OT: Shampoo/Conditioners

[LenaS]

I suppose this is way off topic, but what kind of shampoo/conditioners/gels/mousses, etc. do most of you use. I find lately that my hair is lacking shine and very limp. I have short hair and have never had a problem and I am not pregnant - any recommendations or suggestions?

Lena http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Vanessa]

Lena
you might need to change shampoos. Try Neutragena for removal of build up conditioners etc. I rotate shampoos. Just once a week I will use a conditioner (in winter) I have very fine hair and it will be limp. Vidal Sasson is good, I also use Suave clarifying shampoo most of the time.There is also a product for hair shine but I cannnot remember the name at beauty parlors.

[donleyk]

Lena,

I use Paul Mitchell products (forever). I have been happy with the results. Even when I have chemically treated hair. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[cindyluwho]

I don't find that my shampoo makes a huge difference, but the conditioner does. I always use Joico K-Pak conditioner. I have very long hair and wash my hair every day, so the conditioner is quite important. It makes my hair very shiny and does a great job of detangling. It's pretty expensive though. I recently ordered liter-size bottles online from a place called Hair Medic, and it's a little bit cheaper than buying it at a salon.

[cindyluwho]

One thing though--since I don't use mousse or gel, only a little bit of hair spray to keep my hair out of my face, I probably don't get quite as much build-up on my hair. If you use these things the shampoo might be more important.

[MelissaAS]

I try to change brand periodically- and I admit, about half the time I am weak and splurge on the salon stuff. For shine, I've had great results from Citre Shine brand shampoo and conditioner (comments from other folks, etc.)- and it smells great too! I also like the Vidal Sassoon line- I'm currently using Bumble and Bumble styling products which are fun but overpriced!

[Star]

Herbal Essence all the way baby! It's the best

[aggie94]

I too change shampoos/conditioners often -- whenever I finish a bottle, I switch to another kind. Most often, I use Biolage products by Matrix, Nexxus, or Paul Mitchell. Explain your latest hair "problems" to anyone at your salon, and they should be able to recommend some good products to try (and any good salon will let you bring back anything after you've tried it and hated it to exchange for something else).

[Angel]

I just recently purchased a new shampoo & conditioner from a salon because my hair was lacking shine and it also felt "yucky" (I can't explain the feeling but it was not good)
Anyways I bought Redken "True Calm", the shampoo is called "chill shampoo" and the conditioner is called "ease up". I love them, my hair is so soft and shiny now. I also use Paul Mitchell Products.
Good luck

[MrsReber]

My hair is very fine, but I have alot of it. It tends to be very flat if I get any kind of extra moisturizig conditioner. It's hard to recommend a shampoo or conditioner to someone else since we all have such different hair, but here's what I use- I like the Herbal Essence clarifying shampoo and I follow that up with (believe it or not) Pert Plus (shampoo and conditioner in one). I never would've believed it or even tried it for that matter, but when I first met my husband, that's what he used. It gave my hair lots of body and shine. Even the woman who cuts my hair asked what I use because she said she cannot find one problem with it. If I notice that my hair seems dry or fly away (sometimes in the winter), I'll use a Nutrogena clarifying conditioner.

As for hair products, I really like the Pantene mousse and hairspray. I find the hairspray goes a long way with me. I hardly use any at all and it's flexible hold so it doesn't get all stiff on you.

By the way, preganancy has only helped my hair! Must be those vitamins. It's now shinier than ever and it doesn't ever get greasy! Too bad it won't stay this way forever.

[lorilei]

I've had excellent luck with Aveda products; not only do they seem to rinse clean, but they smell wonderful and have kept my hair shiny and healthy.

I'm currently using their BLUE MALVA shampoo and ROSEMARY MINT conditioner.

I also swear by their SELF CONTROL stick. This stick styles short hair like you would not believe -- I've never had such luck with a styling product before http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[SusieO]

My hairdresser recommends changing shampoos every time you finish a bottle. My favorite is Garden Botanika Refreshing Mint conditioning shampoo. It smells wonderful.

