Thread: Half-n-half hair

I'm very frustrated with my hair right now...You see, I have half-n-half hair meaning that half of my hair is straight and half of it is wavy (not curly). This has been my hair's texture for my whole life. Now that my hair is longer, this presents more of a problem. The top part of my head (crown) has the straight and the underside is wavy. This makes my hair appear poofy.

Usually, I let my hair air dry, making the poof effect. Sometimes I blow-dry it out, but I have A LOT of hair and it takes close to 20 minutes to dry my whole head. I could also flat iron it, but my hair is a little over processed right now and I would like to avoid heat damage as much as possible.

The other thing to consider is that I love my waves. I would be overjoyed if my whole head was wavy. I prefer the natural waves to the straight look...but I just can't get those top layers to wave (or when I do they look totally messy)!

So it seems my options are:
1) natural
2) cut it short again so that it waves easier
3) straighten it out

Anyone else have these issues? Can you share tips or ideas?

Here are some pics:

What helps for me (I have wavy-ish hair at the ends but it flat out on the op of my head when it gets longer) is to put the upper half of my hair when it is almost dry up into a twisted bun high on top of my head and let it dry. Right before I take out the bun again I spray a little (strong hold) hairspray on it and voilá! Wavy top layer.

Maybe a different approach to layering the cut? Your hairstylist should be able to suggest some ideas, and if not, maybe it's time to find someone else....

I like your hair longer. I have the same situation with my hair. It doesn't quite curl, but it has so much wave that it causes poof.

Here's what I've done to avoid overprocessing but still be able to enjoy long, flat-ironed hair:

First, I cut 'cones and sulfates out of my hair regime. There are silicones and other 'cones that they put in conditioners to give a glossy effect. The trouble is, to wash them out, you have to strip your hair with a 'poo that contains sulfates--which are very drying and damaging. My hair was getting so tangly and I didn't know why--it was the sulfates.

You'll have to wash once more with a sulfate shampoo to strip out the 'cones, then do a deep conditioning with a product like Nexxus Humectress, HSH Pumpkin Hair Masque (AMAZING!), or Jessicurl's weekly treatment. (No 'cones!) Use a shower cap over the treatment and let the shower run hot over your scalp to really treat it.

Air dry if you possibly can (I always air dry), and spritz with a cone-free thermal protectant. (I like Tresemme Heat Tamer. It has a 'cone but it's a water-soluble one so that's okay.) Work it through and let it dry. (Never flat iron wet hair!)

Then flat-iron with a quality flat iron. I use a GHD which is the holy grail for me, but CHIs are good too and can be had for less. Get one with smaller plates--bigger is not better. Then smooth in a -little- 'cone free serum if needed for flyaways (I love Samy's serum, which is carried by Walgreens).

Then stick with a sulfate-free shampoo, and since you aren't gooping up with a lot of 'cones and other product, only wash as much as you really have to. For me I wash about every 5 days, and with my GHD, I only have to flat iron when I wash. That means I do very little heat styling, but get the benefit of it every day.

I hope that helps!

**Forgot to note, the 'poo and conditioner I like are L'Oreal Vive Pro. Big pink bottles, very reasonably priced.

Originally Posted by Khalida

What helps for me (I have wavy-ish hair at the ends but it flat out on the op of my head when it gets longer) is to put the upper half of my hair when it is almost dry up into a twisted bun high on top of my head and let it dry. Right before I take out the bun again I spray a little (strong hold) hairspray on it and voilá! Wavy top layer.

I should try that. Do you use a big hair clip to get it to stay? Or something else?

Originally Posted by Jujube

I like your hair longer. I have the same situation with my hair. It doesn't quite curl, but it has so much wave that it causes poof.

Here's what I've done to avoid overprocessing but still be able to enjoy long, flat-ironed hair:

First, I cut 'cones and sulfates out of my hair regime. There are silicones and other 'cones that they put in conditioners to give a glossy effect. The trouble is, to wash them out, you have to strip your hair with a 'poo that contains sulfates--which are very drying and damaging. My hair was getting so tangly and I didn't know why--it was the sulfates.

