Best Shampoo/Conditioner

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Country Families : One Thread

My hair is thick, wavy, and hard to comb out without using lots of conditioner. What kind of shampoo would give it a sleeker look, instead of a fly-a-way look? I don't want to spend a lot of money, but if I hide it from everyone I can make it last a good while!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 11, 2002

Answers

I use Jason Sea Kelp shampoo and conditioner. I have fine hair and it is very soft and shiny. It does have a mild scent which only bothers me when someone else uses it. I buy it through Frontier Herbs for the year, 3 bottles of shampoo and about 6-7 conditioner. I wash my hair every day and sometimes twice in the summer or for special stuff

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), February 11, 2002.

If your hair is dry, vinegar may work as a conditioner.

my hair is hard on my hands, but I do not like it short !

-- carol (kanogisdi@yahoo.com), February 11, 2002.


Melissa, Take a look at the Suave products. My favorite used to be Pantene, but they changed the formulas. I have long, fairly thick hair with some waves. Have just started using the moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. I don't think I've ever used a conditioner that detangles this well, but it's not "gunky". And since we're all watching our budgets, the price is incredible. Depending on where you buy, in our area (Balto, MD), it's between $1 and $1.50 for a 15 oz. bottle. It won't matter if the kids get into it!

-- Ann K (ann1956ann@hotmail.com), February 11, 2002.

Melissa---are you useing a shampoo that is P.H. balanced??????? At least a 5.5----not much higher-- Do you ever use a vinegar rinse??????? Sometimes do you break & beat an egg & put in your first shampoo????? Do you always use two lathers??????

You need to use a P. H. balanced shampoo--no matter--waht the brand- as other wise it will be toooo high in alkine content & dry out your hair & worse!! If you use a vinegar rinse either before or after your conditioner-- it will bring your hair back to a better acid balance---I like to have people use the vinegar rinse last----but if you have trouble combing your hair----use it before the conditioner!!!! Buy a really wide tooth comb to comb out your hair---- And of coarse ya know thick----wavy hair is easiest to handle either really short & cut to follow the wave pattern ---or really long to weight it down--- Always have anyone cut your wavy hair wet---as that is the only way they can see the wavy pattern & not cut it intwo & make it stand out!! There are hundreds of good products on the market----but ya need to choose one that is P.H. balanced--- there are also hundreds of really bad products out there on the market!! I use to help with a missions "hair project"----which was being able to help furnish the most product to the most people with the least cost-- I bought a gallon jugs of Milk & Honey shampoo from a beauty supply company--it was the most natural- I could buy wholesale--it was about $5.00 a gallon---it also had the same brand of conditioner-- you can buy this at most any beauty supply company that sells to the public--- Why I am telling you this name of a product---is I know with a growing family----they can go through lots of product---I have been there----with children/step-children & foster Children---- This is a pretty good all around shampoo & conditioner---& if you are fairly close to a town that has a whole sale beauthy supply company that sells to the public----this is a pretty good all around shampoo with out spending a fortune---sometimes more money doesn't mean better product!!!!!

I hope that helps ------if you want a shampoo for your hair-- & don't mind spending the money----I'm an old Redkin rep.---I worked for the company for mnay years-- & their products are really hard to beat!! Redkin is only sold in lic. salons---they will have a Redkin sign in their window if they sell Redkin----if you want their products----go to the aslon & ask the cosmetologist questions????? She will recommend the best product for your hair--- there are other produts that are also good--it is just I sold that brand for a hundred years--so I know it well----& the company! Good all around shampoo in a gallon jug----one of the best is "Milk & Honey"!! Sold at wholesale beauty supply!! Any questions----fire away---if I don't know the answer I have a few hundred friends that are still in the business!!! ha!! blessings--- sonda

-- Sonda in Ks. (sgbruce@birch.net), February 11, 2002.


Mostly I use things like Suave, White Rain, VO5, anything under $1 a bottle. I don't use vinegar, but sometimes use lemon juice. I just pull my hair back in a hair band and when I need it cut I let Kadia cut off 1/2 an inch or so! As you can tell it is not a big prioity to fix it and such. But it would be nice to be able to get a comb through it without tears! So maybe the conditioner is the key????

Sometimes I just leave a little conditioner in and comb it out with it in and that helps. I just thought maybe others would have some ideas, so I thank all of you for your help!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 11, 2002.



I love VO5. Maybe you could leave the conditioner on a little longer, or work it through your hair a little more. I do use a lot, but consider it worth it!;)

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), February 11, 2002.

Forgot to tell you my best hint. If you are washing your hair in the shower, use a big-toothed comb to comb it out AS you are rinsing out the conditioner. If you haven't tried this, you'll be surprised how easy it is. Of course, you'll still have to recomb it, but all the owies will be gone!

