When I first started accepting my hair as being curly and started wearing it down and curly a year or so ago, it curled in perfect, aligned ringlets with the right gel. As time went on, the curl pattern seemed to change. Now, my lovely ringlets are few and far between, and I have more zig-zaggy, small, kinky-looking curls and some frizz. It's just isn't coming out right anymore. I've tried switching gels and everything. I was thinking of buying rollers and letting it dry that way, but does anyone else have any ideas?

Thanks,
Katalina

It sounds like your hair might be drying out. Naturally curly hair has a tendency to also be very dry. I have curly hair and keep the ringlets looking nice by never using hair gel as it is full of alcohol. Of course most hair products contain alcohol but my stylist told me that hair gel is the worst and contains the most.

Here's how I maintain ringlets:

-always use a moisturizing shampoo & conditioner along with an intensive moisturizing treatment once a week
-use hair serum..it keeps hair looking sleek
-get a trim every 4-6 weeks..the ends of curly hair dry out fast and show split ends and styling damage
-if you dry your hair always use a diffuser..it's best to dry hair for a couple min and then allow to dry naturally
-use a mousse especially for curly hair, never gel

I know this sounds like a huge answer to your post but this was the advice given to me by my stylist and I never have problems with my hair now.

Hope this helps. Take care!

:wave:

Same with my hair. I finally quit blow drying it and now let it dry naturally which takes a great deal off of your hair. Also, I use nothing except leave in conditioner (my hairdresser even said infusium 23 is good) and hair serum. That's it. I do get my roots dyed every 4-6 weeks, which means I have to baby it so it doesn't get dry. Any little thing can change your curl pattern, and in your case, I would say it was the use of all the hair gel. If I want it to have the gel or wetter look, I will spray a little hairspray on it before it completely dries.....just enough to hold it. This can get built up too, so make sure you find a good clarifying shampoo and use it every once in a while. To get some of the buildup off of your hair now, mix some baking soda with shampoo and wash your hair with it. This is drying , so make sure you have some deep conditioning to put on afterwards.

Your curl pattern can change throughout your life. After being wavy my whole life, my hair started getting a lot curlier in my late 20s. Now it seems like it's getting less curly again.

Great tips, everyone! I do definitely need a trim. I will admit that I practically NEVER trim my hair, and I know that's bad, but it does grow unusually slow. Everyone I know says that they have never seen hair grow as slow as mine. I do use alcohol-free hair gel, but there very well could be build-up. The only reason I'm leary about using mousse is because my hair is naturally very light and overly fluffy and puffy, and I try to reduce the volume of my hair. That is also why I have shyed away from serums. I think I'm going to have to get a trim, deep condition, and then experiment with some serums. Thanks, everyone:)
~Katalina

When I first started accepting my hair as being curly and started wearing it down and curly a year or so ago, it curled in perfect, aligned ringlets with the right gel. As time went on, the curl pattern seemed to change. Now, my lovely ringlets are few and far between, and I have more zig-zaggy, small, kinky-looking curls and some frizz. It's just isn't coming out right anymore. I've tried switching gels and everything. I was thinking of buying rollers and letting it dry that way, but does anyone else have any ideas?

Thanks,
Katalina

Hi there, just read your post, i had the same problem. I am now using two products before I blow out my hair, the 1st is Curls Rock/Curl Booster (by TIGI-Catwalk), the 2nd is Curl Amplifier (TIGI/Catwalk), my hair is curly and a little dry as well, but my curls are very manageable now and my hair looks great. Good luck! LoriD

LoriD,
Thanks for telling me about those products, they sound great. I'm a little confused, though. Do you straighten your hair with the blow dryer (as in blow it out) after you use these products or do you let it dry naturally after applying these products?
Thanks,
Katalina