Q: I have long (2 inches past my shoulder) hair, very thick, with combined textures of medium and coarse. My problem is the
hair in the front is pretty straight, with a very slight wave and the hair in the back is very wavy to almost full blown curly in some
spots. I use smoothing, straightening serums, etc in the back and curl enhances, etc in the front, neither of which do much. I've
tried every product out there to either straighten the back or curl the front and it just doesn't happen. I never blow dry my hair
because it looks slightly frizzed and dry in the back, and it takes forever because of the thickness. There's just no straightening
the back without blow dryers and straightening irons, which I don't want to hassle with. The L'Oreal Vive Smooth Intense formula
settles the back down to a tolerable wave. I want to be able to let it dry naturally and not have to "fix" my hair (except for
special occasions). I keep it long to weight down the curl in the back and have very subtle long layers in the front. I'm 35 and
I've had this hairstyle for 20 years and want a change. Rather than fighting this straight/curly combo head of mine, I'd like to
find a cut that would allow my combo hair to coexist, without such a noticeable difference in the straight front and curly back.
What type of haircut would you recommend that would ease the transition from my straight front to heavily wavy back? Would longish,
wispy bangs and shorter, more numerous layers in the front accomplish this? My face shape is round. Are bangs even "in" these days?
Any hairstyle suggestions to lessen the paradox on my head would be greatly appreciated!
A: It’s more than a little difficult to make hairstyle suggestions for someone without first being able to see them and make an
assessment of their hair, face shape and features. It becomes doubly difficult when you add in the fact that the hair in question
has multiple wave patterns at different points on the head.
My first thought for someone in your situation is to suggest that you consider a permanent wave
to “even out” the amount of wave in your hair. You could select a curl size that would soften the wave in back, and would add curl
to the straight hair in front, match the front of the hair to the back in curl size, or basically select any size curl you desire.
Combining a perm with the proper cut would allow you to simply apply some product to the hair in the mornings and be on your way.
If a perm is completely out of the question for you, you might consider an angled blunt cut
building to longer lengths in front of the head, with long bangs that are textured to blend to the sides. The curl in back will result
in extra volume and fullness, and so the hair may need to be thinned using texturing shears to avoid the excess bulk.
Your best bet however, is to visit your stylist. Sit down with him or her and discuss the needs of
your hair and what you’d like to see from a new hairstyle. Being able to have a hands-on examination of the hair would allow for better
assessment of what the hair will do in response to a certain haircut and style.
