My hair STILL needs more moisture

RupertsWife · 01-28-2009, 06:36 AM

I have realized that my hair was seriously lacking moisture even after having all my chemically straightned hair cut off. I started using Sally's GVP Biosilk conditioning balm with great results, but now half way through the bottle my hair is misbehaving again. Also I've been doing Dt's once a week. Last week I whipped up a batch of mayo, coconut and rosemary oil, and GVP conditioner with some Suave Green Apple cond. for scent. It worked great but when I did it again last night my hair looked and felt great while putting it on but when I rinsed it out it felt somewhat straw-like. Am I reacting to the protein in the eggs from the mayo? (didn't even realize it until I read the ingredients in mayo - duh)

I can immediately see the halo frizz rear it's ugly head and I have to use skip curl technique all over the top of my head to get any kind of definition up there

.

What can I do to get more moisture into my hair. I also put coconut and rosemary oil in my hair at least once a day. It's been SUPER dry here. (yesterday the dewpoint was -9!). Any advice would be greatly appreciated by me and my hair because I'm about ready to slap some 'cones on

.

redcelticcurls · 01-28-2009, 06:56 AM

Yeah, if you think you are protein sensitve, skip the mayo. Some protein sensitives (not a majority) can't do straight coconut oil either.

Have you considered a conditioner with more oomph than the things you are using? SOmething AOHR, TooShea!, or Jessicurls weekly DT?

I've been having good luck with Lustrasilks' Shea CHolesterol as a moisturizing leave-in.

RupertsWife · 01-28-2009, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redcelticcurls

Yeah, if you think you are protein sensitve, skip the mayo. Some protein sensitives (not a majority) can't do straight coconut oil either.

Have you considered a conditioner with more oomph than the things you are using? SOmething AOHR, TooShea!, or Jessicurls weekly DT?

I've been having good luck with Lustrasilks' Shea CHolesterol as a moisturizing leave-in.

Thanks - I was hoping you'd reply. I've been sort of stalking you ever since I read your post on StruttsWife's thread about texture and porosity. You described your hair EXACTLY like I would describe mine in that way

. I have tried TooShea! but I never feel like it's really getting into my hair, just coating it. I haven't tried AOHR. Maybe I'll check that out. Does it matter which one? Can I only buy it online or is it available in stores.

kathymack · 01-28-2009, 07:08 AM

Whole Foods, other grocery stores with a "natural" section, Vitamin Shoppe, health food stores and other such places carry the Aubrey Organics products. You don't want the GBP one--it's got protein. I would get one with a smell you can tolerate. The floral ones are pretty floral, Island Naturals smells like pumpkin pie spices, etc. The are all pretty moisturizing.

redcelticcurls · 01-28-2009, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazycurlz21

Quote:

Originally Posted by redcelticcurls

Yeah, if you think you are protein sensitve, skip the mayo. Some protein sensitives (not a majority) can't do straight coconut oil either.

Have you considered a conditioner with more oomph than the things you are using? SOmething AOHR, TooShea!, or Jessicurls weekly DT?

I've been having good luck with Lustrasilks' Shea CHolesterol as a moisturizing leave-in.

Thanks - I was hoping you'd reply. I've been sort of stalking you ever since I read your post on StruttsWife's thread about texture and porosity. You described your hair EXACTLY like I would describe mine in that way

. I have tried TooShea! but I never feel like it's really getting into my hair, just coating it. I haven't tried AOHR. Maybe I'll check that out. Does it matter which one? Can I only buy it online or is it available in stores.

I can get it at my local co-op. Whole Foods carries AO, but not the types I like, although they can order it. If you check the Aubrey Organics website, there is a store locator.

I forgot that TooShea! is a low protein condish, so maybe that had something to do with it.

I'd recommend the White Camelia or the Honeysuckle Rose. The WC has more slip, and may penetrate better, and the HR is richer in general. I use the HR for overnight DTs and as my regular condish right now. But, if things do tend to sit on your hair, the WC may be a worthwhile option to try. They run $10-$12 a bottle here.

They both have strong scents, just so you know.

redcelticcurls · 01-28-2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathymack

Whole Foods, other grocery stores with a "natural" section, Vitamin Shoppe, health food stores and other such places carry the Aubrey Organics products. You don't want the GBP one--it's got protein. I would get one with a smell you can tolerate. The floral ones are pretty floral, Island Naturals smells like pumpkin pie spices, etc. The are all pretty moisturizing.

The Island Naturals have protein relatively high up though.

DEL2C · 01-28-2009, 07:23 AM

Coconut Milk is super moisturizing and you can get it at the grocery store cheap! I'm not how long it will last in the fridge once opened so find a recipe that calls for it cuz you'll only need 1-2T it's HEAVY and sounds like what your hair would like right now! You could add some Olive Oil to it also. If you don't have time for a DT just putting the milk in your condish should give you tons of moisture.

redcelticcurls · 01-28-2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEL2C

Coconut Milk is super moisturizing and you can get it at the grocery store cheap! I'm not how long it will last in the fridge once opened so find a recipe that calls for it cuz you'll only need 1-2T it's HEAVY and sounds like what your hair would like right now! You could add some Olive Oil to it also. If you don't have time for a DT just putting the milk in your condish should give you tons of moisture.

Crazycurlz, do add oil to coconut milk if you choose to use it to counteract the protein.

