chompsthegnome

First and foremost, I'm glad I found this website and forum! I'm hoping also that I can learn more about my hair as well.

I am a 2C (or so I think -- see question #1 below) with thick, coarse, dry, color treated hair. My hair is about shoulder length right now.

I have been a hater of my hair's texture for many years and resisted it by straightening it constantly.

Recently, I had to find a new stylist, as mine moved. I should preface this by saying that I've *always* had straight haired stylists. And they cut my hair beautifully ..... when it's straightened. However, when it is in it's natural state, the haircut never quite looks right.

Anyway, by luck of the draw, I ended up with a gal with short curly hair. I chatted with her about my hair a bit, and she told me that I've never had the right hair cut/style to really let my curls "shine." After coloring and cutting my hair, she suggested that I NOT opt for the blowout/straightening and instead, let her style my hair naturally.

I let her do just that, and my hair looked AMAZING! I got so many compliments on it! Guess that goes to show that I don't need to spend 4+ hours on my hair for it to look nice. I just always figured my curls were "too much work."

Okay, so now for a couple questions......

1. I'm *pretty* sure I'm a 2C. Here's a pic that was taken about 4 months ago - LONG before my new hair cut and color. Does it look like 2C-ish? Oddly enough, my hair now is WAY curlier than that pic. I'm assuming it's because the length was weighing it down.



2. I'm finding most shampoo/conditioners are meant for EITHER color-treated hair OR curly hair (But what if you have both?!? lol). What shampoo/conditioner do you suggest? Something sulfate free? I bought the only styling item she used on me - a spray from DevaCurl. Is using their No Poo and One Conditioner the best bet for me?

3. On that same note, I'm pretty lost about conditioning. Would I be best to use a leave in conditioner? A wash-out conditioner? A deep conditioning mask?

Sorry for all the questions.... it's pretty much like I've been given a new head of hair to deal with. For the last 20+ years, I've just ignored it.

Thanks in advance!

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2C thick, coarse, high porosity, dry, color-treated shoulder-length hair

Iari78

Welcome!

Very beautiful hair! I think it is a bit weighed down from length, but it looks like 2c!
I would suggest a sulfate-free shampoo for curly, color-treated hair. Conditioner wise, I love my leave-in, and deep conditioner masks are good when they are needed.

chompsthegnome

Thanks. I should have taken an up-to-date photo of the hair. Now that it's short, it's much bouncier and curlier! Do you have any suggestions for brands? Is DevaCurl worth the price? Thank you again for your reply!

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2C thick, coarse, high porosity, dry, color-treated shoulder-length hair

mhen76

Welcome, chompsthegnome! There's some great info here Start Here! that will help you get going.

Deva is one of those lines that people either love or hate. Personally, I'm not a fan. It makes my hair feel gummy. I would suggest that you purchase the sample size first instead of investing the $ for full size. Many of us have gotten great results with drug store brands. The brands that will work for you depends largely on your hair properties. Fine hair and coarse hair will respond differently to the same product. This link was incredibly helpful to me in determining my hair properties and narrowing down what products will bring out the best in my curls: Live Curly Live Free - Curly Hair Basics

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3B, fine, normal to low porosity
Modified CG since June 2010
HGs: FSG, anything with glycerin, Tresemme Naturals conditioner, Curls Like Us cloths, satin pillowcases.

chompsthegnome

Thanks for the links. I'll check those out now!

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2C thick, coarse, high porosity, dry, color-treated shoulder-length hair