I want to grow my hair out to waist length.  It's at about mid-back right now.  The problem is, my hair has enough body to it to make it kind of wrinkly, with a couple of big waves.  In other words, in it's natural washed, air-dried state, it looks ratty.  I've been using Conair's steam straightener because the steam is supposed to make it gentler, right?  I just read on the ultimate guide to growing long hair that you shouldn't use any kind of straightener.  So what should I do to straighten my hair?  I'm hoping as it gets longer, I won't need to straighten at all; it'll have enough weight to weigh down any waves.

I have noticed that I have quite a lot of broken hairs at my part, and all down my hair.  What can I use to make my hair straight and stronger?

~April

Yup, it will get straighter as your hair gets longer.  In the meantime, if you have an occasion for which you want really straight hair you can do what we did in the 70's... roll your hair on really huge rollers.  We even used soup cans, just make sure there are no sharp edges to harm your hair!  When you take your hair down it will be straight as a board with a gentle wave at the ends.

Yeah, but when I was growing up my best friend's hair wasn't.  This was how we made it straight :)

I get those lumps too if I use a ponytail holder.  Try using a scrunchie instead, they are less likely to leave marks.

Just as a warning, the weight of your hair doesn't always straighten it that much - I kept telling myself that when I was in middle school and high school and I decided to grow my hair out - but the curl got tighter in high school and basically has not changed since - it's still pretty curly - but another friend of mine who had hair about as curly as mine now has waves since she's grown hers out - it has to do with your texture as well I think...

And another way to avoid the ponytail bump is to use a claw clip instead of a ponytail holder (if that's allowed) that way you can twist your hair a bit and avoid most of the bump...though not getting the bump is one reason I now enjoy my curls!

Leia;
Braiding your hair while it is damp then letting it dry will give you more waves.  The more braids, the tighter the waves.  Twisted ropes will give you more of a spiral curl.

I have used aloe vera (make sure it does not have any alcohol listed in the ingredients) as a setting gel.  This protects my hair from the sun and helps hold the curls.  I have also found that when I oil my hair before braiding or rolling it, that the curls will last longer.  Finger combing is a must if you don't want to pull the curls out.

No, I have not tried any homemade gels.  I don't usually put anything in my hair other than the oil.  Most store products seem to contain alcohol, which is very drying.

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.   

Do the curls last?  How long can your hair be?  Some of those don't work with waist length hair.

the grass is aways greener....you all are trying to figure out how to get your hair straighter and I would give anything for curls every now and then a few waves would be nice...my hair won't curl, won't hold a curl or even think about curls....

I hope you find a way my friends with curls use soda cans to straighten their hair...

ginny

I remember friends using medical tape to tape their bangs straight.  I don't think their bangs were as long as yours however.  You could use a round brush to try to straighten them.

When I have used the nylons on my ponytails, I have used a low ponytail to minimize the "line" caused by the scrunchie I used to hold the nylon on.

The medical tape is a very light tape.  The adhesive is similar to that which is used on post-it notes; it releases very easily without ripping the hair or skin.  It could be found at drug stores where they sell the bandages.  It was manufactured by 3M.

You have such nice curls, it is nice that you have learned to love them and work with them instead of against them.  It sounds like you are taking good care of your hair and curls so that you can grow it longer, which I know is not the easiest for curly hair.  Good luck with your growth.

Leia

When I was growing my hair out this time it took a 2 year break at about mid back and then it started to grow again...your hair may just be taking its break at about the same point mine did...I find my hair does this every few years and then it starts to grow again...it has been on a 1 year break just above my knees...it is my guess that it will start really growing again in 6 months or so.

I hate to say it but patience....

ginny

Try wearing it up in a bun most of the time.  When you finally wear it down, you may be surprised at your new length.