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What will help my dry knotty long hair?

22 replies

ihatethecold · 16/10/2014 19:08

My hair is long and getting drier and drier.
I use biolage exquisite oil shampoo and conditioner.
But my hair when I comb it feels dry and knotty.
I need to put a treatment on it.
I've tried coconut oil. No better.
I've also got biolage hair serum to put on after washing and before drying.
It's not doing much.
What do you recommend please.

OP posts:
SenatusPopulusqueRomanorum · 16/10/2014 19:16

I have hip-length fine, dry hair.

I use Lidl shampoo and conditioner for dry and damaged hair. I also like Elvive Extraordinary Oil. I put a few drops on my wet hair. If it is really tangled I also use it on dry hair before shampoo - it really helps get rid of the knots.

When family members go to the UK I ask them to bring me some Aussie Miracle Moist back.

ihatethecold · 16/10/2014 19:20

I did have extraordinary oil.
I think I need more of a treatment that I leave on for a while.
I also find that Aussie hair products can make my head itchy.

OP posts:
DoubtfireDear · 16/10/2014 19:24

I have really long hair (below hips) I use the Aussie Miracle reconstructor and my hair is in lovely condition now. It sorts out knots and means that you don't damage haor by having to drag a bruah through it. I also try and put my hair in a loose pleat before bed to stop it getting fankled through the night.

YouAreAMouseInAMaze · 16/10/2014 19:27

Just recently I realised my hair had gone all ry, frizzy and knotty. I went into Boots to get something to fix it and randomly picked 'Garnier Ultimate Blends' camelia and argan oil. (it's got another name in there somewhere). Anyway, it's brilliant! You can use it on both dry and wet hair and it's not oily or sticky at all. Has made my hair smooth again after using it just a couple of times. In the interests of transparancy, I have also been using Aussie 3 minute miracle conditioner but I've used that before and it helps, but this oil stuff is the shit.

ihatethecold · 17/10/2014 07:43

Thanks. I will check out the garner oil

I would like to buy a conditioning treatment also to plonk on my hair whilst I'm in the bath.

OP posts:
angeltulips · 17/10/2014 07:46

I use Moroccan oil slathered liberally on my hair - put it on when I get home and put my hair up in a top knot. Leave in until the next morning and then shower it off.

That, combined with washing my hair no more than 3 times usually twice a week seems to do te trick.

(Oh, and using a tangle teaser brush has helped too.)

rootypig · 17/10/2014 07:53

I have very thick hair that tends to dryness. I love Kerastase but Extraordinary oil is shite. Try Oleo relax serum, or aqua seal, or a combination of both.

VO5 hot oil is fab, but the effects only last about a week. That said it's pretty inexpensive and ime makes a huge difference - give it a try.

Melodygrace · 17/10/2014 07:58

Long hair community. On that website is everything you could possibly need to know about hair. Mine is waist length and very very dry. I like tresseme salon silk. Its extremely moisturising.

kaykayblue · 17/10/2014 09:26

I can't afford to try lots of products, so I use the below. My hair is not too long and not excessively dry - it's more greasy at the roots and super dry in the lengths, which is a shit combo.

Once a week I will use warm olive oil on my hair. Literally just put some olive oil in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, and when it's warm but not hot, spread it through the lengths of my hair, put on a shower cap, and leave it on for 20 minutes or so.

I wash it out by putting a little shampoo directly on my hair before getting in the shower, and working it through, then washing it again with shampoo in the shower. I find otherwise it's difficult to get all the oil out.

Last week I used the olive oil (as above) mixed with a whole beaten egg. I think it worked quite well actually.

On a day to day basis, I wash my hair with timotei pure shampoo (so paraben or silicone or colour things), and use a leave in conditioner that I brush through afterwards. I used to use shampoo, conditioner, and then a leave in conditioner on the ends, but then I ran out of conditioner and keep forgetting to buy any.

I think one of the best things for long hair is to try and avoid washing the lengths if you can - so for example, put it in pippi long stocking style plaits, and then just wash your scalp by putting some shampoo with warm water in a jug and then pouring over your scalp (and obviously then pure water to rinse off the suds).

ihatethecold · 17/10/2014 21:33

I looked for the camellia and argan oil stuff in boots today.
Some of the shampoo and conditioner were on offer but the spray oil was £9.99
A bit pricey unfortunately.

OP posts:
itsbetterthanabox · 17/10/2014 21:46

If your hair is coarse you don't want protein or coconut oil. So don't buy anything labelled repair or for damaged hair.
You need to lock in moisture. The best way to do that is a light shampoo then a thick silicone free conditioner. Tresseme naturals would be perfect. At least once a week try to leave your conditioner on your hair to soak for at least half an hour.
After the shower towel dry gently and then use an oil to lock in moisture. Sweet almond oil would be good. Just a small amount combed through. Let hair dry naturally, blow drying will damage. Plait it damp and it will dry in smooth waves.

ihatethecold · 17/10/2014 22:17

Thank you.
Can I ask. Why would I not use something for damaged hair. Surely that what it's designed to do.

OP posts:
Bluestocking · 17/10/2014 22:21

I don't know how much consultations would cost now, but I used to go to Neil Ward when he was at the Long Hair Clinic at Fortnum and Mason. He will sort your hair out properly.

itsbetterthanabox · 17/10/2014 23:02

Because your hair is dry not damaged. Repair products won't moisturise it adequately. Damaged hair lacks protein so repair treatments and coconut oil help with that. If your hair is coarse and doesn't respond well to coconut oil then it doesn't need protein it needs moisture.

peasandlove · 18/10/2014 06:58

I use Kiehls olive fruit conditioner, it's great. Also recommend their straightening cream to keep hair smooth

OttiliaVonBCup · 18/10/2014 07:00

Scissors.

A trim is the only thing that makes knotty hair look better.

ihatethecold · 18/10/2014 07:03

I do only get my hair cut twice a year.

OP posts:
amy83firsttimer · 18/10/2014 07:14

If you have a normal cheap conditioner like aldi's dry/damaged one that is 99p a bottle condition as normal, then rinse, get a wide-toothed comb and put loads of conditioner on and comb through, do not rinse but plait your hair and leave it in the plait for up to 24 hrs. It'll be lovely afterwards.

Arlagirl · 18/10/2014 07:16

Aveda do a damage repair intensive conditioner which is fab

CleaninQueen · 18/10/2014 07:28

Tresseme deep repair treatment worked wonders for my over bleached fried hair. Also reccomend argan oil deep conditioning treatment. I just slather both on my hair leave for 20 minutes then rinse off. Tresseme is about £2.99 for a big tub and the argan oil you can get for £1 in poundland.

Magpiemystery · 18/10/2014 08:52

Phillip Kingsley elasticizer is fab, for when your hair gets a bit 'stretchy' and nitty but that's when it usually needs a cut, so maybe just cut it

Magpiemystery · 18/10/2014 08:53

Knotty not nitty!

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