Learning about hair...

Hi,
First of all this is my first post and i`d like to say hi to ya`ll ^_^.

Well i`m a african american male i`ve been trying to grow my hair longer, wear it down, and keep it neat. I have been to a hairstylist, but i can`t really give her an idea of what i want. My hair is long enought to touch my neck just below the ear`s, but it`s so frizzy, curly ,and dry it doesn`t wear to well down. All in all i need the basic`s taught to me..i mean teach me like i`m a little kid ^_^.

Thanx all...

quote:

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Lucidnight originally wrote:
Hi,
First of all this is my first post and i'd like to say hi to ya'll ^_^.

Well i'm a african american male i've been trying to grow my hair longer, wear it down, and keep it neat. I have been to a hairstylist, but i can't really give her an idea of what i want. My hair is long enought to touch my neck just below the ear's, but it's so frizzy, curly ,and dry it doesn't wear to well down. All in all i need the basic's taught to me..i mean teach me like i'm a little kid ^_^.

Thanx all...

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I can understand you do not wish to spend a lot of your time sitting in a salon chair and nothing beats knowledge. I will break it down a much as possible.

If your hair is curly as in straight curly similiar to cacasuian or hispanic hair(tighter curl
like large spiral locks) then simply using a product like frizz-ease should either completely straighten or almost straighten your hair. If your hair has a even tighter curl or what is called nappy or kinky but soft or coarse then a product such as this will loosen the hair only enough that you may comb reducing tangling and breakage hair, making it less dry because it helps to lock in moisture
and some shine, but you hair will still be kinky just manageable. To get a little relax effect (appear a little straighter), and this is minimal, is to apply the heat of a blow dry or to braid or put into twist until dry.

In short it depends on the amount of curl or kink you start with as to where you will end up.

By the way Frizz-ease is not the only product out there. There are many and they vary in price. I suggest you go to your local beauty supply and READ THE LABELS. You don`t want to use anything with alcohol because its drying.

In my book beware of oils and greases. Most are made with either petroleum or mineral oil and neither is good for your hair or scalp. Try to look for natural products with either beeswax, shea butter, avocado oil, or some other natural oil. Of course use these lightly to give shine to hair if scalp itches wash and condition apply small amount on scalp to nourish not smother.

Styles; cornrows styles, twist styles, if straight is what you desire a hot comb or press is effective, but these effects are tempory. If you want longer lasting effects, you might want to get into chemical straightening such as perms and relaxers. With relaxers you`ll need touchups every 6 weeks, regular wash and sets. This means lots of time at the beauty salon unless you are a do it youselfer. And it can be quite costly relaxer every six weeks average $45 - $65, wash and set $30 - $48 every week or more.

If you are going to take haircare into your hands I suggest you talk to different beauticians and hairstylists, read as much as you can about personal haircare (libraries, internet, etc.) but hopefully this will give you a start. Good luck!