Catnip for split ends?

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Originally Posted by cocolover

ktani- you once mentioned that the catnip leaves a residue that can even inhibit the next use of catnip, so if I'm not washing the length with anything at all, would the catnip buildup and then not work anymore? Maybe clarifying once a month? Thanks for the responses

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You are most welcome!

Enough catnip washes out easily with conventional shampoo, from my experience, to not result in build-up, (even when a very mild conventional shampoo is used). The catnip stain does not completely wash out with each conventional shampoo.

When I used catnip as a "shampoo" and rinsed that out and applied more catnip on my hair, the treatment did not absorb as well as after my conventional shampoo, so yes, you can call it a residue.

To clarify, you should not in my opinion, need to use anything too strong.

I received a request to post a picture of the catnip brand I use, Hagen Catit Catnip Garden, once again.

I buy it locally and I buy the 1.5 oz container, which has lasted me over a year (washing my hair about once a week). The container is still half full.

There are a number of great brands of catnip out there. I like and use this one.

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Originally Posted by ktani

Enough catnip washes out easily with conventional shampoo, from my experience, to not result in build-up, (even when a very mild conventional shampoo is used).


To clarify, you should not in my opinion, need to use anything too strong.

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So the catnip would still be effective even if I am not using shampoo but only herbs on the scalp....so the only shampoo would be a clarify maybe once a month?

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Originally Posted by cocolover

So the catnip would still be effective even if I am not using shampoo but only herbs on the scalp....so the only shampoo would be a clarify maybe once a month?

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I have not tried this system to be able to tell you how well it works but it apparently works well for kdaniels8811.

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Originally Posted by ktani

I have not tried this system to be able to tell you how well it works but it apparently works well for kdaniels8811.

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Ok, thanks for the replies....I guess it will be trial and error :)

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Originally Posted by cocolover

Ok, thanks for the replies....I guess it will be trial and error :)

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On my behalf, you are most welcome!

Well, I hope to give catnip another go in a week or so when my Hagen Catit brand catnip arrives - I just never got much of a result with the stuff I tried so far. Whilst I wait, twiddle my thumbs and read this thread with continuing interest, I have another question for you ktani:

What is the significance of your directed application over two rounds, in your opinion? I sounds rather complicated to me especially compared to, say, dunking your lenth into the catnip solution until well saturated and then massaging the leftover well into the hair close to your scalp.

Did you find that such an application worked less well for you or why do you not use it? If you did notice differences in effectivity, I would be curious to hear how you explain them and whether they affected your results with colour, conditioning, or both.

Cheers,

Kaz

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Originally Posted by Kazazi

Well, I hope to give catnip another go in a week or so when my Hagen Catit brand catnip arrives - I just never got much of a result with the stuff I tried so far. Whilst I wait, twiddle my thumbs and read this thread with continuing interest, I have another question for you ktani:

What is the significance of your directed application over two rounds, in your opinion? I sounds rather complicated to me especially compared to, say, dunking your lenth into the catnip solution until well saturated and then massaging the leftover well into the hair close to your scalp.

Did you find that such an application worked less well for you or why do you not use it? If you did notice differences in effectivity, I would be curious to hear how you explain them and whether they affected your results with colour, conditioning, or both.

Cheers,

Kaz

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I have never tried the dunking application. Thought about it though. I am using it to cover my grey/white and condition but not have my hair get too "piecey" or separate. I like to control the amount of catnip on my length.

My hair is thin and mostly fine. Catnip gives me great volume, but too much on my length can, the few times it has happened, made my hair "piecey".

Ah, thanks (and another superfast response, you rock!). I will continue to dunk when my new catnip arrives then, as piecyness has so far not been a problem for my hair. If I get it with the new catnip, I will certainly try your directed application.

Cheers,

Kaz

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Originally Posted by Kazazi

Ah, thanks (and another superfast response, you rock!). I will continue to dunk when my new catnip arrives then, as piecyness has so far not been a problem for my hair. If I get it with the new catnip, I will certainly try your directed application.

Cheers,

Kaz

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My pleasure and thank you for the compliment!

Catnip, like anything else used on hair, can, from my experience in using it for almost 4 years, yield optimal results, used a certain way, compared to others.

I have reported what it has done for me. Others have done the same about how it has worked for them. Information on my routine and the routine of others who have had succes with catnip is in this thread. I have elaborated on my routine in posts here, elsewhere on the boards, and in the catnip article.

If someone is pleased with a hair routine that they are using, that does not involve catnip, great!

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Originally Posted by ktani

Catnip, like anything else used on hair, can, from my experience in using it for almost 4 years, yield optimal results, used a certain way, compared to others.

I have reported what it has done for me. Others have done the same about how it has worked for them. Information on my routine and the routine of others who have had succes with catnip is in this thread. I have elaborated on my routine in posts here, elsewhere on the boards, and in the catnip article.

If someone is pleased with a hair routine that they are using, that does not involve catnip, great!

