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Original poster

Please rescue my dry frizzy hair before I chop it all off :-)

31 replies

workatemylife · 19/03/2013 22:33

I'm in desperate need of a decent conditioner. Or anything that might rescue my dry hair. I swear it sparks when I walk!

This is an ongoing project - here's the running total so far based on bottles lying around the house and / or purchases in living memory. I have shoulder length wavy / curly hair. It occasionally behaves, but just looks and feels dry dry dry:
Gone for the 'no poo' approach. Just conditioner. Minimal use of hairdryer. No tongs, hot stylers etc.
Argan Oil
Moroccaon oil
Elvive extraordinary oil
Tresemme conditioner for dry hair
Tresemme deep conditioner 5 minute job
Aussie miracle rescue
Naked leave in conditioner
Boots curl creme
Body shop grapeseed curl boost
Body shop coconut cream
Setting lotion (for a failed shot at sockbun curls)
Frizzease products

Okay so I know this is a mix of conditioner and styling products. I don't mind trying either, but if you can help me narrow down the search to something that might work, that would be looooovvveeerrrrlllly. Would be lovely to have proper hair this summer. Envy

OP posts:
Chocamochalatte · 19/03/2013 22:43

Keep the Argan Oil, scrap the Moroccon Oil (full of silicones which will make your hair frizzy) Never looked at the Elvive one so don't know what's in it...

Boots curl creme, amazing!

Naked leave in conditioner good...

Don't touch Frizzease! They really dry out my hair, (below shoulders, wavy/curly)

I use Tresemme Naturals (mainly just conditioner) which are lovely... Boots also do a Botanics baby shampoo which has no 'nasties' in it..

Chocamochalatte · 19/03/2013 22:44

Also, a spray clear gel that has water soluble ingredients I find good to use sparingly just before hair is dry...

Original poster
workatemylife · 19/03/2013 23:03

Thanks Choc! We're in agreement on one - the best I have at the moment is the Boots curl creme. All the rest range from disaster to barely a dent in the dry desert that is my head. Slightly jealous that the Naked, Tresemme, Argan oil worked for you but at least I was thinking along the right lines (ish). Just not doing the trick for me Sad

OP posts:
Jux · 19/03/2013 23:04

My friend's mum used to smother her hair in mayonnaise, wrap it in a hot towel for half an hour or so and then wash it out with a gentle shampoo (don't know which one, sorry). Her hair was nice and silky for about a week after each time; she did it on a weekly basis. (Presumably washed it more often than that!)

thornrose · 19/03/2013 23:11

Silk or satin pillowcases have improved my dd's dry mixed race hair massively!

Once a week after I wash dd's hair I smother it in a really rich, deep conditioner, wrap her hair in cling film and leave for up to an hour. This is really making a difference.

Have you tried the Mixed Chicks range? It's specifically for curly hair, mixed or European. It's expensive but fab. Also I suggest you try products for black hair, they are the experts! Have a look online.

Most of the products you've tried don't cut it with really dry hair.

Hanginbyathread · 19/03/2013 23:12

How are you using your conditioners?

Do you apply your conditioner to mid-lengths and ends rather than 'slap it all over'? Correct application can make a big difference.

Leave conditioner on for as long as possible. If you can stand it try leaving it on overnight and wrap a towel around your head as the warmth will help open the hairs cuticles and allows the conditioner to penetrate the cortex.

DO use shampoo. Shampoo opens up the cortex and aid the conditioning process.

Im a trainee hairdresser so will be watching this thread hoping for tips myself!

Good luck.

thornrose · 19/03/2013 23:16

Yes the shampoo is as important as the conditioner. L'Oreal Eversleek, no sulphates, no silicone shampoo is good.

mel3714 · 19/03/2013 23:28

I have incredibly frizzy dry hair, not curly/not straight, just naturally awful! When I first used Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque it was like Id been given new hair!Smile Think you get it online, mine was a gift. Good luck.

Original poster
workatemylife · 19/03/2013 23:32

Right then. Ditch the Moroccan oil. Start using the shampoo again. Yes, I think by the sounds of it I'm applying the conditioner correctly. But I might need to revisit the conditioner shelf and get something with a bit more ooomph, I've not heard of Mixed Chicks, but will go a-googling. Mayonnaise? Really? Will I not start to smelly funny? I really will try anything. But maybe not on a work day Grin. Just in case.

