How do I get started?

What you can start doing this very second?  You can start playing with styling methods.  The methods in the first link work for wavy or curly hair.  The methods I selected are the ones that have the highest success rate for wavy hair.
Styling Techniques for Wavy Hair 
This link has NC.com links to lots of styling technique threads.  Start with the first link.  You can come back and check out the other styling methods at some time in the future.

There is a lot of stuff to learn.  It will be overwhelming at first.  It does get easier, I promise.  If there was an easier way to get your waves looking great, I'd tell you about it.  If I could just tell you what products to use and how to style your waves, I would.  These answers are different for everyone.  Think of the time spent learning this information as a lifetime investment in your hair.

Come and join us at the Wavy Hair Community on Facebook.  We have a fun, friendly, bustling group.  There is lots of good info in the WHC files.  You should be sure to message a administrator when you want to join, so they can let you in.
What you should know if you plan to post on Curl Talk,  Many of my links will take you to the Curl Talk (Naturally Curly) forums.  There are some things I think you should be aware of before you post on Curl Talk.

The first thing you will want to do is decide whether to use the Curly Girl method (CG).  The Curly Girl (CG) method is based on the book of the same name by Lorraine Massey.  The Curly Girl (CG) method doesn't work for everyone, but it does work for most people.  Many people have dramatic results.  IMHO I believe the Curly Girl method is worth trying for all wavy or curly hair.
Link that explains the Curly Girl method.

Before and after CG pictures
Before and after CG pictures of wavies. Sometimes people with wavy hair look at the before and after thread for all hair types and don't get a good sense of what the Curly Girl method will do for waves.  This is why the wavies have their own thread.  I'll also point out that most wavies use an occasional non sulfate shampoo, as in the "modified Curly Girl method for wavy hair" mentioned in the first link in this group of links.

Your next step is to figure out your hair's properties.  Knowing these will help you figure out which products and styling techniques will work best for your hair.
How to Classify your Hair with the FIA System  Curl Pattern, Thickness, and Texture
Porosity and Elasticity
You can also look on Live Curly Live Free
This link tells you what your properties mean.
So What Does it All Mean?

Acronyms and Abbreviations on Wavy Hair Community  You must be a member to view.
Acronyms/Abbreviations/Definitions used on NC.com
Lists of Curly Girl compatible products 
What do I need to start the Curly Girl method? 
What ingredients to avoid with the Curly Girl Method? 
Which ingredients are sulfates? & Ways to wash your hair.

Basic Information Everyone Must Read
In order to understand some of the following links, you will want to have a basic understanding about the structure of hair.
The structure of Hair 
You need to have a basic understand of protein and moisture balance.
Protein and Moisture Balance for Hair 
Protein Part 1:  What it does, Link for protein haters, Which ingredients are protein?

How to deal with Summer Hair, Winter Hair, dry weather and humid weather.
Humectants and Dew Points 

Hair Cuts for Wavy Hair

This is the end of the must read stuff.  The following links are good information for a new wavy.  You can pick and choose the links you want to read from here on out.

What to do if you have dry hair 
My Hair is Falling Out (It probably isn't)
How to Read a Label, Part 1
How to Read a Label, Part 2 
How to Diagnose Hair
Clipping

Natural stuff and DIY stuff that works.  

Science-y Hair Blog's Gelatin Protein Treatment and My More Moisturizing Version
Homemade Flax Seed Gel is a great curl enhancer with a high success rate.
Coconut oil is a great way to combat dry hair.

Protein links
How to do a protein treatment
I did my first protein treatment and the angels didn't sing OR my hair hated my first PT.

Updo ideas
Ponytail Palooza  Video tutorials for ponytail variations.
Braid Bonanza  For longer hair.  The first video does have a french and dutch braid tutorial that can work on shorter hair.
A Bobby Pin Primer  How to videos for bobby pins.

My Youtube Channel
The Wavy Library





2 comments:

  1. Thank you for taking the time to put this all together and making it easy to understand. Nothing like finding out I have been doing modified CG and just didn't know it because of the language.

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  2. Hair Roller Tips: Before You Style. Hair roller hairstyles. If your hair is naturally smooth then Natural Hair rollers are the best option to use. Hair rollers aren't just for adding curls and are a great way to add volume to fine hair or any hairstyle that needs extra oomph.

    ReplyDelete