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Ktani,

My hair has only gotten better since I started using catnip. All of your advice has been amazing and I truly appreciate your time spent on writing me back. Your efforts here on this site are indeed appreciated. I always love reading your updates on both catnip and honey ligthening. Hopefully, I can contribute and report back with results and pictures when I've been using it longer :-)

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Originally Posted by Charlize

Ktani,

My hair has only gotten better since I started using catnip. All of your advice has been amazing and I truly appreciate your time spent on writing me back. Your efforts here on this site are indeed appreciated. I always love reading your updates on both catnip and honey ligthening. Hopefully, I can contribute and report back with results and pictures when I've been using it longer :-)

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Thank you so much! And you are most welcome, my pleasure!

You do contribute, by asking questions and posting your results. I do not need to see pictures but they are always welcome.

Update

I washed my hair again with my directed application of more catnip on the length, yesterday, for the 4th time.

Again great results, even with the super strong humidity of the weather here. I am now convinced that this is what I need to do each time, for my best results.

By restricting the catnip on my length but still applying more there than I previously used, I do not get a "piecey" look and still get the volume and results I want. With my hair being as fine and thin as it is, I need to be careful with how much catnip I apply to my length, to get the look I am after.

Ok, I have the catnip tea cooling. I want to make sure I do this correct.

I shampoo, then apply the rinse. Do I do a vinegar rinse also? I usually do vinegar after conditioner, but I am doing the catnip in place of the conditioner, right?

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Originally Posted by Nyghtingale

Ok, I have the catnip tea cooling. I want to make sure I do this correct.

I shampoo, then apply the rinse. Do I do a vinegar rinse also? I usually do vinegar after conditioner, but I am doing the catnip in place of the conditioner, right?

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There is no definitive right for this. I have a method that yields optimal results for me and has, as reported by others, worked for them too.

I shampoo, then apply the catnip but not as a rinse, as a treatment. The difference is the method and timing. A rinse by my definition, is something poured though the hair and either rinsed out quickly or left-in.

Following rinsing out the shampoo, I gently squeeze out any excess water, apply the catnip in sections (some people dunk their length and apply catnip to their scalp), cover my hair with a plastic bag and leave that on for an hour in total. I do not use vinegar at all. For me, catnip replaces conditioner, and anything else, following shampooing.

Please see the Catnip Article for more details, of my method. Results can take time, depending on any build-up or residue on the hair and the shampoo and conditioner that are or have been used.

Thanks for the reply. maybe I'll go do it now, instead of in the morning :p

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Originally Posted by Nyghtingale

Thanks for the reply. maybe I'll go do it now, instead of in the morning :p

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You are most welcome!

I am finding I like the softness of the catnip rinses as opposed to any conditioners I've used past or present.... the softness just seems.... less "polluted" or "chemically induced" if that makes sense.

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Originally Posted by Shiva

I am finding I like the softness of the catnip rinses as opposed to any conditioners I've used past or present.... the softness just seems.... less "polluted" or "chemically induced" if that makes sense.

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I feel exactly the same way, lol. That is an excellent way to describe it. It makes perfect sense to me.

I am very glad for you, that you are so pleased with your results!

I never could find a conditioner that does for my hair, what catnip has done.

Well, it feels wonderful and smells nice. It's not dry yet, I'll see how it is in the morning. My family thinks I am completely crazy though. DH insists that you guys are punking me and the cats will attack me tonyght. They have all gotten a good laugh out of it. But I don't care.

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Originally Posted by ktani

I feel exactly the same way, lol. That is an excellent way to describe it. It makes perfect sense to me.

I am very glad for you, that you are so pleased with your results!

I never could find a conditioner that does for my hair, what catnip has done.

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I can't thank you enough for your patience and sharing your experiences.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...ons/cheers.gif

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Originally Posted by Nyghtingale

Well, it feels wonderful and smells nice. It's not dry yet, I'll see how it is in the morning. My family thinks I am completely crazy though. DH insists that you guys are punking me and the cats will attack me tonyght. They have all gotten a good laugh out of it. But I don't care.

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Good for you, lol.

When rinsed out (when brewed actually, from reports) the cats will not be that interested in it.

I do not have a cat but I have visited a friend with catnip loving cats, when I have had freshly washed, catnipped hair, a number of times, and, while the cats have been friendly (I am allergic but can play with them, if I wash my hands afterward), they did not take any notice of my hair, which I always wear loose, when I go out.

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Originally Posted by Shiva

I can't thank you enough for your patience and sharing your experiences.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...ons/cheers.gif

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My pleasure!

Thank you for saying what you have.

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Originally Posted by Shiva

I am finding I like the softness of the catnip rinses as opposed to any conditioners I've used past or present.... the softness just seems.... less "polluted" or "chemically induced" if that makes sense.

