Hi -

I'll be getting a trim soon to even out some of my layers. My hair is quite curly in the top layer but the bottom layer is much finer and pretty much straight. I don't know if it even waves, I figure that the top layer weights it down too much.

Anyway, I was wondering about the best way to shape my hair. Since the top layer curls so much more and shortens up, should it be left a bit longer than the bottom layer? Or should the hair just be cut straight across? I want to be able to do a lot of updos, so I want all my layers to grow out as much as possible.

/Kate

If you want to do buns or braids, having your hair all one length will make those styles easier.  I believe I've read that curly hair should be cut when it is dry so that the curls are obvious during the cut.  Doing this could mean that the curly hair is actually longer than the straight hair.

Is your top layer curly because it is shorter?

Hi bikerbraid, great to see you again!

The top layer might be a bit shorter - it's been so layered that it's hard to tell really. But mostly I just seem to have two different types of hair, it's always been that way (it makes half-updos look a bit strange on me).

I was just thinking that depending on how the hair is trimmed, the layers might lie unevenly. I don't want that see-through effect at the bottom! :-)

I understand somewhat.  The top layer of my hair is much straighter than the underlayers, which have waves.  In my case, the top layer is more damaged from sun, etc which takes the waves out, I think.

I'd go for trying to get the appearance of one length.

I have wavy hair. Just wavy. If I let it dry overnight (it looks better if I let it dry overnight) and then scrunch it with wet hands in the morning, all I can get is very wavy waves. No  curls. Do you have any idea how I can enhance my natural waves into curls without the use of styling products or curlers? (Maybe a different way of scrunching it, or something? I know it's a stupid question...)

Hi Lady of the Wood!

There are no stupid questions, I have the same problem as you! My hair curls best if I let it air dry with some curl-enhancing product in it. If I touch my hair too much while it's drying, the curls become waves instead. If I blow dry my hair or comb it while it's wet, I just get waves.

I would first try using some product while your hair is drying - I've fallen in love with Redken's Fresh Curls Curl Boost - it's a cone-free spray which you use in wet hair and it worked wonders! If you really don't want to use anything in your hair, try using fairly small curlers and air drying or using a diffuser hair dryer attachment.

Good luck!

/Kate

Thanks for the advice!

Hi again LotW -

I just realized I didn't read your post very well, I advised you to do exactly what you didn't want to do!

However, I think that if your hair doesn't curl when air-dried, then you should try using a curly product and go for the diffuser hair dryer attachment. My hairdresser always does that and it makes my hair curl so much it looks half as long :-)

Good luck, let us know how it turns out!

/Kate

Thanks again!