Defeating Uncurlable Hair

This is for all you ladies who have fine hair that holds a curl great, when you use a curling iron - for about 5 minutes. My hair is the same way, so I commiserate with you. I've been able to keep curls a few times, here's how I do it.

Shower, shampoo, condition. Use conditioner for curly hair - I'm a big fan of herbal Essence's Totally Twisted. Other products for curly hair help to convince your hair it wants to curl. Some people swear by curling hair that's unwashed, but I'm not a fan. Under no circumstances should you use shampoo pr conditioner for straight hair!

Air dry. I don't like how my hair looks when I blow dry, so to curl it I'll usually pull it into a braid and let it dry. It ends up being very soft that way. A ponytail works, too, but keep it loose so it doesn't make your hair get that strange ponytail dent. Comb when it's wet, then don't touch it again until it's mostly dry. It'll keep it smoother for you.

Use a styling cream with medium-strong hold. I like Aussie's anti-frizz cream. Work a small mount into your hair. This will keep a hold until you have time to solidify the curls with gel, and also will keep your hair from frizzing up because of the dryer. It seems like the combo of this and the gel I mention later hold curls reasonably well.

Curling iron time. It might be easiest for someone else to help you for the back, but make the curls how you want them. If you use a bigger one, the curls will be bugger; for tighter curls use a smaller curling iron. Make sure the iron is heated up before you use it or it won't be as effective. When you curl, hold for 5-10 seconds then open the iron and gently pull it out - if you pull with it closed it'll just straighten the curl back out.

Before the curls have cooled, use a styling gel (not hairspray, it doesn't work for me!) and gently but some on the curls - don't soak them, though, they'll look awful. The gel seems to hold much, much better than any spray I've found - I go for Herbal Essences products for this one, too.

Now you should be able to style the curls however you want them. I like the half-updo style, a loose bun in the back with tendrils hanging down. Try little butterfly clips, twisting some braids in and pulling them back. Curls are fun!