Naturals!! Which is best 4 daily moisture-a butter/cream or leave-in?

[zzirvingj]

I am wondering, for those that have had experiences using leave-ins (conditioners) as well as butters/creams-which type of consistency of product did better on your natural hair?

I have been using my Aveda Elixir leave-in which as ya'll Aveda lovers know, is being discontinued. I was thinking about gettin Giovanni Direct as a replacement for when I run out of my Elixir. But now I'm thinking I might try something with a different consistency than a leave-in conditioner; I am thinking a butter or a cream might work even better in my thick, dense hair.

I was thinking I might switch over to Avocado butter or Qhemet whipped cream (is that what it's called?). What has your experience been with leave-ins versus butters & creams?

TIA.

 

[turnergirl]

Are you talking about the Qhemet Olive and Alma Cream? I think I have the name wrong also. I am a fellow Elixer devotee and I have been looking for about 6 months now for something to replace it. I really have not found anything yet. I am an obsessive co-washer so I really don't need anything but I would love to have something that works as well as Elixer did.

 

[glamazon386]

Bumping bc I'd like to know too...

 

[Cichelle]

I've used both. I am currently using butters instead of a leave-in. A couple of years ago, I used the Aveda Elixir and liked it, as well as Giovanni Direct. However, I find that butters work better for me, particularly avocado and hemp seed. I do not like shea butter or shealoe. The trick is finding just the right amount, which is often less than we think. But yeah, I've had great results using a natural butter right after cowashing and while my hair is still wet. YMMV, of course...but why not try it?

 

[zzirvingj]

Are you talking about the Qhemet Olive and Alma Cream? I think I have the name wrong also. I am a fellow Elixer devotee and I have been looking for about 6 months now for something to replace it. I really have not found anything yet. I am an obsessive co-washer so I really don't need anything but I would love to have something that works as well as Elixer did.

Yea, that is the one I'm thinking about. I've seen alot of naturals rave about that product.

 

[Country gal]

Castor Oil is a great moisturizer. It works really well on my hair. I also like Elasta Qp mango butter on wet hair.

 

[imstush]

I've used both. I am currently using butters instead of a leave-in. A couple of years ago, I used the Aveda Elixir and liked it, as well as Giovanni Direct. However, I find that butters work better for me, particularly avocado and hemp seed. I do not like shea butter or shealoe. The trick is finding just the right amount, which is often less than we think. But yeah, I've had great results using a natural butter right after cowashing and while my hair is still wet. YMMV, of course...but why not try it?

ITA avocado butter works great on my hair.

 

[cocomama]

ITA avocado butter is the truth! I just tried it this week and I love it as a daily mositurizer. Next I'll try it on wet hair as a leave in


P.S. It also feels great on my skin

 

[GirlywithCurlies]

It really depends on your hair and what you like. If I'm co-washing I generally use a few sprays of Jane Carter's leave-in followed by a dollop of Kinky Curly Curling Custard. But when I do my weekly washes I use Giovanni Leave in followed with whatever butter I'm obsessed with at the moment for more moisture. Right now its Miss Jessie's Buttercreme.

I have really thick course strands though, so just a leave-in would never be enough for my hair to be fully moisturized. I need the leave-in, moisturizer and an oil for my hair to look its best. However, I know fine-haired naturals who can get away with just a leave-in.

Trial and error is all part of the fun!

 

[zzirvingj]

It really depends on your hair and what you like. If I'm co-washing I generally use a few sprays of Jane Carter's leave-in followed by a dollop of Kinky Curly Curling Custard. But when I do my weekly washes I use Giovanni Leave in followed with whatever butter I'm obsessed with at the moment for more moisture. Right now its Miss Jessie's Buttercreme.

I have really thick course strands though, so just a leave-in would never be enough for my hair to be fully moisturized. I need the leave-in, moisturizer and an oil for my hair to look its best. However, I know fine-haired naturals who can get away with just a leave-in.

Trial and error is all part of the fun!

I think this may be the case with my hair, too! I've been using a leave-in and that's basically it for God only knows how long. I've never tried alot of different moisturizers to "really" find out what works best for me. But I'm on a challenge to find a combination that works for me.

I tell you, I am 4 and 1/2 years into my natural hair "journey" and am ALWAYS learning something new!

 

[bLackButtaFly]

I'm really thinking of jumping aboard the avocado butter train, but I gotta finish some stuff I already have first. I've been using the healthy hair butter from CD's. It's alittle pricey, but I've tried other stuff, and nothing quite gives me the same moisture without the weight of other products.

 

[mkstar826]

I've been wearing box braids lately and I rinse them in the shower daily. After that I get out and either apply castor oil by itself or spritz them with diluted Aveda Brilliant conditioner and follow with Aveda Universal styling creme. the results from both methods.