[Danielle]

At the salon I go to, I get a free bottle of shampoo everytime I refer someone to my hairstylist. I always get the Rusk Calm shampoo -- it smells so yummy. Right now I use an Herbal Essences conditioner, but when I run out I want to get the Peppermint conditioner from American Crew because I love the tingly feeling. For styling products I use a lotion from Modern Organic Products for shine, a styling cream called DeStruct for my messy, spiky look, and a spritz of TIGI Bed Head hairpray for hold. Yes, I'm a complete styling product junkie. Don't even get me started on Clinique facial products.... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[BethH]

lorilei,
I'm an Aveda fan too! I use Shampure and have a mini Self Control (looks like a lip balm) that I keep in my purse for fly aways. I have long hair but get little spikeys around my scalp--I think it is new growth?

I also sometimes wear their Equipoise perfume and am addicted to the Rainforest candles--yummy! Oh--and their foot/hand relief lotions are great.

[aggie94]

BethH -- I have problems with the spikeys around my scalp too. My hairdresser says that mine is because I wear my hair in a ponytail so much (for exercising, etc.). The spikeys are breakage and/or new growth. The self control stick sounds great!

[lorilei]

Beth - How is Shampure? I've never tried it. I only know that it smells nice http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I have to say, I've been impressed overall with Aveda's products. I haven't tried their cosmetics, but if their shampoos and styling products are any indication, they're probably excellent!

[BethH]

aggie--I thought that was the reason for my spikeys. I wear my hair back alot too --just to keep it out of the way during exercising, cooking, etc. You would love the self control stick! They also have some stuff in a blue jar called "anti-humectant" that works well on spikeys (and it smells yummy!)

lorilei--I like Shampure in the winter esp. because it is really full of some kind of protein and keeps my hair from getting really static-y. My hair is long and can really dry out in the winter and get fly-away. Dear SO is a huge fan of Shampure too (he often steals my beauty products for his use!)

I'm still in the experimental stage with conditioners though--the Shampure conditioner made my hair a little weighed down and the Rosemary Mint conditioner was too light for the winter (static) so...I'm currently using Shampure shampoo and Origins Knot Free conditioner. This has worked well for the past few weeks--I might make an Aveda run while in Chicago this weekend though and try something new. I admit it--I'm an aveda junkie.

Let's see...I use their gel facial cleanser, exfoliant and face lotion with much success. I also like their herbal face mask. Their lipstick smells of mint and I like it but currently use clinque. My best friend's sister works for aveda (which is how I obtained my obsession!) and she uses all of their make up and stuff too and loves it. I'm not a big make up wearer so I can't tell you much more about their cosmetics--just that my friend likes them. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[mandarin2j]

Mostly Bumble & Bumble for shampoo and styling products, but I like Aveda Humectant Pomade for making my curly hair look less frizzy.

I would second the recommendation for Neutragena, though. Even the best shampoos will build up over time and start doing more harm than good.

For styling short hair, Sumo Wax (not sure of the maker, maybe TiGi?) is great.

[Lynn B]

I have a great book called, "Don't Go Shopping For Hair Care Products Without Me" by Paula Begoun. It is excellent! In fact, ALL of Paula's books are (IMHO!) She also writes, "The Beauty Bible", "Don't Go Shopping the Cosmetics Counters Without Me" and "Blue Eyeshadow Should be Illegal" as well as a bi-monthly newsletter. You may have seen her on Oprah, etc. She has been nicknamed the "Ralph Nader of Rouge"!!! But her skin care advice is excellent, and she has saved me a FORTUNE! (Plus her advice truly WORKS!) I hope I don't sound like an infomercial -- I don't work for her, honest! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Lynn

[hka]

LynnB,
Does Paula Begoun have a website as well? I've seen her books before at Costco and though I've never bought one, I've been tempted to. I was just wondering if she had her own website?

