Dear kroeshaar.com, I don't know what to do anymore. Ever since I was born I have had a thick head of curly hair. I have always had this for a very long time until I was 13, my mother (Dutch) got fed up with it and my hair was cut short. The result was a short afro. This grew very quickly and from the age of 16 I had a big head of hair again.
Due to lack of knowledge I have always used the wrong hair products (gel, andrelon, hairspray etc.). I also always blow-dry my hair because otherwise it stays wet for so long. I have never had this problem and my hair was always very beautiful (see photo attachment).
But the last 2 years this has been changing. Since I cut it a bit shorter again because of a hot summer it seems like my hair is not the same anymore. It seems like the structure has changed. I have to put a lot of effort into making my hair look the way it used to and this involves a lot of teasing and hairspray. My hair is also starting to get really dry from all the wrong stuff I use and the blow drying. I decided to stop blow drying and then came the biggest blow. My hair no longer curls like it used to on its own. When I let it dry naturally it looks half straight half curly. It is also no longer a bush but hangs more along my face. At first I thought it was because my hair was cut wrong which made it flat on top because of the weight, but my hair is also not as heavy as it used to be.
I would like to get my natural curls back! Can you help me? Or is my hair structure just changing? My mother is Dutch (with curls) and my father is of Venezuelan/Antillean descent (frizzy hair). I don't want to use hairspray or blow-dryer anymore, but I'm so used to my curly hair that I do everything to make it look a bit like it again, this results in dry hair. But if I let it dry naturally, it really does look straighter and flatter!! Help 🙁
Love,
Soraya
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Hi Soraya,
Thank you for visiting kroeshaar.com, the photos and your extensive question.
Your story is super recognizable and reminds me of a friend of mine who wrote a book here in the US, Curly like me. It is a really nice book about the struggles she went through. Compared to her, you are doing really well. At least you didn't relax and your hair didn't fall out. Of course, that doesn't change your situation, which sometimes makes you desperate.
From what I read, you are in a vicious circle. Products like gel, andrelon, hairspray etc. sometimes work reasonably well but over time they leave an invisible film on the hair strands. That is the reason why it takes so long for your hair to dry. Of course, using a hairdryer only makes the situation worse, but don't worry too much, there is hope.
Just like Terry, you too can find your way back to beautiful healthy curls. What I recommend first is a Deep Detox treatment; first wash your hair with the Herbal Shampoo and Deep Condition then with the Detox Conditioner . You will immediately feel the difference. Your hair will feel lighter and you will be amazed but your hair will also dry faster. That is because all the accumulated residues have been removed and at the same time the hair is nourished from within with essential vitamins and minerals.
Not only to keep your beautiful curls when your hair dries, but especially to nourish them so that your hair can grow nicely again I recommend you to use either the Curly Twistout Hair Cream or the Herbal Styling Gel . The Twist Out Cream has nourishing oils while the Curl Keeper does not but both work really well for your hair type.
Also, I don't know if you have dry dead ends, but if you do, I would recommend cutting off those bits. They not only prevent your hair from curling up nicely, but they also cause the most horrible knots that only cause more damage.
Hopefully this will help you. I and probably the many visitors of kroeshaar.com would appreciate it if you would keep us informed.
