Shampoo, Conditioner, etc?

My apologies if I missed other threads of this nature.

I've been coloring my hair for almost 35 years now. The grey has gotten to the point where I'm coloring now about every five weeks...I'm not ready to be all-grey (yes, I'm vain and I'm simply not ready yet). As a result (and I think from the shampoos, conditioners, etc. too and blow-drying), my hair has gotten really dry and conditioning the heck out of it isn't really working.

I should mention, too, that I tend to wash my hair every day, although I'm really trying to wash only every other day...on weekends, I try not to wash it at all. I really hate washing it....it's all I can do to get a comb through my hair even after it's been freshly washed. It's very tangly, coarse, and just plain a mess. Without blow-drying, it has no shape at all. So I wash, condition, mousse, and blow-dry. And go. That's all I have time for in the morning.

I deep condition about every 7 to 10 days.

I also have terrible bed head....my hair is always very flat when I get out of bed and that's probably why I wash it so often, too. Not really because it's dirty, but because I can't do a thing with it being so flat and lifeless. Actually I can't do much with my hair at all.

The length is right around the top of my shoulders, very thick, although I do think it's starting to thin now, too. I had posted my picture awhile back...my hair is an auburn color, although it's quite mousy brown naturally. It's trimmed about every 8 weeks or so.

Maybe I need a better shampoo and conditioner?

Stop with the shampoo! I have thick curly hair. I heard about this for years. I finally gave it a try. It took about 2 weeks for my hair to adjust. It was dry first then greasy and now it's as if I do shampoo. I put conditioner in after I wash my face before anything else, put it in a bun and then rinse when I am done everything else. I use Tresseme moisture rich as a leave in. I have for over 20 years.

Mom swears by Finesse for color treated hair.

I wrote a long long post, and lost it..... So.... I won't do it again.... Sorry....
2 Lines LOVE LOVE to die for: Wen, for conditioning washing - you can get it at QVC (you CAN do conditioning washing with something else, and I have done it for years, but nothing compares to Wen IMHO). You have to get the Gallon.

Activ8 - this is a line I developed and brought to the market - it is freaking unbelievably amazing, I can't live without it - tons of volume at the roots, baby soft hair!!
http://www.bigdaddybeauty.com/p-5932...anse-85oz.aspx
http://www.bigdaddybeauty.com/p-5933...mpoo-85oz.aspx
http://www.bigdaddybeauty.com/p-5934...tion-85oz.aspx

What you are describing is hair that is over-processed; if so shampoo and conditioner won't be the answer you're looking for. Hair color lifts for the first 15-20 minutes after applying, this opens the cuticle so the color can go in (this is when the hair is damaged). After that time, the color starts depositing only.

You want to avoid the older hair being lifted and damaged again and again each time you have your hair colored, so the color mixture should be applied on the roots only then wait ~20 minutes. After that time, use the rest of the color that has been sitting in the bowl to refresh the remainder of your hair. Ideally, each portion of the hair will be lifted only once, but can have the color deposited as often as you want.

When hair becomes over-processed, it might not even hold the color any more (think of a straw with nothing in the middle to hold on to the color).

If you want top-of-the-line superior shampoos and conditioners, Bumble & Bumble wins hands down.

I am only coloring my roots....that's it. Nothing else. And it processes for only 20 minutes before being washed.

I ordered WEN from QVC last night, Carolina. I started out with the smaller sizes to see how my hair reacts. (Fig and Sweet Almond Mint....the cleansing conditioners, styling cream, and the spray) If it works out OK, I'll switch to the gallon. One of my GFs asked me this morning to order it for her, too, as she's having the same issues. We'll see.

Just wanted to know what other people were using.

Originally Posted by Winchester

I am only coloring my roots....that's it. Nothing else. And it processes for only 20 minutes before being washed.

I ordered WEN from QVC last night, Carolina. I started out with the smaller sizes to see how my hair reacts. (Fig and Sweet Almond Mint....the cleansing conditioners, styling cream, and the spray) If it works out OK, I'll switch to the gallon. One of my GFs asked me this morning to order it for her, too, as she's having the same issues. We'll see.

Just wanted to know what other people were using.

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Ohhhhh..... you will LOVE IT!!!!!! it is awesome!!!!
here is one tip: get your hair REALLY wet - run lots and lots and lots of wate through it.....
Then put lots of wen on it - like 12 pumps - 10-12.
Massage it, massage it and massage it some more. Add a bit of water to the hair, massage it more - yep..... really massage it, haha.... Put a shower cap on, and leave it on your hair for the duration of your shower... I usually brush my teeth, shave my legs, wash my face, do allllllll my showering - the longer you leave it on, the better.
Then.......
When removing it, put a bit more water, massage it, massage it, massage it..... and completely rinse it clean.

You can use a tiny bit of Wen as a leave in conditioner - put it on wet hair before you wrap your hair on the towel.

That's, IMO the best way to condition wash your hair - Wen kicks butts- it is amazing!!

