Each year as the winter season rolls around I feel like my hair takes a turn for the worse. It gets flatter than flat, my ends seem super dry, and the tangles are at an all time high. All are issues that I already battle with crazy fine hair, but they are even more intensified this time of year. Wearing scarves and furry vests are like a death sentence with tangles and leave my hair a gnarled mess at the nape of my neck (not even my Mason Pearson can prevent these guys). How. Cute. Right? Problem is that I hardly ever wear my hair up. I never feel like I can pull off the up look and since I shower every morning there seems to be no reason to wear it up. Last weekend when M and I were at the Dry Bar (dying to go back!), the girl who did my hair suggested changing up my shampoo and conditioner. I think I have known this little bit of advice ever since high school and actually took it to heart back then too. But back then I wasn’t coloring my hair and didn’t need nicer products that don’t contain sulfate – Herbal Essenses, Neutrogena, and whatever else was on the shelf at Target was just fine for me. That seems to make it much easier to switch things up every so often. Now that I started coloring my hair I invest in products that are friendly to my colored tresses and buy them in big bottles since it makes more sense money-wise in the long run. With a big pump of my beloved Aveda Color Conserve sitting in my shower it seems completely silly to spend even more money to add another bottle into the mix, but at this point I’m thinking that it may just be necessary. The knots have me at my wits end! So here I am in desperation asking for a little bit of help/advice on favorite shampoos and conditioners or other products. Something that is color-safe and can be used for my every day washing (yes, I know its bad but I have a fear of greasy hair and mine gets that way fast). Bring on the suggestions:)
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I have THE BEST CURE for you – coconut oil. Believe me, it has transformed my formerly dry hair into the greatest hair I've ever had. I wrote about it on my blog, read here: http://creativitymadebyida.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/essentials-dry-hair/
I have no shampoo advice to offer you, but as a fellow flat-haired gal who is afraid of greasy locks: cornstarch. My day-after hair needs a little "something" to freshen it up, but it's not quite greasy enough to warrant another shampoo. What you do is take a teensy bit of cornstarch in your hands, rub them together until you have an oh-so-fine layer of it all over your hands, and then run through your roots. Brush. It absorbs what grease is there and adds some texture. Be careful not to use too much or to use when you've got major roots because then you just look like you have grey hair. But this is what gets me through not having to shampoo every day and wrecking my hair. I know it sounds weird, but it's easy and cheap (WAY cheaper than dry shampoo), and it works. Good luck!!
i have very fine, blond hair (dyed of course) and i have the same problem! i started using moroccan oil (LIGHT for fine hair) shampoo and conditioner as well as the oil (again LIGHT) for when your hair is wet and then i apply the oil again after i've blown it dry just on the ends…and it has worked wonders!!! after a long day at work, it still has body, no static, no dry ends! I also have the hair spray by moroccan oil and love it as well…good luck!
I was feeling similar and started using Carol's Daughter (mostly natural) deep conditioning masque. It smells amazing and made my hair shiny again. Win!
I have incredibly fine blonde hair and I cannot recommend highly enough the Living Proof products. For everyday, I use the "Full" shampoo and conditioner, and I keep bottles of the "Restore" shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask (the best rescuer!) for emergencies. It is pricey but so worth it–not just for how it makes my hair look (never has a "full" shampoo lived up to its promise this well), but it is sulfate-, phthalate-, GMO-, and paraben-free.
Living Proof Restore—anything by Living Proof, really. Kerastase also has something for whatever ails your hair.
Moroccan oil indeed. I have fine brown hair that tends to knot and or get stringy in the winter. I also wash my hair each morning and have been told bt many stylists that moroccan oil helps keep the natural balance of your hair year round. You can find that or argon oil at Ulta (it comes in a spray bottle)
I have very baby fine hair and I struggle with trying to find volume while not weighing my hair down and making it oily. I use the volume collection by aveda. It's the abundance prep, the foam, and the pure abundance potion and tonic. It may seem like a lot of products but it works! I've never used products that I actually watch work instantly. And they come in travel sizes so you could try them out first!
I started using the new Clear products. I use the Damage and Color repair shampoo. I have colored my hair for ten years and it tends to get dry and tangled, especially when it's long. There's something about the formula that makes my hair so soft and manageable. The second I went back to using Tresemme and Herbal Essences, my hair was dry and tangled again.
I also noticed that because the product focuses on the health of your scalp, my hair didn't get greasy as fast (I'm a daily washer too). It's not a "professional" product, but it works well and the price and accessibility is unbeatable. I'd say it's worth a try because of the price point!
