Getting moisture into bleached hair

[LadyOfTheCanyon]

I have my hair bleached every three months or so because -grey. I tried going grey during Lockdown and it did absolutely nothing for me. I have a LOT of grey and blonde just works best with my colouring. I am about a level 7-8.

No matter how many moisturising shampoos/ conditioners/ masks I use I can't get my hair to look particularly sleek and shiny. I know that with bleached hair it's an uphill battle but I'd like some tips as to what products people are using ( especially on the ends - they are in good condition because of regular trims, but I always end up using Frizz Ease or Argan oil or some kind of cream to keep them under control. PK Elasticizer works well but I can't afford to use it as regularly as I'd need to.

My hairdresser uses Olaplex when I go but the very next wash I'm back to where I started and I'm not sure where I'm going wrong. I don't rub my hair when I wash it, I pat dry and blow dry gently. I only wash twice a week, three Max as my hair is dry so I don't think I'm stripping it

Please throw me some recommendations for hair gunk that will make me swishy!

TIA

I feel you! The only thing that really helps me is Bumble and Bumble, the invisible oil spray. I also add the Toni & Guy Shine Gloss serum for the ends and voila. Heard many complements about my hair over the years and I think it's down to these two products!

This pains me to say it because I'm not a Lush fan but have you tried their American Cream conditioner?

It has lanolin in which is really good for dry hair.

My bleached routine includes: Olaplex 4 at home every couple of weeks, Aveda botanical repair leave-in treatment, argan oil, Kiehls' hair conditioners (all good); also a toner (Redken Shades EQ) which is only for colour but I think makes it look healthier anyhow? Haven't used Bumble&Bumble in a while, but the invisible oil range mentioned above is good.

I do also straighten my hair (carefully) which honestly I think makes it look better too - unstraightened is just a bit of a heap, straightened is...neater and shinier.

Do you use a good heat protector when you blow dry? That will help.

When my hair is in need of revival I find a tiny bit of oil moisturiser helps - look in the Afro hair section, I like the olive oil one.

Conditioner wise the only thing I've found that helps is olaplex once a week, I mix it in with my conditioner. I don't use any particular conditioner as I don't find they work miracles, I just use whatever and leave it on for a while like a hair mask.

I should use more heat protection as I'm a bit hit and miss with that to be honest!

Thanks for all the recommendations- I think I need to spend a bit more than I currently am to get better results.

I'm quite anti Lush so that's unfortunately a no from me although I do remember the American Cream being Paticularly good!

It’s pricey but this and Olaplex (regularly use the number 3) do wonders for my hair.

Have you tried bleach London reincarnation mask? I'd originally seen it recommended in here and it worked wonders on my bleach fried hair.

I've just ordered a small pot from ebay 🤣 hope it lives up to the reviews!

Olaplex system and as little heat as possible.

Thank you so much everybody

I use L'Oréal Dream lengths shampoo, conditioner and wonder water on my bleached hair

I rarely blow dry my hair though I literally just wash and go

Aveda damage remedy is also great used on the ends or all over if need be. I use this when I'm going out and blow dry my hair and it looks especially lush and shiny

Meant to say that I also rarely blow-dry my hair - let it dry naturally as much as possible, then use a hairdryer on the damp bits at the back before straightening.

Aphogee protein treatment (it's a faff but it does do something for my hair!) every 6 weeks or so, and Olaplex 3 overnight every few weeks (I can't afford more often!) seemed to be a good combo for my bleached to fuck hair.

Also, how often do you wash your hair? I used to do every other day, but have found switching to every 3rd or even 4th day has made a difference as well.

Do you know about the Curly Girl method?You don't have to have curly hair to take the approach and adapt bits to suit. One of the main things is co-washing instead of using shampoo - there are variations to this but for simplicity, it means using a fair amount of silicone-free conditioner to lubricate and then using fingers to scrub the scalp to remove dirt rather than a shampoo which often works by stripping - dirt, oils, moisture, colour... You would need to commit to it for a few weeks at least, and really put your back into the scrubbing and then rinse til it feels clean - I've seen people complaining their hair isn't clean but it's often down to applying conditioner the same way they did shampoo and then wondering why it's not magically lifting the dirt!

I do have wavy hair, but even if I didn't I'd still be doing co-washing because it has restored (or rather stopped stripping) so much moisture to my hair, and the frizz has consequently calmed down a lot. You get through a LOT of conditioner, but there are some very cheap ones (£1 or so) that are suitable, e.g. www.savers.co.uk/XHC/XHC-Banana-Conditioner-400ml/

I think this approach might be worth trying as it addresses the cause (shampoo stripping moisture) rather than trying twenty different expensive masks and oils to add moisture back in. And if it doesn't work, just go back to the hunt for a good product!

I bought the reincarnation mask from Boots and liked it. Does help and leave it on longer than they say when have time.
You can get a large pot direct from Bleach which works out cheaper and if you sign up they send offers . I got a 25% one recently. Plus think they do an offer for first time spend.
bleachlondon.com/products/reincarnation-mask-500ml

There is a postage charge if under £30, but Boots don't seem to sell the mega size so think its still cheaper than the small size.

Just seen they are now doing a reincarnation shampoo and confectioner, but not trued that.

This is quite good as a pre treatment, and again I try to leave on longer. If you have a Boots card its cheaper at the moment.
www.boots.com/bondiboost-elixir-oil-100ml-10274922

I wouldn't necessarily bother with shampoo and conditioner to match fancy masks, as they don't do the same thing. Olaplex 3 is the only Olaplex product which restores bonds. The rest is just luxury haircare you can choose if you fancy it.

Yeah Olaplex now have so many products , spect it’s the same with the Bleach ones as well, just trying to get people to spend more.

You don’t say how long your hair is. Mine is short and spiky and I never shampoo it (it only gets done at the hairdressers when o get it cut/bleached) or dry it with a hairdryer. Could you cut out some shampoo/drying if you do that?

This works a treat. My hair is curly and has a tendency to frizz up but this keeps it soft without being greasy.

I've had good results from Olaplex but not miracles. ColorWow has really woked for me though.

Woked? That should say 'worked'.

Bought the three quid Schwartzkopf oil spray, it's amazing! Beats my expensive ones. Thanks mumsnet!