<p>My hair is a mess; it is extremely thick, curly, but somewhat fine. In this dry weather, I find that after just a few minutes outdoors, I have a cloud of stick-straight broken hairs framing my face (my fault for wearing a ponytail, I know). Should I use hairspray? Gel? If you use a product one day, do you wash your hair the next day? I can’t imagine putting day after day of sticky stuff in my hair without washing it in between. But, I try to wash my hair only twice a week to keep it from getting any dryer. I’m really interested to hear what, if anything, you all use.</p>
<p>I’m 55, with a fair amount of white/gray. I started a thread about going gray a couple of years ago. I’m not there yet. Not enough gray to look fabulous yet, so I have my hair dyed once a month, back to its natural, chestnut brown. Dark brown with a lot of red. I have beautiful hair. However, I will admit that the white/gray hair that is coming in has a different texture. Wiry as opposed to my original brown wavy/loose curly.</p>
<p>I don’t like the feel of a lot of product in my hair. I use a high quality flat iron/straightener or a large bore curling iron on my hair after I wash it. If I possibly can, I let it air dry because my hair feels way too dry after using a blow dryer. When it is dry I use the straightener or curling iron. </p>
<p>I wash my hair every three days or so. I used to wash it every day when it was short, but now it is shoulder length, with layers (plus I’m post menopausal) and it gets too dry if I wash it every day.</p>
<p>I use no hair spray, no anything, other than shampoo and conditioner.</p>
<p>I have a friend who has hair that is very similar to mine, who has gone the no shampoo route. She washes with water only, and brushes it every evening to distribute the natural oils. Her hair looks great. I personally could never do that, but her hair does look terrific.</p>
<p>There are many products on the market for “naturally curly” hair right now. Websites devoted to it ! Lots of talk about “no-poo ing” (washing without shampoo), washing with conditioner ( like “Wen”), “bad” sulfites, and protective hairstyles. </p>
<p>A lot, but not all, are marketed to African American hair. Two companies to check out are MixedChicks and Jessie Curl.</p>
<p>Mixed Chicks
<a href=“http://m.mixedchicks.net/?cmd=showcategory&category=0000731229&sid=yhst-70423349317613[/url]”>http://m.mixedchicks.net/?cmd=showcategory&category=0000731229&sid=yhst-70423349317613</a></p>
<p>Jessie Curl
<a href=“http://www.jessicurl.com%5B/url%5D”>http://www.jessicurl.com</a></p>
<p>I agree with Shrinkrap. Check out the site dedicated to curly hair. You will learn LOTS about how to take care of your hair and what other people do.</p>
<p>Are you conditioning your hair? I don’t mean using conditioner that you use after shampoo. I mean are you using a leave in conditioner, a daily conditioner? Do you oil your hair? </p>
<p>Are you protecting your edges? If you’re seeing a cloud of broken hair surrounding your face then you may be too demanding on your hair. Give them some TLC! Try some protective styles. Condition them. Oil them. </p>
<p>It takes awhile to get your routine down. The most important is listen to your hair! Don’t wash it because you think it’s nasty to pile on “sticky stuff”. If your hair is happy and healthy, odds are it’s for the best. If you see your hair is unmanageable, then wash it and restore it. You definitely want to find a good washing window. As Shrinkwrap said, try a co-wash, “no-poo” or just doing treatments between shampooing.</p>
<p>Personally, I relax my hair. When I was young and naive, I used to have horrible breakage all over my hair and it was the most noticeable around the edges. What contributed greatly to the breakage was gel and lack of conditioning. Now, a good three years later, I know what my hair likes and how to nourish after doing damaging hairstyles. I do NOT use gels. Gels, especially the ones with alcohol, are drying. If I want a slicked back look, I will heavily condition my hair wit a daily conditioner, use oils, and then I will brush in a thin layer of flexible hairspray while it is still wet. I do not brush it when the hairspray is dry. </p>
<p>Also, if you use hot tools, use HEAT PROTECTANT. There’s nothing like zapping all the hydration out of your hair than to put intense heat to it.</p>
<p>OP, there’s nothing wrong with product, as long as you use the right product.</p>
<p>My hair has gone oddly straight the last couple of years (ah, the joys of menopause!). In my curly days, I used a gentle moisturizing shampoo, followed by a light conditioner. Afterward, towel dry and then mousse. That’s it. Nothing sticky, nothing heavy.</p>
<p>For curlies, styling technique is every bit as important as product, and the golden rule is: Less is more. It’s so tempting to want to keep playing with it, but I really found that the more I left it alone, the better it looked. So after the mousse, I’d scrunch and then let it air dry for 10 or 15 minutes, then do a very gentle, very short blow dry. Dryer on low and warm, pointed up from underneath, scrunching all the while. And only for a couple of minutes – the idea wasn’t to actually dry it, but to activate the mousse for volume and to encourage the curls. Then I left the bathroom so I wouldn’t be tempted to keep messing with it.</p>
<p>If you use spray, my stylist taught me a great trick. Instead of spraying your hair, you spray the tips of your fingers, then finger-style whatever spot you’re targeting.</p>
<p>I have thick, very curly, frizzy but also fine hair(I straighten with an iron.) I use John Frieda Frizzee hair serum on damp hair before I blow dry. Then after I straighten with the iron, I use Juvexin serum. It’s an oil. I only use a few drops but it keeps my hair from flying away and adds sheen. You can only get it at a salon. </p>
