Hi fellow wavies,

Just wondering if anyone fancies sharing any top tips on styling combinations for Type 2’s. Go on you know you want to

I don’t know about you but I’m finding it difficult to find a good combination that deals with frizz, helps the curl and doesn’t weigh my fine hair down….so much to ask for I know !!

Right now I’ve found that a leave in topped with UG gel and then diffusing is giving quite good results. There is still a bit of canopy frizz though once I’ve scrunched out the crunch. (A leave in, curl cream (boots pink) and then gel just made my hair limp and fuzzy. Not a good look.)

I’m thinking about getting my first emporium haul to try out some new, not from Boots, lotions and potions . Anyone tried CIAB on top of gel to try and get fab frizz-free waves n curls…......or is there a fantastic leave in out there that does the job when a gel/styler is put on top….....I’d love to hear all your tips and recommendations !

Types of curls don’t really help with choosing products.

What you need to look at is your hair’s properties so is it:

fine/coarse
low/medium or high porosity
It’s thickness

Then you have a better idea what your hair needs - so fine hair tends to like more protein etc. And then other people with similar hair properties to you can help more (or any of us if you let us know yours) in choosing the products right for your hair.

For example, a type 2 fine, low porosity curly will use very different products to a type 2 coarse hair with medium porosity.

Once you know this and start to experimenting more, you’ll also then start to understand which ingredients your hair may love, or hate.

Ah, I see. Thanks !

I did try to put some info in my signature, below, but sorry it was a bit rubbish.

Here goes - I’m a Type 2 with fine hair. It isn’t thick but there is a fair bit of it. My hair is also pretty long (4 inches or so past my shoulders) as there is no curl pattern unless it has a lot of length.

Porosity wise, I tried putting a strand in water and it floats. Even after 5 minutes it only started to sink a tiny bit. It does get wet pretty easily in the shower and is smooth if you run your finger and thumb over it – supposing that means its low/normal porosity…..bit confused with that one. It’s coloured all over too, as opposed to highlights.

It seems to like avocado in products so I think it likes protein. I got really bouncy curls after trying a homemade mask, and the Naked bounce shampoo/conditioner I’ve been using (from Boots) has avocado and kelp in it. I do low poo about once a week. I’m thinking of getting a protein treatment but I don’t want to overdo it right away.

I tried an Aveda curl cream product years ago, be curly I think, that had wheat protein in it and I remember that it really didn’t like it.

Wow, there’s so much to think of isn’t there ???

I do think that curl type is a factor and look forward to seeing lots of responses from other type 2s. For example, I have medium to coarse hair with medium to high porosity and average density, so one wouldn’t think that it would get weighed down easily, but because I don’t have strong curls, they are easily weighed down to near nothingness.

For me, the solution is to keep it simple. Make sure the hair is in good condition with sufficient protein/moisture as kat mentioned, and just use a single light product after rinsing out conditioner. For more curl, a light gel seems to be working well, and I’m currently getting good results with Komaza Coconut Pudding. If frizz is still an issue and you feel like you need a leave-in, you could try a combined leave-in/styling product, I really liked CJ CCCL (thanks kat!). Another option is a spray-on leave-in, followed by a styling product.

Have fun experimenting, and let us know how you go.

It is overwhelming at first. Its best to start slow and experiment from there. Also, your hair won’t start to settle down until about 6 months CG.

And then of course, there’s the seasons, which can have an affect on hair as well lol…

One step at a time is best.

Agreed, there are so many factors, that you really do just need to experiment slowly and methodically. It sounds like you’ve been reading the articles on texture/porosity and looking at ingredients, so that’s a good start.

Edit:
If I recall correctly, the implications for the hair properties that you mentioned are that it will probably get weighed down easily, and it will probably like some protein, but it sounds like you’ve already worked that out through experimentation.

Learning how other curlies with similar curl types/hair properties deal with similar issues also gives us good ideas for experiments and clues as to why certain things work or don’t work, so I’m still hoping that other type 2s contribute to this thread, not only in regards to products, but methods as well.

There’s just so much to take in isn’t there, and then, once you think you’re on the right track, it’s all subject to change depending on the weather !

