sheilacurl

So I did my hair after work and then went out to see a couple of friends down by the marina while my hair was still pretty wet.

So on the way back home, we saw another friend and he asked if we had just went swimming! I'm so embarrassed about my "wet poodle" crunchy look!

It looks ok (or so I think) after I scrunch out the crunch, but it looks so awful while it's drying!

I didn't feel like I used a lot of product either, just some curl keeper, then a little SS FHG on top. I really need to change up my routine so it doesn't look like I "Just went swimming", lol!

Has this happened to anyone else? What can I do to make it look a little better while it's drying?

TIA!

diaspora

I don't know of a solution, but as a sister air-dryer, I feel your pain and I'd like to know any suggestions too.

I've thought of pulling it back, but then, of course, the pulled-back parts on the crown will come out straight. Hats will flatten/straighten it out.

I've been trying to time things so that I can sit in front of a small fan to dry it faster without using heat (this disturbs only some curls very slightly), but I don't always have the time to do this.

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Formerly Urbancurl.
Medium-high density, fine-medium, low-normal porosity, 3b/c, permanent color.
CG, no heat, combs, brushes, parabens.
Fall/Winter HG=Alba Botanica Soft Hold Style Cream.
Spring/Summer HG=MGA Sculpting Gel
Current fave LI=Madre Labs Made by Nature for Baby Conditioner.
Limit oils, butters, glycerin.

sheilacurl

Glad to know I'm not the only one out there
I normally diffuse for a bit longer, but I was really short on time and plus, now that it's summer time I've been really cutting back the diffusing time because I don't get the chills with wet hair now, lol!
I guess the crunchy look just comes with the territory when we use gel. I want to try some jellies again, like SS CEJ and KCCC. I feel like my technique is a bit better now so I want to revisit a bunch of products that I've gotten rid of in the past, lol.

Happy hair days to you!

sheilacurl

I should have taken a picture of how it looked after I got asked if I just went swimming, lol!
Should we start a thread with before and after pictures of what our hair looks like shortly after we wash & style it and then again when it's "the finished product" or when the crunch is scrunched out?

diaspora

That could be interesting.

I have noticed that my hair looks different as it dries depending on the product I use. With strong hold gels, even 100% natural ones like my HG gel, it always looks flat, stringy, and crunchy. With my summer HG (a lightweight cream), it looks fine, just wet. With LI only, it looks very flat and has distinct areas that are wet and distinct areas that look frizzy that are dry, within the same curl. When it finally dries it looks fine, but it looks bad while wet. Sigh. I just try to make sure I have lipgloss or eyeliner on or something if I have to go out, lol.

__________________
Formerly Urbancurl.
Medium-high density, fine-medium, low-normal porosity, 3b/c, permanent color.
CG, no heat, combs, brushes, parabens.
Fall/Winter HG=Alba Botanica Soft Hold Style Cream.
Spring/Summer HG=MGA Sculpting Gel
Current fave LI=Madre Labs Made by Nature for Baby Conditioner.
Limit oils, butters, glycerin.

dftkarin

I know exactly what you mean and I'm stumped too. I feel like my hair is either huge and pouffy or tight/crunchy/wet-looking curls and I can't figure out how to get them in-between look.

jaclyn15

I completely understand!! I wash and go every other day, and I feel like the first half of my work day people probably think I'm a hot mess. But my hair looks great once it's dried and I SOTC... and the results and not nearly as good when I diffuse. If anyone has solved this problem, help us !

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My hair: 3b, corkicelli, medium porosity, medium texture, medium/thick density

Co-wash: DevaCurl NoPoo
Rinse-out: GVP Conditioning Balm
Leave-in: KCKT, Suave Naturals Coconut, or my rinse-out!
Gel: SS FHG (my new HG!!)... I also like HESMU, AIF, CJ CQ, BRHG, CJ PP and the occasional LALSG

Likes: Plopping!
Dislikes: Glycerin

CG and loving it!

wavycurly40+

I feel your pain. I go out with crunchy hair all the time, though I've finally developed a morning routine on workdays which means, basically, that I don't get to work until 2 hours after styling. (But I'm still a little crunchy. Not to mention, tired!) Curl Keeper is, I think, a particularly bad offender in the horrible-looking-while-drying category. So of course it's my favorite product! Well, at least for half of the year.

I suppose you could always get one of those hood dryers. What we REALLY need is one that comes down from the ceiling of your car, drying the hair during the morning commute.

__________________

Wurly and proud!
Modified CG since 2008.

diaspora

LOL!

I know schedules do not always allow for this, but does anyone ever wash their hair after work on days when they don't have to go out again, then stay up until it's dry? I try to do this when I can. Thing is, my hair can take so long to dry (5 hours minimum) that it is usually still a bit damp when I hit the pillow, and some of the curls are messed up in the morning and I have to spend time fixing them.

Even hooded dryers don't give me quite as nice results as air drying does. My favorite drying device are heat lamps, but hardly any salons have them. My hair looks air-dried when I've used them. I wish my current salon had them.

__________________
Formerly Urbancurl.
Medium-high density, fine-medium, low-normal porosity, 3b/c, permanent color.
CG, no heat, combs, brushes, parabens.
Fall/Winter HG=Alba Botanica Soft Hold Style Cream.
Spring/Summer HG=MGA Sculpting Gel
Current fave LI=Madre Labs Made by Nature for Baby Conditioner.
Limit oils, butters, glycerin.

adthomas

I hate crunch. The only store bought commercial gel I can stand is activator gel. I like Smooth and Shine activator gel. It has aloe vera and is very moisturizing.

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Transition your mind before you transition your hair.