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It Actually Works! Products that Are Effective on Asian Hair

How to Beat the Curse of Unmanageable Asian Hair

By Anne Masuda, published Mar 24, 2006
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I don't know what it is, but there is something about Asian hair that makes it immune to hair care products such as straightening creams and sprays. Especially to all you Japanese girls out there, you know what I am talking about! We have thick, course, and hard hair that seem to have a mind of its own, that does not succumb to styling gels, creams, not even to curling/straightening irons - they just stay in original position you woke up in and in the same form. Needless to say, Asian hair is very unmanageable. Most of the products out there are for Caucasian, which is mostly fine and soft, and its accurate to say that Asian hair is a neglected type of hair in the hair care market.

Luckily, after much trials and errors, I have found a cure! Out of all the straightening products that I have tried in the past 5 years, there are only 2 products that live up to its claim - Wella's Straightaway from its System Professional line and Kiehl's Heat-Protective Silk Straightening Cream. Both make my hair straight as they claim, but the latter is slightly more effective.

Both have the same application procedures, which is to apply on damp hair and blow dry straight or to apply on dry hair for more control and shine. But for stubborn course hair like mine, I take it one step further to achieve a more effective result and I straight iron my hair after the product is applied (in addition to using it as directed on damp hair) As a result, instead of taking approximately 60 seconds to have each 1 inch section of my hair straightened if I were to attempt to straighten my hair without any products, each section of my hair will be straight in 10 seconds. As a bonus, it leaves my thick course hair soft and shiny. The difference is more drastic with Kiehl's straightening cream, which makes my hair "silk-like" as it promises. It's a miracle!

The draw back is that depending on the length and thickness of your hair, you may need to use large amount of products and from the costly, but small size of a bottle/tube in which they come. But like many other things in life, some things are just worth it.

Takeaways
  • Japanese hair is often times the thickest and most course out of all Asian hair
  • Depending on the length & thickness of your hair, you may need to use larger amounts than directed
  • Although it may be costly, finding effective hair care products is well worth the investment
Did You Know?
Many people think Asians have naturally straight hair, but in contrast most have natrurally wavy hair.
Comments
Comments 1 - 6 of 6
 
 
i have a curse of curly/ wavy hair thats frizzy and dry and greasy all at the same time. it sucks like hell. but i use sunsilk straighening shampoo and conditioner and the garnier fructis deep conditioner. then after all that i use aussie leave-in conditioner. with this combo, all i get it sorta wavy hair without frizz which is decent enough, only after i use a straighenner of course...

Posted on 06/20/2008 at 7:06:51 PM

 
My hair is oily, but still ok http://www.smoothearning.com

Posted on 01/05/2008 at 7:01:04 PM

 
My hair is oily, but still ok http://www.smoothearning.com

Posted on 01/05/2008 at 7:01:42 PM

 
Genevra sucks!

Posted on 08/29/2007 at 11:08:00 PM

 
I have the kind of coarse, straight Asian hair that goes static and has a mind of its own. It's long but I have these short "baby hairs" that stick up every where too. I use deep conditioning twice a week, conditioner for dry/coarse/thick hair daily and even a dab of olive oil before I go out and its still electric and dry! Soft and shiny Asian hair?! Yeah right! I'm adopted from Thailand so I don't know much about Asian hair. It doesn't help anything that I live in Denmark where most hair care products are for fine Scandinavian hair.

Posted on 03/24/2007 at 6:03:00 AM

 
As a full-blooded East Asian, I can say with confidence that my hair is quite manageable. My long hair is below waist-length, but there is zero need to spray my hair with hair gel, leave-in conditioner, whatnot to "tame" it. Good hair day, everyday. Thank you for your hair advice though.

Posted on 12/20/2006 at 1:12:00 PM

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