You'll have to wash once more with a sulfate shampoo to strip out the 'cones, then do a deep conditioning with a product like Nexxus Humectress, HSH Pumpkin Hair Masque (AMAZING!), or Jessicurl's weekly treatment. (No 'cones!) Use a shower cap over the treatment and let the shower run hot over your scalp to really treat it.

Air dry if you possibly can (I always air dry), and spritz with a cone-free thermal protectant. (I like Tresemme Heat Tamer. It has a 'cone but it's a water-soluble one so that's okay.) Work it through and let it dry. (Never flat iron wet hair!)

Then flat-iron with a quality flat iron. I use a GHD which is the holy grail for me, but CHIs are good too and can be had for less. Get one with smaller plates--bigger is not better. Then smooth in a -little- 'cone free serum if needed for flyaways (I love Samy's serum, which is carried by Walgreens).

Then stick with a sulfate-free shampoo, and since you aren't gooping up with a lot of 'cones and other product, only wash as much as you really have to. For me I wash about every 5 days, and with my GHD, I only have to flat iron when I wash. That means I do very little heat styling, but get the benefit of it every day.

I hope that helps!

**Forgot to note, the 'poo and conditioner I like are L'Oreal Vive Pro. Big pink bottles, very reasonably priced.

Thanks for those tips. I use paraben and sulfate free shampoo and conditioners (not sure about the cones). I have for quite some time (a year or so). However, I have yet to find a good spray in conditioner that is 'cone free. My hair is incredibly tangly. Spray in conditioner/detangler is a must.

I use Organix brand...looks like they have some spray in conditioners, but they don't usually stock those at the drug stores...

You could try the "Snap-&-Go" foam & cloth (leopard print) curlers that you can get at Walgreens. You just have to put a little mousse/leave-in conditioner for ends [or not:)] on washed/towel-/slightly dried hair, and then role/twist/*snap* and then repeat and interlock-*snap* the rollers; let air dry or blast it a little with the dryer and you will get waves.
There's also the option (there's an instruction booklet) of using just two pieces of the longest ones for the tope & bottom half of all your hair; you just twist them into a sort of loose vertical French twist and it's acceptable to wear around the office if you have to work during the day, and then after donning costume & makeup, you just unsnap & finger-comb out the waves before your performance at night! [I think this is kind of a similar concent to what Khalida does w/twisting a bun to her top half of hair:)]

pretty hair Andalee. I think you might need a little off the top layer, keep the length, and have it thinned. I have hair just like yours but dark, and have grown up with a hairdresser momma(she is awesome with hair), I'm pretty sure she would say the top layer is too heavy and weighing down your curl. (I have heard her say that a thousand or more times to me)

also, I just scrunch and scrunch the top layer with my hands when I air dry

Originally Posted by Cinderbelly

pretty hair Andalee. I think you might need a little off the top layer, keep the length, and have it thinned. I have hair just like yours but dark, and have grown up with a hairdresser momma(she is awesome with hair), I'm pretty sure she would say the top layer is too heavy and weighing down your curl. (I have heard her say that a thousand or more times to me)

Lucky you! Ordinarily, I would agree...however, I am still recovering from a couple of stylists (before current one) who cut off way too much from my top layers and it created holes and clear differences between top and bottom layers. My stylist and I agreed to let the top layer grow out a little more (while continuing to trim the length on the bottom) so that she can blend the holes better. I don't think she thinned it the last time I went, but I'll remind her to do it this time. I'll tell her all this when I go for my next trim on March 10. :)

This may not help with your desire to not overprocess your hair, but how about a loose body wave (like a permanent) to curl it all equally?

Originally Posted by Cinderbelly

also, I just scrunch and scrunch the top layer with my hands when I air dry

Scrunching can make my hair look messy and poofy.

My stylist told me that the weight of my hair when it is wet is what makes it dry straight. However, it's also the case that wet/damp hair curls better. It's a challenge to find the balance between wet and dry hair. For instance, letting it air dry causes it be weighed down until it dries making it straighter.

