Can't seem to get shampoo just right? Dry brittle hair

[EleanorDeCleaner]

My wayward barnet is shoulder length, thick and wavy/curly so tends to be dry and pouffy. I apply a Cocochoco keratin treatment every 8-10 weeks to keep it smooth/manageable without using heat every day. Curly Girl method and washing with conditioner did nothing for me!

But whilst I have an awful lot of hair, some of it is quite fine, and as I'm menopausal it is thinning and rather fragile. Plus I have a sensitive scalp prone to irritation and flaking.

I need to use sulfate and salt free shampoos to avoid breaking up the keratin coating - but the ones I've tried either have argan oil in them which just creates build-up and makes my hair dull and lank, or are very drying and leave my hair knotty and dry and snapping.

I've just tried a gentle shampoo bar for the first time and that also left it dry and tangled, and snapping in the brush.

No idea what to try next, any ideas? Maybe the keratin treatments are making it brittle?

Try Aveeno shampoo and conditioner.

I use Pureology Strength Cure, I started it when I was massively anaemic and my hair was snapping but it made such a difference I've stuck with it. I get it from Look Fantastic and use the shampoo, conditioner and the miracle filler, it's changed my life!

Thanks for those ideas - sadly Pureology has sodium chloride in it so no good for my keratin coating, but I guess I could try it between treatments!

Aveeno looks more promising with no salt or sulphates, but still has silicones so might still build up. Mind you there are loads of different ones.

The brand Shea Moisture is amazing.

I love the sound of Shea Moisture but I have trouble with oils building up quickly on my hair so I'm wary of too much coconut oil, vegetable oil etc.

I found a Pureology site that claims it has no additional sodium chloride, but I'm sure it is listed halfway through the ingredients. Will have to take another look.

At the moment I'm alternating between a Cocochoco sulphate free shampoo which leaves my hair fresh and clean but also dry and brittle, and a sulphate free argan oil shampoo which makes it silky soft and smooth but also dank and dull with build up after a few washes (AND makes my scalp itch).

There must be something in between - sulphate and salt free, moisturising but without coating oils?

Your hair sounds a lot like mine! Mine is thick, wavy (although I straighten it in an effort to reduce the poofiness) and prone to dryness. The best shampoo I’ve found is Kerastase Discipline Bain Fluideliste. I’ve checked and there’s a sulphate free version although I’m afraid I’ve only used the version with sulphates.

Redken Colour Extend shampoo is also really good, even if you don’t have coloured hair. Again, I haven’t used the sulphate-free version but there is one available!

Have you tried Faith in Nature - Jojoba range.
Or you might prefer others in their range.

I have dry, big, prone to big frizz hair and sensitive scalp... I find this makes my hair much happier. And after spending masses on high end products its much affordable. A good eco shop.will let you buy 100ml to see if it likes you.

Aveda

For the next 2 times you do your hair, don't use shampoo at all. Long rinse, condition, rinse. Style as usual. Curly dry hair does not need a lot of shampoo.