My hair is a total mess!

[lchf]

 

Olaplex - I looked it up and it's for Salon Professionals only. However, Amazon still carries it lol. No idea what I'm supposed to order though.

 

 

Olaplex No1 and No2 are used in in-salon treatments (only available to salons), called a Stand Alone treatment, which reconnects broken disulphide bonds in your hair, the only product with a patent on the active ingredient on the market that does so.

 

No3 is the take home product, used in between salon visits, also containing the active ingredient. That is available at retail. Buy that and try that out, and graduate to a full salon treatment at a later stage.

[veggirl]

I use a sulfate free shampoo and only wash ONCE a week. I condition twice a week.

 

I have very long hair, it never gets greasy since I switched to this (after adjusting of course...taper down to less and less washing. Your hair adjusts and your scalp will thank you). My hair is thicker and all the wispy bits grew out...it's awesome.

[S_A]

Olaplex No1 and No2 are used in in-salon treatments (only available to salons), called a Stand Alone treatment, which reconnects broken disulphide bonds in your hair, the only product with a patent on the active ingredient on the market that does so.

 

No3 is the take home product, used in between salon visits, also containing the active ingredient. That is available at retail. Buy that and try that out, and graduate to a full salon treatment at a later stage.

 

Ok thanks! I got a conditioner and shampoo selected already, but I will order the No3 to use later on and see how it works. You've made a compelling pitch for the product

[GemmaUK]

The whole point with haircare - something I have learned anyway is that no matter what you want to do or use it's better to just use what your hair likes.

I would love to just use 'pretty smelling new product from the advert' on my hair but my hair does not like it so becomes either unmanageable or only manageable instead of nice, healthy and shiny.

 

I have tried everything on the market, shampoos, conditioners, serums, gels, oils. I've tried all there is over the past 30 odd years. They work for around a month..longer if you wash less and then you end up back at square one with no good hair days.

We had had a particularly windy and rainy spring in the UK, on top of that my hair at that time had a natural wave but it looked like straw and the waves didn't flow they had strands (much like you said you have OP) which sat away from the 'flow' of the wave making it look like I had scribbled my hair on! Lol!

 

I spent £90 (around $130) on some salon haircare (from a salon outlet) products just before I found out about conditioner washing. I took it all back and got a refund.

I then went and bought some coconut oil for £5 and a bottle of conditioner from my grocery store for 80 pence and that was me started!

I tried a few conditioners for the washing but went back to that first one and still use it.

The best thing is hair care is so damn cheap now! Over a year I spend £5 on coconut oil, £6 on Olive Oil around £4 on sulphate free shampoo. £5 on silicone free conditioner and £30 on cheapo conditioner for washing. That's £4/20 ish per month instead of the £20 per month I used to spend.

Sulphate and silicone free is substantially cheaper.

 

If the ideas you are going for are not to your hair's liking then there is a fall back and a cheaper option to try.

 

Those little tiny curls you have tell me that new hairs are coming which haven't been dried out nor had build up on them. I think your hair is desperately trying to curl but is too dry to do so - just like mine used to be.

- so I guess there is a warning in here too - if you prefer whispy and frizz/dryness to curls then do stick with sulphates and silicones. The method I use will change the texture of your hair - but you may not like it. Just being honest!

 

One last biggie - get a trim before you start so that you have a good clean canvas at the ends and no split ends - horrible but essential.

[GemmaUK]

Plus I do wash my hair almost every day so that is why the monthly cost is £4.20 ish..and I forgot to add that I water down conditioner so my cost per year is not £30 it's £15 so it's not even £4.20!! Aargh!!

 

Cost is actually £2.91 per month washing almost daily (including all oils, conditioners etc)

I actually forgot quite how cheap it is!

[S_A]

t looked like straw and the waves didn't flow they had strands (much like you said you have OP) which sat away from the 'flow' of the wave making it look like I had scribbled my hair on! Lol!

 

Yeah, I can agree with the straw thing. I can especially agree with the scribble thing. Like some kid got a crayon and scribbled on your hair? I mean, that is an exaggeration obviously but it made sense with me!

 

The only thing is that my hair is not curly. I was born with straight hair and I don't think it's trying to curl. It just seems like the strands of hair are broken which is why they don't want to be straight anymore.

[GemmaUK]

Yeah, I can agree with the straw thing. I can especially agree with the scribble thing. Like some kid got a crayon and scribbled on your hair? I mean, that is an exaggeration obviously but it made sense with me!

 

The only thing is that my hair is not curly. I was born with straight hair and I don't think it's trying to curl. It just seems like the strands of hair are broken which is why they don't want to be straight anymore.

 

Ha! Like some kid has got a crayon!! Yup! I know exactly what you mean! Lol!

