.)
I’d also like to add that while it’s popular with many, sleeping on wet hair will destroy your hair! Wet hair is fragile and will break and knot, plus you can not only grow mold in your pillow, but in your hair! Just say no to mold and yes to gorgeous, healthy hair!
Which reminds me, your hair is what you eat. Good food = good curls, girls!
Hi, I definitely have alot of these problems. I have fine curly hair, at a medium length. Although I love my curls, Im not sure about the right products to use to help them be healthy. My routine is very bland, just gel when its damp and I blowdry. I put in some leave in conditioner on the ends, but it doesnt seem to help. Its hard to get answers to my curly hair problems because I don’t know alot of people who have this type of hair. Any suggestions on products or things i could try to give my hair life, and make it fuller and thicker? The last thing I want to do is chop off my locks and make my hair short if there is a solution. Please let me know if you have any suggestions! Thanks!
Hi Samantha, have you seen my video of my curly hair routine? I have lots of tips here that I hope will help xx
This is totally accurate for many types of hair. I have type 2b hair but I am a constant victim of triangle hair. Actually I think I a victim of all these common problems and more. I honestly thought I was alone in my problems with my hair. I never knew how to deal with my hair since the rest of my close family has straight hair. I really had to learn through experience. Thankfully articles and websites like this are easy to find and often have great hair advice.
I don’t know if this is the procedure for my hair but I use it regardless. I wash my hair, while wet I brush it with a wooden paddle brush and it usually keeps my hair untangled and not frizzy.
This website is defiantly saved in my bookmarks! It has been extremely helpful for curly hair. Thank You!
Thanks Raven! My family has different hair to me too, and it takes a lot of trial and error to get the right routine. No two curls are the same. Be patient and you’ll get there xx
I have naturally curly hair, and it flattens a lot on top, but for the last almost year, my long bangs (just a bit shorter that my shoulders) aren’t really bangs anymore. They won’t curl correctly, they just flatten, and they get a big space between them all, it’s as if my hair decided to grow apart from each otger. I need help, all I can do with it now is clip my bangs back.
My hair used to be beautiful, curly and voluminous i did egg masks and oil masks weekly. I still do them and i still use the same products as before but my hair isn’t the same. Most of my curls are now frizzy.. like really frizzy and my hair is super dry. I’ve stopped dying my hair approximately a month ago but its gotten even worse now. I’ve tried using different oils but it didn’t help. What should i do?
Hi Jana, how long have you been colouring your hair? When did you notice your curls start to change? Colour can definitely change your hair and it may take a lot longer to get back to your old curls. I’d recommend doing a plex treatment in salon to try and rebuild your hair. See if your salon does Olaplex or a similar bond restructuring treatment. Good luck xx
HI, I have very thick curly, course red hair. It is bushy, frizzy, I get my hair thinned, and also I have the back of my neck shaved up alittle so I don’t have so much hair, but I never wear my hair all the way down, I always wear it in a pony tail or I pull the sides up, I recently found a product called Marc Anthony for curls and so forth. I use the curling cream the mousse, and hair spray. I don’t us gel, but it is also for course hair, I love the shampoo and conditioner, I’m wanting to hair to drow longer. But I am so scared to wear it all down, I haven’t tried wearing it down since I found the products, but one day I will. Nice blog?
thanks for sharing your routine Teanna! I love hearing what everyone else uses as our curls are all so different xx
Hello! So my hair used to be very curly and had beautiful ringlets and everything. Over the years I’ve dyed my hair a bit, and once I bleached and dyed it green. It was still curly and nice, but when I went back to brown hair, I noticed that my hair started thinning out and it was almost like my new hair growing in was turning straight. I’m not sure if this is because of the bleach/damage to my hair, or if my hair is just changing over time. My hair is also very long, so maybe it’s the weight? I’m not too sure. I started using more products for curly hair (like better shampoo and conditioner) but it’s still so flat.
i have puffy hair wavy i want to my hair to be flat how
My hair is definitely wavy, but throughout most of my life, I assumed it was straight. Since it was long and not curly, and the weight of the hair stretched out the wave somewhat, I never realized it was actually wavy. Then, when I got a supposedly cute short hair cut, my hair would not lie still and do what I thought it was supposed to do. Every morning when I woke up, I would have cowlicks and horns of hair sticking up on each side of my head. And whenever I brushed a lot, it would look totally frizzy. It took me years to figure out that it was all because my hair was wavy, not straight as I had always assumed.
