Getting My Head Back in The Hair Game

[GoingNatural]

I always say I never come into the hair forum because I learned what I needed to learn for my hair. But in actuality I just became lazy.

I started using high cone conditioners for everything--conditioner, cowashing, leave-in and although I have reached my desired length I do think my hair can be in MUCH BETTER shape.

I've started coloring my hair and I know my one-trick conditioner routine will no longer provide the utmost care for y hair.

So, I'm ready to "go hard" for my hair again. I want it to be much healthier which means I need to actually do something to better treat my scalp and actually consider the build up that the conditioner is leaving on my hair.

I will say I am CHEAP. I will not spend a lot for products, especially since I go through product VERY quickly.

So ladies, what say ye?
Shampoo Suggestions (Low/No-Sulfate)
Conditioner Suggestions (Natural or Low-Cone)
Leave in Suggestions (Not heavy/not sticky--I don't mind a bit of frizz)

P.S. Also, my biggest problem is the front of my hair hasn't been curling. I thought this was due to heat damage so I cut off most of the front so now I have weird bangs, but have any other curly/natural ladies experienced this?

 

[Sapphire_chic]

sorry wrong thread

 

[Nayna]

Since you use a lot of cones you definitely need a clarifying shampoo. I use a simple pantene clarifying one. Is the color in your hair permanent or semi permanent? If so you will need to add a bit of protein into your regimen. I have permanent hair color (highlights) so I keep a rotation of Aubrey organics white camelia and gpb. But I keep lots of things on hand. My regular poo and condish is from the giovanni smooth as silk line. These things aren't crazy expensive but they aren't quite cheapie things either.

As far as the looser hair thing, is it possible that it's due to your length? Like it's getting a little looser as it gets longer? Or do you pull your hair back often?

 

[BostonMaria]

Hey girlie, you are my curly girl inspiration!

I have a different texture in the front and my hair doesn't curl, mostly waves. Its been like that since day one. I "scrunch" the front when I apply gel to help it curl a little bit.

I know you say you don't deep condition, but it definitely makes a difference. If you are frugal, you can add coconut oil to a conditioner and let that sit on your hair for an hour.

 

[cch24]

I would try Tresemme Naturals conditioner for cowashing. It comes in a big bottle, you can get it at any drugstore/ Target/ Walmart, and it has a lot of slip without having cones.

Good luck on your return to your hair journey! Your hair is beautiful.

 

[NikkiQ]

What products are you using now?

 

[Barbie83]

As for sulfate free poos, try the Organix line (at CVS).....Coconut Milk is one of my faves

-also Elasta QP Conditioning shampoo is inexpensive, sulfate-free and VERY moisturizing!

Have u taken a peek into the Skala thread? Skala makes fantastic low- or no-cone leave-ins. The Avocado is a favorite, very moisturizing with little build-up (I use it under my tracks and have had no build-up issues whatsoever).

Hope you find something that works for you! I your hair!

 

[Miss_C]

Cosign on the Tresemme Naturals

 

[alive]

is that you in your siggie? your hair looks really healthy to me. What would you say is the max you'd spend on a shampoo / conditioner? Organix olive oil is about six bucks and. Very effective when used with heat for a DC

 

[calibella218]

FYI Be careful of the Tresseme Naturals Conditioner, especially if you use it as a leave-in. It contains isopropyl alcohol, which is very drying. If you do use this, I would not suggest leaving it in. For me, it caused dryness over time.

I also use Organix conditioners, they do have cones though.

 

[GoingNatural]

What products are you using now?

Right now I use HE Hello Hydration or HE Hydralicious.

Don't get me wrong I LOVE both of them because they are mositurizing. But I don't shampoo often and I know they coat my hair. I think my curls would pop more and become healthier without heavy cones sitting on them all of the time.

 

[GoingNatural]

FYI Be careful of the Tresseme Naturals Conditioner, especially if you use it as a leave-in. It contains isopropyl alcohol, which is very drying. If you do use this, I would not suggest leaving it in. For me, it caused dryness over time.

I also use Organix conditioners, they do have cones though.

Are they heavy? Do you feel it sitting on your hair and/or are they easy to wash out with a simple rinse or do you need to clarify often?

 

[GoingNatural]

is that you in your siggie? your hair looks really healthy to me. What would you say is the max you'd spend on a shampoo / conditioner? Organix olive oil is about six bucks and. Very effective when used with heat for a DC

Yes that's me. My hair is healthy but since I started straightening I've noticed more split ends and I've had issues with the curl pattern in the front of my hair. And I'm starting not to like the heavy cone use.

I've seen some good posts about Organix... I may try it. I'm worried about Olive Oil though. I know when I was transitioning my hair was not friendly with pure olive oil.

 

[GoingNatural]

As for sulfate free poos, try the Organix line (at CVS).....Coconut Milk is one of my faves

-also Elasta QP Conditioning shampoo is inexpensive, sulfate-free and VERY moisturizing!

Have u taken a peek into the Skala thread? Skala makes fantastic low- or no-cone leave-ins. The Avocado is a favorite, very moisturizing with little build-up (I use it under my tracks and have had no build-up issues whatsoever).

Hope you find something that works for you! I your hair!

I saw the Coconut Milk Organix at Ulta the other day and almost bought it. I just saw a thread about that shampoo and I am definitely going to purchase it.

I am about to search the forum about Skala. I will give it a try. Is it greasy? My test for leave ins is whether or not it will leave a mark if I lean my head against glass.

I would try Tresemme Naturals conditioner for cowashing. It comes in a big bottle, you can get it at any drugstore/ Target/ Walmart, and it has a lot of slip without having cones.

Good luck on your return to your hair journey! Your hair is beautiful.

Thank you I am going to look up TN but I am worried about the alcohol mention.

Hey girlie, you are my curly girl inspiration!

I have a different texture in the front and my hair doesn't curl, mostly waves. Its been like that since day one. I "scrunch" the front when I apply gel to help it curl a little bit.

I know you say you don't deep condition, but it definitely makes a difference. If you are frugal, you can add coconut oil to a conditioner and let that sit on your hair for an hour.

So you feel my pain!!! What DC's do you use? My hair used to love Coconut Oil. I may have to stop by Whole foods. I may go back to my no heat DCs. I used to do it every few months.

 

[GoingNatural]

Since you use a lot of cones you definitely need a clarifying shampoo. I use a simple pantene clarifying one. Is the color in your hair permanent or semi permanent? If so you will need to add a bit of protein into your regimen. I have permanent hair color (highlights) so I keep a rotation of Aubrey organics white camelia and gpb. But I keep lots of things on hand. My regular poo and condish is from the giovanni smooth as silk line. These things aren't crazy expensive but they aren't quite cheapie things either.

As far as the looser hair thing, is it possible that it's due to your length? Like it's getting a little looser as it gets longer? Or do you pull your hair back often?

The color is permanent. I am going to buy Aubrey GPB because as long as I've been into hair (about 5 years now) that name has continuously stayed in the forefront. I was online at vitacost.com earlier and the prices were decent. I've never used anything under Giovanni Direct-Leave in but I heard they changed their ingredients?

 

[cch24]

I'm not completely positive, but I think that isopropyl alcohol is used in conditioners to help dissolve the other ingredients. When used alone it can be very drying, but when combined with other chemicals/ ingredients it shouldn't have a long term effect on hair. I don't use regular conditioners as leave-ins, so I can't speak to that, but as a cowash conditioner it is wonderful.