Thanks so much for the encouragement/help. I’m actually quite looking forward to the trial and error bit. Would be great to hear how others are getting on with it too..

I’ve never really thought about using a spray leave in. I always figured they wouldn’t provide enough moisture - but i’m definitely going to give that a go.  Is the Komaza coconut pudding like a gel ? CCCCL is like a leave in+curl cream isn’t it ?

I’m a bit flummoxed by protein to be honest.Do you think it’s best just to start with a light protein conditioner once/twice a week - like the CJ Beauticurls Strengthening one. Don’t know if something like the AO GPB would send my poor hair running for the hills

Sorry, so many questions !!!

Yeah - although I think your hair might like protein, as it’s fine and has been coloured. If your hair get wet easily through in the shower, I’d be more inclined to say you are higher porosity - those strand hair tests are extremely difficult to get results from.

For a professional analysis of your hair you could send of to Curly Wizard- the $20 one will tell you your hair properties and give product suggestions. Its had rave reviews from curlies at NC.com

It all depends on your hair and its condition as to whether a spray leave-in will be enough. I usually don’t use any leave-in, but give it a try if you think you still need one, just something lighter. As a bonus, the right spray leave-in can double as a curl refresher spray. You can even make your own spray leave-in with your favourite conditioner diluted with water, this way you can alter the dilution to suit you. Another thought I had, was that if it is just your canopy that you’re still having frizz issues with, you could try just targeting that area. For example, use a little more rinse-out conditioner on the canopy, cut back on the low-poos, or use a light oil to smooth it down after scrunching out the crunch. 

The description on the Emporium for Komaza coconut pudding is that it is a “soft holding styling hair gel designed to tighten curl pattern and eliminate frizz” and I’d agree with that. You could try the Komaza coconut sample kit which also has the spray leave-in, except I haven’t found the spray very good for refreshing dry curls. I’d also describe CCCL as a leave-in + curl cream.

With the protein, I’d suggest reading up on hair elasticity and protein/moisture balance and learn to recognise the signs of hair that needs more/less protein/moisture. Hair that needs more moisture is typically dry and brittle, and hair that needs more protein is usually overly stretchy and won’t curl as well.  Use this info to guide your experiments. If you do overdo the protein, just use lots of non-protein moisture until your hair recovers. I haven’t tried CJ Beauticurls Strengthening, but kat did a great review of it on the reviews board.

Had a bit of a splurge on the emporium yesterday and just had to share !!

Decided to try:-

DB Pumpkin seed Co (going to try it as a rinse out and as a DT. I really hope it smells as good as everyone says it does).
AO GPB (either as a PT or rinse out)
DB Peach Kernal Milk, without glycerin (hopefully that can multi-task as a leave in, finisher and to scrunch out any crunch)
Curl Junkie Curl Queen

I feel like a kid at Christmas ! Can’t wait for them to arrive.

I tried the Garnier Fructis Endurance Gel the other day. It’s not bad. The hold is alot stronger than the UG scrunching jelly but I suppose the drawback is you don’t get those lovely soft curls.

I’m interested to see if an expensive gel is any better than high street…..plus I’m dying to find out if the fact Curl Queen is glycerin free makes any difference in this rubbish weather we’re having. It’s soooo cold and wet.

Ooo, nice . Don’t worry, DB PSC really does smell that good . The Peach Kernal Milk sounds nice too, but I don’t think I’d get good use out of it. You’ll probably be fine with AO GPB and just need to work out how much and how often to use it. Curl Queen, I know nothing about, but it looks good too! I’m sure they’ll arrive soon and you can have fun experimenting!

Yup - the pumpkin seed conditioner smells amazing. Kept getting lovely wafts of it yesterday. I think the oils may not be the best for my dodgy scalp though. Going to persevere with that one and hope for the best.

Kat180 - you were so right about the protein. My hair loves it ! The curl wizard idea sounds fantastic. Made me laugh though - imagined a permed Harry Potter.

Unfortunately I don’t think the peach kernel milk is altogether a success. It just seems to weigh my hair down, if I use it to SOTC or on dry hair to try and get rid of the flyaways. Back to the drawing board with that one. Think it might end up on the swap board soon.

