What is what to do when your hair is curly underneath and straight on top?

Okay, here's information about dealing with curly underneath and straight on top hair, formatted in Markdown with the requested links:

It's a common frustration: gorgeous curls hiding underneath while the top layer of your hair refuses to cooperate and stays stubbornly straight. This happens for a few reasons:

• Hair Porosity & Damage: The top layer is often more exposed to environmental damage like sun and heat styling. This can alter the hair's porosity, making it harder for the hair to retain moisture and encouraging it to stay straight. Learn more about hair%20porosity.
• Product Application: You might be applying products unevenly, weighing down the top layer with heavy products meant for curl definition.
• Hair Weight: The weight of longer hair can pull down the roots and top layers, inhibiting curl formation.
• Cutting Technique: A haircut that isn't designed for curly hair can contribute to this problem. Long, heavy layers on top can stretch out the curls.
• Scalp Oil Distribution: Oil from your scalp naturally travels down the hair shaft. If you have a lot of oil production, it can weigh down the hair closer to the scalp causing it to become straighter.

Here's what you can do:

1. Assess Your Hair: Consider consulting a stylist experienced with curly hair. A good stylist can diagnose the underlying cause and suggest a tailored solution, perhaps a haircut%20for%20curly%20hair designed to encourage curl formation on top.

2. Lightweight Products: Switch to lighter styling products, especially for the top layer. Foams, mousses, or lightweight gels can define curls without weighing them down. Focus heavier, moisturizing products on the curls underneath. Explore lightweight%20hair%20products.

3. Root Clipping/Lifting: Use root clips or bobby pins while your hair is drying to lift the roots and encourage volume and curl formation on top.

4. Plopping/Microplopping: Plopping your hair after washing can encourage curl formation. Try microplopping the top layers more frequently.

5. Diffusing: When diffusing, focus on the roots first to lift them and set the curls. Use a low heat setting to minimize damage. More on diffusing%20curly%20hair.

6. Clarify Regularly: Buildup from products can weigh down the hair. Use a clarifying shampoo regularly to remove buildup.

7. Deep Condition: Regularly deep condition your hair, especially the top layer, to improve its moisture levels and elasticity.

8. Avoid touching your hair: Try not to touch your hair while it is air drying. Touching your hair while wet can disturb the curl pattern.