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Original poster

Leave in conditioner for wavy hair

51 replies

TheFabledSnake · 18/05/2017 20:47

I've recently decided to stop straightening my natural waves and embrace them instead!

I have scalp psoriasis, so I have to use Vosene shampoo or else I'll itch and scab but can use any conditioner. What I'm really looking for is a leave in conditioner to give my hair moisture. But I've no idea what to use!

Spent 20 minutes staring at all the products in Boots and left with nothing. Anyone have recommendations?

OP posts:
MikeUniformMike · 18/05/2017 20:51

How about putting a tiny amount of normal conditioner on your palms and scrunching your waves with your hands. That's what my amazing hairdresser tells me to do.

Original poster
TheFabledSnake · 18/05/2017 20:54

That sounds good and cheap! So just leave it on?

OP posts:
DameXanaduBramble · 18/05/2017 20:55

My Nan had amazing curls, she always used vitapointe! I think it's the correct spelling.

Original poster
TheFabledSnake · 18/05/2017 20:58

Thanks for that - seems Boots do it for £2. Thank you!

OP posts:
Greenvalleymama · 18/05/2017 21:02

Have you seen anything about the Curly Girl method?

I have wavy/ loose curly hair and have recently started the Curly Girl method and my hair has never looked nicer.

Most shampoos contain really harsh detergents (including Vosene I'm guessing) which can irritate the scalp and make hair frizzy. The Curly Girl method just uses conditioner (silicone free) to wash hair. It's a bit of a leap of faith though, it could be just what your scalp needs, or it could be a total disaster...

Original poster
TheFabledSnake · 18/05/2017 21:16

I've been reading up on it on Reddit but I'm easily confused Blush

What conditioner do you use?
I'm willing to give no poo a go, it's just other shampoos I can't use.

OP posts:
Brighteyes27 · 18/05/2017 21:25

Op I also have curly wavy hair and been having problems with itchy scalp. Was on antihistamines for 4 months as advised by GP. Recently tried Bodyshop rainforest products shampoo, conditioner and a leave in conditioner as recommended on here and no more itchy scalp!! However, the downside is my hair feels constantly sticky and unclean. I looked into curly girl method which products do you use Greenvalleymama but couldn't really understand it. I sweat a lot at night due to my age and when I wash hair I get massive tats and dry clumps on the back of my head it's like an old birds nest and takes ages to comb through with 'wet brush' and detangle. Almost considering going grey and getting it cut v short and wavy style.

MikeUniformMike · 18/05/2017 21:30

Yes, you just leave it on. because you only use a little bit it doesn't drag the hair down. You can also mix a bit of gel with the conditioner too if you want a bit of hold.

I have tried vitapointe but you only need a tinyest of tiny amount of it. It wasn't for me. I have hair oil but I've not tried it yet.

I love vosene - really cleans my hair and smells good but would opt for a SLS free one. there's a mumsnet thread somewhere.

Original poster
TheFabledSnake · 18/05/2017 21:31

I agree Brighteyes, some shampoos just don't clean enough. Wonder if no poo would help.

Will go to GP about scalp. I'm also getting a load chopped off in a couple of weeks, think it will help as it's quite long currently.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheFabledSnake · 18/05/2017 21:32

Thanks Mike, really helpful advice!

OP posts:
Jecan · 18/05/2017 21:34

I've switched to Trepadora products - they've got a good leave in conditioner that I use followed by a gel. All their products are plant/fruit based & work really well. Think they do free online delivery

msrisotto · 18/05/2017 21:45

I use a pea sized blob of my conditioner as well. I try to get curly girl friendly products too.

msrisotto · 18/05/2017 21:46

There's a list of them here

MikeUniformMike · 18/05/2017 21:49

I have wavy hair and stopped straightening it years ago when I had it cut by aforementioned amazing hairdresser. I'd had a few duff haircuts in my life and only one or two that were good.
A colleague had a very short cut that really suited her and I asked her who did it. From then on that's where I go. He cuts it so that the hair behaves, even if I just wash it and comb it. And the cut lasts too so it's great if you want to let your hair get longer.
Oh and it's not expensive. I think I paid £32 in Jan for a wash and cut and that's within the M25.

MikeUniformMike · 18/05/2017 21:59

Thanks for the list msrisotto.

Brighteyes27 · 18/05/2017 22:59

Msrisotto is there an idiots easy to understand what 'no poo' ''curly girl method' is somewhere please? And what does 'no poo' mean please I am tired but don't know whether I am being thick is their a clear simple to understand non Americanised method somewhere other than just a list of products? Also if you just use conditioner where do the shampoos and other products come in. Is everything on the list good for curly hair as well as being curly mine is dry and colored so may need more TLC without leaving it sticky? Thanks

Brighteyes27 · 18/05/2017 23:00

Any recommendations for good hairdressers good with curly hair in far north of England?

msrisotto · 19/05/2017 06:52

The British Curlies website has lots of information, as well as YouTube.

msrisotto · 19/05/2017 06:54

No poo means no shampoo. I actually do use shampoo, (I only have lightly wavy hair) but I try to buy brands that don't contain the drying chemicals the curly girl method wants you to avoid (sulfates).

Ktown · 19/05/2017 06:56

I found a pre rinse with apple cider vinegar helps scrap issues massively
Agree - don't straighten and buy messy head by lee Stafford
For conditioner olive oil is good - and good for scalp too

Original poster
TheFabledSnake · 19/05/2017 08:38

Thanks everyone, you've been mega helpful!

I'm off to read msrisotto's list and get myself sorted. I'm getting the chop next weekend, hope this will help

OP posts:
msrisotto · 19/05/2017 08:46

I think a really brief summary of the curly girl method would be:

Curly hair has a tendency to be too dry. There are cleaning chemicals in most shampoos (sulfates) that dry it out even more.Then most conditioners have silicones in them which seal moisture into the hair, unfortunately it also seals moisture out. So you've got dried out hair which is impervious to absorbing moisture. CG theory reckons there are enough cleaning chemicals in conditioner so you don't need shampoo at all.

musicteacheriz · 19/05/2017 09:24

I have naturally curly hair and wash and condition as normal then put a little bit of coconut oil on the ends of my hair. Works wonders and smells amazing!

poisonedbypen · 19/05/2017 09:29

Look on Facebook for the Curly Girls conditioner washing group & join that. They have files of recommended products. I have to hide it most of the time as there are so many posts but it is worth it for the information on there (you have to join, it is a closed group).

eyespydreams · 19/05/2017 12:05

Flicked to end of thread to say that no poo method CLEARED MY SCALP PSORIASIS COMPLETELY!!!!! Flipping life changing. I use tresemme naturals silicone-free. Turns out it was the sls that must have been sparking it off, but I really did have huge plaques all over scalp for years. Think kerastase does a posh cleansing balm if the thought of washing hair with conditioner is too weird. Wash your hair with baking soda once to clear out all the old silicones, then start slathering your hair up with conditioner all over, leave two minutes while you get washed, rinse out thoroughly! Six weeks- two months transition period of dire lankness then swishy shiny hair. I actually have so little wave that it's just frizz, but v thick and dry, and I was starting to get 'older lady' highlighted straw hair. Now people ask me how my hair is so glossy, I tell them I don't use shampoo and they back away with a cats bum face like I'm a dirty cow! I just swish at them Grin