new thread
I have a pretty straightforward dilemma. I have grown my hair out before (only ~5 inches, though) and know how much better, at least for me, it is to have my hair's natural oils stay with my hair, rather than be washed away by shampoo.
However, conditioner has also proven, in the past, to be very helpful in controlling my hair through the awkward stage. My worry is that using conditioner will strip my hair of its oils, which actually leaves it even less manageable than before.
Too boot, I'm a 'starving' (not really!) student, which means that I buy the cheapest of conditioners; I can't afford the high-end stuff and honestly, I don't want to spend the money for it in any case. So I use Suave ("daily clarifying") conditioner. I've never had problems before with the quality.... but then again, I haven't tried anything else.
So, to make a long question simple: would it be better to use the conditioner or not, granting that I want to keep the natural oils in my hair? And if its fine to use conditioner, would it be better to not use any conditioner if all I will use is the low-cost (low quality?) stuff?
Peace,
Jacob
Keeping your natural oils is fine but in time they also trap the dirt and dust etc in the air. So a wash once in a while is a good idea, how often is up to you . The conditioner your using is fine some cheap conditioners are ok as for suave they don't run millions of TV ads like Pantene so that must keep the price down.
There are so many variables here the best thing is to experiment a little as everybodys hair is a bit fdifferent.
Kevin
I like to use a leave-in conditioner. After some experiments I've found that the $0.97 VO5 conditioner at the grocery store works just as well as more expensive stuff...and to keep my hair from getting dry I have to apply some leave-in conditioner after showering no matter WHAT brand of conditioner I use. I also only shampoo ever two to three days. Seems to do the trick, and I'm certainly not spending much money on conditioner (leave-in looks expensive for the size, but $5 can get you enough to last a while since you don't need tons).
Mouse
Thank you both. It sets my mind at ease to hear that you don't have any great bias against the less expensive conditioners. Its helpful to know that there are other cheap-ish conditioners available as well.
Knowing all this, would you say that conditioner helps to preserve the natural oils or replaces it?
Peace,
Jacob
My understanding is that conditioners replace the natural oils, though since I don't shampoo my hair everyday I would assume that by day two and three I'm dealing with a combination of conditioner and natural oils. My hair seems to appreciate brushing (when dry) to move the oils down the hair strands.
Just remember that you'll most likely have to adjust your routine as your hair grows and the seasons change.
Good luck!
Mouse
Dear Friend,
I am not rich, but have enough loose change to play a little, and I am also a scientist, so I like exploration. Of course it is impossible to separate the variables, unless we had a coordinated effort of every one of us who agreed to use the same product on the same day, reporting relative humility and temperature levels, thinness or thickness of hair, curl or straight, and whether we let our hair air dry or....etc. etc. etc.
But the bottom line is that I have tried dozens of products and they all seem to work about the same. I use the detergent shampoo about once a week. Because I work in my yard and garden, I must shower daily and sometimes twice. I always use conditioner to avoid tangles. I also have a special "detangler" on hand just in case. And then because my hair is dry, I need to replentish the oil, especially in the longer back and ends. I variously use VO-5, jojoba, and from the fancy grocery walnut, hazelnut, almond, olive oils, and as far as I am concerned they are all about the same. I never want my hair to look greasy. My SO uses exclusively mineral oil, to the same effect.
I hope our friends continue to report good results from the best products, because I would like to have one, even if expensive which prevented tangles and resulted in my hair falling neatly into place without effort, but I am not holding my breath. Frankly most of the price of products is in the advertising. Some few products are really baaaaad, most ok, and I welcome the rave reviews of products which detangle, give body, etc. etc. etc.
Caledonian
I have a pretty straightforward dilemma. I have grown my hair out before (only ~5 inches, though) and know how much better, at least for me, it is to have my hair's natural oils stay with my hair, rather than be washed away by shampoo.