Shampoo (and volumiser) for greasy, fine, limp hair

[Lumpyandlimpy]

Any suggestions for my terrible hair? I feel like I’ve tried all the suggestions on other threads and so am hoping that there’s some new revelation? My hair looks limp and greasy, within an hour or so of getting washed. It’s not build up. Underside is particularly bad. Dry shampoo definitely helps but it leaves residue on clothes and coats so would rather avoid if possible.

Have you tried Aussie Volume, it’s the only thing that works on mine.

I had hair similar to yours. Here's what worked for me, but it's weird!
Apply a deep conditioning hair mask once a week. After rinsing, shampoo twice to remove residue. Use dry shampoo on the second day if needed. Then, use a normal amount of shampoo and the tiniest blob of conditioner you can get away with.
I'm a late fifties, sweaty, menopausal woman with wavy hair that would go berserk at the slightest sniff of humidity in the air, and this has really helped keep my hair from looking like Worzel Gummidge!
(I did try to rock the wavy look, but using any kind of product left my hair looking dark and greasy - the alternative was to leave it looking like I'd just got out of bed, with different strands poking out all over the place.)

Dry shampoo is best put in at night, then next day it looks ok and less gets on other things. Much better than spraying on and running through with your fingers in the morning.

The best for my hair like this has always been John Frieda Sheer Blonde, if you’re blonde. Not sure if the brunette or red versions are any good. But, it is tested on animals, so I switched to Faith in Nature and really like it. Either the coconut or Lavender. Absolutely not the one for greasy hair - it stripped it of all moisture!

Thanks for the replies. I have tried all of these suggestions, with the exception of the coconut or lavender faith in nature. Even shampoos that people say the find drying, I still find leaves my hair greasy.

The more you try to dry your hair out, the greasier it will be. Your hair is overcompensating for all the washing, clarifying products etc. You need to break the cycle and, I'm afraid, work through the grease. Wash as little as possible, and over time, your hair will last longer without looking greasy. I used to wash mine every day, sometimes twice a day! Through lockdown, I was able to let it be greasy, and it really helped. Now I can go every other day, or even every two days, depending on what I've been doing or where I've been. Also, try and find shampoo with no silicone in it. I'd recommend the Michael van Clarke stuff. Expensive, but good. Don't get the moisturising one or the cashmere protein. Get the volumising one. The angelica rose one is supposed to be good, but I haven't tried it. Silicone weighs your hair down. My hair is so fine and thin that normal shampoo with silicone just coats it and makes it look awful!

I also tried this training technique over lockdown, multiple times. I also tried it when studying for exams in my younger days. As soon as it was washed it went straight back to the way it was, needing washed the next day. The women in my mums side are all the same.
Will look into your recommendation for shampoo, thank you.

I really strongly recommend Davines (browse here and then wait for a 20 per cent off code at somewhere like Cult Beauty or Space NK):
Shampoo - Sustainable Shampoo - Davines UK

You'd be the best judge of which one, because they do loads, but reading what you've said I guess possibly this one?
REBALANCING Shampoo - Davines UK

Or this one:
SOLU Shampoo - Davines UK

However - I would also consider an incredibly gentle one like this one:
DEDE Shampoo - Davines UK

Look for 'clear' shampoo, Aussie volume or patent lift n volume etc

Have you tried Mane & Tail shampoo? My hair sounds similar to yours and it makes a real difference. Also, don’t use conditioner.

I recommend Aveda volumiser shampoo and conditioner - not cheap but lasts a long time (you don't use loads just a small coin sized amount).

My hair is like yours - very find and limp, and needs washing every day otherwise it's unbearably greasy. I agree it's not ideal, but why not just accept it and wash it as needed? Having a quick sower every morning isn't a big deal.

Don't use conditioner, or if you must, ensure it's silicone free and use a tiny bit on the ends.

Blow-dry every time and lift it off the scalp as you do. Use a cooler setting to avoid scalp sweating.

Use a very gentle shampoo twice rather than a harsher one once, and rinse for at least 30 seconds after you think you can stop.

You could try an apple cider vinegar rinse (read up on it first).

I wouldn't use any leave-in products in very oily hair, personally.

Do you shampoo every day? I have hair like yours but I shampoo every second day (or third if I can stretch it). When I shampoo daily my hair is much greasier. Shampooing too much strips natural oils and your hair goes into overdrive making more oil

I have the exact same issue OP. Most women in my family have the same issue. I cannot just "skip a day" without looking unhygienic.

Lush shampoo bars are the only shampoos that make my hair clean and fluffy. If the weather is dry, and I use the Lush Clean Green shampoo bar, then I can skip a day by using dry shampoo at night.

Hi my hair is exactly the same.

Have you tried a scalp scrub? I use one twice a week and I find that my hair looks less greasy on day 2.

I also used.to.leave my hair to air dry as it's so fine but I find below drying makes it look much better and lasts a little bit longer between washes.

I feel your pain. I would love to be one of those.people who can only wash their hair once or twice a week.

My hair sounds very similar to yours and for most of my life I have had to wash it every day.
I realise I was using too much shampoo. I buy good qualilty shampoo (and always alternate them) but only use the smallest amount (day 1). I need to use a shampoo with silicone as otherwise my hair is too lifeless. I always always use styling products. One of my favourites is Paul Mitchell flexible style super sculpt gel. I use it sparingly.
(Day 2) I don't use shampoo - just wash hair with water while under shower. Use styling product.
(Day 3) wash hair under shower with conditioner.

My hair looks better or days 2 or 3 now and I wish I'd done this years ago.

My hair sounds like yours. What fixed it for me was shampooing twice (i'd always only shampooed once), focusing on the scalp; keeping moisturiser to the length and ends, not the scalp; not washing every day. A revelation was how much you can restyle hair with just the steam from the shower, not having to wash every day.

I have found Aussie to be one of the better ones. I usually double wash with that and Ethique St Clements.
Thanks for the suggestions. I have tried a lot of them but others I will give a go. @VanillaFlotilla i don’t mind washing it every day, but would like it to last until the end of work before it looks greasy😩

@lemonraincoat which shampoo do you use, please? Also, is the styling gel the one in the tube?

I think double washing is no good for your hair! I never do that as my hair is so fine and soft - I don't even let hairdressers do it.

At the moment I have Kerastase Densifique, Kiehl's Amino acid shampoo and Molton Brown volumising shampoo all on the go. They last me so long because I really use the smallest amount.

Here is the Paul Mitchell product I use. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Paul-Mitchell-Super-Sculpt-Styling/dp/B0009OMNJI

I see you are using a clarifying shampoo. I'm not a hair stylist but I don't think that can be good for you using it too much. I think it's something for once a week use (I do use one occasionally).

Hi @Lumpyandlimpy
Try applying shampoo to dry hair then rinse out with water. Wash once a week hun. I don't use a conditioner and use any random shampoo in the bathroom lol, at the moment Tresemme x

Yes, perhaps I should try using it less. Thanks

I got some Tigi Superstar 'Queen for a day' spray recently, and it's great for giving some added volume with a blow-dry. I don't use it all the time, just every now and then.

I have fine hair, and wash it every other day with a gentle shampoo. Once a week I use a clarifying shampoo. I don't double wash unless I have a lot of product on my hair, I just leave the shampoo on while I have the rest of my shower and rinse at the end.

You have to do what is best for your hair/lifestyle, wash it as often or as rarely as suits you. But gentle is best!

Another vote for Mane and Tail shampoo. It's the only thing that's ever allowed me to go two days between washes.