Originally Posted by Lesgemini_Zafirah

You could try the "Snap-&-Go" foam & cloth (leopard print) curlers that you can get at Walgreens. You just have to put a little mousse/leave-in conditioner for ends [or not:)] on washed/towel-/slightly dried hair, and then role/twist/*snap* and then repeat and interlock-*snap* the rollers; let air dry or blast it a little with the dryer and you will get waves.
There's also the option (there's an instruction booklet) of using just two pieces of the longest ones for the tope & bottom half of all your hair; you just twist them into a sort of loose vertical French twist and it's acceptable to wear around the office if you have to work during the day, and then after donning costume & makeup, you just unsnap & finger-comb out the waves before your performance at night! [I think this is kind of a similar concent to what Khalida does w/twisting a bun to her top half of hair:)]

I have to get some of those. I love excuses to go to Walgreens!

Originally Posted by shahla

This may not help with your desire to not overprocess your hair, but how about a loose body wave (like a permanent) to curl it all equally?

I thought about that, but my stylist refuses to do perms because of how bad they are for your hair and body. I tend to agree.

All of these are good suggestions (except the body wave and the flat iron -- not a good idea if you are growing your hair out long. I would avoid both like the plague). I also have slightly wavy hair, and if I let the canopy (outer later) get over processed, dry or damaged, I lose the waves.

You might try the curly girl method. Also "plopping" is a way of maintaining maximum wavy locks after washing -- google hair plopping on youtube and some vid clips come up.

Finally, I would try not combing or brushing your hair at all while wet (detangle carefully before you get in the shower/tub), applying a product designed for wavy hair, and dry with a diffuser on a warm (not hot) setting, then don't touch it. No brushing or combing! This will help preserve the waves.

I think your hair looks good in the pics -- I also like natural tousled waves.

Buy the book curly girl.
My hair went from this

To this


Also look for a hair stylist who has knowledge of curly/wavey hair. It needs to be cut differently then straight hair.

i follow the curly girl method

How to Follow the Curly Girl Method for Curly Hair (with video) - wikiHow

I use those plastic cheap clips on the top of my hair to allow it to curl more ( i do this when it's wet) . I just scrunch some up and clip it...i maybe have 1-6 clips in the top at once. That also allows the bottom layer to curl a bit better

I bought my mom the book Curly Girl for Christmas. I will borrow it from her.

As for combing and brushing, I pretty much have to, which would make the curly girl method incompatible for me. I have the tangliest hair in the world. Always been, always will be. I get mats in my hair if not brushed. When i was a kid they would get so bad that my mom cut all my hair off and I had boy short hair for several years.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

I bought my mom the book Curly Girl for Christmas. I will borrow it from her.

As for combing and brushing, I pretty much have to, which would make the curly girl method incompatible for me. I have the tangliest hair in the world. Always been, always will be. I get mats in my hair if not brushed. When i was a kid they would get so bad that my mom cut all my hair off and I had boy short hair for several years.

I comb my hair in the shower when I wash it.

I don't exactly feel qualified to comment because my hair is so straight naturally, but when I had very wavy (permed) hair, brushing or combing it when dry turned it into a haystack. I would slather on conditioner in the shower and use a very wide-toothed comb on it, rinse, then gently towel-squeeze it dry without rubbing to keep it from knotting up. Worked like a charm.

I use octopus-style clips (small ones) for setting in little buns or pincurls. Air can circulate around them and they don't leave obvious marks.
Buy Scunci No-Slip Grip Octopus Clip, Black Online at drugstore.com

Originally Posted by ssipes

All of these are good suggestions (except the body wave and the flat iron -- not a good idea if you are growing your hair out long. I would avoid both like the plague). I also have slightly wavy hair, and if I let the canopy (outer later) get over processed, dry or damaged, I lose the waves.

You might try the curly girl method. Also "plopping" is a way of maintaining maximum wavy locks after washing -- google hair plopping on youtube and some vid clips come up.

Finally, I would try not combing or brushing your hair at all while wet (detangle carefully before you get in the shower/tub), applying a product designed for wavy hair, and dry with a diffuser on a warm (not hot) setting, then don't touch it. No brushing or combing! This will help preserve the waves.

