Oriental/Irish hair

[retromom147]

Sorry if this post belongs somewhere else and not as a new thread. I'm new so feel free to give me tips.

Anyway, I have a few hair dilemma's and want to see if there is anyone who has advice or at least shares my hair type. My Dad is Korean and my Mom is Irish so I have Auburn/Red hair and it's silky and hard to manage...I swear it has "moods". It's hard to curl...but when I use sponge rollers it get's REALLY frizzy and when I use Hot Rollers the curls don't stay. I've tried styling products but even the ones that claim they are light and "weightless" weigh my hair down horribly and make it flat and limp. What's worse is when I use hairspray's you can "see" the spray. (I don't know if that makes sense).
Because of the texture nothing sticks and because of the color and texture combined, sprays look "sticky".:eusa_doh:

I'm scared to try pin-curls 'cause I'm afraid of the frizzy dilemma again. Anyway does anyone have any advice...I'm afraid I'm not "up-to-date" in beauty or anything feminine 'cause the first half of my life was spent in the Fire Dept. and the Army. So most of my current "look" has been trial and error and I'm looking to avoid looking like an escapee from the circus as much as possible these days. Any help would be great.lol

P.S. at the risk of sounding like an idiot...what is "setting lotion" and why can't I find it on store or salon shelves?
Thanks and love!

 

[Miss Crisplock]

Setting Lotion is used when you set your hair in rollers.

Part the hair, put some lotion on the hair, roll the hair on the roller. Secure. Repeat.

This helps set the hair into the form of the roller and also it comes out a bit, er, crunchy. Thus, time for the all important "Comb Out".

Remove rollers. Hair should look almost like the rollers are still in. Not so cute. Comb ONE curl out from the bottom to top. Repeat.

Now you can comb sections, tease and style.

Since there are few people setting their hair, setting lotion is not as easy to find.

Hint: Beer works fine. Put in glass, dip comb in, comb 1 roller section, roll, repeat.



Beauty supply stores might have it.

 

[Tourbillion]

Well I have difficult red hair, even if my ancestry is all UK/European. Is your hair really coarse or super-fine?

I'd try a bit bigger sponge rollers, especially if you have longer hair (or just use bigger chunks of hair). You can try pin curls too, but don't make them too small. If I make big pin curls I get waves instead of curls, so they are better for 20's and 30's looks. Anyway, my hair is too long for 40's looks now, so I have a hard time with the curly styles. So, if your hair is much longer than your shoulders, the length is probably what is causing all your styling woes. If you don't want to cut your hair in a vintage style, then you just have to make do (that's what I do anyway).

Setting lotion isn't found in many stores because almost no one uses it anymore (except for a few ladies here apparently). I haven't seen any around here since I was in high school. I generally use either setting gel or styling lotion (both of which are available in any supermarket). The tub setting gel has been around since at least the 50's, and today's little old ladies still use it to set their hair. You can get Dep or whatever generic they have, or just use gel that you might already have. My "styling lotion" is probably closest to the stuff ladies used in the 40's but the gel has more hold. They all tend to have similar ingredients anyway, so don't stress over it if all you have is gel.

The point of the gel/lotion is to make your hair stiffer so it will stick out more (won't be limp) and so the curl won't fall out. As for hairspray, what brand do you use? Maybe you just need a different one.

Just remember that ladies in the 40's had a hard time with their hair too. Don't give up on your hair yet, just practice some more. If it still won't cooperate, try other styles like braids or updos.

 

[KittyT]

There are threads here about both setting lotion and pincurls, with lots and lots of tips. Try browsing those!

 

[nyx]

I don't know if they have a Sally's Beauty Supply in Colorado, but you'll find setting lotion there. It's often found in the African American hair section when you're looking for it, which is why most people don't spot it at first. The general consensus of this forum is that Lottabody is the easiest to find and works for most people.

I have the same type of of hair as you, except mine is dark. I'm an Asian European mix too. My hair is very slippery, so I have a hard time rolling it as well. Pin curls and setting lotion work well for me, but the key to pin curls is brushing it correctly. It may seem like you're Weird Al Yankovic when you first start brushing them out, but with effort (and good hairspray), it'll tame into some lovely waves with full body at the ends. But, as Kitty said, take a look at the pincurls thread for more advice.

 

[Paisley]

Your hair sounds like mine, even though I'm not Asian or Irish. Your problem might be the volume of hair or the cut. If you near Littleton, I can give you the name of my hairstylist--she does a great job, and I get a lot of compliments on my hair.

It might also be your hair products. A smoothing gel that you apply to dry hair should eliminate the frizzies that come from pin curls or sponge curls. John Frieda makes some good products; I also like KMS (available at Ulta salons).

 

[retromom147]

Thanks everyone...this is very helpful!!

 

[retromom147]

Your hair sounds like mine, even though I'm not Asian or Irish. Your problem might be the volume of hair or the cut. If you near Littleton, I can give you the name of my hairstylist--she does a great job, and I get a lot of compliments on my hair.

It might also be your hair products. A smoothing gel that you apply to dry hair should eliminate the frizzies that come from pin curls or sponge curls. John Frieda makes some good products; I also like KMS (available at Ulta salons).

Thanks Paisley,
I'm not close to Littleton but I have a lot of friends I visit near there. Cool to find other people in Colorado with the whole retro flair. Thanks again!

 

[desi_de_lu_lu]

I can't use sponge curlers because essentially I get the floofy frizzy curls, at the ends only.

My hair is about waist length and I have had much success using Lotta Body (found at Sally's Beauty Supply in the Ethnic Hair section, near the last or bottom shelf) and using pin curls.

