Narrowing it down..

[beana3]

Ok after a full year of excessive PJ binging.. I've narrowed down my core products and I cannot tell you how excited i am that the search is mostly over

Shampoo: Creme of nature
Moisturizing condit: PANTENE, yes allandra i love it!!

Reconstructor: CPR
Leave in: Motions Nourish
Styling/ multipurpose oil: WGO

My closet and wallet are thanking me for this! now if i can find a good deep protein treatment and a good daily moisturizer

NOTE: This is not stopping me from engaging in more pj binges.. This friday i'm purchasing the pantene relaxed and natural oil moisturizer, conditioner and wrap lotion, and kerecare silken seal... gotta have back ups ya know?

 

[Allandra]

Way to go Beana! Yes, a girl has got to have her backups.

 

[daviine]

Hi Beana---I have two questions:

So does that mean you are using the Pantene as a deep conditioner?

And what is the difference between a reconstructor and a protein treatment?

 

[Allandra]

Not Beana, but I don't think there's much difference in a reconstructor and a protein treatment. I'm using my L'anza Reconstructor today because I'm getting a relaxer touch up this weekend. Using this reconstructor is my protein treatment prior to my relaxer touch up.

I also use Pantene Smooth & Sleek Conditioner. IMO, it performs best when it's used for a few minutes only (without heat).

 

[daviine]

So you don't deep condition then. And that's great that you have a conditioner that performs so well for you without all of the maintenance. How long do you usually keep it in (you know I have a bottle here right?

)

 

[daviine]

Do you do a protein treatment as well after a relaxer or is that it for you as far as protein treatments are concerned?

 

[Allandra]

Yes, I do deep condition (when I do a protein (aka reconstructor) treatment, but I do not deep condition with Pantene Smooth & Sleek Conditioner. When I condition with Pantene Smooth & Sleek Conditioner, I keep it in for just a few minutes (while I'm still in the shower). Yes, I'm sure you have the bottle right there. The bottle does not indicate how long to leave it in.

Try it out, and see how it works on your hair. Give us a review once you've used it. Hopefully, you like it as much as some of us here at the LHCF do. If not, it's a cheapy, so you won't lose out on too much money. Have fun.

 

[Allandra]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
daviine said:
Do you do a protein treatment as well after a relaxer or is that it for you as far as protein treatments are concerned?

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, sometimes I do.

 

[daviine]

I wasn't really excited with it but I'm not sure what I did when I tried it. I still have the bottle in here and so I had planned to try it again when I have a fresh touchup. I got it on sale so all will not be lost.

 

[Allandra]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
daviine said:
I got it on sale so all will not be lost.

[/ QUOTE ]
Exactly.....And we all know that what works for one won't work for everyone.

 

[brownrelaxedhair]

I think I'm finally filling in the blanks too:

Protein: Aubrey Organics GPB

Moisturizing conditioner: Loreal Unfrizz, Kerastase Smoothing Mask, Mizani &amp; Moisture Plus (okay its not one but at least I have the key cores

Leave In: New Image Damage Free, Kiehls Silk Groom, Lanza Protecshine.....

okay I give up. I need to still work on ONE core product for each category

Funny when you see it in writing you realize your still a PJ...

 

[Leshia]

Yanno, speaking of this, I think I've narrowed things down as well. Now, this could all be a filthy lie, since I'm in braids, but let's just go with it, shall we?
I've narrowed down my products to, sheesh, now that I start to think about it, I use a lot of conditioners. Ohhhh, nevermind.

 

[beana3]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
daviine said:
Hi Beana---I have two questions:

So does that mean you are using the Pantene as a deep conditioner?

And what is the difference between a reconstructor and a protein treatment?

[/ QUOTE ]


Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you

I use the pantene as both a deep conditioner (30 mins mixed w/ olive oil under a plastic cap) and an instant condit, I use it when i've been disappointed with other condits as an instant softener. I think it works extremely well both ways. plus its cheap and easy to find.

As far as reconstructors, I believe that they can be used more often (weekly or bi weekly use) than deep proetin treatments. CPR and ORS mayo are reconstructors which leave my hair soft and have minimal amounts of protein in them.

Protein treatments are heavy duty and should be spaced apart to avoid overload and possible breakage FRom the treatment!! They have the potential to dry the hair out if not used exactly as directed and spaced a few weeks in between. Aphogee and emergencee are heavy duty IMO and it is absolutely necessary to follow up with a moisturizing condit, as opposed to reconstructors which can leave the hair soft and do not require and additional condit. HTH

 

[Lee]

I believe I also narrowed it down a notch.