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), February 11, 2002.

Melissa, Your hair sounds like mine. I always leave it in a plait when I go to bed. It's less tangles in the morning. Have you tried John Freida (?) Frizz ease I think that is what it is called. You only need a small amount and it really does help. The other thing I find good is a sprey on leave in conditioner.The one by Aussie "hair insurance". Last time I was in the states I bught a years worth from Walmart, as both are soo much cheaper over there.

Do not use a hair dryer. This only dries the hair even more which create more tangles. I hope this helps. Finally, if you are 3 years old do not eat a toffee that Grandad gave you just before going to bed as it is very difficult to comb out of your hair in the morning!! We know.

God bless

Alison

-- Alison Homa (alisonhoma@hotmail.com), February 11, 2002.


Suave shampoo (.97) & flex conditioner (1.49) When the condtioner is about 1/2 empty, fill with water & it still works. I used to have long hair. It would be impossible w/o conditioner.

-- DW (djwallace@sotc.net), February 11, 2002.

I used to use Suave because of a Consumer reports article that said that expensive shampoos don't clean any better than the cheap ones. I

Then I read a tip on the frugal moms forum from a hairdresser about buying the gallon-size shampoos at Beauty Supply places and mixing your own with water. Here's the math: A gallon of the concentrate cost me $8 and it says it will make 8 GALLOnS of shampoo--but I'll probably get 12 gallons because I will dilute more with water.That's WAY cheaper than suave and works well!

I add cheap beauty supply conditioner to it to make it faster to be in and out of the shower.

Lastly, I use mouse and hairspray sometimes so every few times I'll add a teaspoon of baking soda to the dime-sized portion of shampoo that I use and that gets out leftover residue--conditioner, etc.

I also find that Vinegar makes a great rinse conditioner (1/2 water/1/2 vinegar). It also is great for loosening nits. That's why in the olden days a vinegar rinse was used to keep down the incidence of lice.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), February 12, 2002.



I found a Goody brand detangling comb for long or thick hair for one dollar. It has 2 rows of teeth which spread out and back again - hard to describe, but it helps wonders.

-- carol (kanogisdi@yahoo.com), February 12, 2002.

Melissa, I have very thick long hair. Apple cider vinegar diluted in water is what works best for me. I did see at a local drugstore that Neurtragena had a conditioner for detangling hair. I thought I would give that a try. Maybe it would work for you.

-- vicki in NW OH (thga76@aol.com), February 12, 2002.

Vicki:

All that detangler is is conditioner diluted with water put in a spray bottle. Try doing that--much less expensive.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), February 12, 2002.


Hands down, the one of the best and cheapest conditioners is coconut oil! Do not waste your money at the Body Shop--they sell it in cute packages and call the product "Coconut Oil Hair Shine", but you can get it much cheaper at an Indian store (think Indian from Asia). You can buy bottles of coconut oil at a very low price (usu. around $3- 5). The packaging is sometimes ugly, but the product WORKS. The oil comes in plastic bottles (I like Vatika brand, which comes in a light green plastic bottle). You should microwave the bottle for around 10- 15 seconds (until it is liquidy-sometimes it gets stiff sitting on the store shelves) and then pour the oil into an applicator bottle (the kinds that people use to put hair dye in--they're around $0.99 or so at beauty supply stores). Use the bottle to distribute the oil into your hair and massage it into your scalp (warning, your hair will have a STRONG coconut smell!). Leave it on overnight (put an old towel on your pillow when you sleep so you don't stain your pillowcase) and then rinse the next day (you may have to "rinse and repeat" a few times to get the oil out). It's an old Indian beauty secret that really works. I used it and the next day, my hair was so much more manageable and soft.

TRY IT! IT WILL WORK!!

-- Indian Gal (cheesysmile1212@yahoo.com), July 22, 2002.


Thank you I will look for it next time I am in town.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), July 22, 2002.


YOu dont need 2 get the priecy shampoo's and conditioners!!!! what I use is Herbal essence shampoo which tames my hair cause my hair is a little frizzy so it makes it calm and straight. and 4 conditioner I use pantiene it alous me 2 brush oit and style it with no hassle

-- Amber (amber_sexy_chica@hotmail.com), October 13, 2002.

YOu dont need 2 get the priecy shampoo's and conditioners!!!! what I use is Herbal essence shampoo which tames my hair cause my hair is a little frizzy so it makes it calm and straight. and 4 conditioner I use pantiene it alous me 2 brush oit and style it with no hassle!!! GOOD LUCK!!

-- Amber (amber_sexy_chica@hotmail.com), October 13, 2002.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