I think your hair looks good in the pics -- I also like natural tousled waves.

Believe it or not, this works for me. I have hip length hair and I always thought it was Asian straight. A few weeks ago, I didn't comb my hair after getting out of the shower, and when I looked in the mirror a few hours later, my hair was slightly wavy. It was quite the revelation.

For your case, I would definitely try plopping or Khalida's idea of the half bun. You'll definitely get waves without any chemicals, and if you use cute hair sticks, it's fine to go out in public as well (the bun look, not sure how plopping would be accepted if you go outside like that).

I have the same hair. I have long and short layers, and this helps the bounce in the waves to come back to the center of my head. The long parts are pretty straight because of the weight. Ask your hairdresser how to scrunch without it looking messy. He/she should be able to show you because it is possible.

I remember when I was younger and my whole head was really curly. I hate that. Now I wish I had more of it back. <sigh>

I have the same hair, but I think slighly more funky wave/curl...if I do nothing with it it looks awful! And it is about chest lenghth. I straighten it just about every day....in the summer I find that with the humidity I sometimes get a good curl if I brush it BEFORE I shower, then after the shower put mousse in it with my hands and only run my hands through it to untangle it. If I brush it it all goes to hell.

My hair is wavy in the back and straight on the sides (GRRRR) and it's pretty long - down to my bra strap - and very thick. Getting it thinned every so often is *key* and for everyday, I wash it at night, let it mostly air dry, and then put it in 3 small buns. I use a pick to separate the buns in the morning. If I'm going out or peforming and want BIG HAIR, I put it into more buns.

Maura, I have to say this again: you have gorgeous hair! I know I don't see the work that goes into it, but it always looks great in "real life" and on stage. It's funny how we all want exactly what we don't have.
Suz

strait. let it grow. coming from the women with the ellen hair cut.

Mine is similar, but not quite as thick I believe. Sorry didn't have time to read everything, so this may be a duplicate suggestion.
I use a curling gel, run fingers though, flip my head upside down, spritz hands with a gloss and "scrunch". While upside down, use diffusing hairdryer and dry most of the way. (some is still really damp) then let it air dry a little more while I do makeup. Then use a medium barrel curling iron (1" maybe?? or less) Then take the little pieces that are "scrunched" and curl them all individually. The smaller the pieces, the better my hair looks. Then use my favorite finishing spray, either the John Freida volume or paul mitchell volume hairspray (I know others are great, but that's just what I've used) The underneath I just get good volume and some basic curl... nothin fancy. Then the top looks thick and curly and will stay for hours.
Hope you're finding good stuff for your hair. : )

Suzana - it's actually not that much work. It's way more work to blow dry it straight, although I do that on occasion, too. Thank you for the lovely compliment! :)

Hi, extremely curly girl checking in....I flat iron excessively and now my hair is half curly and half straight, the ends being straight and the top big and frizzy. I recently discovered that tying a silk scarf on my head after washing was very helpful in straightening and flattening the top. Just for maybe an hour after washing, leave the scarf on...

Whoops, I think I have it reversed in your case lol...

Originally Posted by salsabelly

Mine is similar, but not quite as thick I believe. Sorry didn't have time to read everything, so this may be a duplicate suggestion.
I use a curling gel, run fingers though, flip my head upside down, spritz hands with a gloss and "scrunch". While upside down, use diffusing hairdryer and dry most of the way. (some is still really damp) then let it air dry a little more while I do makeup. Then use a medium barrel curling iron (1" maybe?? or less) Then take the little pieces that are "scrunched" and curl them all individually. The smaller the pieces, the better my hair looks. Then use my favorite finishing spray, either the John Freida volume or paul mitchell volume hairspray (I know others are great, but that's just what I've used) The underneath I just get good volume and some basic curl... nothin fancy. Then the top looks thick and curly and will stay for hours.
Hope you're finding good stuff for your hair. : )

Wow, that is so much work! That would take me at least an hour. I'm assuming this is only for performances, right?