Catnip for split ends?

I've used catnip 3 times in a row now. I'm sad to say results weren't as good the second and third time anymore. The first time I let it sit on my hair for 15 minutes or a bit less and my hair was amazing. The second time I left it on for 30 minutes and my hair was quite soft, but had a few tangles. The third time I couldn't really brush my hair, so I had to use a conditioner, but still, even after the conditioner, my hair is dry and has some tangles. I was so looking forward to the same results as the first time :(. I think the next time I'll try leaving it on for 15 minutes only, maybe that will do the trick.

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Originally Posted by Majala

I've used catnip 3 times in a row now. I'm sad to say results weren't as good the second and third time anymore. The first time I let it sit on my hair for 15 minutes or a bit less and my hair was amazing. The second time I left it on for 30 minutes and my hair was quite soft, but had a few tangles. The third time I couldn't really brush my hair, so I had to use a conditioner, but still, even after the conditioner, my hair is dry and has some tangles. I was so looking forward to the same results as the first time :(. I think the next time I'll try leaving it on for 15 minutes only, maybe that will do the trick.

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This has happened to me too - it's really easy to over-do it with catnip, especially if you have fine hair! I have found that gently shampooing the length (blasphemy, I know), rather than just letting the lather run down, keeps the catnip from building up and causing that dry feeling. Might be different for you though!

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Originally Posted by Majala

I've used catnip 3 times in a row now. I'm sad to say results weren't as good the second and third time anymore. The first time I let it sit on my hair for 15 minutes or a bit less and my hair was amazing. The second time I left it on for 30 minutes and my hair was quite soft, but had a few tangles. The third time I couldn't really brush my hair, so I had to use a conditioner, but still, even after the conditioner, my hair is dry and has some tangles. I was so looking forward to the same results as the first time :(. I think the next time I'll try leaving it on for 15 minutes only, maybe that will do the trick.

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I've never had this problem myself and I leave the catnip on my hair for an hour before rinsing it off. It could be that whatever you are using to wash your hair isn't removing enough of the previous catnip to allow the new application to condition your hair. I hope you manage to work out what the problem is.

Thank you for your answers, Iolanthe13 and KarpatiiSiv.

I always oil my hair before washing so I always shampoo the length as well since otherwise my hair stays oily.
But I was thinking there could be a few factors at work here. The first time I tried catnip it was the first wash after henna so the conditioning effect could be, at least partly, due to henna. I was also visiting my parents and water there is softer than where I live. Maybe it could just be that I've put too much catnip - the first time I was very careful not to put more than a small spoon into 300 ml of water, the second and third time I wasn't so careful, so I might have put a bit more.
I'll experiment a bit to see what it might be.

I have tried catnip a couple of times now. I didn't notice any effect whatsoever. I have fine hair, no poo and no silicones (where have the classifier notes on the siggy gone, I miss them since the upgrade). I will give it another go though, there could be lots of things at play. Did you all notice an immediate effect or gradually after several applications?

/ CMG

I tried catnip and it was a complete disaster! I followed ktani's method exactly. Left the nip on my head for an hour. While wet my hair felt ok, but not great. It dried into a plasticky, velcroey, tangled mess! I get a good deal of splits and breakage, as my hair is very fine and I have dye-damaged ends, but after catnip it got so much worse. My hair was splitting and breaking like crazy. Honestly, I should probably trim off 2-3 inches, but I'm too stubborn. I'll be S&Ding a lot to keep the damage under control, plus keeping up with frequent small trims.

Maybe it was too much for my hair and I'd get better results if I only left it on for 15 minutes or so. I am sure it wasn't because I had buildup, as I had just clarified and I got the same plasticky feeling on the hair near my scalp, which is touched only by shampoo. At any rate, I don't think I'll try this again. It's a shame, though. By the sound of it, catnip should have been a HG product for my hair.
Oh well, my kitties will appreciate the leftovers from this experiment... :kitten:

Locally all I find is "catnip buds"

Does this work?

I use catnip as a leave in and don't have any problems. I do get build up over time from something in my routine, but only have to shampoo every couple of months.

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Originally Posted by KarpatiiSiv

I've never had this problem myself and I leave the catnip on my hair for an hour before rinsing it off. It could be that whatever you are using to wash your hair isn't removing enough of the previous catnip to allow the new application to condition your hair. I hope you manage to work out what the problem is.

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I notice my hair is smoother right away, and less tangly, but the decrease in splits is only obvious over time.

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Originally Posted by cmg

I have tried catnip a couple of times now. I didn't notice any effect whatsoever. I have fine hair, no poo and no silicones (where have the classifier notes on the siggy gone, I miss them since the upgrade). I will give it another go though, there could be lots of things at play. Did you all notice an immediate effect or gradually after several applications?

/ CMG

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I've been diluting my conditioner 50% with catnip tea. I put it on my length every day when I take my shower. I'm noticing less splitting.