Your post really helped me ! Thanks for all the tips 🙂 I have a quick question for you, the hair at the back of my head has recently stopped curling as much, is there anything I can do to revitalize that part of my hair and get it back to being curly? It’s basically straight/wavy right now. I use a sulphate free shampoo (OGX) and I don’t use any kind of heating method so I’m very confused.
Thank you!
My hair is terrible. Its very wavy and curly in spots and then layers of straight hair too. Its very thick. I cant try to wear it curly because I immidiately look like dolly Parton. It gets HUGE. I bought a 30 dollar curl mousse and no luck. Ive tried tons of cheap and expensive conditioners. My hair can seem extremely dry even tho I dont blow dry or straighten or color it. A hairdresser once told me I have curl at the crown but not at the bottom and that’s why I can’t wear my hair curly. Im just so done with it. I cant get my hair cut straight across only can do layers. I just really need some help with it. I cant cut it short like I want 🙁
Hi Sarah, I hear you. My hair has changed a lot over the years and I have different types of curls all over my head. Not sure if you saw my tutorial on how to wash and style curly hair but this routine has made a massive difference to my hair. It means I can wear my hair out a lot more too. Hope it helps you too. Christina x
Just went to hair stylist, who did a really great job three months ago. I wanted my hair one length bob. I just went in and asked for same; just a little trim. The top looks untouched, frizzy, and heavy. The bottom looks like Betty Boop, flipping up. What did she do wrong? It’s also knotting and breaking. Thanks!
Hi Angela, so sorry to hear you’re not happy with your hair. I can’t tell you why that’s happening, you need to go back and ask your stylist. Or get a consultation at another salon if you don’t want to go back to your original salon.
I have just tarted to love my curls when I went to the hairdressers and got my hair dyed, trimmed, washed and blow dried. I also got it thinned out because it usually doesn’t change my hair at all after I’ve washed it at home. But now after two washes my curls still haven’t come back! 🙁 . Is there anything I can do? (This has never happened before)
Hi Charlotte, sometimes the colour can affect your curls. Do a treatment and let your hair dry naturally and it should come back 🙂
I have medium length thick curly hair that I do straighten quite a bit, but as it grows the ends are losing their curls, ive never had this problen before even with the amount of straightening i do to it. Please help me!
Hi Sheana, I have some tips here on how to get your curl back xx
So relieved to find your website. I am almost 70 and had curly hair since getting my first short hair cut as a child – it curled up when it dried on its own. I have had sort of curly hair (not pretty curly -( just aggravating/deep waves and frizz). I was able to blow dry the curl out with some success using some hair products, but all of a sudden, it is so curly NOTHING seems to help. I do take thyroid and hormone replacement and wondering after seeing your site if that is the big change. Thanks for the tip – my hair dresser did not have a clue as why it changed so suddenly. Now do not know if I should see my doctor or the hairdresser 🙂
Thanks so much Norma! Hopefully you can find a solution between your doctor & your hairdresser 😉 I also have a thyroid issue and it can really affect my hair when it’s out of balance.
I always had just a slight wave to my hair.Then when I went through menopause, it is extremely curly. So I would say hormones have a big part in the change in your hair.
Hey Christina,
I have just discovered your website and loving all your articles on curly hair. I have long thick curly hair and wanted your advice. I know that you mention in this post to avoid thinning scissors, and I have had a bad hair cut with them before today, however as my hair is both thick and long my curls are turning into dreads!! Its got layers in it already, and I will be starting a new hair care routine based on suggestions from your other posts to combat the frizz, I just don’t know how to remove the weight so that my curls can actually spring up. Thanks 🙂
Thanks Jess! I have my hair thinned out too but my stylist just cuts into my hair with the point of their scissors, not thinning scissors. This works really well in my hair 🙂
Thanks for that Christina!!! Will talk to my hairdresser about this when I next see her. 🙂
Good luck Jess! Christina x
Hello i have staight bottom half of my hair and the top is really nice defined tight ringlets. I was wondering if you knew abything to get my hair to curl nore uniformly.