<p>I use the oil every day and since my hair is extremely dry I only wash my hair once a week. Washing dry hair too much is bad for it as you are washing all the natural oils out. The longer I wait between shampoos, the better my hair looks.</p>
<p>I have thick, wavy hair (going grey but I color). I use Moroccan Oil before I dry my hair. It’s expensive, but the cheaper oil doesn’t work as well.</p>
<p>For my short thick curly hair I use a product from Sexy Hair called Quick Change. It’s supposedly a shaping balm, but I find a very small amount acts like a gel or mousse without the wet look.</p>
<p>My hair is thick but also fine and a bit wavy. It’s become wavier over the past few years as I have aged. Not enough gray to require coloring yet. It’s still shiny and soft, and my stylist always comments on how healthy it is. </p>
<p>I use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. I try to let it air dry when possible. When I’m going to dry it I use an alcohol free serum for frizzies and straightening. It’s just a drug store brand, L’Oreal Everstyle Smooth and Shine Serum. It does not build up and is not sticky. It’s not an issue the next day. I typically shampoo 3-5 times a week. At least once a week I rinse it with apple cider vinegar, just a few spoonfuls mixed with water. It doesn’t leave an odor. </p>
<p>At least once a month I use organic coconut oil on it before shampooing. I try to leave this on for at least 15 minutes before shampooing. I use just enough to coat all of my hair and scalp. After I shampoo I rinse it all with the apple cider vinegar mixture.</p>
<p>My hair is fairly thick, with some wave. I use a little Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter. I just put a tiny bit on my hands, rub my hands together, and work it through my damp hair. I let my hair air dry a bit, but frequently use a hair dryer to finish drying it.</p>
<p>Note: if you use too much, your hair can look very greasy. If/when that happens, put a little cornstarch on your hands and work it through the hair.</p>
<p>I do wash my hair daily, but use a very small amount of a very gentle non-lathering shampoo, followed by conditioner.</p>
<p>My hair is curly, though also fairly thick. I really like a product by Biolage called Hydra Seal Leave In Creme. It’s a little more expensive than typical drugstore products, but I order it form drugstore.com sometimes and it’s not too bad. I really like it because it doesn’t make my hair feel sticky, greasy, or leave any kind of noticeable residue…it just keeps it from getting too frizzy and dry. And if I don’t wash my hair for a day, no problem.</p>
<p>I have color-treated, naturally wavy hair that tends to frizz when it’s foggy or humid. A couple of years ago, I bought a Groupon for a keratin blowout, and was thrilled with the results, so have kept it up. It is pricey, but is the only big splurge I do for myself. The treatments last longer each time, so I now only need it done once every 4 months or so. My hair is so much shinier and more manageable, I can’t recommend keratin blowouts enough!</p>
<p>Re: keratin treatments. The weight of my hair helps hold it down, but my bangs frizz in the slightest bit of humidity so I have my stylist apply the keratin treatments to my bangs only. Cost is reasonable and worth it.</p>
<p>I’ve done kertatin and loved how it helped my hair. My stylist also said it was much easier for her to manage. But it got binned because of tuition expense. One more thing to go back on the list when we’re finished paying for college.</p>
<p>DevaCurl is great. You can use their products day after day without washing and your hair won’t get sticky. I use their non-lathering No Poo shampoo and their One Condition conditioner on the days when I wash it, then use the Mister Right curl revitalizer on the days when I don’t. For styling, I use Set it Free, Styling Cream and B’leave In. None of the products I’ve tried leave a strong smell in your hair, a problem with many of the other anti-frizz products I’ve used. </p>
<p>I also used to like the Pureology line until they changed the formulas. Their Real Curl styling cream was awesome, but it was discontinued.</p>
<p>Another one who had heard of the loved keratin treatments. Well worth the money for some.</p>
<p>I hope those who use keratin treatments tip their stylists well, because they are putting their health at risk.
[Keratin</a> Hair Treatment Facts - Is Keratin Hair Smoothing Safe? - Oprah.com](<a href=“http://www.oprah.com/style/Keratin-Hair-Treatment-Facts-Is-Keratin-Hair-Smoothing-Safe]Keratin”>http://www.oprah.com/style/Keratin-Hair-Treatment-Facts-Is-Keratin-Hair-Smoothing-Safe)</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.bottomlinepublications.com/content/article/health-a-healing/keratin-hair-treatments-still-are-not-safe[/url]”>http://www.bottomlinepublications.com/content/article/health-a-healing/keratin-hair-treatments-still-are-not-safe</a></p>
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<p>The thing with many hair treatments is that they’re not the most healthy; however they’re worth it for some to have manageable hair. </p>
<p>It’s good to make everyone aware of the chemicals than they put on their head, in their lungs, or eyes. I know the danger of my treatments. I have a great hair stylists. And I will continue to do them. (And Imm sure the hair stylists know the dangers, as well).</p>
<p>Just curious, do the stylists take precautions ( mask/gloves- chemical proof aprons & goggles) as required by OSHA?</p>
<p>The OSHA, from what I have briefly read, requires the salons to provide their hair stylists the correct said wry materials. As to whether the stylists are REQUIRED to use those materials, I am unsure. I have seen stylists who do not use protective gear while doing dangerous hair treatments, but on the other hand, I have seen stylists use protective gear.</p>