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I feel exactly the same way about using catnip compared to my regular conditioners. I always found that a conditioner had to have a thick texture in order to work on my hair and at first I didn't think that something like catnip could even detangle my hair for a second. I was wrong and I'm completely converted to using catnip as a conditioner :-)

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Originally Posted by Charlize

I feel exactly the same way about using catnip compared to my regular conditioners. I always found that a conditioner had to have a thick texture in order to work on my hair and at first I didn't think that something like catnip could even detangle my hair for a second. I was wrong and I'm completely converted to using catnip as a conditioner :-)

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I am so pleased that you are so pleased, as well!

What has been most interesting to me, from reports on catnip use here, is that it can work on all hair types and textures and conditions, from dry to oily and damaged hair.

No one, or one type of conventional hair conditioner I know of, can do that, diluted, or used at the concentration it is in the jar, bottle, or tube. Just by altering or customizing the dilution, one can make their catnip solution, just right for them. The dilution I use has worked for others too but I "eye it" each time and it is not measured to the ml. I just know what dilution works perfectly for me, and that is the one I have given here and in the Catnip Article.

Hi Ktani - Do you think the Morrocco Method shampoos would interfere with catnip treatments? I like the catnip treatments for the conditioning/color, but I especially like the color I get on my GRAYS!!! I have just recently started using the MM shampoos and was curious. Thank you for all of your research and information - :)

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Originally Posted by FlowingMane

Hi Ktani - Do you think the Morrocco Method shampoos would interfere with catnip treatments? I like the catnip treatments for the conditioning/color, but I especially like the color I get on my GRAYS!!! I have just recently started using the MM shampoos and was curious. Thank you for all of your research and information - :)

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You are most welcome!

They may. I have read reprts on that webesite (MM) and I think that it is possible. You can try to see what results you get. It may be that all 4 shampoos in rotation do not leave a residue but I remember people complaining about residue on their brushes.

I just took a look at my hair. I haven't seen a single split end since I started using catnip. This stuff rocks.

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Originally Posted by simone_rodrigue

I just took a look at my hair. I haven't seen a single split end since I started using catnip. This stuff rocks.

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Fantastic! You go girl!

Update

5th time using my new directed application method of more catnip on the length. Rain on and off all day. Another happy hair day.

This time I brewed the catnip for 10 hours. That was an accident, lol. I got busy yesterday when I came home, lol. No problems or a real difference to between 8 or 9 hours. I brewed it in the morning before leaving for school and intended to strain it out when I came home. But the phone rang, chores to do .... lol.

I used my cones and had a great hair day too :) Our weather royally sucks btw.

I have tried catnip twice since I red this thread, and I love it. It makes my hair soft, smooth, and easy to detangle.

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Originally Posted by Naturel

I have tried catnip twice since I red this thread, and I love it. It makes my hair soft, smooth, and easy to detangle.

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Welcome to LHC!

I am happy for you that you love using it.

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I used my cones and had a great hair day too Our weather royally sucks btw.

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??? I thought the thread was about catnip? Am I missing something?

Washing my skin with cold catnip tea in the morning in this weather is incredibly refreshing! Loving it even more than usual. No prickly heat in the afternoon.

Doesn't surprise me as catnip, when boiled/stewed, releases an oil. You're basically oiling your hair/skin.

I found an interesting article about catnip that says it's more effective than DEET, when boiled, to repel mosquitos. However, it looses this effect when on human skin. I would venture to guess that's due to the oil being absorbed by the skin, rather than a product like DEEt, which lays on the skin to repel bugs.

Made me wonder if any of you have been noticing a lack of mosquitos biting you as a result of using catnip on your hair?

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Originally Posted by Darkhorse1

Doesn't surprise me as catnip, when boiled/stewed, releases an oil. You're basically oiling your hair/skin.

I found an interesting article about catnip that says it's more effective than DEET, when boiled, to repel mosquitos. However, it looses this effect when on human skin. I would venture to guess that's due to the oil being absorbed by the skin, rather than a product like DEEt, which lays on the skin to repel bugs.

Made me wonder if any of you have been noticing a lack of mosquitos biting you as a result of using catnip on your hair?

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Catnip tea does not leave my skin or hair oily. The oils are only 1 part of the constituents.

I do not boil catnip. It is not recommened that certain herbs like it be boiled. I add boiled water to dried catnip.

I have posted this before, about the DEET information being challenged.
http://www.kookykat.com/catnipessentialoils.htm

That said, I have not been bitten by mosquitoes lately but I have also not been outside at night in areas where they have been plentiful.

I'm not saying you will feel the oils, but that is what is coming out of the catnip when it is heated--that is the same as stewed--pouring hot water over it. it's emitting an oil out of the catnip, which is what makes you feel softness.

I was curious to know what was in catnip to make skin/hair alleged to be so soft. This makes total sense to me as catnip itself is just a mint that makes my kitties very happy. :D

One thing that works best on mosquitos---unused bounce sheets. Makes me wonder what the heck is in those things in the first place :O