Hair care help needed for ultra-dry hair :-(

[tulpe]

I have very dry hair (which is also coloured due to masses of grey) and am struggling to find shampoo and conditioner which really makes a difference.

I have been using John Frieda's Frizz Ease Curl Around stuff. My hair is straight but I had bought this stuff for DS1 who has beautiful curls and used it one night when I had run out of shampoo. Initially it seemed to work really well - giving me lots of body and shine. Sadly, the honeymoon period seems to be over and my hair is dull and fly-away/dry again now.

Any recommendations gratefully received

[KristinaM]

i have no personal experince but the " no poo" for dry hair method has often been mentioned on these threads

[tulpe]

Thanks Kristina. Will do a search.

[MaryBS]

I like those hot wax treatments, which I use once in a while. Also to occasionally use a shampoo that removes all the residues - which cause hair to go dull and lifeless.

[fishie]

oh no don't use frizz ease it has got silicone in it which will KILL your poor hair. aveda dry remedy shampoo and treatment thing (masque! pah.) ruinously expensive but bloody good.

also won't strip dye from hair so you don't need to do it as often.

[tulpe]

I wondered if frizz ease had silicone in it....don't use Pantene for the same reason. Will check out the Aveda stuff.....

[Furball]

I steer clear of anything (ie most high street stuff) that contains Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or SLS for short.

It's an industrial chemical used for cleaning oils, but foams well, hence manufacturers like to use it.

Tis obviously incredibly drying as it strips our hair and skin of precious oils.

Most organic shampoos don't contain SLS - but double check, cos some are sneaky.

Waitrose have a good range of stuff, if there's one nearby.

[fishie]

waitrose is good for non-sls, but bad for dry hair. apart from their umi deep treatment stuff which i use with aveda shampoo.

[BitOfFun]

I've stopped using shampoo altogether, just Tresemme conditioner, and it has made the world of difference to my hair. I used to use a huge blob of Frizz-Ease after every wash, but I don't need it now.

[LibrasBiscuitsOfFortune]

This stuff is a miracle worker:
www.kerastase.co.uk/products/nutritive.aspx

It is eye wateringly expensive BUT you don't have to use a lot, 10p of the shampoo and a 1p amount of the conditioner so it lasts for ages. It also smells divine!

[Megglevache]

I second kerastae stuff it's ££££ but fantastic.

[JRocks]

I started using MOP organics and my hair's never been better. Mixed Greens Shampoo and Conditioner. Aveda also good but £££

You could try a home intensive treatment. Get a reasonably prcied intensive conditioner, slather it onto wet washed hair, wrap head in clingfilm (not face, obv ) and then in a towel to create some heat. The cuticles on the hair shafts should open and allow moisture in (can also blast with hairdryer for warming effect). You should notice a difference in your hair straightaway.

[BitOfFun]

"not face, obv"

Such a mum thing to say

[JRocks]

had visions of being sued for advocating suffocation while striving for better hair!

[bran]

Burt's Bees do good shampoo IMO. It's expensive but lasts for ages (I get through about two bottles a year and I wash my hair every day). Aussie 3-minute miracle conditioner is great, the luscious long one is very moisturising.

There are conditioning treatements that you can apply before shampooing. Burt's Bees do an avocado one that I've been meaning to try for ages. I occasionally use Elasticizer and it does make it less dry and brittle, unfortunately my hair is also quite thin so I can't use Elasticizer too often as it makes it a little limp. You could also try massaging in olive oil and leaving it for an hour or so before shampooing out.

[ArizonaBarker]

BOF - Do you just wet your hair, bung on the conditioner and rinse?
Does it really work?

[tulpe]

Thank you so much for all your suggestions

Am going to give JRocks suggestion a go tomorrow evening (avoiding cling film over face scenario ).

I use Kerastase sun protect cream when I'm on hols and really notice a massive difference to my hair.

Am torn between the Aveda and the Kerastase.

Just one last question What styling products are best for dry hair? I currently use James Brown volumising mousse but perhaps there is something more nourishing which would also give volume?

[fishie]

can't help re styling product - i use aveda curly stuff which is how i got onto the shampoo - but do learn to read the ingredients and then you will be fine.

[BitOfFun]

I do! I use plenty of conditioner, comb it all through, scrub my scalp with my fingers and rinse, but leave a bit in. Then I blot it dry, clip up the top section with a bulldog comb thingy for a bit of root lift and to help it dry, and just leave it to dry naturally, or low-heat, low-speed diffuse it if I'm in a hurry.

I've only been doing this for about three or four weeks, but it looks better than it ever has, lovely and curly and shiny. It used to resemble shredded wheat, so I'm really pleased.

If I haven't got time to wash it, I just spritz some boiled water with a few drops of lavendar oil in it and re-scrunch the curl.

[ArizonaBarker]

Thanks, BOF, sounds fascinating.
I shall give it a go tonight.

Sory for the hijack, OP.

[Megglevache]

Boiled water and lavendar? sounds interesting.

[BitOfFun]

I got the tips from this book recommended on here- the lavendar water is lovely, smells gorgeous, and you can spritz even your face with it to freshen up. I am a convert! Between this and the Oil Cleansing method (another MN staple) for my skin, I'm sure I could afford a weekend break on what I'll save in products this year!