curly hair q from a newbie

nickitasf · Post by **nickitasf** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 2:06 pm

i have very curly, long, frizzy hair. can anyone give me advice how to keep it from turning into one single dreadlock mess out in the playa dust and dry heat?

i have problems keeping it untangled as it is, despite of using tons of detangler and conditioners.

thank you,
nickita

ness · Post by **ness** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 2:15 pm

Get a hair cut ........you will be dam glad you did!!! this yr my wife and I are shaving our heads pretty close.....in yrs past most of the water we used was to wash hair.

kairyth · Post by **kairyth** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 2:54 pm

One word:

BRAIDS!

One braid, two braids, red braids, blue braids,
Girls with braids, boys with braids, everybody braid braids!

Long hair is ever so much more playa-manageable if it stays happy in a braid. And braids can last a surprisingly long time, even a single braid, or double pigtail-braids.

Last year I wore my sometimes curly, sometimes straight, moderately frizzy, very thick and obnoxious hair in six braids. I'd undo them as I prepared to 'shower', then braid 'em back up again when I was done after a thorough condition and brush. (warning: conditioner makes evap. ponds slippery!) My hair would dry in the braid, and I wouldn't have to think twice about my hair until the time came for my next bath.

:)
Katherine

Lysergic · Post by **Lysergic** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 3:33 pm

Well if you dont want a natty mess or braids maybe you should think about combing your hair into dreads....they're really fun!

Kleiner Fallhammer · Post by **Kleiner Fallhammer** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 4:12 pm

Two words - deep conditioner. Indulge in some great deep pack conditioner and smooth it into your dry, unbraided hair in the morning. Now braid, twist, bun - secure it up all day and try to keep a wrap around your head. The conditioner will dry into your hair and maybe make it a little 'crispy', but when you wash it again it will be smooth and fine. Better to keep it over-conditioned and bound. It will be protected, the conditioner will heat into your hair during the day, and you'll be able to wash it much, much easier.
Braids are great, but even when you have them professionally done, they can be absolutely hellish to pick out of your hair if you've just left them in day after day.

luvchild · Post by **luvchild** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:27 pm

I had super long hair the first couple years and after the first years disaster (2 days of deep conditioning and occasionally scissors just to get the knots out) I got smart the second year. Braids! I put it in a ponytail and 3 braids coming out of it. Every two days, brush it out and do it again (with the help of a spray leave-in conditioner) My only mistake was making more braids each time, 5 was fine, 7 was a bitch and had to stay that way. This year will be an adjustment though since I shaved my head in March and now it's at the length were you can't do pigtails yet but it's long enough to make the nape all sweaty and annoying. I'm thinking bandanas will help keep it off my neck.

luvchild · Post by **luvchild** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:30 pm

AND....
Don't even bother trying to wash it, it'll only make it mud!
It's not like your hair will get greasy with the dryness and the dust.

Stormy · Post by **Stormy** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 8:11 pm

I used to have really long hair. I found that washing it daily or every other day and using deep conditioner did a lot to keep it from tangling. Actually playa hair can be fun for special hairdos that some goths spend hours trying to tease up.

If you don't want to spend time every day keeping the tangles at bay, then follow any of the suggested ideas: braids, buns, scarves and hats. Wetted scarves and turbans can keep your hair clean and cool during the day and then if you want to let it down during the night it will be soft and beautiful.

Mistress of Mirth · Post by **Mistress of Mirth** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:31 pm

Another great trick for dry brittle long curly frizzy hair is to add a little vinegar to your hair in the shower. Changes ph balance and restores a little moisture to dusty dry hair. Yes braids are the way to go. Hair down to my butt and still loving the playa dust.

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:41 pm

I have curls and every year, they eventually do dread out. But here's how I forestall the inevitable:

As part of your "get up in the morning" (or whenever) routine, hit your hair with conditioner. Leave it on for about five minutes with a shower cap over it to trap body heat and help the hair absorb it. That's what you ought to be doing with curly hair anyway, out here or out there.

Don't use a comb! Finger-comb your curls. Combs and brushes frizz it out. If you finger-comb it, you'll get nice Shirley Temple and Botticelli curls falling around your face and neck

Don't towel-dry your hair. It disrupts the curling. Lay a towel over and let it absorb; you can gently "scrunch" it in your hands to help. After most of the water has been absorbed, take the towel off and shake your hair out occasionally as it air-dries.

Another tip: you can henna it. There is neutral (non-colouring) henna available. The henna forms a smoothe, protective coating around the hair shaft. It does pretty good at keeping the individual hairs from tangling.

I'm taking my Infusium 23 out with me for the first time this year. Not sure how well that'll work, I'll come back with the results post-Playa.

Something I just read in a women's magazine: chase a few drops of peppermint oil with a tablespoon of olive oil, massage through hair, put on a shower cap and leave it on for 20 minutes. Then shampoo and rinse.

To help keep hair hydrated, finish your shower with a dash of cold water. It closes the hair cuticles — those little "scales" you see in those microscopic photos — and that keeps moisture in.

curly hair q from a newbie

curly hair q from a newbie

Braids!

heh

i vote for braids