The 12 Most Annoying Thick Hair Problems (and Fixes!)

The 12 Most Annoying Thick Hair Problems (and Fixes!)

Our fine-haired sisters think we've got it easy just because we can do a doughnut bun without wearing a sock on our head, but having a mess of hair is sometimes, well, a mess. Here, finally, the solutions to the biggest thick-hair problems—except for clogging up your drain. Alas, we can't help you there.

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No Comb Can Tackle Your Tangles

If the smell of Johnson's No More Tangles triggers PTSD flashbacks to your childhood, you know what's up. Thick hair means knots that are tied with Boy Scout–level strength. Forcing a comb or paddle brush through it is time-consuming and hair-ruining.

Try the Tangle Teezer once and you'll never use a comb again. Short, flexible bristles have give to them so they won't pull out fragile hairs, says hairstylist Mia Santiago of Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger. You can even detangle wet hair: "If I used a paddle brush on my wet hair, I could make a voodoo doll of the hair that comes out," she says.

A Conditioner That Works Better

It's not the size of your conditioner bottle that matters, but its contents. "Choosing a highly concentrated conditioner means you won't need gallons of product," says Santiago. She likes Kératase Cristalliste and Kérastase Chronologiste conditioners, which are so rich that you only need a dollop. "Avoid any conditioners that say 'volume' on the bottle—they're not for the big-haired," she says. Adding a deep-treatment mask to your routine is also key. If your ends are extremely damaged, use a mask once a week or every third shampoo, depending on how often you

wash, says Santiago. If your ends aren't too damaged, once a month will do.

Keratin-based products fill out the hair cuticle and defrizz, says Santiago. She likes Sally Hershberger Hyper Hydration Super Keratin Spray for year-round use, plus a little extra styling time in summer. "I know that's when everyone wants the ease of wash-and-go styles, but for women with thick hair, it's worth taking the time to really work in the product to avoid a bad hair day."

Rough-Dry First

"Rough-dry your hair until it's about 80 to 90 percent done," says Santiago. "That's superimportant for people with really thick hair; otherwise you're going to be there forever. Once it's almost dry, then attach the smoothing nozzle to your dryer, making sure it's always facing the end of your shaft to smooth it out." Rough-drying does work better for straight- and slightly wavy-haired gals though. "If you're prone to a lot of frizzing or your hair is supercurly, rough-drying can open up the cuticle too much. Get the nozzle on a little faster if that's your hair texture.

Shower at Night—and Fake a Morning Blowout

After washing at night no less than 30 minutes before bedtime, let your hair air-dry overnight. "In the morning, you can achieve a blowout-like effect using a half-barrel curling iron," says Santiago. "Split your hair into 12 to 14 sections. When you quickly swoop the iron through them to the ends, it'll look like a salon blowout done with a big round brush but takes way less time." You're not going to have the same volume as you would with a real blowout, but you will look polished. And not like you just got caught in a rainstorm.

"There's something magical about it," says Santiago. Flip your head upside down and gather your hair into a ponytail, then twist into a coil. (Need more guidance? Check out these tutorials.) Santiago seals down flyways with Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control Smoother. "It's so amazing and works on every hair type," she says.

Up Your Hair-Tie Game

"Obviously, if you have thick hair, regular elastics aren't going to cut it," says Santiago. But you also need to stay away from anything with a grip or plastic that will get caught in your massive hair and pull it out. Thin and flat fabric hair ties, like Emi-Jay's, are going to have more staying power and won't break or dent your giant hair. "Those fat Heathers-style scrunchies would work too, and I wish they were cool—but they're not," says Santiago.

Talk to Your (New) Stylist

"Your hairstylist has to have really good thinning shears to not cause damage," says Santiago. Tell your stylist how your hair has reacted to thinning shears or razors in the past. Shears aren't the devil, but if you're prone to frizz, they'll work best for you if used only on the ends of your hair. Your stylist can use a different method to thin out your hair that doesn't scrape your hair shaft as much.

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Original article and pictures take http://www.allure.com/gallery/how-to-deal-with-thick-hair site