[lanie]

I have to agree with the Aveda users - I love it - I do not always use their shampoo - I like the new Vidal Sassoon line - but love that little stick and confixor - a very light controlling 'pour' gel. The clean scent of their products if so amazing.

Lorilei - do you find you have to wash your hair every day when using the stick - I do find a build-up and the second day my is literally standing straight on end - I have very short hair.
Elaine

[lorilei]

Elaine - I find that the stick doesn't build up in my hair as much as I expected. A good warm-hot water rinse will usually do the trick on my hair.

One thing I HAVE noticed is that I don't need as much of the stick as I thought I did to get my hair to do what I want. Now that I've cut down on the AMOUNT of product I use, I don't get nearly the buildup I used to. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[lorilei]

what is with the double postings? :0

[This message has been edited by lorilei (edited 03-13-2001).]

[Lynn B]

hka,
Yes, there is a website: www.cosmeticscop.com (http://www.cosmeticscop.com)
I have all her books, and subscribe to her newsletter... and I can't believe what good results I have had, and how much I have learned (and $$SAVED$$!) I am definitely a lifetime groupie!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Lynn

[CathyS]

I too like the Aveda products. I also like Modern Organic Products (MOP). Its a bit of a splurge, but I just love the way my hair looks and smells.

CathyS

[lanie]

Back to the Aveda for a sec - which shampoo do you prefer and why. What is the 'newish' mud one like? Has anyone used Firmata spray? Is it really heavy duty?

[Leslie w]

I have tried all those fancy salon shampoos and conditioners but I always go back to Pantene for permed and color treated hair. It's a shampoo and conditioner in one. My hair just falls into place when i use it. I have chin length, fine, curly hair so it can be very tempermental. I have to worry about frizz in the summer. I only use gel on my hair, mouse makes it too dry. Since I color it, I also use a hot oil treatment once a month to restore the color and give my scalp some much needed moisture. It works miracles!

[funnybone]

My favorite is "Amplify" by Matrix - only available at salons. I have used it for about a year now, and even my husband uses it now. It makes your hair feel thicker and healthier. I tried it after a Good Housekeeping report on "Dateline" last year. It really is great. I use the conditioner as well. I used to change shampoos all the time, and still have about 10 bottles, 3/4 full of various brands lying around. I have never used one for as long as this one, with great results every day.

[This message has been edited by funnybone (edited 03-16-2001).]

[julia]

I like using leave-in conditioners as they seem lighter than the stuff you use when you wash your hair. I use the Aussie spray leave in condition with tea tree oil and I really like it.

[gabbyh]

This has been such a great thread! Now I've got to throw in my 2 cents...

I have long (middle of my back), natural curly, color-treated hair. My "old faithful" products are:
-anything in the RUSK Sensories line. Mostly available through salons, but now I see them at our local CVS drug store. I use "brilliance" grapefruit & honey color protect shampoo, and "calm" guarana & ginger 60 second hair revive. The nice thing is they state that everything from the RUSK sensories line-up has this new CFT (compressed formula technology), which supposedly means you achieve twice the performance, using 30-50% less product. A little does go a long way.
-Garden Botanika sells a terrific Russian Silt Hair Mask, which I use every week. They have an #800 to request a catlogue (1-800-877-9603) and I think a web-site also.
-although I used to buy my products ONLY at my local hair salon, I've become less of a snob now ;-} and have discovered salon selectives "clean slate" by Helene Curtis. It's a great clarifying shampoo for a deep cleansing to remove product build-up, which I normally have lots of due to "curl control".
-also in the drug stores is the "Aussie" line-up. And although they are made by Redkin, an American company, I decided to try them since my husband is Australian. Their products ALL smell yummy and I think I've tried most of them. They have a special line for "color-treated" hair which is really good!
Thank to all you for the GREAT info!
How about starting a thread about your favorite exercise clothing, and where you get them?