Longish hair before transition (how to deal with it)

[Galantha]

I have always had short hair.  When it became slightly long, I would just cut it.  Anyway, my hair has reached the point where my short hair style will no longer work, and I have no idea how to deal with it long.  My hair naturally curls into 1 inch curls without any help at all, and when I warm up or sweat at all it curls like crazy.  I very much do not want to cut my hair, and once it gets some weight I suspect the curls could be quite nice.  The problem is it's a complete mess right now.   

My average hair is between 3.5 to 4 inches right now.

Any advice? (begs)

-- Galantha

[Kara]

I've found that using conditioner helps. You might be better off taking a shower after you get really sweaty. And, brushing can have benefits too (although I don't do that myself just yet).

There are ways to straighten your hair if you don't want it all curly and stuff.

[lizbeth]

until recently I kept all my hair one length and just kept it back in a ponytail. my hair is (too) straight though. it's an awkward period to go from short hair to long hair. you can keep the sides and back pretty trim at first while you grow out the top and front, then once they are at a comfortable length you can let the back and sides grow for a more uniform look.

I compensated for my long hair with some facial hair for a while. I guess you could litterally call it a "beard" 

[Naturally Blonde]

I have always had short hair.  When it became slightly long, I would just cut it.  Anyway, my hair has reached the point where my short hair style will no longer work, and I have no idea how to deal with it long.  My hair naturally curls into 1 inch curls without any help at all, and when I warm up or sweat at all it curls like crazy.  I very much do not want to cut my hair, and once it gets some weight I suspect the curls could be quite nice.  The problem is it's a complete mess right now.   

My average hair is between 3.5 to 4 inches right now.

Any advice? (begs)

-- Galantha

I've had long hair for most of my life and at 13 it was down to my waist. My hair is also fairly curly and on the couple of occasions I did foolishly have it cut it was far more harder to manage short than long. So about 20 years ago I grew it long again and the longer it got the easier it was to manage. I sometimes use straighteners on it if I'm going out (most days) and it's slowly become less curly. One you get past a certain point you hair will improve.

[Galantha]

What is a hair straightener?

-> Web research indicates some sort of heating iron that gets hot and looks somewhat like a curling iron.  Do you just run this through your hair over and over?  Do you use this after a shower when your hair is wet? wait for it to dry?

-- Galantha
Post Merge: July 20, 2009, 04:35:30 PM
Ok, I went to the store and noticed there was:

1. Hair straightening shampoo (which was expensive)
2. Hair straightening conditioner (which was also expensive)
3. Hair straightening flat iron (one time expense -> I purchased)

I suspect my hair might be a bit short for the flat iron.  However, has anyone ever used the shampoo or conditioner to any effect?

-- Galantha

*I know that I am asking seemingly ignorant / inexperienced newbie questions that are probably obvious to others.

[colormyworld]

What is a hair straightener?

-> Web research indicates some sort of heating iron that gets hot and looks somewhat like a curling iron.  Do you just run this through your hair over and over?  Do you use this after a shower when your hair is wet? wait for it to dry?

-- Galantha
Post Merge: July 20, 2009, 04:35:30 PM
Ok, I went to the store and noticed there was:

1. Hair straightening shampoo (which was expensive)
2. Hair straightening conditioner (which was also expensive)
3. Hair straightening flat iron (one time expense -> I purchased)

I suspect my hair might be a bit short for the flat iron.  However, has anyone ever used the shampoo or conditioner to any effect?

-- Galantha

*I know that I am asking seemingly ignorant / inexperienced newbie questions that are probably obvious to others.

The flat iron is the greatest investment you will make when it comes to straightening hair! 

Even if it claims to be "wet to dry" straightening, it's not good for your hair to use the straightener on wet hair. Also you could risk getting steam burns on your scalp (it's happened to me way too many times from being impatient). I'm not sure how long your hair is, or how wide of a flat iron you have, but I've done my brother's hair in the past with my 2 in flat iron and his hair is probably only a little longer than that. It's not the easiest thing to do, but it can be done! It just takes a bit of practice!

Also, I use the John Frieda Frizz Ease straight ahead shampoo and conditioner, it's not a miracle worker by any means, but I think it works pretty good combined with a flat iron! I like the results I get with my hair, it's soft and manageable. I'd say just go with trial and error, you won't know what works well for your hair until you try it.

[Naturally Blonde]

Yes, and to add..the more expensive the straighteners the better. I couldn't do without mine these days. 

[Galantha]

Thanks everyone for their help!

-- Galantha

[FairyGirl]

My hair is somewhat wavy but you're right as it gets longer its own weight will pull it straighter. To straighten mine as I dry it I use a round, hollow brush with large bristles, start at the scalp with the brush under your hair and roll it under as you hold the hair dryer downward right over the brush and keep rolling it under and following with the dryer as you pull it out to the ends. Do this all over until it's dry.The one I have is pretty large but they make them in all sizes for different lengths.

The John Frieda shampoo sounds interesting I might try it- frizziness is rampant lol