Things To Remember #1098: Clarifying

[salamander]

I was convinced my ends were trashed and I was going to have to cut off three or four inches, and then I found my clarifying mix in a cabinet and remembered to give that a shot.

My hair. So nice. I cannot even. I keep rubbing it all over my face whenever I take it down. It's so smooth and soft and nice! Of course all the glued-down splits have popped back up, but I am OK with it, given pettability and non-cutting-ability that I've gotten in exchange.

The moral of the story: remember to clarify, folks. Especially if you have that one leave in with just a little bit of cones in it that you hardly ever use, honest. Pardon me while I go back to petting my hair.

[HintOfMint]

Too true, man, too true.

And I feel you have been peeking in on my routine, with the comment about the one leave-in with only a little bit of cones:o
I recently bought a leave in, and of course, it has silicone but more than halfway down the ingredients, so I thought, "meh, shouldn't be too bad, right?" Hahaha. It is also heavy on proteins which my hair can't take for more than a few doses at a time. So yeah... I definitely needed a good clarifying after that.

[Debra83]

note to self.....find clarifying shampoo!

[Lianna]

I must watch out mostly the proteins. Whenever it feels dry or crunchy I clarify.

[tinywife]

Wow!! This may seem like a silly question, but...how do I clarify?

[Lianna]

Wow!! This may seem like a silly question, but...how do I clarify?

I use a sulfate shampoo because I use cones. But others who don't can do a baking soda wash. There might be other methods around, of course.

[alwayssmiling]

Yes I actually enjoy clarifying - my hair feels so soft and lovely, and actually shiny. How often do you clarify in a month? (I would do it every week, but I guess that could be too stripping so I put it off to maybe once a fortnight)

[Aredhel77]

Wow!! This may seem like a silly question, but...how do I clarify?

I think tinywife, that you either use a slightly harsher shampoo such a sulfate-based one, or you can wash with a paste of bicarbonate of soda (which can be drying). The other alternative is to add some bicarbonate of soda (maybe half a teaspoon...?) to your regular shampoo and wash with that mixture. The aim is to remove any product buildup (such as silicones). You would probably need to deep condition after as your hair will have been more 'stripped' than usual. And how often you do this depends on whether you are using silicones or lots of other styling products.

Am I right?
HTH :)

[Dolly]

I keep a bottle of el-cheapo Suave Clarifying shampoo in my house. You can find it at most Dollar Stores or WalMart, and it removes all the gunk......

I am a regular cone user, and I clarify about once a month or so......and I always follow with a good moisturizing conditioner.....

[LocustSpawning]

So basically, is using cones just fine if you clarify every so often? :)

[Dolly]

So basically, is using cones just fine if you clarify every so often? :)


Some people love cones.....my hair actually needs them for the protection, since I wear my hair down a lot......yes, cones are fine, as long as you are observant and keep an eye out for buildup, and do clarify when you notice an issue.....

[Aredhel77]

So basically, is using cones just fine if you clarify every so often? :)

Yes, if your hair starts to feel dry, 'crunchy' or just weird in any way clarifying then conditioning well may help. Most people do it about once a month, some people more, or less. Whatever works for you :)

[cleanbug]

I keep a bottle of el-cheapo Suave Clarifying shampoo in my house. You can find it at most Dollar Stores or WalMart, and it removes all the gunk......

I am a regular cone user, and I clarify about once a month or so......and I always follow with a good moisturizing conditioner.....
does your suave say "clarifying" on it or is it the regular green apple, cocunut etc types?
thanks
tami

[GRU]

Suave makes a Clarifying Shampoo -- it's not part of the "Naturals" line -- that is just a clear shampoo.

My hair used to do fairly well on cones when I shampooed regularly, but I didn't realize until after I stopped using cones (when I went the CO-wash route) that the cones were causing my allergy-eye symptoms (random tearing up). My hair's in much better shape now that I've stopped shampooing it, and my eyes are in much better shape since I stopped subjecting them to cones!

[nena_shawty]

i used vinagre water (warm) rinse my hair in it and massage my scalp for maybe 5 minutes and that seems to work...once a month

[KittyLost]

So basically, is using cones just fine if you clarify every so often? :)

That's how I see it! But I use cones and no-cones, I like to experience them all!

I love clarifying, I used to do it to achieve the hair colour I wanted after dying more than using for build-up as I kept forgetting that getting rid of build-up was what it is originally for :o

[Henrietta]

Ha! I have always thought that clarifying only makes my hair dry. But... maybe few hours of dry effect is worth getting rid of any possible build up...;) Thanks for this thread:)

[tinygirl]

note to self.....find clarifying shampoo!

Seconded!!

[Lianna]

You can use cones just fine if you clarify, but baking soda alone won't clean cones, I've read. And also depends on the cone, I think it's save to say SLS cleans all cones.

[Anje]

Yes, yes, yes. Whenever people complain about their hair feeling awful, people always pipe up with these "it probably just needs a trim" comments. So often, clarifying and a moisture treatment give infinitely better results. Never blame on damage what shampoo can remove!