Curly Hair

Do you use leave-in conditioner or cream? That can really help with keeping your hair moisturized. I think not having enough moisture is why your hair feels dry/frizzy/hay-like. You can try adding in a deep conditioner, Shea Moisture has a manuka honey deep hydration masque you could try. If that doesn't help, there might be too much protein in your products (your hair might feel stiff, tangly, sticky, and brittle if this is the case). Too much protein is fixed by clarifying to get rid of the protein buildup and then using different products with less protein or a different protein in them or no protein if your hair doesn't need it. Fine and high porosity hair generally can benefit from some protein, you don't need it in every product when you're first starting.

How is your hair's elasticity? You can test this by when you stretch it, does it bounce back (normal), doesn't stretch / snaps (need more moisture), does not bounce back when stretched (need more protein). Also how long is your hair? If it is long, your hair might be weighed down by the weight so that's why it doesn't curl the first few inches, this can happen with fine hair. Stringiness while wet sounds normal.