"It's technique not Product"

[Glamiam]

So I came across this youtuber (which I will not mention) who really got me thinking. Do we really need all the products that we buy and use in our hair? Do we really need 10 different conditioners to help retain length. I think that some times we give products too much praise instead of thinking that maybe its what we do to our hair(keeping it simple) and not what we use.

So I continued to watch this anonymous youtuber to see what her regimen was to retain her length (mbl) and surprisingly, she simply uses a cheap conditioner,( which she fails to mention because she doesn't advertise brands) airdries, and moisturize with EVCO.

Im not gonna lie, she made some real valid points in her videos that made me realize that maybe I don't need to waste my money on products like the 8 conditioners sitting in my bathroom..when just keeping it simple and using organic oils with protective styling is the key.

 

[Solitude]

I need, use, and love just about every last one of my hair products....I'm not kidding. "Oils" really don't do that much for me & I like to go out and look cute so I would never protective style every single day. I'm sure her points are valid as it relates to her hair, though. I do plan to cut back in 2011, but it's only to save money and space in my bathroom.

 

[Glamiam]

I need, use, and love just about every last one of my hair products....I'm not kidding. "Oils" really don't do that much for me & I like to go out and look cute so I would never protective style every single day. I'm sure her points are valid as it relates to her hair, though. I do plan to cut back in 2011, but it's only to save money and space in my bathroom.

Hmmm i feel you...I also don't like protective styling everyday.. unless its the winter time to protect my hair from the cold. But I know that I can reach my hair goal without protective styling but it will take longer than if I did ps.

 

[blessedandlucky]

I'm curious- why won't you mention the youtuber?

 

[arosieworld]

I think its a trade off.....My hair grows no matter what when I baby it, so if I am wigging it then it doesn't matter but when I treat my hair badly and wear it down all the time or use a lot of heat the quality of products make a huge difference....Also the quality of my conditioner really shows when my hair is straight so I use a better conditioner if I plan to do that......
I recently bought the joico line and I really think there is something to that PH thing and I have yet to find a cheapy that includes it.....

 

[Glamiam]

I think its a trade off.....My hair grows no matter what, when I baby so if I am wigging it then it doesn't matter but when I treat my hair badly and wear it down all the time or use a lot of heat the quality of products make a huge difference....Also the quality of my conditioner really shows when my hair is straight so I use a better conditioner if I plan to do that......
I recently bought the joico line and I really think there is something to that PH thing and I have yet to find a cheapy that includes it.....

I guess it all comes down to what works for some may not work for others. I actually tried her technique on Sunday. I co washed and did a hot oil treatment with evoo and evao. I didn't bother to use a ton of conditioner to dc or my regular leave in, and my hair felt sooo silky soft. Im just gonna continue to try her technique though and see if my hair changes.

 

[Ms Lala]

You have to use what works for you, some products may happen to cost more than others. I had super cheapie regimen when I was unemployed and my hair hated it. It didn't prevent my hair from growing or even retaining length but it didn't look or behave the same. Right now my regimen is not super expensive. I only have a few primary staples and they all are under $10 except for the kinky curly knot today which I rarely buy. Most of my products have multiple uses which I really like and my conditioners and moisturizers also act as good bases to be mixed w/oils and butter to my liking.

 

[imaccami]

I have shampoo, condish, the relaxer and neutralizer and that's it. I don't believe most people need a lot of products. I don't wear protective styles and my hair is now bra strap length, so it's working for me. I think some people do more harm than good with so many products.

 

[Vashti]

I think the Youtuber has a good point about technique over products and I try to always keep that in mind - "try" being the operative word here.

I don't see anything wrong with wanting use specific products that you feel work best for your hair but most women outside of hair forums aren't clued in to good hair care practices and I think that's who she's trying to reach and teach - if you are talking about who I think you are talking about. Most women think that they can do whatever to their hair and then if they just buy certain hair products that will be the end all and be all of their hair problems. No one is telling them what they need to hear. So they just spend a lot of money and get nowhere and wonder why their hair won't grow or do what they want it to do.

 

[Damaged but not out]

Simple is best.

Your hair isn't really identifying the 50 products we choose to use. It likes a particular component. Find that component or components and your golden.