Originally Posted by Carolina

I wrote a long long post, and lost it..... So.... I won't do it again.... Sorry....
2 Lines LOVE LOVE to die for: Wen, for conditioning washing - you can get it at QVC (you CAN do conditioning washing with something else, and I have done it for years, but nothing compares to Wen IMHO). You have to get the Gallon.

Activ8 - this is a line I developed and brought to the market - it is freaking unbelievably amazing, I can't live without it - tons of volume at the roots, baby soft hair!!
http://www.bigdaddybeauty.com/p-5932...anse-85oz.aspx
http://www.bigdaddybeauty.com/p-5933...mpoo-85oz.aspx
http://www.bigdaddybeauty.com/p-5934...tion-85oz.aspx

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Wow! You developed this yourself? I would love to give it a try.

I second crazyforinfo's suggestion to STOP (sham)POOING! LOL I haven't 'poo'd since last November when my hair fell out with chemo. I obviously never went through the temporary "greasy phase," just grew hair that I never have shampood. My daughter went "no poo" over spring break this year and she adjusted within a couple of weeks and has never looked back.

We use Suave Naturals conditioner only. It's $1.38 a for almost a liter of conditioner. Just apply GENEROUSLY, leave on while you shave legs, shower, and then rinse! My daughter sometimes will use a dab after towel drying as a leave-in, as she has very thick, curly hair.

We both tried the Wen, as well as Sally Beauty's version of Wen--Hair One I believe it's called. Neither of us liked the results as much as good old Suave, altho the fragrance is YUM!

Good luck with your hair. Hope you try No Poo!

Originally Posted by CatMom2Wires

I second crazyforinfo's suggestion to STOP (sham)POOING! LOL I haven't 'poo'd since last November when my hair fell out with chemo. I obviously never went through the temporary "greasy phase," just grew hair that I never have shampood. My daughter went "no poo" over spring break this year and she adjusted within a couple of weeks and has never looked back.

We use Suave Naturals conditioner only. It's $1.38 a for almost a liter of conditioner. Just apply GENEROUSLY, leave on while you shave legs, shower, and then rinse! My daughter sometimes will use a dab after towel drying as a leave-in, as she has very thick, curly hair.

We both tried the Wen, as well as Sally Beauty's version of Wen--Hair One I believe it's called. Neither of us liked the results as much as good old Suave, altho the fragrance is YUM!

Good luck with your hair. Hope you try No Poo!

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I will beg it differently on the Wen, but you can't use it as suggested... you have to use more.... She bought a good one - some of them are not as great. IMHO nothing come close when used correctly. Which one did you use, do you remember?
FYI - Alberto VO5 Herbal Escapes - Clarifying conditioner in Kiwi Lime is very very good for CO washing.... only $0.99 - much better than suave (IMHO - it always worked much better for me anyways)!! That, followed by the Tea Therapies - but read the back and see the ones with no cones.

Originally Posted by nurseangel

Wow! You developed this yourself?

I would love to give it a try.

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Yep!! All the production, design, marketing, and I am also the national sales manager... that's what I do - Been in the Professional Beauty Industry for the last 10 years..... Love it!!

This line is really awesome.... The ingredients are to die for, and not because I am involved, but they are the best I have ever used - and believe you me, being in the industry for this long, I have tried a whole loooooot....

I use VO5, extra body (and the matching conditioner) every day. I have fine, but thick, hair. I don't use the conditioner every day; only about 3 times a week. However, I don't color or process my hair in any way--just wash, gel, and blow dry it daily (I can't stand even a bit of dirt in my hair). The funny thing is, as I've gotten older, my hair's gotten thicker, and it grows a lot faster (of course, I want it short nowadays. When I was younger, and wanted it to be long, it took forever to grow!)

I like the VO5 shampoo. I'm also sensitive to hair-care product smells on my hair (allergies), and find that Dove shampoo is not only greasy, but the smell, though I like it, kicks up my allergies.

If you're having problems with body, you can try wrapping (ragging) your hair at night.

You separate your damp/wet hair into sections, then take strips of fabric and wrap it around, similar to a curler, then tie the ends at the top. Sleep on it, then in the morning you'll have curls/body depending on how small/big your sections were. If you're just looking for body, do big sections, for curls, make smaller, thinner sections. In the morning, take them out, then run your fingers through the top layer only. Spray with hairspray, and you're good to go! I also blast mine for a few minutes with a blow dryer before I take them out and then use the cool setting for a few minutes, I just find it helps to hold it better, although I don't particularly like using heat on my hair at all.

Originally Posted by nerdrock

If you're having problems with body, you can try wrapping (ragging) your hair at night.

