The CO (conditioner only) washing thread

[0xalis]

I have never had my hair turn out this nice after a co wash!!!!
Usually turns into an utter greaseball but today I look like a Garnier commercial!?!?
The only things I did differently were that I actually scrubbed my scalp, and used both VO5 and Garnier not just the VO5.

One of the pictures makes my roots look blonde, but they're not, that's just how shiny my hair was!

[TatsuOni]

Your hair really looks great after your wash Oxalis!

[RunOnCaffeine]

0xalis, it looks so soft and shiny! I think your hair liked that wash.

[PallasAthena]

Wow! All that shine with no silicones!
Giving the scalp a good scrub is such an important part of cowashing for me (also the most pleasant). Beautiful results!

[Neoma]

I have never had my hair turn out this nice after a co wash!!!!
Usually turns into an utter greaseball but today I look like a Garnier commercial!?!?
The only things I did differently were that I actually scrubbed my scalp, and used both VO5 and Garnier not just the VO5.

One of the pictures makes my roots look blonde, but they're not, that's just how shiny my hair was!

Wow, your hair looks fabulous! It's so shiny and healthy looking. And it's grown so much!

[Fimu]

I'm wondering, who also does pre-wash oil treatments before CO washes? If yes, do you adjust the amount of oils before CO wash sessions compared to shampoo washes? Do you use different oils before CO washing than before shampooing, like lighter oils before CO? Do you apply pre-wash oils on dry or on dampened hair?

Background:
I'm trying to find a balance between too much cleansing and having build-up that reduces product adsorption. I use coney conditioners and coney serums for the sake of better detangling, but I still want to try to make CO washing work and restrict shampooing with an SLES poo to twice a month or less (there's a member here who has good luck with CO while using a conditioner with Amodimethicone). I suspect that too much oiling can also cause product build-up so I don't blame it on the cones and hard water only. Before every wash (whether CO or shampoo), I oil my hair overnight because I have mainly high-porosity/damaged hair and oiling reduces waterlogging due to frayed to eroded cuticles.

[Bri-Chan]

I was wandering, do you all use only conditioner or conditioner and sugar? Years ago I used conditioner and sugar, now I'm trying co again and I use just conditioner. Sometimes it works and leaves my hair clean as with a shampoo, sometimes weigh down my hair a lot.

[lapushka]

I have never had my hair turn out this nice after a co wash!!!!
Usually turns into an utter greaseball but today I look like a Garnier commercial!?!?
The only things I did differently were that I actually scrubbed my scalp, and used both VO5 and Garnier not just the VO5.

One of the pictures makes my roots look blonde, but they're not, that's just how shiny my hair was!

Very nice!

Also, it's grown so long! I remember you at ear level! Way to go!

[Fimu]

I was wandering, do you all use only conditioner or conditioner and sugar? Years ago I used conditioner and sugar, now I'm trying co again and I use just conditioner. Sometimes it works and leaves my hair clean as with a shampoo, sometimes weigh down my hair a lot.

I use plain conditioner, but sometimes I rub my scalp with a silicone shampoo brush.

[shelomit]

I was wandering, do you all use only conditioner or conditioner and sugar? Years ago I used conditioner and sugar, now I'm trying co again and I use just conditioner. Sometimes it works and leaves my hair clean as with a shampoo, sometimes weigh down my hair a lot.

I've never heard of using conditioner and sugar (conditioner and honey, yes). Is the idea to use the granulated sugar like an exfoliant, to make it easier to clean the scalp?