I rotate between shampooing one week then co washing the next week with Giovanni 50/50 shampoo & conditioner. Deep condition twice a month with Giovanni Smooth as Silk as recommended in the Science of Hair Book. Dry my hair with a mirco fibre wrap then add anything from Camille Rose Whipped Aloe Butter, Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie or Giovanni Direct Leave ln and then seal with my homemade Whipped Shea Butter Mix or sometimes Coconut Oil. I Detangle with the Hercules Magic Star Seamless Comb on wash days. Then finger detangle in between washes
Use my homemade Spritz in between washes (Giovanni Conditioner, a little Jojoba Oil & Water).
But I will be honest now since my leave ins have water as the first ingredient I don't always spritz my hair with water first... Do you think this could be the culprit??
Here are the few things I would recommend. Long Post - so I bolded the main points. Let me know what you think!
1. I would stop using the coconut oil -
Straight coconut oil caused me SO much breakage. I stuck with it against my better judgement bc of that same study everyone shared about it reducing protein loss and hygral fatigue. Interestingly, mineral oil reduces hygral fatigue a few percentage points LESS than coconut oil (in that study).
It would make my hair seem “soft” (for a little), but break like in your picture. I don’t have a problem using products that contain it, only if the formulation is nice.
2. Maybe apply your products (leave ins specifically) on wet hair - On wash day, I find my hair retains the most moisture when I apply product to wet hair verses damp hair.
If products are in part used to slow water loss, you get more bang for your buck using them to create as moist an environment around your hair as possible. Applying product on damp hair may mean you are relying mainly on the water content found in the products only.
3. LCO/LOC - On wash day, since you have what looks like quality products (and in an effort to avoid spending tons of money on new products), you may try to use the Direct Leave In
(L) , followed by the Camille Rose Aloe Butter
(C) , & seal with your shea butter mix (or a lighter oil)
(O). The Shea Moisture is pretty heavy as is, so you can try Giovanni followed by only the Shea Moisture (no need for an oil or butter in that case). I think whoever came up with the LOC method was so smart/ observant.
4. Do you have to finger detangle between wash days? Maybe just finger detangle when fully remoisturizing & sealing during the week if at all during the week . I think that works for some people, but it may just be causing you more damage and dryness. Once I start taking down my protective styles after wash day, I lose the moisture I “locked in” a bit faster. I get more breakage messing with my hair a few days in a row.
5. New DC/Add Goodies to Your Current Conditioner - I don’t think the Giovanni Smooth As Silk Conditioner is a deep conditioner (unless you doctor it up with oils etc). I know it says deeper moisture in the title, but it reminds me of a more eco friendly but expensive Tresemme/drugstore conditioner. If you like Giovanni, Fro Bunni praised Giovanni’s Ultra Moisture DC (the green bottle) and a lot of videos on YouTube (old YouTube), praised it as well.