Keeping hair straight like it is in the morning?

[Guest Kelly-087]

Not sure why this is.. But my hair is naturally straight in the morning.

I like it like this, as it makes my hair look thinner, and just how I like it for the moment. Im avoiding a hair cut because well, I want longer hair and Im afraid the process will get ruined.

Sometimes, I just avoid washing my hair so that it keeps. But that's not really an option for more than a day because otherwise it will just get gross.

So after washing my hair, I'll dry it and it gets completely fluffy, and I really sort of dislike this look, as I feel it makes my head look oddly shaped lol. Sometimes it drives me insane..

Im thinking a switch in Shampoo/Conditioner would be good, but Im unsure what to get.

Currently using Organix Shampoo/Conditioner, Cherry Blossom and Gingseng.

I don't have any other products I use, I also try to avoid blow drying.

[Guest Robin Winter]

Try Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth. It does what it says it does, it's my favorite hair care.

[Guest shortnsweet]

I had a similar problem with my hair. I actually went to a salon and gotten it straightened (relaxed). Now I find it's much more manageable.

In terms of shampoo/conditioner, I recently switched to the Pantene Pro-V Curly Hair Series Straightening products. I don't have any complaints with them so far.

[Guest BreanneB]

Do you live somewhere with high humidity because that can be a factor also. Other wise no clue I have curly so I will have to straighten it

[Guest Kelly-087]

I don't. But I do notice it can fluff out after I hit the shower but don't wash it. And it seems to do it sometime during the day after I go out.

I'll have to look at Pantene or Herbal Essences whenever I get new shampoo/conditioner.. Which is pretty close really.

[Guest Nova Maria]

Maybe you could...flatiron it.

[Guest Kelly-087]

It might be long enough, but it's still sort of short for that.

[Guest mistygirl7]

It sounds to me that your hair seem dryer than it should be. I recamend going to the salon for a deep conditioner and use only professional products such as Redken extreme or smooth down shampoo and conditioner. You need to use product that will also give you protection against humity. A hair cut is need ever 4 weeks even if it just 1/4 of an inch it will help keep the end from splitting and looking healthy. Also for added movement to the hair ling layer can go a long way to give you more versitility to your hair and look. Alway wash your hair every other day. This is my recamemdation as a license salon professional and Redken specialist.

I do strongly advises to avoid pantene and herbal essences as they then to dry fine hair out over time.

[Guest mistygirl7]

Also if you use the flat iron all the time I advise you to use heat protecting spray or cream to protect the hair as you straighten your hair. Over use of flat iron cuase your hair to become distress and cuase breakage and damaging.

[Guest Kelly-087]

I do think you're right misty. As I just woke up a bit ago, my hair feels silky and smooth. A little depressing knowing that going to be gone after I hit the shower lol. Last night it felt like a thick mat on the side of my head, and right now it's nice and smooth.

I'll try redken when I get a chance

[RoxannaBell]

Once upon a time I was a licensed hair stylist and while Misty is not the 1st hair stylist I've heard say to avoid Pantene, I myself have found it to be the best stuff for my hair, especially the more expensive stuff in the short tubs rather than the taller bottles. However, what conditioner does is put a coating on the hair, which is what seals and smoothes it (like a wax coating). The problem with some conditioners (like Pantene) is that you can get a build-up of that on your hair. Still, I'd rather have that with smoother hair than to have frizz and dryness, and you can get rid of the build up with a good shampoo. It sounds like maybe sleeping on your hair is flattening it for you - so perhaps you could try washing your hair at night instead of in the morning. Misty is right about the flat iron being damaging, too, but I use one myself because without it my hair is very curly and frizzy, and none of the anti-frizz stuff works for me living here in Florida with high humidity.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Interesting topic - somewhat like discussing something that is totally different for each person, which it is. I have what I once though was fine hair, but after HRT I was told by my by my hairstylist, it is average to fine, with a good wave. It was naturally very dark brown, but now has white in it (not grey) but she says I am very fortunate as that white is evenly distributed. I do dye my hair, close to my original color so it doesn't how so much when it grows out. And I once had oily hair - and as essentially male hormone fuelled had to wash it every morning including Saturday and Sunday. After HRT that oiliness went way. Do you see a pattern here? HRT changes everything including how you must treat your hair..

I have not cut my hair in a long time, I stopped male haircuts when I decided to transition in November of 12018. I found an excellent hairdresser and outed to her so she would know what I wanted - to grow it out in a feminine manner. She lightly cut it until it was in a woman's layered long hair look, which really helped. And so on.

It's now about 18 " long average - although some is longer.. Hair grows at about 1/2" per month or 6" a year. I am fortunate as I have no male thinning nor balding... not sure why. At age 65 next month I have the hair of a 30 year old woman, some greying, but very healthy. Just very lucky.

Louisiana is extremely humid, even in the winter. But in an an air conditioned apartment there can be a bit of static. Also grey or white hair can be a bit fly-away.

