Well, I know it's not long by any means, but it will be soon.  This is my hair completely air-dried, I really hate the way it looks, but it's probably this way because it's so damaged from washing, blowdrying with a round brush yanking it straight then a ceramic hair straightener everyday and on top of that, dying it three times with permanent, cheap at-home hair dye, my hair has been through a lot.  I'm going to let it grow out and keep nipping off the damaged parts until it gets to the good, healthy stuff.

My hair is curly the last two inches and semi-wavy mostly straight in the back.  (Sorry for the large pics, I tried to scale them down, but it didn't work)
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l185/Dannah11/AUT_4736.jpg
And the back.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l185/Dannah11/AUT_4737.jpg
This is my hair when I torture it...
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l185/Dannah11/100_3230cd.jpg
Makes me want to keep doing that because I like the way my hair looks, but not at the risk of frying my hair anymore than it is.  Actually, I have come on these forums many times looking at pictures of others long, beautiful hair and it keeps me away from the hot stuff.  I don't mind suffering now and getting nice hair later, than having to depend on keeping it up and the more you do it, the more you need it.

You have very pretty hair, and once it gets a bit longer, the waves will be beautiful!  I understand how you currently feel about your hair.  Give it time to grow out.  Take gentle care of it now.  You might find that using shampoo/conditioners with -cones helps with the control during the difficult growing out period.  Just remember to clarify regularly so the product does not choke your hair and starve it of the moisture it needs.

I didn't mention it, but although it looks dry and course, it's actually quite soft to touch since I've been putting in natural hair treatments like hot soy oil+jojoba and avocado+majo deep treatment.  So, if you can believe it, my hair has improved A LOT in just over a month of proper care.

Excellent!  The oils and treatments will pay off in the long run.  

Working with your waves during the awkward growing out phases will probably be your biggest challenge.  Good luck!

wow your hair looks so healthy i lov the bounce, if u see mypics my hair is so flat and straight sigh*

I would LOVE to have straight hair like yours Rainbow!  I played around with my hair this morning with some cheap gel I got from the health food store called Mill Creek, I like it.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l185/Dannah11/Picture034.jpg

Defines my curls a little more, but I don't like having to wash my hair everyday now, and when I put gel or other products in my hair I feel like I need to.

oh my gosh that is the exact curl i want (going green with envy!), your hair looks great with curl!!!

I can imagine it longer just ringlets falling all over the place gosh you will look so special and glam!!

Your hair is beautiful!  Hair does respond to nice treatment, doesn't it?

I love the curl!

Lynn  :)