Protein vs. Moisture in Ur Cowash/DC Regime

[Rezgirl]

How do you determine what to use? Are you looking at what your hair needs at the moment or are you partial to moisturizing conditioners for cowashes and protein for d/c's? Or vice versa - protein for co wash and moisture for d/c? Does this make sense? I was reading sistaslick's articles and she says most cheapies like suave and v05 are protein and i see these are what many people are using for cowashing. And when you do a protein treatment are you using heavy duty protein like aphogee or something like cpr or ors? I was using the latter 2 as d/c but now it seems like I should only be using them 1x per month because their moderate protein. My head's spinning!

 

[gymfreak336]

I usually use moisturizing conditioners for cowashing but I will also use a protein conditioner. Things like ORS replenishing pack are light protein, and for me, they moisturize too.

In general, when I feel my hair getting too mushy and soft, I will use some protein. Sometimes, when I plan on cowashing, if I feel my hair being too mushy as I get it wet, I will use something like Joico Kpak conditioner which is a quick protein conditioner. You only leave it on for a minute. I then rinse that out and then go on with what I had planned. Or, I use a conditioner that has a touch of both like Herbal Essences Dangerously Straight. When I notice that my hair is too soft continuously, I will shampoo and do the whole shebang with protein and moisture.

 

[Rezgirl]

Ok, that makes sense.....anyone else out there have anything to add?

 

[feelfree]

you asked "Are you looking at what your hair needs at the moment or are you partial to moisturizing conditioners for cowashes and protein for d/c's?"

i look at what my hair needs.

i am protein-sensitive, so my default conditioners and DCs are moisturizing.
however, if i am noticing limp, mushy hair, i will use a light protein shampoo and then follow up with a moisturizing DC or co-wash with a cheapie like VO5. i no longer regularly co-wash with "The Cheapies" because they tend to contain too much protein for me.

i have yet to need a heavy protein. i have been stretching since April, and won't do heavy protein until it's time for my next touch-up.

 

[lexi84]

I look at what my hair needs. I only co-wash once per week and thats with a moisturizing conditioner ( I mixed Herbal Essence with Infusium Moisturology). I deep condition twice per week and thats always always always with my ORS mixed with porosity control. The only time I use protein is during my pre-poo. I alternate between Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor and Mane & Tail. I usually leave this on for about 30 minutes.

I like this better than doing the treatment after shampooing because my hair responds much better to proteins this way. And I've also noticed that I havent needed a "hard-core protein treatment" since I've been doing this. I think of it as a pre-emptive strike. I'm giving my hair slight jolts of protein to maintain an even playing field instead of heavy jolts of protein every 6 weeks and risking going over-board or not giving it enough.

Sure hope that makes sense!!!!

 

[Andy1979]

I only use moisturizing conditioners for co-washes and deep conditioners. The most I will do with protein is Joico K-pak for 5 minutes once/month