Ok so I'm not exactly hair ignorant... but I'm pretty much clueless about hair products and I need some help!

I have wavy Indian black hair, a little lower than shoulder length, cut in layers with a few chin length bangs. When I wash it, it gets frizzy and randomly curly and if I brush it out, the only thing I can do is tie it up. The haircut looks pretty cute when I straight iron my hair. That's pretty much the only way my hair looks good but I'm tired of having to wake up early to straighten it and I prefer to have it look natural but still be able to leave it open.

Here's what I think might be a good idea - and I need advice on it! I'm thinking of getting it thinned out a little bit so there's less volume. After that, I need some advice on what products to use to cut frizz and for it to wave more uniformly rather than anywhere it pleases.

I would appreciate some help and info!

Thanks! 

If you're wavy, I would suggest using less shampoo. Perhaps a http://anaissatin.freespaces.com/cleansingmethods.html#COWroutine - C-COW-C , or a http://talk.hairboutique.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30640&KW=conditioner%2Donly - Conditioner-Only wash.

For more uniform waves, you'll want to NOT brush. Most of all, do not use a brush with flexible hairlike bristles. Use your fingers instead of a comb, whenever possible. The trick is to not break up the "wave pattern".

I think you're making an awesome decision. Going natural-texture will eventually be less time-consuming than not. Be sure before you get your hair thinned though!

Anais

Sounds like good advice people! Thanks!

Here's what I've decided - I'm going to cut it a little shorter, keeping my layers and thinning out a little from the back so it stays closer to my head rather than a foot away !

Now here's what I need to know from the experts - what products should I use to wash it, dry it, and maintain it... as naturally as possible... I might just straightiron my longish bangs and the front layer that would fall on either side of my face... and leave the rest wavy/curly...

Should I use leave-in conditioner? or some kinda finishing balm?

Help!

Thanks!

Pebbles

I have puffy hair syndrome too.  I let my hair naturally dry, and when it's "almost" dry and setting into wave, I use just a nickel or dime size squirt of Ouidad Tress Fx Tame gel on my hair to keep the puff down.  It's very lightweight and won't weigh your hair down, and let the wave curl without the puff.

Goodluck!

Usually, a CO or a CCOWC will eliminate the need for "special products"... but if you need a leave-in, whipped shea butter works really nicely for wavy hair (about a drop, rubbed through palms and stroked through hair). Just melt and mix it until it hardens again.

Anais