Here is what I was told. Wash my hair every other weekend. Do not over-brush, but instead take out the tangles by gently working my fingers through. Have all the tangles out before washing. Air dry as much as possible before hair drying with a blowee, if at all. Use a large tooth comb, then a smaller tooth comb.

When shampooing (use a good quality shampoo (I use Teatree Paul Mitchel) I hold the long hair in place while applying, I use at least three applications - and rinse thoroughly. I then add the conditioner still holding the long hair, so as to avoid tangling it. I use the type of conditioner that is best for me ( L'Oreal Eversleek- silk) because it lasts the longest - leaving on two minutes while I comb it out gently with a large tooth shower comb. I then gently was it out, but not thoroughly, leaving in just a bit.

What is best is to blot dry your hair, keeping it as sleek as possible. I finish up and then lie down with my damp hair on a towel (Nap time!) Afterward I put in a plastic headband to keep it out out of my eyes - and generally work around the house until it is dry.

When ready to fix my hair, I use a 'shine' oil on the lower third and use the brush and comb to work it into my upper hair as well. This will restore some of the oils the shampoo took out but not gum up the roots and scalp. And THEN I use a flatiron! GRIN the lower third.

I wear my hair several ways - but that is a another topic. Mostly I ponytail. And I loosely ponytail when I go to bed.

Lizzy

[KathrynJulia]

Excellent posts ladies. I've picked up some excellent knowledge. Lizzie made a good point. Before HRT, my hair needed shampooing almost everyday or it felt oily. It's really changed and is much drier. It was tough breaking my self of the everyday washing and blow dryig my hair habit. I still want to jump in the shower every morning and if I do, my hair gets so dry that just a slight breeze and it's not a pretty sight. Been taking some good natured kidding from the guys at work because they are aren't used to me growing out my hair. Life is never easy. sigh...... Kathryn

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

Also keep in mind that the more you touch your hair, the more oils from your hands will get on your hair and increase the frizziness. Wet hair will be thinner in the morning after it's washed but as it drys, it will get a little bigger. An anti-frizz product may help.

[Guest rita63]

Wow am I ever getting somthing out of this thread. I started using the Pantene shampoo and conditioner for fine hair every other day. It quickly became apparent that the conditioner left a coating so I don't use it everytime. My hair is fine and light and tends to blow away so I just bought some hair spray and some mousse in the same Pantene line (they were on cheap) but have yet to try them and really don't know what I'm doing.

Like Lizzy my hair has good colour at 63 only a few "stray greeks" (spoonerism) in it as my ex would say. It is a little over shoulder length and growing. It is pretty staight but curls up a little at the ends. (see pics in profile)

Any help would be appreciated.

hugs rita

[Guest mistygirl7]

Kathryn- you need to used conditioner as well when washing your hair. Shapoo alone is just to clean your hair its harsh to use it with out conditioner as to it will dry your hair out as it is. And always need a hair cut even if its just 1/4 of an inch it help to keep your hair looking and feeling healthy. Recommend hair cut every 4 weeks.

Lizzie- the natural oil from your scalp is good for your hair wash hair ever other day. And it actually the opposite hair is thicker when wet because it soaking in the water, and it stretches a a little when its wet. And thinner when its dry. Anti frizz has oil in it and to use when blow dry. So use a cream or lite gel styling products instead.

Rita- cheap product is not always good. Its more like you get what you pay for. As for leaving build up swhich brand since its not cleaning the build ups and different conditioner. Mousse is designed to use for if you want curls. It's not to be use if you want a sleek looker since it will dry your hair out. If your doing curls, apply crunch a few times and leave it alone. The more you touch the more it frizzes. If you want sleek and a little volume use thicking lotion.

Also cheap hair spray will flake and leaves build up.

[Guest JennX]

Any recommendation on the best "straightening type product"?

I have a lot of hair... I mean a whole lot of hair. It's down to my shoulders now, and it is super, super, super curly. I live in Miami, FL... so humidity is a big factor every day.

I've tried Bumble&Bumble Concen-Straight and Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Relaxing Balm which have worked the best so far.

I also have found it better to wash it every other day or at least 3 times a week. Some stylists I've been to told me to limit washing it to 2 times a week, but it gets too dry and tangled that way.

[Guest Jo-88]

This is what my mom told me to do, she owns a beauty salon (heres her website if you live in the SW FL area, and want someone to do an awesome job www.pauladianes.com )... she's been doing hair for over 20 years and is obviously TG friendly. I only shampoo my hair twice a week but I condition it everyday, then on fridays I do a rinse using a 50/50 solution of warm water and apple cider vinegar with a few drops of ylang ylang oil (apparently carrot seed oil is a bit better but I couldn't find it). The vinegar rinse removes any gunk or buildup on the hair from products or what not and leaves it super shiny. Also my mom swears by redken products although unless she gives me some they are too expensive for me to buy, as an alternative she recommended the dove line of hair products because their shampoo is non detergent so it doesn't wash away the natural oils, that and it's dirt cheap.

As far as keeping it straight... sigh, I have the same problem still haven't found a solution to that I am hoping it improves as it gets longer.