 

My hair was pretty straight until I got to about 20-25 years old but then it was also very dry so it didn't have enough moisture in it to curl or lay any other way than scribbled.

Dry hair has no 'life' and like you've said no grease either - mine never did.

It was a haystack with the weight of 1 ply of toilet tissue.

 

Oh..just remembered a question you asked earlier - no EVOO will not cause any build up. If you do clarify then it will help not to dry your hair out so much if you go the baking soda route.

[William]

Folks, since public solicitation of commentary on private photos is outside of guidelines, moderation cleaned up that part and we'll leave the thread open to discuss messy hair and potential solutions. All established members have PM privileges so any solicitation for opinion or for access to private albums/areas/off-site content can be done privately.

 

Thanks!

[S_A]

I was wondering where this thread was!

 

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. A lot of thought was put into some of them.

 

 

Small update: Another poster on here had the wise idea of asking me if the girl that cuts my hairs uses thinning sheers (genius!), and she does. Actually, I recall noticing this hair problem I've had a little after I started using the girl I use now (which was like 3-4 years ago). While I don't think the thinning sheers are the sole cause of the problem I am having, I think it is a big part of it. I think ceasing the use of thinning sheers plus improved hair care practices will solve my problem

 

 

Thanks everyone!

[anika99]

Don't mean to thread jack but am I like the only person in the world who doesn't think Oil is the miracle moisturizer everyone else seem to think it is?

 

About 4 years ago I noticed my hair was getting a little dry with age so I looked online for home remedies and saw a lot of people touting the wonder EVOO for conditioning hair. So I ran out and got some. Completely coated my hair and let it sit for an hour. Washed it out and conditioned and styled and initially I was happily amazed at how awesome my hair felt and looked. I was sold and I started doing the EVOO hair mask once a about every 10 days. After about 6 weeks I started to notice my hair becoming even drier than it used to be, so I started doing the Olive Oil treatments twice a week and about 4-5 weeks after that my hair had turned absolutely hideous. I had no natural moisture in my hair at all anymore. After I washed and conditioned my hair it would look okay but by the end of the day it felt dry and then next day it felt like stiff hay. I couldn't figure what in the world was going on. It's like my hair was completely dead. I immediately stopped using any Olive oil and within about a month my hair started to recover and after about 2 months it was mostly back to the way it was before I ever used EVOO which was mostly healthy but slightly on the dry side.

 

Meanwhile I kept hearing and reading about how wonderful EVOO is a conditioner and I didn't understand why I'm the only one who seemed to have the exact opposite experience with it. I wondered if it was all in my head. Then last year I got a nasty rash on the back of my left hand and it wouldn't go away. It itched and burned and was looked gross. So I went looking for home remedies again and sure enough a bunch of people were saying that EVOO was a good home remedy for skin irritations. So I slathered a bunch of it on my rash one morning and again in the afternoon. By the end of the day I thought the rash maybe did look a little better so I put one more coat of olive oil on it and went to bed. The next day the skin I had been applying the EVOO was all dry and hard like a crust. I don't know to describe it but the skin that I had been applying the EVOO too was just completely dried up. It was so dry and tight it was painful but the rash was still festering too, so now I had double the discomfort. This was further confirmation that olive oil was somehow having this very drying affect on me that nobody else seems to have.

 

Now I won't touch olive oil with a 10 foot pole. I won't put it in my hair, I won't put in on my skin, I won't put it in my bath. It dries me right the freak out. If I had a problem with oily skin or oily hair then I would be slathering that stuff all over me but on my dry skin and hair, no way.

[Imported]

Buzz cut it with a #3 guard. No more bad hair days. If that look works for you. I like it, even when girls tease me to grow my hair out.

 

I swim a lot in pools and buy anti-chlorine shampoos in bulk because nothing but stuff made to remove chlorine removes chlorine. Even if you wash your hair/body 4 or 5 times with regular stuff and scrub like you're trying to remove skin. I don't know if you swim, but I notice my hair and body is...a mess till I started using this stuff.

 

The adult versions are all expensive as hell. I just get the children version from Walmart. Suave Surf & Swim or L'Oréal Swim and Sport, both @$2

 

edit: I use American Crew Fiber, leaves a kinda wet matte look on my hair that I like. Definitely looks better with the stuff than without, plus it helps keep the chlorine from really being absorbed into my hair when I swim.

Edited November 11, 2015 by Imported

[veggirl]

Don't mean to thread jack but am I like the only person in the world who doesn't think Oil is the miracle moisturizer everyone else seem to think it is?

