Thread: Getting 'lift' for your hair

Hi all,

I've noticed that as my hair is getting longer it seems that the weight is making it look like a 'helmet' on my head! When behaving at its best I have curly hair, so I'd like to have more of that 'lift' on the top of my head. Any thoughts on how to achieve this?

YES! Azhia's technique is working great for me. This is from her DVD.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8-QuMYXEGY]YouTube - Technique 46: Back Combing[/ame]

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

Hi all,

I've noticed that as my hair is getting longer it seems that the weight is making it look like a 'helmet' on my head! When behaving at its best I have curly hair, so I'd like to have more of that 'lift' on the top of my head. Any thoughts on how to achieve this?

My hair stylist told me that gravity is what weighs hair down, especially wavy/curly hair. She said that water is the main problem and the most important thing is to get it to dry quickly so the water stops bringing it down. She recommended a diffuser, in addition to a curl activator. You can also rub the roots of your hair up by quickly shaking your hands back and forth while you point the blow-dryer at it.

Get layers cut underneath the top layer.

*thank you Lauren!*

Hi Azhia! You really are the go-to gal for most of this stuff. To you and Lauren - I was always told never to rat my hair...isn't that the same? It's been a long time since the 80s so I'm trying to remember!

To Andalee - I do the Curly Girl thing and I don't use a blowdryer. However, I've found that it seems to work only so long until my hair gets sort of uncontrollable and weird. Any thoughts on that?

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

She recommended a diffuser, in addition to a curl activator.

*Remembering the 80's* I lived with my diffuser attached to my hand during my years of permed hair. My best curls though came from layering my curling hair. The looser my curls (body wave perm), the shorter I would cut my layers - I think my shortest layer (on top) was like 5 inches long.

How do you keep your hair from getting snarled when it’s back combed? How do you undo it when you don’t need the big hair anymore?

Originally Posted by Karnak

How do you keep your hair from getting snarled when it’s back combed? How do you undo it when you don’t need the big hair anymore?

Watch the whole cilp -- she demonstrates how to brush it out safely with a paddle brush.

You have curly hair- have you tried the Ouidad or Curly Girl "clip" drying method?
Any kind of combing/brushing turns my hair into a mess and totally ruins the curl. Works GREAT for when I want to look like Diana Ross in the 80s though.
Here's Ouidad's basic info: http://www.ouidad.com/curl_central/style-guide.asp

There's also "hair plopping"- How to Follow the Curly Girl Method for Curly Hair (with video) - wikiHow Scroll down- there's a link on here

And Curly Girl clipping method...which is in the book. I can't find it with a quick online search. The whole book is GREAT though. What made a big difference for me was also getting the hair cut- which is different from typical "long layers".

Samira already mentioned this but I was going to say hair plopping- It works great for me!

In fact, mine is getting a little too long and the layers are growing out (I keep forgetting to make an appointment...) so plopping is the only thing that is making it look good right now! =op

If my curls start really weighing it down, my hair tends to make my head look like a triangle and it helps to make a front "hair poof" like this girl has:Video: Front Hair Poof Tutorial

the link goes to a tutorial but she actually puts alot more effort into it than I do... I just grab a chunk of hair in the front, pull it back to however much of a "bump" I want and bobby pin it in place. I don't need to use hairspray or anything but if your hair slides out of bobby pins easily then you might.

They also have these things:
Bumpits - Hair Volumnizing Inserts - BUMP IT UP!

They are much too big for my taste so I've never tried it, but it's another option if your hair just wont give you the lift you want.

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

I was always told never to rat my hair...isn't that the same? It's been a long time since the 80s so I'm trying to remember!

Did they say why? Done properly, back-combing ("ratting" is a misnomer; but I know, I used to do it when I was emulating Robert Smith or Siouxsie Sioux back in the day) it does not damage the hair.

A small amount of pure, unrefined shea butter melted on my fingers and applied to the roots of my hair gives me lift.

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

There's also "hair plopping"- How to Follow the Curly Girl Method for Curly Hair (with video) - wikiHow Scroll down- there's a link on here

And Curly Girl clipping method...which is in the book. I can't find it with a quick online search. The whole book is GREAT though. What made a big difference for me was also getting the hair cut- which is different from typical "long layers".

I was just going to say this! Works for me. You have to get the book, it is awesome, so many tips...