Natural Leave-In Alternatives

[Heidi_234]

Hey, my hair tends to get really dry (esp. in the ends). Usually I could go a week between washes, but my hair gets excessively dry so I just have to take a shower in between, just to get the moisture back to my hair. I would really much prefer not do it that way.
I'm looking for ways to retain the moisture back without the need to wash the hair. I oil it daily (coconut oil), it helps, but doesn't eliminate the dryness. So, beside oiling, any ideas?

[scalawaggirl]

Hi, Heidi. I thought for awhile that oiling would help with moisture but have since come to understand that oil really only keeps the moisture in that's already there.

I use Fox's Shea Butter Leave-In (2 Shea, 2 Conditioner & 1 Coconut Oil) after I wash w/CO (only 2x/a week). The really good thing about this leave-in is that it both moisturizes (shea and condish) and protects (coconut). Great stuff.

Then, I spray a version of Kimberly's Defrizzing Spray over the leave-in (2 T. Aloe Vera Gel, 1 T. Avocado Oil, 1 dropper of John Masters Defrizz Oil - I will replace this with various EOs when it runs out - and then I fill the spray bottle up with RO/DI water). My hair is thick and prone to frizz so this helps solve that problem completely.

On my off wash days, I just refresh my hair with the spray after shaking the bottle well and it really makes my hair shiny, healthy, tamed with pretty waves that only takes 20-30 minutes to completely dry. As with the leave-in, I believe that the water mixed in provides moisture that the oil then helps to protect. I will also on occasion put more of the shea leave-in on my ends, if needed.

So, if you don't care for either of those mixes, I'd suggest finding a good way to moisturize prior to oiling. :)

[Heidi_234]

Thank you scalawaggirl, those are very nice suggestions. I completely forgot about shea butter, and Fox's recipe. :doh: So thanks for these. I agree with you on the oiling part, but I mentioned it because I knew people would suggest it right away, and I needed something else.
I thought of making up a spray thing, seems better than mid-week wash.

[Roseate]

So funny, I was coming to suggest the exact same process as Scalawaggirl!

Actually I usually mist my hair first and then add the Fox's leave-in, but it does seem to help.

Looks like we all three have a similar hairtype, so this might be the ticket for you as well. :)

[scalawaggirl]

You're welcome, Heidi. Glad it was of some help. Roseate, too funny!

I haven't tried doing the mist first and then the leave-in so will give that a try next wash.

It looks like we're all on the same page hair-wise. :) I got a little crazy w/the new refresh spray yesterday after I did another henna on my length to match up w/my roots so it's overdone and weighed down. I think I'll add more water to thin it down and adjust my recipe next time to 1 t. oil and 1 T. AV gel so I can use it liberally to wet my hair.

So, my hair's up in a sock bun today. ;)

[lailmil]

i love the mix glycerin+water,with a little( a very little) bit of oil and apple vinaigre. I always have some of it in my bag XD
another good way to moisture my hair is take a bit of shea butter and comb it on the hair after some water

[AngelInDisguise]

Misting with pure Aloe Vera juice (not gel, obviously) was a bit help for me. It also helped with the scalp problems I had because of the indoor heating - outdoor freezing cold thing.

But then again, I have a completely different hairtype....

Oiling without the misting before only dried out even more, unfortunately.

[almudena]

My favourite leave-ins are Nightblooming's Panacea Hair Salve- Leave in Conditioner http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21331573
and Triple Moon Hair Anointing oil http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21338807

[cocolover]

Thank you for the tips on here. Today after washing I used the fox's cream on my damp ends instead of straight oil and I have real hair on my ends now instead of straw! :joy: On non-wash days I'm going to try misting and then using the fox's cream too. My ends have been dry for so long! Thank you again.

[Heidi_234]

Thank you for the tips on here. Today after washing I used the fox's cream on my damp ends instead of straight oil and I have real hair on my ends now instead of straw! :joy: On non-wash days I'm going to try misting and then using the fox's cream too. My ends have been dry for so long! Thank you again.
Nice! I'll have to pick up some shea butter!
It does seem like we all around the same hairtype, I can't wait to implement your advice.

[scalawaggirl]

Heidi, I hope it helps! I tried to do the spray first today after I CO'd and then applied the leave-in but had to touch it up with more of the spray on top to get it tamed. Come to think of it, once that dried, I combed it out and it was great - had lovely waves with just the right amount of control but my original application worked a bit better so I'll go back to that. :)

One thing, too, is that even though my hair was weighed down yesterday, it was back to normal this morning because my hair just sucks up the oil/moisture.

So, the only thing you might keep in mind is that the refresh/defrizz spray might be overkill depending on how your hair holds onto oil/moisture. If it feels like product remains, then I would mist w/distilled water instead. I intend to use plain RO/DI water in another spray bottle just for this occasion.