 

About 4 years ago I noticed my hair was getting a little dry with age so I looked online for home remedies and saw a lot of people touting the wonder EVOO for conditioning hair. So I ran out and got some. Completely coated my hair and let it sit for an hour. Washed it out and conditioned and styled and initially I was happily amazed at how awesome my hair felt and looked. I was sold and I started doing the EVOO hair mask once a about every 10 days. After about 6 weeks I started to notice my hair becoming even drier than it used to be, so I started doing the Olive Oil treatments twice a week and about 4-5 weeks after that my hair had turned absolutely hideous. I had no natural moisture in my hair at all anymore. After I washed and conditioned my hair it would look okay but by the end of the day it felt dry and then next day it felt like stiff hay. I couldn't figure what in the world was going on. It's like my hair was completely dead. I immediately stopped using any Olive oil and within about a month my hair started to recover and after about 2 months it was mostly back to the way it was before I ever used EVOO which was mostly healthy but slightly on the dry side.

 

Meanwhile I kept hearing and reading about how wonderful EVOO is a conditioner and I didn't understand why I'm the only one who seemed to have the exact opposite experience with it. I wondered if it was all in my head. Then last year I got a nasty rash on the back of my left hand and it wouldn't go away. It itched and burned and was looked gross. So I went looking for home remedies again and sure enough a bunch of people were saying that EVOO was a good home remedy for skin irritations. So I slathered a bunch of it on my rash one morning and again in the afternoon. By the end of the day I thought the rash maybe did look a little better so I put one more coat of olive oil on it and went to bed. The next day the skin I had been applying the EVOO was all dry and hard like a crust. I don't know to describe it but the skin that I had been applying the EVOO too was just completely dried up. It was so dry and tight it was painful but the rash was still festering too, so now I had double the discomfort. This was further confirmation that olive oil was somehow having this very drying affect on me that nobody else seems to have.

 

Now I won't touch olive oil with a 10 foot pole. I won't put it in my hair, I won't put in on my skin, I won't put it in my bath. It dries me right the freak out. If I had a problem with oily skin or oily hair then I would be slathering that stuff all over me but on my dry skin and hair, no way.

 

Honestly when your hair is left alone your scalp will produce the oils it needs...the people spouting the virtues of evoo conditioner online are probably people who used it once and saw your first time results. Coating your hair with oil for an hour once a week is a bit of work, I wouldn't be surprised if most people try it but then never keep up with it. I've found the best thing for my hair is as little washing as possible.

[KatZee]

Don't mean to thread jack but am I like the only person in the world who doesn't think Oil is the miracle moisturizer everyone else seem to think it is?

 

I don't know about straight olive oil on the hair. I don't do that.

 

I use majority coconut oil (3 TBSP) to a (1 TBSP) of EVOO. Maybe that's what your problem was.

 

I haven't had any issues and I've done it quite a number of times, my hair hasn't ever looked better. I also shampoo my hair once a week as is, and have done that for a very long time, my hair wasn't making natural oils, or looking it's best with limited shampooing.

 

It depends on your hair, it depends on how your hair reacts to certain products. No one person is ever going to have the exact same results as another.

[Els]

Don't mean to thread jack but am I like the only person in the world who doesn't think Oil is the miracle moisturizer everyone else seem to think it is?

 

It really depends on what type of oil - you mentioned trying olive oil, which, err, IMO is really intended for food and not hair. From what I've experienced, not all oils are equal, some won't be absorbed by the hair and will just leave everything my hair touches a greasy mess. I've only found argan oil (argania spinosa) to work for mine.

 

As for skin, oil directly on skin always irritates mine. The best OTC remedy that I've found for skin irritation is just aqueous cream from the pharmacy (a simple, water-based moisturizer) and avoidance of irritants. Different people are allergic to different things so trying out cosmetic products is a lot more difficult for those of us who are prone to allergies - I'm the same way with many products.

Edited November 12, 2015 by Elswyth

[S_A]

I'm glad you pinpointed the thinning shears. I think those scissors are the death of any head of hair.

 

How long is your hair? Can you just let it grow for a while?

I had totally forgotten that my hair was cut using them. Right now my hair could reach my eyebrows. I am going to cut it by the end of next week, and the hair on my head grows fast, so I'd say the bangs would definitely be able to reach my eyes by the end of next week.

 

I don't think there is any need to let my hair grow out more. The effects of the use of thinning sheers should be completely gone by the 2nd cut (if not the next cut).

 

Buzz cut it with a #3 guard. No more bad hair days. If that look works for you. I like it, even when girls tease me to grow my hair out.

 

I swim a lot in pools and buy anti-chlorine shampoos in bulk because nothing but stuff made to remove chlorine removes chlorine. Even if you wash your hair/body 4 or 5 times with regular stuff and scrub like you're trying to remove skin. I don't know if you swim, but I notice my hair and body is...a mess till I started using this stuff.

