I have similar hair and also have had my hair changing through my life. With curl when born, straight by 7, curls came back with a vengeance at about 14 then I waited for another change at 21 Didn't happen and I have been trying to *work* with curly hair since. I have only really accepted it, it really used to freak me out to realise I was a curly haired person!

Advice from my experience, find a really good hairdresser! In 35 years of getting haircuts I have only found 2 hairdressers who get my hair and they have delivered me such relief! I try to follow their advice about hair care where practical.

That said I agree with krystals advice, I have just discovered the shampoo twice trick and used to be guilty of using too much conditioner. It has made such a difference to turn this on its head!

I also try to avoid towel drying my hair too much and leave it as wet as possible with all the curls in place. It takes much longer to dry but all the curls tend to stay in place much better.

I have also found that I need to swap products and shampoos regularly as my hair gets sick of them and refuses to cooperate. A change usually brings it back into line!

I'm glad you asked this though as I have always wondered what the problem is with Pantene after a hairdresser reeled in horror when I mentioned I used it. I thought he was just trying to sell me his products so was a bit suspicious. (he was not my regular *sent from above* hairdresser, just someone setting my hair for a special occasion.