“Oh my gosh, you have so much hair!” I hear that every time I go to the hair salon. Because of this statement being repeated so many times, I feel the need to warn my stylist beforehand that her next client is going to be a challenge.
I break hair ties on a daily basis, I can’t have it down for more than a few hours without it trying to take over my face and my hair probably takes at least 15 hours to dry. I have many tell me how lucky I am to have so much volume and they wish they could have my hair – I told them I’d gladly switch. I constantly envy those that can wake up and have straight, tamed strands that aren’t unpredictable. If I did nothing to my hair, it would result in a giant ball of poof on my head.
To those who encounter the same problems: We’ve complained, we’ve tried different tactics, but nothing seems to tame our lovely strands. Here are some tips on how to manage thick hair and actually learn to appreciate it!
1. Layers
Having all one length holds too much weight and can cause headaches. As soon as I started layering my hair, my headaches disappeared and my hair-do looked more stylish. At the salon, ask for long layers (if you still want to pull it back into a ponytail) and have it frame the front of your face (Think back to the Jennifer Aniston on “Friends” days). It takes the weight off your shoulders, literally! You can also ask the stylist to thin your hair, which doesn’t make a large difference, but hey, any small attempt helps!
2. Lather
All I see when going to the store are volume-enhancing shampoos. I sometimes have to be careful to determine whether it is used for people with thick hair or for people who hope to get thick hair. One time I bought a wave-enhancing shampoo because I thought it would define my natural waves. Instead, it made me feel as if I had double the amount of hair – it felt so overly thick afterward that I didn’t bother to use the rest of the bottle. I would recommend Pantene’s Relaxed and Natural. I use it at night and when I wake up, my hair looks and feels flat. I then put in some styling mousse so it holds throughout the day.
3. Long
I’ve experienced different lengths from above the shoulder to the middle of my back. I’ve found that the longer the hair, the better. I’m not telling you to grow it until it reaches your bottom, but have it at a decent length (possibly a few inches below the shoulder). This actually pulls down your hair so it does not end up as poofy on the sides of your face. The shorter the hair, the more it likes to expand. Keep it long, ladies!
4. Lie Flat
Don’t be afraid to use a straightener. You might want to invest in a nicer one if you prefer straight over wavy hair. I use a Brocato 1-inch iron and it works wonders. It reaches 450 degrees and even has vibrating plates so your hair doesn’t get caught in tangles. If you don’t wish to have an expensive one, Hot Tools has good ones as well. Yes, your arms may feel as if they just went through a round of 50 push-ups when you’re done, but it looks cute right when you finish! Just remember to use a pre-straightening cream before applying the heat to your hair.
Yes, thick hair may be difficult to maintain, but I’m learning to embrace what I have, and you can too! Do it up for a night out (and apply LOTS of product so it stays) or try different hairstyles you find on Pinterest. Together, we can make thick hair look good.
Check out this Tumblr page of other people sharing their thick hair problems.