 

The adult versions are all expensive as hell. I just get the children version from Walmart. Suave Surf & Swim or L'Oréal Swim and Sport, both @$2

 

edit: I use American Crew Fiber, leaves a kinda wet matte look on my hair that I like. Definitely looks better with the stuff than without, plus it helps keep the chlorine from really being absorbed into my hair when I swim.

 

Yeah, I definitely won't buzz my hair. I did do that in my late teens, and looking back at old pictures it looked great, but that look does not suit me any more.

 

My question is this though, why do you use American Crew Fiber? You're hair isn't long enough lol. But hey, if you're going to use product, then try Hybridized Wax by Hanz De ***o. Bet you'll like it more. It's easier to apply, wash, and will give you a better wet-matte look (I know the look you're talking about). I used to use American Crew Fiber for a short while, but not anymore.

[jen1447]

The BF uses Fiber - it's not really for long hair, just keeps shorter hair in check. (It also helps to give thinning hair body lol.)

[S_A]

The BF uses Fiber - it's not really for long hair, just keeps shorter hair in check. (It also helps to give thinning hair body lol.)

 

Is his hair really thinning? I'd switch from the fiber. The fiber can be bad for thinning hair (yeah it gives it body, but it also tugs on the hair when you apply it and can pull the hair out). I got really good recommendations if he ever is interested in switching

[avintagegirl]

I have a lot of hair but it is super fine and wavy. I have a very hard time finding ways to condition my hair without weighing it down. Here is what works for me: Amla oil. I know people here have recommended other oils. I have used coconut oil and for me it was ok. I would grade it a B-minus. The Amla oil worked really well for me. It left my hair conditioned and shiny. I use a particular kind called Dabur Amla Gold. It smells to me like balsam shampoo. Do not get the original, you want the Gold version.

 

To clarify my hair - I use apple cider vinegar. It works better than any thing pricey that I have used. It gets the buildup off my scalp and it leaves my hair super soft.

 

Also - if you try out the Amla Gold, leave it on for 20 min to an hour and then wash it out. DO NOT get your hair wet with water first. BEFORE you get in the shower, apply the shampoo to your hair and work it in and then step in the shower. It will make the removal process of the oil much easier. Trust me and learn from my experience, lol.

[S_A]

People have been using the word "clarify" a lot. By that you mean doing a deep cleanse to remove buildup? What kind of build up we talkin' here? Build up from hairstyling product? Buildup of your natural grease? My hair never gets greasy. I sort of wish it did though. I know how greasy hair can get too. When we were little my bro's hair would get super greasy and it would smell lol. I'd honestly take that because I think it'd be easier to fight the greasiness than the dryness.

 

 

When I was in my teens my hair produced the ideal amount of oil. As you age though you produce less, so now my head produces much less than the ideal amount of oil.

 

 

Anyway, I don't see any reason why I should have a build up of anything.

[avintagegirl]

People have been using the word "clarify" a lot. By that you mean doing a deep cleanse to remove buildup? What kind of build up we talkin' here? Build up from hairstyling product? Buildup of your natural grease? My hair never gets greasy. I sort of wish it did though. I know how greasy hair can get too. When we were little my bro's hair would get super greasy and it would smell lol. I'd honestly take that because I think it'd be easier to fight the greasiness than the dryness.

 

 

When I was in my teens my hair produced the ideal amount of oil. As you age though you produce less, so now my head produces much less than the ideal amount of oil.

 

 

Anyway, I don't see any reason why I should have a build up of anything.

 

You can have a buildup of products just from regular shampoo and conditioning. I can only speak to my experience but it also helps my dry scalp and just getting rid of the natural buildup of dead skin on the scalp. Once everything is clear conditioning products have a greater chance of success in being effective.

 

You may not feel you need to take this step in your hair care routine. Just do what works for you. I suggested the vinegar because I like the results it produces and it is easy to use and most people have vinegar in their home.

[GemmaUK]

Agree with the posters here. Build up can happen over time from lots of things.

Ten or so years ago when I was still using shampoo and conditioner I got a clarifying shampoo made by Nutrogena (which I have not been able to find for years). and it made an instant difference to my hair. I would use it about once a month.

 

For those who use AC Vinegar do you simply get a cup of it and slowly run it through or do you use a spray bottle or something?

I haven't ever tried it. I might give it a go.

[S_A]

I can only speak to my experience but it also helps my dry scalp and just getting rid of the natural buildup of dead skin on the scalp. Once everything is clear conditioning products have a greater chance of success in being effective.

 

Ok, that's convincing enough for me to try it. Btw, Methodical rcommended for me to try "It's a 10 Miracle Deep Conditioner" and I tried it for my first time tonight. Wow! I also got a sulfate free shampoo in the mail. We'll see what happens over the next one to two months.

[avintagegirl]

I am glad that helped! I have heard good things about that product.

 

Best of luck to you. Let us know how your journey goes!