You separate your damp/wet hair into sections, then take strips of fabric and wrap it around, similar to a curler, then tie the ends at the top. Sleep on it, then in the morning you'll have curls/body depending on how small/big your sections were. If you're just looking for body, do big sections, for curls, make smaller, thinner sections. In the morning, take them out, then run your fingers through the top layer only. Spray with hairspray, and you're good to go! I also blast mine for a few minutes with a blow dryer before I take them out and then use the cool setting for a few minutes, I just find it helps to hold it better, although I don't particularly like using heat on my hair at all.

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I LOVE this but the curls only stay in my hair for about an hr...then back to straight....no matter how much product I put in it

Now this thread I find super interesting!
I have never heard of shampooing your hair before, why shouldnt we be doing this?

I have super healthy hair, so shiny and I have natural highlights, I havent colored my hair in over 12 yrs but people still think it's colored and always comment on how nice it is when they find out it's not. I had no idea I had nice hair until I started getting so many compliments on it when I leave it down...

Anyway I'm really interested in the whole not washing your hair thing with shampoo. I've heard lots of people say do not use conditioner as it weighs your hair down but that's all I've ever heard.

I have psoriasis so Head and Shoulders is a MUST in my house or Im literally ripping my hair out. I do not use conditioner all the time, because my hair is so thick and sooooo long I have to do without the conditioner to scrunch my hair. The conditioner seems to aggravate my psoriasis if I use it daily so I limit myself to straightening my hair 3 times a week max. I also color my hair but I do it as close to my natural color as possible because Im horrible at maintenance...speaking of coloring...Im due lol.

FYI when you shampoo put it on your scalp only and not all your hair. Conditioner is the opposite, on the hair and not the scalp.

Also check out Ouidad. I haven't bought their products but seriously thinking of getting their specialty cut for curls. I love their Duckbill Clips suggestion. I never thought I would use them. Read their site for more information but it adds volume to curly hair so you don't have the Pyramid head. lol If you have curly hair you might know without reading what that is.

Originally Posted by Carolina

I will beg it differently on the Wen, but you can't use it as suggested... you have to use more.... She bought a good one - some of them are not as great. IMHO nothing come close when used correctly. Which one did you use, do you remember?
FYI - Alberto VO5 Herbal Escapes - Clarifying conditioner in Kiwi Lime is very very good for CO washing.... only $0.99 - much better than suave (IMHO - it always worked much better for me anyways)!! That, followed by the Tea Therapies - but read the back and see the ones with no cones.

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Hi Carolina,

We used the formula for curls, with the argan oil. It felt great immediately after using, and we did use it correctly. However, we found our hair and scalp had the "dirty oily" odor sooner than we experience with the Suave, and also felt a bit more "coated." My hair is only about 3 inches long right now, and even with thorough rinsing, I noted that.

Carolina, I think it's fantastic that you were able to develop your own line of products! Congratulations!

My sister uses Pantene products and she loves them, but they only make my hair drier
Suave products only make my hair drier

Garnier products seem to work well, but over time, my hair just gets drier. I also use a Garnier deep conditioning product.

Herbal Essence/Aussie products seem to work well, but again over time, my hair just gets drier.

I want to be able to wash it, comb it out and blow it dry. I really don't have time for much more than that in the morning. I could use a curling iron as I used to use one several years ago, but then even got away from that in an effort to try to protect my hair. And any kind of styling doesn't hold....it might look good for about 30 minutes or so, but then droops and it doesn't matter what I use...still droops. (I cannot go without blow-drying even just a little bit as my hair is thick and it takes hours to dry...not appealing to go to work with a wet head.) I"m also trying to get away from washing my hair every day.

My grandmother used to put my hair in rags when I was very young! I remember her doing that!

I'm excited to try WEN, just to see what happens. I will use it correctly and I've been reading up on how-tos and watching videos. I've also read the WEN reviews on QVC to learn more. A lot of people recommend using 1/2 to 1 pump as a leave-in. Guess I'll find out.

Originally Posted by Winchester

Carolina, I think it's fantastic that you were able to develop your own line of products! Congratulations!

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hehe - I wish it was MY line It is my in my heart!!! Not in the pocket, unfortunately!

I think you will love Wen! If I didn't have "my" line, that's definitely what I'd been using.... But you have to use the gallons.... The sweet almonds to me is the best one.

I had to jump in after reading thru the posts. Did I read right---no shampoo at all?
I've been coloring my hair for at least 20 years, and the ends are dry, dry, dry. I have to color about every 4 weeks (yes, I'm using permanent color) because of the roots. I hate the look of a grey stripe down the middle of my head . I shampoo, usually, twice a week, air dry, and only use a curling iron on my bangs. My usual shampoo and conditioner are in the Pantene line. My hair is about mid-back and I trim it every couple of months. It's thick and straight.

How in the world do you get thru a few weeks without shampooing? I'd want to hide in the house so no one could see me!

The "greasy phase" isn't that bad. You can still wet the hair and use 1 tsp of baking soda dissolved in 1 cup of warm water to cleanse the scalp. As your oil production adjusts, that will become necessary less often. I think my daughter had to do it only 3 times, and she's a "greasy teenager!"