Do shampoo & conditioner type make a difference to waves / curls?

[TheRealCannyFraddock]

I use Neals Yard shampoo and by Shu Uemura treatment mask as a conditioner, washing approx once every 5 days. The mask is really rich and smells incredible - if I use anything lighter my hair seems unconditioned. It is very expensive though and I don't know that it does anything for my waves (they become curls if styled right so I don't know what to class them as). I know there are curl-specific products but do they really make a difference?

I did the quiz on the Curlsmith website and used the recommended products which really helped me. My hair is quite thin and ever so slightly wavy and their frizz control products are brilliant. The website is also good at explaining the difference between hair and wave types, what works best and why for each. Very user friendly.

That was interesting, I am wavy type 2!

Me too! I'm 2A with low porosity hair.

I didn't realise but understanding porosity makes such a difference, well to me it did. What's yours?

Avoiding silicones made the biggest difference to my curls (I avidly read ingredients and avoid the -cones). I've also learnt that I generally need moisture not protein after buying a protein rich conditioner (don't use shampoo) and going mega fluffy!

I Found products for wavy/ curly hair definitely work on my hair.

Also low porosity - my hair takes FOREVER to dry. Fine but densely packed! Highlights take years to put in.