Everyone's advice about how to comb out the pin curls is spot on.

I also use my large tube of mascara to wind the pin curls on to give a bigger curl and I also section my hair out in 1" sections.

Since my hair is long and heavy, I opt to go the Hot Sticks route, using Conair Hot Sticks with rolling papers and a bit of gel or setting lotion. I use two hot sticks for every section, rolling the top section first then the remainder. It is tricky and requires patience and practice but the set lasts for days.

Since my hair is pin straight normally, I will roll three sections of my hair first in the hot sticks to give it a directional curl. I let it cool and take out then begin the process of sectioning and curling each section. The first initial curling will give it enough direction that it isn't impossible to get the last bit of hair at the bottom to curl around the hot stick.

I can't say enough about rolling papers though, it prevents alot of frizziness and helps to keep all those stray pieces inside the roller.

It takes more time to do vintage hair but if you get a good set, you can keep it for a couple of days without having to wash/reset.

oh, make sure your hair is BONE dry before taking out any rollers if you use setting lotion, or you will have wet, limp, weird looking spaghetti ringlets, and no real curl.

Good Luck!

 

[retromom147]

Thanks Desi De-lu-lu, I love your bangs by the way...they are so cute. I don't do bangs well but it doesn't keep me from admiring everyone else's.
I'll try the hot-sticks right away...my sister has a set. Thanks again!

 

[retromom147]

The point of the gel/lotion is to make your hair stiffer so it will stick out more (won't be limp) and so the curl won't fall out. As for hairspray, what brand do you use? Maybe you just need a different one.

Just remember that ladies in the 40's had a hard time with their hair too. Don't give up on your hair yet, just practice some more. If it still won't cooperate, try other styles like braids or updos.

I've used several...Aqua Net which was okay but flaky

Aussie InstaFreeze which has the best hold in the world (wind, rain and virtually bullet proof) but left my hair sticky and stiff

Got2be styltini gel spray which weighed my hair down and looked "clunky".

Do you have any suggestions?

 

[Paisley]

I like KMS hairspray. It held up during the hot summer we just had, where the Aussie failed me.

 

[desi_de_lu_lu]

Thanks Desi De-lu-lu, I love your bangs by the way...they are so cute. I don't do bangs well but it doesn't keep me from admiring everyone else's.
I'll try the hot-sticks right away...my sister has a set. Thanks again!

Thank you!

I am in the process of growing them out. It has taken me about 3 years! lol

Note: Those hot sticks get hot as hades! Be careful.

 

[retromom147]

Eureka...I may have found it!

Ladies I am SO Jazzed! I don't have a Sally's beauty supply here I have to drive to Denver for that and it's four hours...Yikes!!! But I did ask a new stylist at the Salon about setting lotion and she told me to go to Target where they had a large selelction for African American hair (thanks for that tip nyx) and she told me about a foaming wrap lotion. And guess what I found? The directions on the back are almost identical to the description a girl uses in a WW2 diary about doing her hair.

The Lotion is called Foaming wrap lotion by MOtions at home and there is a pomade to go with. I can't wait to try it tonight and get my hair in pincurls. Hope it works and I will post pics too...whether or not it works...if not we'll all have a good laugh!

Thanks everyone for the advice...I feel ready for battle. HUGS to all of you

 

[deadpandiva]

I'll have to try that also. I have ethnic hair and I never really knew about any of these products.

 

[retromom147]

I'll have to try that also. I have ethnic hair and I never really knew about any of these products.

I finally did a full head of pin-curls...it was my first time and they turned out so nicely! It was definetely the products I used!!!! Not only are my curls holding but I can actually run my fingers through them and my hair moves. I love it.

The setting lotion is by Motion at home and is called Foaming Lotion Wrap. It is AWESOME. Hope you have some luck with it too deadpandiva. I found it in the ethnic hair care isle of Target. Happy hunting.

IT comes in a see-through orange bottle with a purple dispenser and cap. Quick warning though....it doesn't smell unpleasent but you might want to put perfume on later...it is a bit "different" smelling.
I'll post pictures this evening!

 

[~*Red*~]

I finally did a full head of pin-curls...it was my first time and they turned out so nicely! It was definetely the products I used!!!! Not only are my curls holding but I can actually run my fingers through them and my hair moves. I love it.

The setting lotion is by Motion at home and is called Foaming Lotion Wrap. It is AWESOME. Hope you have some luck with it too deadpandiva. I found it in the ethnic hair care isle of Target. Happy hunting.

IT comes in a see-through orange bottle with a purple dispenser and cap. Quick warning though....it doesn't smell unpleasent but you might want to put perfume on later...it is a bit "different" smelling.
I'll post pictures this evening!

That's what I use too!! It's soooooooo nice and easy to use!! I love the foam, it makes applying seriously easy! And it makes the curls very nice! Glad it is working out so well for you too!

 

[retromom147]

That's what I use too!! It's soooooooo nice and easy to use!! I love the foam, it makes applying seriously easy! And it makes the curls very nice! Glad it is working out so well for you too!

Thank you Red, I know...isn't it GREAT!!! I'm so excited and I've been going out of my way to show it (my hair) off today...hehehe. Thank everyone here you are all so awesome! Btw...I will be posting my pics in the show us your hairdo thread this evening. Thanks again!

 

[PS]

Would you mind terribly telling how y'all are using the Motion? I picked some up tonight when I was at Sally's grabbing a rat and hair pins.

 

[~*Red*~]

I use it like a mousse.. dry or wet hair it works the same for me.