Almandine
January 4th, 2009, 04:10 PM
What matters most when requesting advise, for future reference, is type of hair (straight, curly, wavy, frizzy, and texture: thick, medium, fine extra fine) and hair care: products, how detangle, how wash, how one dries their hair.Hmm, okay. Well, my hair is both wavy and frizzy - I finally figured out my "hair type" to put in my profile information, see left - and by frizzy, I mean oh god. So frizzy. So crazy. Both my parents have hair like this, except that my mum has genuine curly hair, making mine even worse. Here's a photo of myself four years ago (ah, I remember the braces), demonstrating what my hair did when I went outside after Hurricane Rita. It was untreated by anything.
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1592/43/103/1382876509/n1382876509_30217538_2242.jpg
That happened after just walking around outside for about twenty minutes. Unbelievable. I can tell you it has not improved.
Right, so products. I had to try a lot of shampoos and conditioners to find one that worked, and I've clung desperately to it because I just don't know anything that works better. I use Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine (and the Colour Treated version when I dye my hair) shampoo and conditioner, along with the de-frizzing serum from the same line. I shampoo once, maybe twice if I have been doing something grimy, and condition every time; I have to condition or my hair just won't be presentable, so I never skip.
My hair reacts unspeakably to hair dryers (I tried once - NEVER AGAIN) and towel drying just makes it frizz like nuts, so I don't do either. I gently squeeze the water out of my hair after I turn the shower off, then I let it air dry a little bit while I brush it, with a towel on the floor to catch the water. (I've noticed that you guys frown on brushing while wet, so I suppose I shall buy a comb.) I brush it through, gently - since the conditioner and finger-brushing during the rinse seem to keep it in mostly tangle-free shape in the shower, usually - and then apply the de-frizz shine serum to the brush itself, brushing through again so it gets on all the hair. Then i put it up in whatever style I'm wearing that day, and I hold the can at arm's length and barely mist with weakish hairspray, once again to tame the frizz. This is the only procedure I have ever used that gets my hair to BEHAVE. I still can't wear it down the same day I wash it, except maybe in the evening. It's too wet and nothing dries it without aggravating it except sitting in a bun or braids.
When it's dry, having been washed and styled the previous day or morning, I can shake it out and it will be nice (sig pic is an example). But if it's untreated with the defrizzer (which I do only apply after a shower, no other time) or if I have to use a different shampoo for some reason, the above picture is the result! Also, after some time, especially outside, frizz rises once again from the loose hair, and bothers me greatly.
I've never used any straighteners or curlers, and only once have I had that brief encounter with a hairdryer, whichtangled me so badly it ended in less than five minutes, so i don't think it did any heat damage. I've never bleached, or been to a salon where they do relaxers or anything. My hair's still soft, and seems nice to me and to other people - but it's mental, and honestly I think it could be better. I don't know about oils, or how to properly "treat" my hair so far as caring for it - I always just washed it, brushed it and put it up. I never knew it was all so elaborate! So, I'm asking for some help and pointers on my hair woes.
I think that's everything... Sorry for the long, rambling post, but you guys know far more about hair than I do, and I'd like to improve my habits. :)
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1592/43/103/1382876509/n1382876509_30217538_2242.jpg
That happened after just walking around outside for about twenty minutes. Unbelievable. I can tell you it has not improved.
Right, so products. I had to try a lot of shampoos and conditioners to find one that worked, and I've clung desperately to it because I just don't know anything that works better. I use Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine (and the Colour Treated version when I dye my hair) shampoo and conditioner, along with the de-frizzing serum from the same line. I shampoo once, maybe twice if I have been doing something grimy, and condition every time; I have to condition or my hair just won't be presentable, so I never skip.
My hair reacts unspeakably to hair dryers (I tried once - NEVER AGAIN) and towel drying just makes it frizz like nuts, so I don't do either. I gently squeeze the water out of my hair after I turn the shower off, then I let it air dry a little bit while I brush it, with a towel on the floor to catch the water. (I've noticed that you guys frown on brushing while wet, so I suppose I shall buy a comb.) I brush it through, gently - since the conditioner and finger-brushing during the rinse seem to keep it in mostly tangle-free shape in the shower, usually - and then apply the de-frizz shine serum to the brush itself, brushing through again so it gets on all the hair. Then i put it up in whatever style I'm wearing that day, and I hold the can at arm's length and barely mist with weakish hairspray, once again to tame the frizz. This is the only procedure I have ever used that gets my hair to BEHAVE. I still can't wear it down the same day I wash it, except maybe in the evening. It's too wet and nothing dries it without aggravating it except sitting in a bun or braids.
When it's dry, having been washed and styled the previous day or morning, I can shake it out and it will be nice (sig pic is an example). But if it's untreated with the defrizzer (which I do only apply after a shower, no other time) or if I have to use a different shampoo for some reason, the above picture is the result! Also, after some time, especially outside, frizz rises once again from the loose hair, and bothers me greatly.
I've never used any straighteners or curlers, and only once have I had that brief encounter with a hairdryer, whichtangled me so badly it ended in less than five minutes, so i don't think it did any heat damage. I've never bleached, or been to a salon where they do relaxers or anything. My hair's still soft, and seems nice to me and to other people - but it's mental, and honestly I think it could be better. I don't know about oils, or how to properly "treat" my hair so far as caring for it - I always just washed it, brushed it and put it up. I never knew it was all so elaborate! So, I'm asking for some help and pointers on my hair woes.
I think that's everything... Sorry for the long, rambling post, but you guys know far more about hair than I do, and I'd like to improve my habits. :)