Hello everyone. I have to go back and read this thread all the way through. My regimen challenge was a fail of epic proportions. Also, I decided to join the jheri juice challenge, and that was a fail too. I like the benefits from using the juice (excellent at reducing breakage), but it does nothing in terms of keeping my ends from knotting. I also had a seriously bad build-up incident from the Jheri Juice that caused me to quit.
Also, I tried going back to Qhemet Biologics products. While I like QB, they are far too concentrated for my fine strands. After that I tried using straight shea butter (even though I've been known to have semi-allergic reactions to it-read: bad acne). I didn't break out, but I don't like how much I have to manipulate my hair. It ruins the little curl pattern I have, and gives me poodle hair. Still gives my hair the best definition after styling. However, it's too rich to use in my fine hair.
So, I went to Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In. Excellent moisturizer.
However...
I get small clumps in my hair, and when I rinse it out in the shower it makes my back itch.
I really can't win y'all. I've bee natural for almost three years, and I just can't win at the product game.
However....
I have completely defeated the manipulation game.
I know exactly how to treat my hair in order to get it to retain length. I have figured out a great routine for myself. I basically just prepoo dc with oil (my favorite being EVOO-my only staple). Then I wash my hair in sections in the shower. After I wash a section, I condition it and then finger comb it. After I finger comb, then I use my denman brush. My hair is thriving off of this. No more manual breakage. Gets all the shed hair out which in turn reduces knots. I'm loving it.
The shampoo and condition I'm using now is the Rosemary mint line by Suave. It's okay. No invigoration, but it gets the job done. After I'm finished with them, I want to find a shampoo that actually invigorates my scalp. However, I have 32 oz. bottles. By the time I finish them off, I will most likely be at a point where I don't care and just pick up more Suave.
And just to add...the one good thing about the Jheri Juice build-up incident is that it made me realize I haven't really been cleaning my hair. My hair feels much better now that I'm using a stronger shampoo. I'm also no longer going to be using glycerin in my hair. I just need to find a good moisturizer. Probably back to the black earth spray.