My staples are Jheri Redding Protein Pac
Paul Mitchell Shampoo one for gentle cleaning (love this stuff)
Paul Mitchell Super Charge Moisturzing Conditioner
Mango Butter; and
Wild Growth Oil.

The PJ in me couldn't stop at that. I purchased online today C. Gray's Healthy Hair in a bottle. I hear good reviews about this oil. I'll give it a shot. Happy hunting for those of you who haven't found your steady nitches.

 

[butterscotch]

As a former PJ (2 years "clean"

), I have my regimens down to a science:

Primary
Nexxus Diametress
Nexxus Emergencee
Nexxus Humectress

Secondary
Motions CPR shampoo
Motions CPR conditioner

Tertiary
Nexxus Therappe
Dudley Q's DRC-28
Nexxus Keraphix

Unrefined 100% pure Coconut oil whenever needed.

I have three different regimens because when the bottle runs out, I just have to switch for fear that if I use a certain product for too long, it won't work as well after a few months (does thie happen to anyone else?)

 

[Kiadodie]

I have finally narrowed mine down too

:

Shampoos:
Lanza Protein Plus or Elasta QP Moisturizing

Conditioner:
ELucence Balance Moisturizing or
St. Ives Intensive Treatment

Protein Treatment:
Nexxus Emergence (once every other wash)
ORS Mayonaisse

Setting or Wrapping:
Lanza Straight Balm

 

[Paris Belle]

I'm still dying to try some other products (mostly conditioners though) but these are the basics:

EO hot oil treatment that my Mommy makes
Aphogee shampoo for damaged hair
I'm not sure about their Evening Primrose..It has 2 SLS' in it

but I will finish the bottle most likely or give it to my mom, she has braids.

Motions CPR (I looooovvvvvveeeee this conditioner)---the smell, everything about it. I have a huge container of it and have to stop myself from using it every week because I think I might be overdoing it.

Motions Moisture Plus (MM+) is my staple Moisturizing conditioner and their Protein conditioner is my staple protein treatment.

I also like Pantene Smooth and Sleek but will be using it for conditioner washes this summer. I really like to use this after a protein treatment.

I also use Aphogee's Moisture balance conditioner and their keratin reconstructor. I like both, but I don't deep condition with them. I use the reconstructor when I don't do a protein treatment (I did once and it was too much protein) before a deep condition and the other one after I'm done with all of my conditioning as a sort of rinse.

I also use Motions Oil Moisturizer and Pantene's Light conditioning spray as daily moisturizers. And I use a shea butter EO mix for a scalp and hair moisturizer as well.

Those are my staples. However, I'm still looking for an alternate moisturizing conditioner (deep condition). I don't want my hair to get used to MM+ that's why.

 

[Allandra]

I'm beginning to narrow it down, but I'm not quite finished yet.

 

[pebbles]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
I'm beginning to narrow it down, but I'm not quite finished yet.

[/ QUOTE ]

The same is true for me. I've found products that I will continue to use regularly, but I still like trying new things and discovering new products that will work for me.

 

[tc_333]

I love the motions line; well, everything except the relaxer (I would have to relax every month if I kept using the motions oil relaxer.) Add to that, wild growth oil and QH cholesterol, and you have my basic regimen.

 

[Jenai]

Hmmm....i have narrowed it down some, while still leaving room for the occasional new product every now and then. Hey, I'm a PJ...

 

[daviine]

Yay!!!

Someone else who likes QH Cholesterol!!!

 

[Lindy]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
daviine said:
Yay!!!

Someone else who likes QH Cholesterol!!!

[/ QUOTE ]


I used to SWEAR by that Queen Helene Cholesterol!! I think I may have to buy some and try it again. There was a time when I didn't use ANYTHING else but that as a conditioner. It was the only thing that made my hair feel soft and silky. I haven't used it in ages though!!

The reason I started using it is that one time years ago I had a hair emergency. I can't remember the reason why, but my hair was SOO tangled and I was so scared, I tried everything and nothing would untangle it. I put on a hat and went to a salon and boy was I surprised to see that the first thing they reached for to put in my hair was the Queen Helene Cholesterol!! And it worked great! So cheap, but so good!!!

 

[daviine]

I really like this stuff.....When we were little, we had a big 100 gallon jar in the bathroom

.....Anyways, when I started buying conditiones, there was no way I was going to try that played out conditioner....but I ended up trying it again a few months ago and I like it. I especially love to mix it with my not-so-exciting conditioners.

Thanks for sharing....I love to hear good things about QH Cholesterol.

 

[butterscotch]

Queen Helene....Thanks takes me back to those HUGE tubs of gel they used (?) to make with all the different colors.......I used to slap so much of that stuff in my hair, I couldn't even blink!