Need recommendations for shampoo+conditioner for extremely strawy, extremely dry hair please

[MsDirection]

I started using Olaplex 0+3, 6 and 8 at the start of lockdown and up to about 3 months back my hair looked shiny and smooth. I don’t know why it now looks so shit. My hairdresser agreed it’s very dry and strawy as well as brittle and recommended Davines Nou Nou. It’s no help at all and it looks just as bad. I think using a Revlon heated brush has damaged it (my hair is very fine, straight and thin) so I I stopped using it a few months ago and got over an inch trimmed off. I’m going to stop using Olaplex in case it’s anything to do with the problem. I’ve never coloured or highlighted my hair.

i take HRT, B12, Vit D, C, Zinc and eat plenty protein mainly vegetarian diet. My ferritin levels are fine. I can’t use Aveda or Aussie Miracle products as they irritate my scalp. Any recommendations please. It looks so bad.

It sounds like you've overdone it with the Oplex and need to focus on moisture. There was a similar thread a few weeks ago: http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/styleandd_beauty/4560703-protein-hair-mask-making-my-hair-drywhy

The Garnier hair food masks are good - use it as conditioner. Or I have been using the Bondi Boost shampoo/conditioner which is quite good

Are you ok with dairy? Would you be willing to try a yogurt mask? It did wonders for my really dry hair ends. Plain yogurt (eg greek), no sugar, live cultures. Dollop on, massage in a bit (can be good for the scalp too), leave 15 mins or so, then rinse thoroughly and follow with shampoo and conditioner. Can do it a few times a week if it's working.

You could try it with either the olaplex or Davines to start to see if it makes a difference.

Or if you want something very gentle you could also try a baby shampoo, or MooGoo, or a dermatologist brand from the chemist (not from the hairdresser)

Too much Olaplex, they say it isn’t a protein treatment but it behaves like one and hair can become brittle. Redken all soft mega sorted my hair out from the first wash, expensive but worth it.

Ooooh maybe ignore the yogurt suggestion, sorry - I have just looked at the other thread and I didn't realise about the protein issue from the olaplex, I was just thinking about general dryness. I definitely don't know what I'm talking about in relation to protein products! Yogurt has protein so might make the problem worse

MandaLynn. Thanks so much for that link. I didn’t see that thread. It seems my instinct that it could be the olaplex could be right. I will definitely try the Redken . It’s such a shame because for about 18 months with olaplex my hair looked the best it’s ever looked but now it’s awful. I’m so glad I started this thread. Thanks everyone who was replied. Yes I’d better keep the yoghurt off it spondeluna but I can see your thinking.

Yes you need lots of moisture and no more protein for a while by the sounds of it.
You could also try a clarifying shampoo or apple cider rinse first.
Find a moisturizing conditioner without any protein, and use that for a bit instead. I’ve attached a list of protein words to look for and avoid in the conditioner ingredients.
I would go for a natural one with plenty of argan oil or almond oil in, you’ll soon get the balance right again.

L'Oréal extraordinary oil is great.

I use a Tigi wash and conditioner, was about £20 for both bottles and they're HUGE.

You can also do a strand test to check whether your hair needs moisture or protein, or if you have the balance right. Just Google ‘hair strand test protein moisture’ or something like that and you’ll get the details. I can’t remember them off the top of my head!

m.feelunique.com/p/TIGI-Bed-Head-Urban-Antidotes-Recovery-Tween-Shampoo-Conditioner-Duo-2-750ml?curr=GBP&gclid=Cj0KCQjwntCVBhDdARIsAMEwACk8_pmpZeUauj3YOBOFn886IwvwUa1sm3HJ4hPTNX4zpLSyOpkAFOEaAsyvEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I’ve just started using Redken All Soft (regular, not mega) and I’ve noticed a difference, my hair doesn’t look so frazzled and feels nice and soft.

I’ve just ordered the Redken All Soft.
Cedarfire. Thanks for the list of words to look out for. That is really useful. I’m absolutely going to be leaving protein out for a while.