Hi – my hair is very similar. I loved the Kerastase Cristalliste line but just tried the Bumble and Bumble 'Let it Shine' Shampoo + Conditioner. This stuff is AMAZING. Hair is NOT greasy – I repeat NOT greasy (I would take a shower and three hours later my hair would be flat!) Not with Bumble and Bumble 'Let it Shine.' It's now soft, and I can even go the second day without shampooing it's so 'ungreasy!!!'Try the travel size version and see if you like it. Best of luck!
So my hair is very dry and doesn't get greasy unless I go like, a week without washing it… but I swear by Byron Wells' line of products. They don't wear hair down, they moisturize your ends… love! Also I did a post about the Curly Girl method today. Though your hair isn't curly, it's still interesting…basically, if you go sulfate free you should eliminate silcones too – otherwise your hair will get weighed down! As I write all this, my hair is in a bun – and there it will stay… not a good hair day over here
organix (comes in a lot of amazing-smelling options) and l'oreal eversmooth are both great sulfate-free options
I have the same problem, and my stylist recently suggested Label.M Sea Salt Spray. It give me texture to hold style and waves, and smells amazing. http://www.uniquelooks.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=2402&gclid=CO-qjuvnlbQCFY9DMgodaHEA-A
I am suffering with the same exact problem! I have the same hair as you do and with the weather, it's in bad shape! I'm looking for some advice; can't wait to read the other comments!
I have the exact same problem as you do. My hair is thin, fine and lifeless in the winter months. I researched for awhile on the different things that I could try and like you, I found countless places stating that I should wash my hair every two or three days. But I have the same problem, my hair gets greasy if I don't wash it, plus, I like to work out in the morning before work. FINALLY I heard that you should use oil at your scalp and on your tips to revise damaged and lifeless hair. I use Kiehls "Magic Elixir" Hair Restructuring Concentrate and I LOVE IT. It smells like rosemary and I usually rub it onto my scalp and ends and leave it on for 10 minutes. Sometimes I even leave it in overnight. You can buy it at Nordstrom's. BTW I love you blog!
I have fine-ish curly hair that I color — so it's a balance of finding moisturizing products that aren't too heavy. I have liked Burts Bees Avocado Butter Hair Treatment — online only, can't find it in Target. It's a pre-shampoo treatment and can also be used dry. I also have actually loved Costco's Kirkland Signature color treated/moisturizing shampoos and conditioners. Both the shampoo and conditioner moisturize well and are sulfate free and vegan. May be a bit heavy depending on how fine your hair is, so either use a little less than normal or do an every other day thing.
We definitely have the same issues! And it has been so dry in Tulsa (I'm sure Dallas too). Check out the sulfate-free L'Oreal drugstore shampoo and conditioner. They have a couple color safe versions. I've used the EverPure Smooth, Moisture and Restructuring and love them all. That way you don't have to blow the bank when you have your beloved Aveda
I don't color my hair, but I do have very fine hair! I understand the fine-hair-struggle! I use Burts Bees volumizing shampoo & conditioner & wash my hair every other day, both of which have really done wonders for volume & the healthy-looking factor. I know Burts Bees is sulfate free & super natural in general. I'm not sure if they have a product for color protection, but it's worth a check! I think it's about $9 a bottle. Keep us updated!
Kerastase. It hurts spending so much money on hair products but my hair is so gorgeous when using their products. I personally use the chroma captive (reflection) shampoo and conditioner since I have highlighted hair. But if you could only justify getting one product I highly recommend the ciment thermique (resistance) if you blow dry your hair and/or the sublimator jour (nutritive) leave in conditioner. I use the leave in conditioner anytime I feel my hair is too dry, best part is that you can use it on wet or dry hair.
If u r not using Kerastase, u b crazy. Just sayin'.
I swear by conditioning my hair twice every time I shower. And in the winter one of those is a deep treatment. I love Living Proof Restore products (when I can spend the $$) and also love the Loreal Everpure line which is in drugstores!
This is my constant conundrum; I've dabbled with the "It's a 10" products, Clear, Aveda, John Frieda, Redken, and Pureology. I currently use either "It's a 10" or Clear products for shampoo/conditioner and then John Frieda root volumizer along with Josie Maran Argan Oil for product after shampooing. I really do love Pureology prodcuts and Redken as well. I'm on the fence about "It's a 10" and will likely go back to Pureology after I'm done with my current amount.
