help me with me awful curly hair

I am so sick of my curly hair!!! I just wish I had straight hair so that i didn`t have to spend so much time putting stuff in it and I have to tie it up ALL the time or it goes gross, frizzy and not really curly just bad. I`m thinking of getting it chemically straightened. The thing is, my hair needs encouraging and twisting to make the curls nice and I can`t be stuffed anymore. Please give me some ADviCE!!
I live in New zealand and there aren`t many curly hair products out there, the good brands are mostly for straight hair, its like they forget that there is such a thing as curly hair and if you have the hair I have, its just `unhealthy`.
The thing is, my mum and family keep telling me my hair is so healthy and shiny. I think they`re just trying to make me happy.

Oh sweetie, I have no doubt you have gorgeous hair! I just love curly hair, on men as well as women. The older I get the more I appreciate mine and everyone else`s. I fought mine all my life and even straightened it 3 times. Or I tried to anyway. No more than a day later it was as curly as ever. I can only tell you what I use and do and maybe that can work for you. It`s different with everyone. I wash my hair with Revlon Outrageous shampoo for dry hair - it`s wonderful. Then I *always* use Pantene conditioner. Yes, I`ve heard it`s bad for your hair, but it`s the only conditioner I`ve ever used in my life that will allow me to get my fingers through my hair. After that it`s a breeze. I haven`t used a brush in many years except to try and brush out some tangles. My hair is close to dreadlocks underneath even though I keep my nape hair cut close to my head. So, I shampoo and condition my hair, I leave it wet, of course. Too dry not to. The next day I use some water spritzing and then some Pantene Mousse and it curls right up on its own. Every couple of weeks or so I use a deep oil conditioning. So far so good! Hope this helps you - I know how you feel! :)

I would totally recommend Bumble and Bumble products. I`ve been using the leave in conditioner and styling cream for years. My trick is to comb through conditioner in the shower (about 3 quarter size dallops for my shoulder length hair) - and then not brush it afterwards. Don`t flip your head over or towel dry it. When you get out of the shower, gently work in some product, starting at the nape of your neck, then doing the ends, work up the back, then do the sides. Let air dry for 20 minutes or so then use a diffuser. The idea is to try and not disturb the curls that much after you shower. I would also recommend going to www.ouidad.com for help - that`s where I got my styling tips. Her products work well, but I just liked Bumble and Bumble better. I don`t think they sell in New Zealand, but check out their website at www.bumbleandbumble.com. Good luck! : )
~Kristy