Hi!  I'm thinking of curling my hair for my mom's wedding in June (using curlers, not a curling iron, of course!) and I need a little advice.  My hair is fine and thick, past my waist and very slippery with just a tiny amount of wave to it, which means that it doesn't always hold a style well.  I really want to be able to show off my length and do something special with it at the same time.  I assume that the wedding pictures will be outside, and I want to make sure that my tangly hair is not a mess before or after the pictures.  Can anyone recommend a gel or a light hairspray that will help me hold a style without making my hair too sticky?  I haven't used hairspray in years, but it might be a necesary evil this once.  I also doubt that I can find curlers big enough for my hair, so I'm planning on curling as much of the length as possible, and then clipping back the top part.  If anyone has any suggestions I'd be happy to hear them!  Thanks!

I've used aloe vera gel as a setting gel with pretty good results.  My hair is also very fine and flyaway.

I've gotten the best results with hair that is not 1st day clean.  I oiled it at least once, then I would coat my hands with the gel and run my hair thru my hair as I am rolling it.  If your hair is slightly damp, that too can help.

Hi.  I have thick hair also, and although it isn't super long the weight can pull out curls.  My suggestion is to use dirty hair, take each section to be curled and lightly spray with Biosilk Finishing Spray Natural Hold by Farouk Ststyems USA, roll onto curler and when the whole head is finished, spray all over.
Leave in until hair is dry (you may want to wet one hand and run it down the length of each section you're rolling to control the hair which will make it slightly damp) and then carefully unroll.  Respray where needed.
I love this hairspray-it gives a soft hold so you won't have harsh curls or stickiness.  When you're ready to take down your do, try finger combing from the bottom up, and then take a wide tooth comb and comb again from bottom up before getting your hair wet.  Then wash as usual.

Good Luck!!!!!