 

[stargazer613]

I use a combination of a creamy leave-in and butter. Lately, It's been Elucence Mb or Trader Joe's Nourish Spa follwed by avocado butter/(or avocado oil/jojoba oil/coconut oil) or Qhemet's Sidhr Tree Butter Balm. Qhemet's moisturiziers are great for natural hair!

 

[glamazon386]

For the ladies who are using creamy leave ins how do you get the product to sink into your hair? Whenever I apply my leave in condish I get white crap all over my hair. It just kind of sits on top with the water. I didn't want to rub it in bc it would make my hair frizzy. It usually dries white but that could take hours. I don't want to go out with white goop all over my hair. Am I using too much? Or should I not apply stuff to soaking wet hair?

ETA: I've been using Giovanni Direct lately. I've used Cantu Shea Leave In. I used Humectress this morning and it did the same thing but I noticed on the bottle it said to use it as a leave in to apply to DAMP or DRY hair.

 

[Nefertiti0906]

I've used both. I am currently using butters instead of a leave-in. A couple of years ago, I used the Aveda Elixir and liked it, as well as Giovanni Direct. However, I find that butters work better for me, particularly avocado and hemp seed. I do not like shea butter or shealoe. The trick is finding just the right amount, which is often less than we think. But yeah, I've had great results using a natural butter right after cowashing and while my hair is still wet. YMMV, of course...but why not try it?

I just ordered the Avocado and Hemp seed butters. I really hope they work on my hair. Can't wait to try them, I get them this week

 

[zzirvingj]

For the ladies who are using creamy leave ins how do you get the product to sink into your hair? Whenever I apply my leave in condish I get white crap all over my hair. It just kind of sits on top with the water. I didn't want to rub it in bc it would make my hair frizzy. It usually dries white but that could take hours. I don't want to go out with white goop all over my hair. Am I using too much? Or should I not apply stuff to soaking wet hair?

ETA: I've been using Giovanni Direct lately. I've used Cantu Shea Leave In. I used Humectress this morning and it did the same thing but I noticed on the bottle it said to use it as a leave in to apply to DAMP or DRY hair.

EXCELLENT question!!! I have the SAME PROBLEM!!! I notice it's not as bad when I am applying the product to DAMP hair instead of SOAKING WET hair...

 

[SignatureBeauty]

I have to use a Spray Leave In, I have tried creams and they just don't work for me at all, they feel to heavy, I use Biolage Daily Leave In Tonic, I use to could use Qhemet Heavy Cream but it stopped working for me. But ya'll are really making me want to use some of this Avacado Butter LOL!! I might have to buy some next week LOL!!!! Because Shea Butter just don't work for me at all, to me it is greasy & heavy like mineral oil/petroleum the water just beads off LOL!!!! Now I know some Love shea butter but it is just not for me.

 

[GirlywithCurlies]

For the ladies who are using creamy leave ins how do you get the product to sink into your hair? Whenever I apply my leave in condish I get white crap all over my hair. It just kind of sits on top with the water. I didn't want to rub it in bc it would make my hair frizzy. It usually dries white but that could take hours. I don't want to go out with white goop all over my hair. Am I using too much? Or should I not apply stuff to soaking wet hair?

ETA: I've been using Giovanni Direct lately. I've used Cantu Shea Leave In. I used Humectress this morning and it did the same thing but I noticed on the bottle it said to use it as a leave in to apply to DAMP or DRY hair.

Bmoreflyygirl - I usually apply Giovanni Direct to damp, not wet hair. I think the key to using it effectively is starting with a little bit for each section and working your way thru the hair to ensure proper coverage. I'm really heavy-handed with product so the first time I used it I poured out a handful and got to work - needless to say there was white crap everywhere! I use a dime-size to quarter size for each section. Try it and let me know how it turns out!

(Completely off-topic: what do you use to smooth down your hair like that? Its absolutely beautiful!!!)

 

[turnergirl]

Is this Giovanni Direct everyone speaks of comparble to Elixer? If so where can I get it?

About the white product stuff in the hair, I never have that. i always apply it directly to soaked hair. I just rub the product in my hand well and then rub it down the legnth of my hair with both hands. I kinda smooth it in on both sides and keep going. I don't use a lot so maybe that is why I never have white clumps. I use Cantu regularly and I never have that problem.

 

[stargazer613]

For the ladies who are using creamy leave ins how do you get the product to sink into your hair? Whenever I apply my leave in condish I get white crap all over my hair. It just kind of sits on top with the water. I didn't want to rub it in bc it would make my hair frizzy. It usually dries white but that could take hours. I don't want to go out with white goop all over my hair. Am I using too much? Or should I not apply stuff to soaking wet hair?

ETA: I've been using Giovanni Direct lately. I've used Cantu Shea Leave In. I used Humectress this morning and it did the same thing but I noticed on the bottle it said to use it as a leave in to apply to DAMP or DRY hair.

