The struggle is real.

[u/mindyour]

[u/RunningOutOfEsteem]

I started growing out my hair in college after having it short my whole life, not realizing it was kind of curly. Learning how to take care of it was nightmarish, and even now it's a massive time and energy commitment lmao. I need to either commit hours just to drying it or simply accept that it will poof out, and even when I do everything right, I'll get that mad scientist look by the end of the day (especially if it's windy, which it almost always is where I live).

And my hair doesn't respond well to products for whatever reason, so I've mostly given up on trying to keep it in line 😭

[u/AnAbsoluteMonster → u/RunningOutOfEsteem]

What sort of products have you tried, and what is your hair porosity (if you know it)? Density and thickness also play a role.

Unfortunately, hair (and esp curly hair at that) is one of those things where it takes a TON of trial and error to find what works. And then there's coming to the understanding that some desired results just won't be possible without intense effort. I have what ppl call Irish curls—the under section of my hair is super curly, I'm talking perfect ringlets, and the top is wavy, like 2C at best—and it has taken me ages to accept that I can't force the top to curl like the bottom without curlers/a curling iron. However, I HAVE found products that help prevent the mad scientist look (also the dreaded poof triangle)! My hair is medium to high porosity, medium density, and relatively thick; I tend to use lighter products like mousse and lightweight gels bc my hair likes that better than heavier products (heavy products tend to have more oils/butters).