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?

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.

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

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