The only creamy leave-in that did this to my hair was Cantu Shea leave-in...it would leave white stuff all over my hair, and I would have to rinse or rewash my hair to get it outerplexed. But Elucence MB, Trader Joe's Nourish Spa and Giovanni Direct just kind of melt into my hair, and I apply them to soaking wet hair. I would suggest reducing the amount you use next time to see if that makes a difference. HTH

 

[glamazon386]

Thanks ladies! I'll try and use less of it. And I'll try it on damp hair too.

Bmoreflyygirl - I usually apply Giovanni Direct to damp, not wet hair. I think the key to using it effectively is starting with a little bit for each section and working your way thru the hair to ensure proper coverage. I'm really heavy-handed with product so the first time I used it I poured out a handful and got to work - needless to say there was white crap everywhere! I use a dime-size to quarter size for each section. Try it and let me know how it turns out!

(Completely off-topic: what do you use to smooth down your hair like that? Its absolutely beautiful!!!)

Thanks! Did you mean for my bun that was in my siggy yesterday? My hair does that when it's wet. It doesn't really matter what I use. The bun I did on dry hair with blue fantasia gel. I just combed it through (my hair was already pretty stretched from the puff) until I could get it all slicked back into my ponytail holder. Then I went over it with my brush.

It usually holds better and is easier to do on wet hair but I did that after I took my puff (which I did on dry stretched hair with aloe vera gel) down the other day. I didn't feel like rewashing. The blue fantasia gel works good for me but after trying the aloe vera gel the other day, I think I like that better and will be using it from now on. It doesn't have those little gummy things like the fantasia gel does.

 

[GirlywithCurlies]

Thanks for the tips!! I'll try to remember this for when I take down my braids.

 

[SEMO]

I've used both a leave-in conditioner and butters/creams, and to me which one I use depends on what I plan on doing with my hair. If I'm just going to put my hair up in a ponytail for a few days (after washing) then I will probably use a cream/butter for moisture. But if I'm wearing it down and plan to cowash soon then I use a leave-in.

To me it's easier to cowash out a leave-in rather than a cream/butter and my cowashes turn out a little better.

But the cream/butter is a more long lasting as far as moisture goes (which is what I need if I don't plan to rewash for a week).

Either method leaves my hair feeling pretty moisturized, and I always seal the ends with oil regardless of the method.

 

[Vshanell]

I like cream moisturizers or butters better than leave-in's. The leave-in's never seem to give me enough moisture. I really like Giovanni and Elucence but it's not enough moisture to me. A creamy moisturizer like Qhemet's Heavy Cream, Oyin's Whipped Pudding or a butter like Avacado butter work much better for me as far as moisture.

 

[babyblue]

I have much better moisture retention when I apply a leave in-conditioner on damp hair and seal it in with an oil based lubricant. My favorite combo is usually a creamy leave-in (ex.giovanni direct leave in or elucence moisture balance) sealed with a quarter size amount of castor oil. The moisture levels last days longer as opposed to just using one or the other.

 

[tastesosweet]

Miss Jessie's Curly Buttercreme works really well for me as a daily conditioner. I also like Aveda's Humectress, but it has been awhile since I've used that product.

 

[jwhitley6]

The only creamy leave-in that did this to my hair was Cantu Shea leave-in...it would leave white stuff all over my hair, and I would have to rinse or rewash my hair to get it outerplexed. But Elucence MB, Trader Joe's Nourish Spa and Giovanni Direct just kind of melt into my hair, and I apply them to soaking wet hair. I would suggest reducing the amount you use next time to see if that makes a difference. HTH

This only happens to me when I get too fancy and put too many different products in my hair....for instance, IC Sparklites + creamy leave-in. When I use it alone, it's great. Maybe you're using too much product....I've learned that more is not necessarily better.

 

[jwhitley6]

I also like Redken All Soft Heavy Cream and L'occitane Shea Butter Conditioner as leave-ins. I certainly prefer creams to liquid leave-ins because my hair is very thick in it's natural state and creams give me more styling control and curl uniformity.

I'd like to try Kinky-Curly Curling Custard.

 

[youwillrise]

i was thinking of trying aubrey organics honeysuckle rose conditioner
along with some vegetable glycerin added - and trying that as a leave-in

have any of you used the honeysuckle rose as a leave-in?

i've never used the conditioner AT ALL...so i'm hoping it works for me. my hair does well with glycerin...i know that (s-curl really moisturizes my hair, but i'm trying to go more natural as far as products go)

i have tried any butters
although i've been thinking about it

 

[Dare~to~Dream]

I have much better moisture retention when I apply a leave in-conditioner on damp hair and seal it in with an oil based lubricant. My favorite combo is usually a creamy leave-in (ex.giovanni direct leave in or elucence moisture balance) sealed with a quarter size amount of castor oil. The moisture levels last days longer as opposed to just using one or the other.

Ditto...I use a creamy leave-in and seal with jojoba oil...works for me. For daily maintenance, I do use my mango butter mix on the length (mainly focusing on the ends).