I have long, thick, straight hair and lately I've been having problems keeping it looking (and feeling) soft and healthy. Granted, I haven't had a hair cut in nearly a year I'm sure, and I know I need to I just haven't had the time. Lately I get this sticky residuey feeling at my roots at the top of my head, and I noticed some dandruff also. I have tried every shampoo under the sun- garnier, pantene, suave, even more expensive stuff like biolage. This week I switched to head & shoulders after I noticed the dandruff. I also used a Burt's Bees Deep Moisturizer today which helped the ends but my roots still feel sticky. I use a clear cleansing shampoo about once a week or so to get rid of any buildup. I also blow dry my hair every day (except for on the weekends). I don't use any hair sprays, mousses, etc., and I do not dye my hair. I tend to be pretty oily also.
What products or regimens do you use that you love? I'm looking for a miracle product here!! I'm tired of wasting money on crappy shampoos that suck, and products that accomplish nothing. Help!
I would definitely get a cut - will really make a difference. In the meantime, I would try to limit the drying and just rinse if you can vs. wash everyday. One thing that will get the residue off really well is white vinegar. Rinse with it in the shower (smells icky, but works)....
my niece has a degree in Biology. She swears by this:
make a paste of water & baking soda. It neutralizes the oils when you rub it into the root areas of your hair.
Rinse with a mix of watered down apple cider vinegar. Then rinse again with lots of water.
She mixes all of this before getting into the shower....& I have to admit that her hair always looks fantastic & smells wonderful! She also uses just a dab of conditioner once or twice a week...just on the ends. Good Luck!
Don't wash every day!! And the blow drying is probably killing your hair. I would recommend staring fresh. Get a haircut, cut off all the split ends!!!!! And i have really thick long hair and i swear by Biosilk, silk therapy.
I henna my hair once every 6-8 weeks and I stopped using commercial dye. It was frying my hair.
When I henna I mix it up with vinegar. My hair and scalp love vinegar.
I don't blow dry, curl or straighten my hair (nothing that heats it up).
I trim split ends (well I use to but since I began to henna my hair I don't get split ends anymore).
I wash it every other day and let it air dry.
When I condition I only condition the part that would be part of a pony tail - I don't put conditioner anywhere near my scalp.
I braid it at night so it doesn't get tangled up while I sleep and I put it up during the day using African hair clips or hair sticks.
I don't have particular shampoos/conditioners I use all the time but since I stopped doing things that damage my hair I use a lot less conditioner than I use to.
I second the apple cider vinegar wash. I just started it about a month ago and my hair has never been more shiny! Its super soft, and not as oily. Use your favorite brand of shampoo and conditioner, then about 1 cup vinegar to 3 cups warm water. (thats what i do) Rinse that through your hair and let it soak for about 10 minutes. AMAZING! It works! and it is WAY less expensive than anything else!
a cut with proffesional products goes a LONG ways. Before my son, I could just use Tresseme but those lovely hormones changed how my hair reacts to things. So after a lot of trial and errors (I would suggest getting a lot of samples, which is what I did so I didn't end up spends tons) I found that Nexxus works best with my hair. I found that sample at Target with a shampoo/conditioner/hairspray for $8. That sample lasted me 2 1/2 weeks. I love the stuff!! It give me amazing shine! silky hair, and I have curly short hair. I really can't wait till my hair grows out and see how it reacts then!
I do use Bed Head for my products and I love them too. I would suggest their thermal protector since you blow dry your hair everyday.
I had problems with my hair feeling soft and looking healthy. A hair cut was the first step for me. Then, I stopped using shampoo and conditioner. I use one tablespoon baking soda in one cup of water. Rub that on your scalp. It will neutralize the oils. Rinse with one tablespoon apple cider vinegar in one cup water. I don't wash everyday and my hair has never looked or felt better.
I take Biotin for healthy hair and it is wonderful and makes my hair grow like crazy, (my hair was previously falling out thin and grew very slowly) but it has made a huge difference in my hair overall. My hair dresser likes the Moroccan Oil products, and recommends them, I plan on switching when I run out of the last product she gave me to try, which is Argean oil by DermOrganics which I LOVE! they have a shampoo conditioner and oil that are amazing, all organic and without the harsh and drying chemicals. but my hair is super soft and silky. If you are washing daily it may be to much, causing dryness which will over stimulate your scalp causing it to produce more oil. The Vinegar rinse sounds like a great idea to try, Good luck!
I get a cut every month.Wash it daily with a seperate shampoo & conditioner,I use the hair dryer daily with the flat iron so I use a thermal protection cream.I do dye my hair for the past year now but it isn't with Ammonia.I would try a claryifiying shampoo wash then rinse then repeat,followed by a deep conditioing treatment don't blow dry afterwards & don't use a brush use a wide tooth comb when hair is wet,either let air dry with ir down or do a light pony tail.Get a good haircut for yourself
I agree w/the baking soda and vinegar rinses. My hair is super fine (thick, but fine) and it too was getting REALLY dried out and icky looking. I switched to Nexus Dualiste (got it at Target, which was cheaper than Wal-Mart but Wal-Mart has it too). I got the one for color-treaeted and intense moisture and it made my hair feel better after the first use. I also bought their spray on conditioner to use w/just the ends too - LOVE it! They are about $9/$11 or so. But you just need one pump so they last awhile. Good luck!!
It's not cheap, but I LOVE ovation hair therapy: www.ovationhair.com and I swear by ALL the Kerastase products: www.kerastase.com - they have all kinds of stuff for every hair type. I have been through 3 pregnancies and gone through the hair loss and have gotten beautiful hair back because of the two products mentioned above. I get compliments on my long, thick hair daily. But, yes, I spend a lot and feel like it's totally worth it - especially after spending a lot of money on products that didn't worki.