Chelsea
Haute Child in the City
I echo what Jennifer said about Kerestase. I love it. I don't use it every day because I do think change can be good for hair, and because it is a pocketbook killer. Worth it for an alternate. I think mine is the chroma captive (pink). I also swear by the Fredric Fekkai shine spray for a little pick me up and it seems to keep the tangles at bay – but no more than a couple sprays. Finally, I love Bamboo oil from sephora for my ends, as it doesn't get greasy or heavy. Helps keeps my ends from getting outta control in the dry winter.
Try buying some decent-but-cheaper shampoo (you have Trader Joe's in Dallas now, right? Their Tea Tree Tingler shampoo and conditioner is sulfate-free and awesome) and using it once a week or a couple of times a week, just to give your hair a break from your regular shampoo/conditioner. I switch between a couple of different shampoos, and it keeps my hair from getting to "used to" one. You don't have to abandon your big bottle! Just give your hair something new every once in a while.
I also second the coconut oil recommendation, but I have thicker hair; not sure if it would weigh down finer hair too much.
I also have thin hair and have luck with Pureology
in the winter and alternate with Redken. I also
LOVE Rahua! I wash daily or I get super flat and
greasy. Let me know what you find!
-Becky
The Pumpkin Spot
I also have very fine, color-treated hair. I shower every morning, too (I have the same fear of greasy hair you do). My stylist switched me to the Enjoy line of products. I use the sulfate-free shampoo, a deep conditioning spray and the extra-moisturizing conditioner in the shower. I then spray a conditioning spray on my damp hair before touching it with a comb or brush. When it seems dry, I rub a small amount of conditioning oil through my damp hair. It was pricey to switch, but then a friend said something that made sense: "Your hair is the one accessory you wear EVERY DAY." And then the cost-per-wear seemed much more reasonable. Let us know what you decide to use!
I have very fine, delicate hair as well, and I've been using Garnier's Fall Fight conditioner along with a bunch of random shampoos, and it's totally transformed my hair. It's healthy, shiny, isn't weighed down, and it hasn't been breaking off as much. I use it every day and my hair doesn't ever feel like it has a ton of product buildup or anything.
Good luck!
I also have very fine hair. I use wen lavender and then living proof thinking creme. And a root lifter. If you decide to use wen start out with a small amount. I only use 3 pumps. And I don't wash twice. Works great. No tangles. Good luck. I'm almost 53. My finally liking my hair has been a life long quest. Bangs. No bangs. You and you're sister are gorgeous. Good luck.
Keratin hair treatment at Sydney, We specialize in the best hair treatment from Brazilian Blowout and Global Keratin products for permanent straightening.
I was in the exact same situation as you- just started using this a couple of months ago and it has been life changing! My hair is so soft and shiny.
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4480147
Love all these suggestions. Also a fine-haired bottle blondie over here. Combing my hair out of the shower is a nightmare of tangles. My mother is a hair dresser so I get all sorts of tips/tricks/suggestions from her crew of stylists. Biggest game changers for me: Frederick Fekkai volumizing or color-treated shampoo/conditioner for every day. Pureology Apres Hydrating conditioner post-color. Nioxin for a rescue switch up. Davines products for deep treatment and I swear by Davines' Absolute Beautifying Potion with Roucou oil – which I use 3 drops before blow drying to restore hair and 1 drop post – blow out on the ends. I used to have to blow my hair out every day because while it doesn't get greasy – is does get FLAT and/or fuzzy. I have also found that a drop or two of the Davines oil through day-old hair will get me by without having to fall back on a bun/pony/hat for those non-wash days. This is much better for my fine hair than Moroccan Oil or Argan which is much too heavy. No flatness whatsoever and has a lovely aroma. Investing in quality hair products is akin to investing in quality undergarments. Without the proper foundation, a fabulous outfit can fall flat or bumpy in places where there shouldn't be bumps. Just like hair! There is a reason why our hair looks and feels so great when done at the salon.
I can say with confidence that the key is to mix it up, especially if you wash your hair every day.
But here goes some tricks I have tried and that have been real hits with me.
1. When washing your hair everyday make sure that you don't rub the scalp back to front, and avoid rubbing the ends – this will ensure to avoid oiliness and tangliness
2. Kerastase Bain Volumactive Shampoo is the BOMB. Great for fine hair, shine…
3. Leave In conditioner is great value and great for your hair (i use RUSK, but have no idea if you can get it out of Portugal)
4. Pamper your hair with weekly treatment as follows:
a. Mix treatment cream (Bio extratus is great but any other will do) with some keratine drops (also Bio Extratus) and aply to wet and clean hair (avoiding roots)
b.Cover hair with foil and towel and leave in for 20 minutes
c. Rinse with warm water and dry as you wish.