OP posts:
MoodyDidIt · 20/03/2013 08:01

OP may i be the first to say coconut oil

slap loads on, all over your scalp as well, leave it on overnight and wash out in the morning

i use this one

been doing it about a year and it transformed my hair

Allthingspretty · 20/03/2013 08:09

Aveda damage remedy-ask them for a sample they are pretty good with samples

Sanctuary butter shine hair mask sachet in boots (may still be om three for two)

Mockingcurl · 20/03/2013 08:28

A second vote for coconut oil. I put it on dry hair and leave it on overnight, once a week. It has transformed my dry staticky hair.

MoodyDidIt · 20/03/2013 09:14

i am sure as well that the coconut oil goes in to your roots and makes the new hair come through better too

BobblyGussets · 20/03/2013 09:19

What about a Brazillian blow dry that straightens and smooths it for about 3 months? Apparently, the more damaged/frizzy your hair, the better.

samuelwhiskers · 20/03/2013 09:31

I was given the Brazillian blow dry treatment just on the front and sides of my hair as a "gift" from my hairdresser a few weeks back - they are charging £150 for a 3 month treatment :( It has taken out the frizz but I am not sure it is worth the money to be honest. I still have to use hair straighteners, it hasn't given me glossy locks around my face at all.

I've been using Frizzease too so might change after reading above.

xigris · 20/03/2013 09:32

I have blonde hair which gets very dry and frizzy. A hairdresser once told me that structurally blonde hair is similar to Afro hair in that it can be very dry and brittle, I've got some serum and conditioner made by a company called Olive Oil which is technically for Afro hair but works brilliantly on mine. I bought it in a large branch of boots. There's a while range of stuff including an organic carrot conditioner which smells rank is really good. Once a month or so I put a load of olive oil on my hair when it's slightly damp and leave it to soak in for a couple of hours. I've also used coconut oil and that's lovely too. A Nigerian friend of mine swears by raw egg; she mixes it up, slaps it on her hair them wraps it in cling film for an hour. Not tried that one but her hair is fabulous!

badtasteflump · 20/03/2013 09:37

Buy a huge jar of natural coconut oil - it is fab. Not only does it do wonders for dry, frizzy hair, but there is no left over claggyness or flakyness and you can also use it as a body moisturiser. And it smells lovely Smile

Can you tell I'm an addict?

Here btw

badtasteflump · 20/03/2013 09:37

Oops sorry x-posted with about a gazillion people Blush

xigris · 20/03/2013 09:54

You shouldn't be sorry badtaste - it is fab! Grin

Abzs · 20/03/2013 10:04

The Nice & Easy conditioner works quite well for me. It's the stuff that comes with the hair dye, but they now sell it separately.

However, so does the Tresemme deep condition stuff you've already tried.

ecokimbo · 20/03/2013 10:28

Argan oil or fractionated coconut oil. You can use both on skin as well as hair but go for 100% Argan oil.

NoMoreWineForMeThen · 20/03/2013 10:52

I have mixed race Afro hair so very dry and frizzy. I use Paul Mitchell One shampoo and Paul Mitchell Detangler conditioner. They are brilliant, particularly as I blow dry and GhD my hair so causing it to be further dry and damaged! I get the huge bottles from Supercuts hairdressers and they last forever, well over 6 months for me and I have long hair. I use Keracare serum for blow drying and straightening - a tiny drop goes a long way.

I don't wash my hair daily as that just dries it out further. I addition, I make sure I give my hair a good cleansing wash every couple of weeks. I'll use something like Head and Shoulders, no conditioner and no styling afterwards. I find it removes any residue from other products and makes my hair quite glossy and healthy looking the next time it is styled.

I cannot use tresemme, it leaves my hair with an awful coating that makes it impossible to style and looking lank and greasy. Also find frizz Ease products are pants IMO.

Stevie77 · 20/03/2013 11:22

Question - does the Coconut oil not make your scalp greasy, even once washed?

Do you have to wash it off? or can you just put a little bit on the ends and carry on with your day?

Neena28 · 20/03/2013 11:31

Philip Kingsley elasticiser is a pre shampoo treatment. Sounds like a load of mumbo jumbo and is £££ but oh my word. Then his shampoo and conditioner in anything that has moisture in the title. I have dry and frizzy hair that is very wavy/curly. This makes me look like I've had a slain blow dry. I know that m and s now stock his stuff I have bought various little trial packs for friends or try qvc or eBay. Qvc does a 30 day money back guarantee. I swear you won't want to return it tho.

badtasteflump · 20/03/2013 11:32

Stevie I use coconut oil as you would serum - ie not on the roots, just worked through mid length and ends of dry or wet hair & leave in Smile