afrochick

Hey! There are 2 things I need help with. ( im a 3C by the way)

1. I'm a swimmer and I have practice 6 days a week. The chlorine is really damaging my hair and is less manageable. what are some good daily hair routines and products i should use for moisture and styling purposes?

2. There are so many great products i have heard about but I really dont have the money for Miss Jessies or Kinky -curly products. I can only use inexpensive products such as pantene hydrating curls conditioner and IC Fantasia gel. Is there anything else that I should use? sometimes i wash my hair and it turns out nice but the next day it turns out puffy and unruly. why is that?

eccentric_kurlz

To protect your hair from the chlorine, wet your hair and slather on conditioner before putting on your swimcap. This serves as a protective barrier against the chlorine, and helps minimize dryness and damage it can cause. A good thick conditioner should be used. One that is easy to find is Tigi Moisture Maniac. Target sells it, but you can find it cheaper at Trade Secrets(if you have one). They normally have a 2 for 1 sale on liter sizes containers. Also, maybe you can put you hair in twists or braids while swimming(protective styles). This way, you don't have to constantly do you hair after swimming and on the days you don't swim, you can wear them out, or rebraid or retwist.

Has Pantene been working for you? Because it worked for me a few times, and then my hair became a frizzy and dry mess. If your hair becomes dry and poofy, the Pantene could be the curlprit. There are ingredients in those products that can exasberate frizz.

I also used to use the Fantasia IC gel. It worked great for me, but I like using creams now. Gels don't provide any moisture to the hair, so your hair can sometimes get dry because of it(because it could possible bloack out moisture).

I guess I can give more rec's depending on what exactly you need from a product, or what products you are looking for.

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I think I would probably slather on straight oil (like coconut oil or olive oil)under my swim cap. A nice oily seal.

afrochick

- eccentric_kurlz,

Pantene worked at first but its not the same anymore and my hair is puffier now. i need an inepensive daily conditioner, i have heard sunsilk is good, i might try it, what do you use?

the Fantasia gel works pretty good but im hoping there is something even better. what creams, gels, or mousse do you use?

Suburbanbushbabe

I've read nothing but bad about the Sunsilk. Inexpensive conditioners :
Trader Joes Nourish (available only at Trader Joes): alone or mixed with a little 100% coconut oil
Giovanni direct Leave in

Haven't used but read good things about:
Regis Olive Oil Conditoiner (Super-Walmart or Regis salons)
Aubreys or Natures Gate (at Whole Foods or Vitamin Shoppe/World
Garnier Fructis Sleek n Shine - any drugstore/Target/Walmart/supermarket

Also, check out the Conditioner Chronicles Thread by Laurabeth33

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