 

[EbonyCPrincess]

Well...I have to agree AND disagree with that youtuber, and if she is who I am thinking of, is always a lil bit controversial in "knocking" what other hair gurus do in their vids.

I think many of us have the same basic regimens: wash, deep condition, moisturize and seal, and not abusing direct heat. However, if we deep condition with something that has too much protein or is not moisturizing enough, or use a product we "believe" to be moisturizing but doesn't actually work (i.e. Pink Lotion), or frequent washing with a sulfate shampoo that dries our hair out....um, no I don't care what technique you use, those products will not help you to retain length.

However I will say that sometimes we get caught up and get overly excited about using a trillion different products. Obviously different things work for different people; But I think for the most part, when we find that ONE magical product for a category, whether it be a moisturizer, shampoo or conditioner...stick to it! And are happy about the "discovery"!

 

[lolascurls]

Sure, length retention is 99% technique and 1% product.

However, certain products will help your technique better like a moisturizing conditioner that gives you great slip. Or, one that doubles as a detangler so you can gently remove shed hairs without breakage.

I believe cheaper products can work but I don't want to limit myself to just those! Styling-wise, as my hair grows out natural (I'm transitioning), I want to hone in on the products I can use to style in certain ways that are cheap and effective. (For example: I found a moisturizer for £1.99 that makes my hair softer and easier to detangle, but it smells....meh! So I try something nice smelling over it, that may cost a bit more).

The products are there to reinforce and aid your good practices!

 

[Solitude]

I have shampoo, condish, the relaxer and neutralizer and that's it. I don't believe most people need a lot of products. I don't wear protective styles and my hair is now bra strap length, so it's working for me. I think some people do more harm than good with so many products.

wait - you don't moisturize your hair or use any leave-ins? no serums or shine sprays? no deep conditioner? or do you use one conditioner to multi-task? no heat protectant?

Simple is best.

Your hair isn't really identifying the 50 products we choose to use. It likes a particular component. Find that component or components and your golden.

I think simple is best for some. I used to shampoo/conditioner/flat-iron once a week and wrap. With that "simple" regimen, my hair stayed above shoulder-length.

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

So I came across this youtuber (which I will not mention) who really got me thinking. Do we really need all the products that we buy and use in our hair? Do we really need 10 different conditioners to help retain length. I think that some times we give products too much praise instead of thinking that maybe its what we do to our hair(keeping it simple) and not what we use.

So I continued to watch this anonymous youtuber to see what her regimen was to retain her length (mbl) and surprisingly, she simply uses a cheap conditioner,( which she fails to mention because she doesn't advertise brands) airdries, and moisturize with EVCO.

Im not gonna lie, she made some real valid points in her videos that made me realize that maybe I don't need to waste my money on products like the 8 conditioners sitting in my bathroom..when just keeping it simple and using organic oils with protective styling is the key.

hey check out truthishair (on youtube)

i don't watch her much (or anybody really) but she is fantastic in explaining/showing retention without expensive products

also just check out celinastarr (on here) if u get a chance.... all that retention with little or no product

 

[Tamrin]

Who is the youtuber? Why is it such a big secret?

 

[wheezy807]

hey check out truthishair (on youtube)

i don't watch her much (or anybody really) but she is fantastic in explaining/showing retention without expensive products

also just check out celinastarr (on here) if u get a chance.... all that retention with little or no product

I think that's who she was referring to.

 

[imaccami]

wait - you don't moisturize your hair or use any leave-ins? no serums or shine sprays? no deep conditioner? or do you use one conditioner to multi-task? no heat protectant?

No, I don't use any leave ins or sprays. I don't DC and heat protectants work on temps higher than 370(I think that what it is, I read that little fact awhile ago so I may be off) and I flat iron at 350, so I don't use it.

 

[shunemite]

It's different strokes for different folks. If I can use an analogy, some people like me can eat more fast food than others and not gain much weight. That still doesn't mean that fast food is good for you though.