Has anyone tried the Bee Mine balanced moisturiser or Anita Grant cafe vanilla to SOTC ? Was toying with trying a little sample of one of them. Using a drop of oil doesn’t seem to work particularly well for me.

Cupcake Queen - 14 March 2011 01:33 PM

Yup - the pumpkin seed conditioner smells amazing. Kept getting lovely wafts of it yesterday. I think the oils may not be the best for my dodgy scalp though. Going to persevere with that one and hope for the best.

Kat180 - you were so right about the protein. My hair loves it ! The curl wizard idea sounds fantastic. Made me laugh though - imagined a permed Harry Potter.

Unfortunately I don’t think the peach kernel milk is altogether a success. It just seems to weigh my hair down, if I use it to SOTC or on dry hair to try and get rid of the flyaways. Back to the drawing board with that one. Think it might end up on the swap board soon.

Has anyone tried the Bee Mine balanced moisturiser or Anita Grant cafe vanilla to SOTC ? Was toying with trying a little sample of one of them. Using a drop of oil doesn’t seem to work particularly well for me.

I llllllllloooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee the pumpkin seed condish (thats why I have just bought another partially used bottle from the swap board) yayyyyy. 

I use the Anita Grant Cafe Latte to SOTC and smooth frizzies.  My hair loves oils, I have the full size vanilla cafe latte and whipped butter and samples of all of them and the whipped butter too for the same use.  They are fab.

Do you mean the Bee Mine luscious cream?  Or the avodaco condish?  I have the luscious cream, never used it to SOTC tho *stores that info for future use*  I have used it on wet hair as a leave-in.

I llllllllloooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee the pumpkin seed condish (thats why I have just bought another partially used bottle from the swap board) yayyyyy. 

I use the Anita Grant Cafe Latte to SOTC and smooth frizzies.  My hair loves oils, I have the full size vanilla cafe latte and whipped butter and samples of all of them and the whipped butter too for the same use.  They are fab.

Do you mean the Bee Mine luscious cream?  Or the avodaco condish?  I have the luscious cream, never used it to SOTC tho *stores that info for future use*  I have used it on wet hair as a leave-in.

Ha, ha I know what you mean Curliesue - that smell is soooo good. I’m really hoping it isn’t making my scalp act up….otherwise it’s going on the swap board too. At least I know there’ll be one taker

Hmmmm, I think you may have just talked me into trying Anita Grant. My PJ doesn’t take much convincing ! If it SOTC and tames frizzies it sounds like a total winner.

Yes it was the Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream….I have no idea if it would work on dry hair. I see the word moisturiser and sample and think, heck add it to the list !!  If you try it and it goes wrong I’m denying all knowledge

Cupcake Queen - 14 March 2011 05:11 PM

I llllllllloooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee the pumpkin seed condish (thats why I have just bought another partially used bottle from the swap board) yayyyyy. 

I use the Anita Grant Cafe Latte to SOTC and smooth frizzies.  My hair loves oils, I have the full size vanilla cafe latte and whipped butter and samples of all of them and the whipped butter too for the same use.  They are fab.

Do you mean the Bee Mine luscious cream?  Or the avodaco condish?  I have the luscious cream, never used it to SOTC tho *stores that info for future use*  I have used it on wet hair as a leave-in.

Ha, ha I know what you mean Curliesue - that smell is soooo good. I’m really hoping it isn’t making my scalp act up….otherwise it’s going on the swap board too. At least I know there’ll be one taker

Hmmmm, I think you may have just talked me into trying Anita Grant. My PJ doesn’t take much convincing ! If it SOTC and tames frizzies it sounds like a total winner.

Yes it was the Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream….I have no idea if it would work on dry hair. I see the word moisturiser and sample and think, heck add it to the list !!  If you try it and it goes wrong I’m denying all knowledge

If you want to try Anita Grant, i would get the samples so see if you like it.  She has free postage on her website.  I prefer the cafe latte over the whipped butter.  I bought the full size of both, then decided to get the samples - im a bit strange like that lol.

The Bee Mine Luscious cream is more like conditioner consistency, I dont know about SOTC, they have a butter though, which might work well for that purpose.

@ Cupcake Queen - I meant to say, if you decide to sell your DB PSC, let me know I will buy it off you, add it to my collection