View Full Version : I need a good hair routine to try with my hair type?
Leslieslsa
December 11th, 2014, 10:48 PM
Basically I am in Chicago and it is winter here. For some reason in the winter my hair tends to be dry. This winter VERY dry. Almost like straw. But when I spend a bunch of time S&Ding I really don't find any splits!! And it looks shiny and stuff still. But for some reason it tangles a lot and just feels like it has no slip. I have been using a regular shampoo and conditioning twice afterwards as well as a leave in Sometimes even deep conditioning twice. I use some protein very rarely and just clarified which made is sooo much drier. I thought maybe it was buildup but I think I was wrong. I am starting to try to use coconut oil as a leave in so I guess I will see how that goes. But it is an inch or two shy from classic. It is straight and probably medium coarseness. What on Earth could I try differently? I know in the summer it will probably be alright again, but right now I don't know what to do! I cannot seem to even run my fingers through without it catching.
Hotrox
December 12th, 2014, 12:56 AM
You could try purchasing a humidifier and running it next to your bed while you sleep, or by your sofa in the evenings. This can help put moisture back into the air and hair and skin as a bonus!!
gthlvrmx
December 12th, 2014, 12:59 AM
Try applying baby oil on your hair when it's damp. That should lock in more moisture in your hair. You can easily wash out the oil with shampoo or conditioner.
allierat
December 12th, 2014, 02:46 AM
Coconut oil as a leave in works wonders for my hair and a little goes a long way. Seeing as you said you're already trying that I would see how that goes first as if you try more than one thing at a time you won't know which thing worked.
lapushka
December 12th, 2014, 02:50 AM
My n°1 conditioner for detangling and slip (does have silicones) is the Herbal Essences Hello Hydration. It's a good one. I do WCC and use it as my second conditioner.
Madora
December 12th, 2014, 07:33 AM
Basically I am in Chicago and it is winter here. For some reason in the winter my hair tends to be dry. This winter VERY dry. Almost like straw. But when I spend a bunch of time S&Ding I really don't find any splits!! And it looks shiny and stuff still. But for some reason it tangles a lot and just feels like it has no slip. I have been using a regular shampoo and conditioning twice afterwards as well as a leave in Sometimes even deep conditioning twice. I use some protein very rarely and just clarified which made is sooo much drier. I thought maybe it was buildup but I think I was wrong. I am starting to try to use coconut oil as a leave in so I guess I will see how that goes. But it is an inch or two shy from classic. It is straight and probably medium coarseness. What on Earth could I try differently? I know in the summer it will probably be alright again, but right now I don't know what to do! I cannot seem to even run my fingers through without it catching.
First, your hair needs to be clarified with a clarifying shampoo (not baking soda or anything else). Neutrogena Anti Residue Clarifying shampoo has received good reviews from LHC members. Follow the clarifying with a deep conditioning treatment.
To lessen the need for monthly clarifying sessions, use as LITTLE product as possible on your hair. Shampoo it with diluted shampoo and condition it with diluted conditioner. Don't use anything else..no leave ins. Try it for a month and see how your hair responds.
Your hair problem stems from all the stuff you use...you need to be judicious in what you put on your hair and keep it to a minimum.
For help with Winter Hair Blues, here is a helpful article by former LHC member KTANI:
http://ktanihairsense.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-avoid-winter-hair-blues.html
Anje
December 12th, 2014, 01:53 PM
Dry, stiff, tangly, no slip to me sounds like you might have too much protein happening. If I were you, I'd start looking at the labels on my products. Anything that says ___ protein (duh), ___ amino acids, hydrolyzed ___, keratin, and/or collagen is a protein ingredient. What I'd do then is make sure I had a protein-free conditioner (and leave-in, if you do that sort of thing) to use for a few weeks, and consider doing a deeper moisture treatment like an SMT. With my protein-sensitive hair, that's usually all it takes to get it back on the right course. You've clarified recently, so I doubt that's necessary, but in general I would suggest people start with that if they haven't done it in a while.
jeanniet
December 12th, 2014, 02:07 PM
I don't think you need to clarify again. If you used an SLS shampoo--for that matter, if you wash regularly with an SLS shampoo--you should have removed all residue. A shampoo specifically labeled "clarifying" isn't really necessary as long as whatever you use contains SLS. Since you say you've been using a regular shampoo, my guess is that you don't get all that much buildup. Not all products will build up, either. I almost never clarify, and I use leave in and gel. It just doesn't build up for me. So using a lot of product may or may not be an issue for you, and it's something you need to find out for yourself.
It's very common for hair to be dry in winter areas where ambient humidity is lower when it's cold (snow). Here in Northern California, it's the opposite because it's wet here in the winter, and we also tend not to heat our homes as warm as in the Midwest, which will also dry things out. So I don't have to worry that much about my hair being dry in the winter.
Did you notice any kind of improvement conditioning twice? There's another method for locking in moisture that might be worth trying: the LOC method (Lapushka has a link to it in her signature). It's quite popular for curlies for maintaining moisture levels, although it didn't work for me that well. But whichever way you go, you need to keep it up for at least a few weeks to see if it makes a difference. You probably won't see an improvement right away. Another thing to try, if you haven't already, is conditioner with cones. The cones will give you more slip and help with tangles Cones can potentially build up, but again, if you're using a shampoo with SLS it's really not an issue. SLS will remove all cones.
Keep an eye out for other members with your hair type from your part of the country. Seeing what products they use may be more helpful to you, since they're dealing with the same kind of weather conditions.
Laurenji
December 12th, 2014, 03:22 PM
I am also interested in this thread as the Chicago winter is starting to take its toll on my hair as well. >.<
LongCurlyTress
December 12th, 2014, 05:02 PM
I really appreciate your post Madora! Just keep it simple! Love it! :) Thanks for posting this.
Madora
December 12th, 2014, 05:37 PM
I really appreciate your post Madora! Just keep it simple! Love it! :) Thanks for posting this.
You're welcome, LongCurlyTress. Yes, simplicity is everything! And if you find your hair needs just a little bit more of something, you can add "just" a little bit more. It's always a bit of a struggle not to overdo the hair product stuff...but less is more works...and you don't end up with products warring with each other because their ingredients don't work well together (not to mention coating your hair with additional buildup).
meteor
December 12th, 2014, 05:43 PM
I live in very similar climate as you, the winter cold and dryness are causing these problems with hair, and the things that really help me are:
1) Washing hair less frequently - to let the natural oils protect the hair from drying out and snapping.
2) Sleeping on silk satin or other smooth materials (pillowcases, sheets, sleep caps) - avoid wool, flannel and other materials that are too absorbent or shed/create lint - this can tangle hair further; and wearing smooth materials if your hair is down or braided.
3) Wearing a silk scarf under your hat/hood or lining hats with silk or other smooth materials.
3) Going heavier on emollients and occlusives (oils, silicones, even butters and waxes - attention: they can build up!) and going much lighter on humectants (aloe, honey, proteins). Generally, conditioning more intensely than during other seasons. Among oils, I would particularly recommend mineral oil since it's a more powerful occlusive than most natural oils. Among butters, I would recommend shea and cocoa. However, be careful not to use too much - they solidify in cold weather.
4) Using heaters less (they are drying) or using humidifiers or putting bowls of water around your room.
5) Avoiding static-inducing materials: acrylic/polyester/plastic... detangling with a wooden/horn comb instead of plastic, or using BBB instead of nylon/plastic bristles.
I know winters are brutal on skin and hair in Chicago. But heavy natural oils and butters are quite helpful. Good luck! :D
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