I had the most beautiful long curly hair until January this year when i went to the hairdresser for “foils” and he completely fried my hair. I have tried so many products available in South Africa, but to no avail. I have chopped my hair into a bob now and my curls look just awful. It’s been the most depressing 7 months of my life and my hair feels like it’s not growing and i still have damaged ends which don’t curl like the “healthy” hair … any suggestions? I have been keeping my hair tied up most of the time 🙁
Hi Jacqueline, I’m so sorry to hear about your bad experience at the hairdresser, that’s awful. Sometimes the natural remedies like coconut oil masks are best, especially if you’ve spent so much money on other products already. On weekends or when you’re not going out, try and let your hair dry naturally as this will help your curls remember their shape. It can take a bit of time for them to settle so you can always put your hair up when it’s dry later. Do a weekly conditioning treatment, either with coconut oil or one of your products, and give yourself a good head massage too. Not only does it feel great and help you to relax, but it increases blood supply to the follicles which helps with healthy hair growth. Good luck, I’m sure your curls will come back soon. Christina x
Thank you Christina – appreciate the feedback, will definitely give that a bash.
Hi Jacqueline,
I was in South Africa and there’s a brilliant product called ‘Twisted Sista’ that you should be able to buy in any pharmacy. My hair is very curly but it helps give the curl extra boost or curl! Best of luck!
Hi. I am following your blog from Denmark and I just love the blog and the tutorials for curly hair – especially the braids. My hair is curly and thin. When braiding my hair, the braids get really small/thin and doesn’t have enough volume. How do I create volume in a braid? If I make the braid too loose, then my hair fall out if the braid and looks like a mess. Furthermore I find it difficult to braid my hair since there are so many knots in my hair. Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
With a little guide and patience, there is nothing that curly haired women cannot handle. Love these tips!!
Here’s my biggest issue–my curls look awesome after drying with a diffuser. Bouncy, full of body, no frizz. Then, after a half hour or so, the curls fall flat and lose definition. I’ve tried hairsprays for curly hair to “lock” things in place, which helps a little with the definition, but everything still falls flat. Any ideas?
Hi Jill, you should try styling powders. They’re amazing for keeping volume at the roots. Sometimes hairsprays can be quite heavy on your hair and weigh your hair down. Try a roots volumiser on wet hair before you diffuse or styling powders once your hair is dry x
Thanks so much–I will give it a shot! Aveda here I come…
I got the Vintage Glam hair powder, and it’s fabulous. I still have to fluff the roots up now and then throughout the day, but I don’t have to reapply the powder as it reactivates when you touch it…good stuff!
Hair powders are the BEST!
YMMV, but this is what works for my S-curly, just shoulder-grazing hair that loves going flat on top:
1) Flip head forward so your hair hangs upside down
2) Make a “rake” with your fingers spread apart and loosely scrunch part of your hair up to about an inch away from your scalp. Basically using your hand to hold the weight of the hair while leaving room for the air to flow through the roots
3) Blow-dry with the diffuser directing the air around and under your hand toward the roots, not your hair. Repeat all over your head until scalp is dry.
4) With your head still upside down, mist a good anti-humidity hairspray over your head, spraying “against the grain” while using the rake-hand to keep the roots open. Flip your head up slowly and gently scrunch hair into place as needed.
Try hair mousse! It locks your ringlets in for the day and has really helped me reduce frizz also
Use a moveable good hair spray after you shower comb out hair and scrunch with your hand . Spray lightly on damp hair and dry with diffuser head up side down. It works wonders
Try applying other curly hair products on wet hair… maybe like curly hair creams or even a gel and then diffuse it! The product will help the curls stay in place and hold its shape 🙂
Hihi this is so recognizable! I totally agree with the statement that I think my hair is a mess but everybody likes it 🙂
Thanks Deb! Embrace messy hair I say 😉
I alway think my hair a mess but people will come up to me and tell me ï have beautiful hair.I learn to never expect to behave the way ï want it to.My hair is super thick plus the curls.I have embrace the hair the good Lord have me.
That was a great post!! I have thick curly hair and nearly every one of the problems you mentioned I have come across. My hair is always frizzy and so knotty 🙂 Thanks for the tips
Thanks Avalom! xx
Same