My hair doesn't look good down...

[Shrilaraune]

I'll start this off by saying I have a lot of fine stands and though they are overdue for a trim (by a month or so) this problem doesn't exactly make sense to me. When I try to wear my hair down, I look...deranged. It's piecey and...just horrid looking. I would never where it anywhere like that. Perhaps I haven't learned to fluff properly? Maybe it's my awkward lengths? Ah yes. Now we come to it. Beyond the curious nature of my hair texture (4z+4a+3c; porous; fine) it has somehow managed to differ wildly in length. Right around my ears to my nape my hair is just past APL. Above that area my hair is about ear length (sometimes a little longer and sometimes a little shorter)
SO I guess I'm asking the following:
1. Is this problem really because of the crazy length issue? As I am beginning to suspect?
2. What do I do??
Thank you lovelies!

[adelh]

hello,
it takes time for our hair to figure out that it is being left alone and how to curl - my hair took YEARS, believe me. It also takes time for it to look like it is longer because of the nature of our hair. So patience would be a good thing, and cut out the trims. Let it grow. Also , find a good gel (i use Eco Styler gel - the black one) and the curls will look better, and will clump together nicely and look like a hairstyle. If not, then arrange your hair in a style with bobbi pins and ignore it, until it gets its act together, lol. let me know how it goes.

[Shrilaraune]

Thanks for the suggestions, adelh! I actually tried some loose flat twists on an old, old curlformer set and could wear my hair down for the first time! OUTSIDE. The only reason I'm thinking trims is because my hair is breaking (despite weekly henna treatments and a perfect deep conditioner). Thoughts on this?

[adelh]

when i transitioned i didn't cut my hair knowing that shrinkage is a killer. I just did french twists ALL the time. I would not cut your hair, just condition and baby it. I don't think you need so many henna treatments; lots of people space them out. plus, they loosen the curls - which sounds good, but your hair won't clump the way you want it to with henna. Again, it takes time for your hair to calm down, realize its not being beaten down with chemicals, and do what you want it to do. with our hair, you need patience, patience, patience. And even then, it will still act out sometimes, lol. And if you can do braids - watch your hairline, thats good too - my hair is 3c/4a, and soooo soft that it breaks off if even if i LOOK at someone else's braids, so I couldn't.

[ivoryspring]

Have you tried braids? That is my solution to all hair style questions. I like doing all kinds of braids.

[Shrilaraune]

What kind of braids? Single braids? Braid outs?

[brightstar123]

I also agree with you that "find a good gel i use Eco Styler gel - the black one" and the curls will look better, and will clump together nicely and look like a hairstyle.

[smith12]

You need a good hair saloon and tell the problem to the specialist.I think thy will help you very well