So apparently I've forgotten how to wash my own hair! Help 😬

[FrizzBomb26]

Hi,

Unfortunately I have the awkward combination of greasy roots, dry ends and naturally curly hair which I'm always battling, so also very heat damaged - basically utterly knackered. Oh and quite a bit of thinning at the top, plus about 40% grey roots which I get covered with a semi every 6 ish weeks 👍

Anyway, the greasy roots and thinning crown make my hair flat at the top and the dry ends puff out from the middle down, so I often feel a bit like a clown - lovely. With all that in mind, I was on a mission to find a shampoo that helped balance me out a bit, but now my hair seems to feel more greasy and heavy than ever! I just can't seem to get it to feel clean. I was using the Pureology hydrating shampoo, which is nice, but a little too rich for every wash. Then I started alternating with the Elvive purifying shampoo, but that doesn't lather at all so end up using too much so not a good result. Then I splurged and started using the Kerastase Specifique (?) for oily roots and dry ends and it felt squeaky clean in the shower, but as soon as I started drying, it felt really heavy again, like I hadn't rinsed my conditioner out properly.

For reference, I haven't changed my conditioners and masks. I alternate between the FUL moisture mask, the FUL conditioner and Olaplex moisture mask. I do spray my hair with the Frizz Ease anti humidity mist. Perhaps it's a build up of that....?

Anyway, what does anyone think I'm doing wrong? It's so frustrating, as it takes me ages to wash, dry and style my hair.

TIA

I have very, very similar hair and I’ve found over the years that less is more.

I’ve found a layered cut works really well for me as it weighs the top down less and reduces bulk at the bottom.

I wash every 2nd or thirds day - double shampoo and make sure to really clean my scalp, condition on the bottom 3/4 and leave in while washing the rest of me then brush through before rinsing, scrunch dry (ideally with an old cotton tshirt or microfibre towel) them leave to air dry the rest of the way.

I’ve found the garnier hair food range works really well for me but I’m trying out the umberto gianni curl jelly range at the recommendation of a friend and so far getting along well with that as well. It’s not feeling as heavy as a lot of curly products i’ve tried before.

How do you wash your hair and how frequently? Getting out the shower and still having greasy roots points towards you not cleansing your scalp well enough. Try the "double cleanse" method. You lather up some shampoo in your hands and then use your fingers to apply it all over your scalp (I.e. not slapping it straight onto your head/hair). Massage it in for a few mins concentrating on your scalp and only using finger tips (not nails). It wont lather very much (if at all). Rinse it out and then repeat the process but the second time you should notice that the shampoo lathers significantly more on your scalp. Conditioner should only really be applied to the mids and ends of your hair to avoid greasy build up at the scalp. It may be that you're more prone to greasy hair and you need to wash every couple of days. I hope that helps!

I only use cheap baby or kids shampoo it works better than expensive shampoos.

I would do a really good clarifying one - bumble and bumble Sunday shampoo, and wash twice with it

I have really thick frizzy greasy hair that needs washed every day I usually do 2 shampoos. Depending on how my hair is I will either shampoo conditioner then shampoo again or shampoo rinse, shampoo again then conditioner

I've got greasy hair and am liking this, and the conditioner too

https://www.superdrug.com/hair/shampoo/loreal-paris-elvive-hydra-pure-shampoo-400ml/p/848712?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18158841593&gbraid=0AAAAADp4mz8JZJQlTnFo2Hs_8mcamKxMA&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-frTBhCvARIsADv4XY6oygWA0KLwzgMmpW8ETw2C6F2tiNMkep3k6LBQQWFTfBZKebUMLpMaAt6NEALw_wcB

Related - do you know why your hair is thinning? Could it be your iron levels? Worth checking if you're not sure, otherwise, disregard!
(I was recently losing loads of hair, and it turned out my iron was very low. Now, 4 months later, I'm noticing a massive difference.)

I was going to say this. Please look into why your hair is thinning, it could be something you can easily correct.

You don't say how often you wash your hair, and how you do it - you mostly just mention the products you use, but technique and frequency matter a lot.

I would scrap everything you have now and start fresh with only some basic products. I would focus on:

• Oily scalp care
• Avoid silicones
• Keep hair products to a minimum. One shampoo, one mask OR conditioner (you don't need both) and one leave-in conditioner for your dry ends. That's it.
• Water quality. Get yourself one of those showerheads with inbuilt water filter for hard water.

I'd also seriously cut down on using heat tools (you can use overnight curling rods instead) and start my grey-blending journey. At 40% grey hair, I just wouldn't feel like there's a point in fighting the greys anymore.

My hair sounds similar to yours @FrizzBomb26 and I struggled for along time trying to find shampoo and conditioner that didnt make my hair feel flat, land and greasy straight after washing. I have learnt some general rules of thumb - go for clear shampoos and dont use fabric conditioner on towels. I am current using Ouai and also sometimes use champo. I gave up on supermarket products years ago. Good luck - its an expensive and frustrating mission trying to find the holy grail!

If your hair is feeling lank and greasy after washing it it sounds like you need a clarifying shampoo to get rid of product build up. I like the Aveeno Apple Cider one.

If your ends are dry try adding some oil to the ends before the shower. Shampoo your roots/scalp but don't lather your ends just let the shampoo run down them.

Then condition the ends and rinse.

Ease off on the use of heat.

Have blood tests to get your ferritin, Vit B12, and Vit D levels. If these are low it could well account for thinning hair.