Dark Hair Thread

**jenwexler** · November 9th, 2010, 08:03 AM

I haven't really seen an official one for dark hair. Share your tips and what not that helps you make your dark color look radiant

. Colors and naturals included.

**luxepiggy** · November 9th, 2010, 08:17 AM

Oh, me, me! I belong in this thread! *jumps up and down* (^(oo)^)/"

I'm a cone user, but I don't seem to have buildup problems like others do. Years of daily shampoo & conditioner application didn't noticeably decrease my shine at all. I didn't even know clarifying shampoos existed until last year, and that's only because I use them to wash lingerie!

The one thing that stopped my shine dead in its tracks (and brought me to LHC - oh hidden blessing in disguise!!

) was the application of a protein-laden deep treatment! Never again, said the little piggy! Major pigtastrophe ensued ( ' (oo) ' )

I've been giving CO-washing a try for about 3 weeks, with good results - still lots of shine, and fewer flyaways. My hair is much softer too. It does seem to be looking a bit lighter in colour though - I'm not sure why.

I learned something interesting recently- dark hair actually reflects less light than fair hair. Makes sense if you think about it - the darker pigments absorb more light. However, dark hair often *appears* shinier because light that is reflected contrasts more with the dark colour of the hair. Neat-o! (^(oo)~)

**cmnt831** · November 9th, 2010, 08:25 AM

The times that my hair has been super shiny is when I've used an acidic rinse after shampooing like ACV, soapnut tea, or lemon rinse and then oiled my hair with shea butter/olive oil mix.

Here's an example. I used dandruff shampoo, soapnut tea and conditioner. Then I oiled it and air dried.

**luxepiggy** · November 9th, 2010, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by cmnt831

The times that my hair has been super shiny is when I've used an acidic rinse after shampooing like ACV, soapnut tea, or lemon rinse and then oiled my hair with shea butter/olive oil mix.

Here's an example. I used dandruff shampoo, soapnut tea and conditioner. Then I oiled it and air dried.

Pretty!!! (^(oo)^)

**cmnt831** · November 9th, 2010, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by luxepiggy

Pretty!!! (^(oo)^)

Thank you!

**starlights** · November 9th, 2010, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by luxepiggy

Pretty!!! (^(oo)^)

yep looks gorgeous!!

**cmnt831** · November 9th, 2010, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by starlights

yep looks gorgeous!!

Thanks!

**luxepiggy** · November 9th, 2010, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by cmnt831

The times that my hair has been super shiny is when I've used an acidic rinse after shampooing like ACV, soapnut tea, or lemon rinse and then oiled my hair with shea butter/olive oil mix.
*snip*

Oh, I second the acidic rinse + oil routine! I use beer for the rinse, and then I put a few drops of Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Argan Dry Oil on the damp hair afterwards.

**cmnt831** · November 9th, 2010, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by luxepiggy

Oh, I second the acidic rinse + oil routine! I use beer for the rinse, and then I put a few drops of Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Argan Dry Oil on the damp hair afterwards.

What sort of beer do you use? Is it fizzy or flat?

We've always got beer in the house and I can't finish a bottle and so have leftovers a lot of the time.

**Sundial** · November 9th, 2010, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by cmnt831

What sort of beer do you use? Is it fizzy or flat?

We've always got beer in the house and I can't finish a bottle and so have leftovers a lot of the time.

Let it go flat

there's a thread here about beer rinses