 

[arosieworld]

Ohhh you mean the number of different products..Sorry girl I'm late.... I only use shampoo and conditioner and DC. I have Protein-shampoo/Conditioner/DC and I use it for one week then I rotate to the Moisturizing-shampoo/Conditioner/DC of the same thing....I am trying to stick with this brand because my hair seems to like it but even when I buy other stuff its the same thing Shampoo/Conditioner/DC....I don't use heat stuff or hair spray or gels or leave-ins (yet I have been thinking about getting the giovanni leave in because its at the bargain store :/)

 

[Tiye]

Whoever she is she has a point. I have a lot of products by "off hairboard" standards (not a lot by hair board standards) but 99% of them I use on wig hair not on my own. On my own hair I use shampoo, conditioner (one brand), and castor oil or homemade pomade that is all. I make homemade deep conditioning treatments but I've never used a store bought one.

 

[Missjae09]

OP, I've have the same thought for some time now. there are several ladies on youtube who serve as inspiration for me in my natural hair care journey and the one thing I find they have in common is they are very careful with their hair and they all mosty use cheap products! lol ironically products I never thought to use on my hair because I always thought products made a difference. Maybe I should rethink that.

 

[Irresistible]

give me coconut oil, water, and a kcutter

and I can work it out

 

[Irresistible]

You have to use what works for you, some products may happen to cost more than others. I had super cheapie regimen when I was unemployed and my hair hated it. It didn't prevent my hair from growing or even retaining length but it didn't look or behave the same. Right now my regimen is not super expensive. I only have a few primary staples and they all are under $10 except for the kinky curly knot today which I rarely buy. Most of my products have multiple uses which I really like and my conditioners and moisturizers also act as good bases to be mixed w/oils and butter to my liking.

This is true, the basics and sticking to them, techniques and keeping it simple as opposed to using a ton of products and spending a ton of $$ might not make a difference in length retention but it might in other ways as you stated such as how your hair behaves , or feels. I spend too much on 3 items I won't give up

 

[iri9109]

i do like trying different products, but if it really came down to it, i know all i would need is water, a conditioner, 1 or 2 oils, and a sulfate-free cleanser...when i started my transition and after i BCd i bought sooo many products, and i didnt even really need them...i've simplified my reggie alot and my hair has thrived...

 

[Netta1]

My routine is simple. I used a shampoo and I oil when my hair is dry. Every now and then I use a leave in conditioner....

then again I have locs so....less is really best....

 

[silenttullip]

I agree... I use a mix of wheat germ oil, water, and a tad of myhoneychild type 3 for daily or bi daily moisture retention but for dc'ing I stick with aubrey organics or elucence and make sure not to go over 10 bucks for a product ever again not for my hair anyway. For shampoos chagrin valley has it on lock but I'm dabbling with BWC's shampoos/conditioners for more cost effective alternatives.

 

[darlingdiva]

It really is different strokes for different folks.

I have a lot of products in my bathroom cabinet, but I pretty much do & use the same things. I shampoo, DC & use the porosity control treatment. The only element of my routine (besides shampoo, which changes based on whether I need to clarify) that changes is the product that I use to twist my hair. I pick it by selecting a number from random.org (wonky, I know).

However, I don't agree with the "products don't matter" mantra. Products matter for my hair. Even when I was washing weekly, doing prepoos & always deep conditioning, my hair wasn't happy with the cheapie conditioners and the BSS conditioners & moisturizers.

Plus, I am not fond of having to add this, that and the other to products to make them work. It needs to already be formulated to work for my hair.

 

[keepithealthy]

My goal is to find the minimum amount of products that work for me and the simpliest reggie. Oh and I love you siggy

 

[Carisa]

It really is different strokes for different folks.

^Right. I think products and technique matter equally. Imho I don't think everybody (or even most people) could get away with using cheap products and although this may have worked for her that doesn't necessarily mean its for everyone. When I used cheaper products before my hair was not feelin it.

 

[levone]

I think it's often confusion between following a simple regimen and having tons of products. I love hair products, always have (pre-natural) always will...it's just fun for me (I enjoy styling hair as well). However, I don't use them all at once, lol and I do try to share with my family because it isn't good to have too much junk around.

My normal wash day would be shampoo, deep condition and style in two strand twists. That's three products for me (shampoo, conditioner and styler). I normally leave my twists in for two weeks and do nothing to my hair in between that time unless I spray it with a moisturizing mist or something but most times I don't need it. However certain products yield certain looks for me and I use when appropriate (defined twist out, long lasting twists, rod sets, etc.). Anyhow, as someone mentioned, you have to do what works for you and your hair.

After saying all of this, I will say in most cases it's BOTH technique and product for me.