Lol, I sound like a broken record today.

kathymack · 01-28-2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redcelticcurls

The Island Naturals have protein relatively high up though.

I didn't know that. I meant to add a cautionary--always check the ingredients, LOL!

Del, you can freeze unused portions of coconut milk. When I open a can, I portion it out and freeze it like that.

DEL2C · 01-28-2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Crazycurlz, do add oil to coconut milk if you choose to use it to counteract the protein.

Lol, I sound like a broken record today.

I forget that Nuts are Protein!!! Is it possible to not be protein sensitive to these types? I react to Soy and Wheat and Keratin if it's too much. The Island Naturals has Almond Protein.

redcelticcurls · 01-28-2009, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEL2C

Quote:

Crazycurlz, do add oil to coconut milk if you choose to use it to counteract the protein.

Lol, I sound like a broken record today.

I forget that Nuts are Protein!!! Is it possible to not be protein sensitive to these types? I react to Soy and Wheat and Keratin if it's too much. The Island Naturals has Almond Protein.

Sure, some peope can tolerate coconut and not other things. At least with coconut milk, there is a mizture of fats, carbs, and protein. I just figured it would be easier for crazycurlz to just go for a protein free moisturizing DT type of thing right now since she already has other stuff. And, if she is right an her hair does act like mine, it may help. I'm finding that I need a lot less protein in the winter than what I can handle in the summer. I don't know if anyone else has notice a difference that way though.

DEL2C · 01-28-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redcelticcurls

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEL2C

Quote:

Crazycurlz, do add oil to coconut milk if you choose to use it to counteract the protein.

Lol, I sound like a broken record today.

I forget that Nuts are Protein!!! Is it possible to not be protein sensitive to these types? I react to Soy and Wheat and Keratin if it's too much. The Island Naturals has Almond Protein.

Sure, some peope can tolerate coconut and not other things. At least with coconut milk, there is a mizture of fats, carbs, and protein. I just figured it would be easier for crazycurlz to just go for a protein free moisturizing DT type of thing right now since she already has other stuff. And, if she is right an her hair does act like mine, it may help. I'm finding that I need a lot less protein in the winter than what I can handle in the summer. I don't know if anyone else has notice a difference that way though.

Do you have any theories on why that could be? How do dew points and protein play??? Sounds like we may have to start a new thread! Unless I missed something somewhere.......

KathyM thanks for the tip on freezing coconut milk! I didn't know if it would seperate. I also used Lite Coconut Milk cuz i was afraid the real stuff would be too heavy for me.

redcelticcurls · 01-28-2009, 07:53 AM

I don't know. I wondered about it. I did think about starting a thread to see if anyone noticed seasonal changes in protein requirements. Maybe I just need so much moisture right now that my own naturally built in protein is enough.

DEL2C · 01-28-2009, 08:03 AM

The other day I added some Jojoba to my 50/50 Water/Fote refresher and it added nice moisture without weighing me down. I was going to try it in my condish as well as it's recommended on the bottle.

RupertsWife · 01-28-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redcelticcurls

I don't know. I wondered about it. I did think about starting a thread to see if anyone noticed seasonal changes in protein requirements. Maybe I just need so much moisture right now that my own naturally built in protein is enough.

RCC - I think you are on to something here. Normally my hair likes protein in regular doses (not tons but I can handle it in my conditioners). This winter it is rebelling completly against it. I thought it had something to do with going full CG but now I'm wondering if it's not the weather. It will be interesting to see what summer and humidity bring.

Thanks for all the suggestions girls. I am going to try to find some AO conditioner. I think I might lay off the coconut for a while. Since I've been using it daily I'm wondering if it's starting to play a part in my hair drying out. It was good at first but after two weeks of using it almost every day I'm starting to notice the strawlike feeling again. I am not using any other known proteins besides for the mayo (which I didn't know about and won't be using again

)
I'm also still learning about porosity (however you spell it) and texture, etc. so I may be thinking I have one type and actually have another. When did my hair get so complicated?

kathymack · 01-28-2009, 08:52 AM

Another thought. I know that rrc can't use the AO Mandarin Magic Jelly because of the panthenol--but that is incredible moisturizing, too. I use it with a leave in, curl creme--and because of the dry, cold weather we've been having, a gel.

INGREDIENTS: Water, Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Aloe Vera Gel, Tragacanth and Gum Arabic Blend, Ginkgo Leaf, Ginseng Root, Chinese Magnolia Blossoms, Chinese Angelica, Chrysanthemum, Earth Smoke, Morus Root, Mandarin Orange Peel, Aubrey's Preservative (Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamins A, C and E).

RupertsWife · 01-28-2009, 09:14 AM

OK this is good, I'm learning so much (and I'm at work too)
Question - what is panthenol, as in what benefits does it have and why do some people stay away from it?

redcelticcurls · 01-28-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathymack

Another thought. I know that rrc can't use the AO Mandarin Magic Jelly because of the panthenol--but that is incredible moisturizing, too. I use it with a leave in, curl creme--and because of the dry, cold weather we've been having, a gel.

INGREDIENTS: Water, Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Aloe Vera Gel, Tragacanth and Gum Arabic Blend, Ginkgo Leaf, Ginseng Root, Chinese Magnolia Blossoms, Chinese Angelica, Chrysanthemum, Earth Smoke, Morus Root, Mandarin Orange Peel, Aubrey's Preservative (Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamins A, C and E).

Yeah, panthenol is weird. When researching it, I found that it is a multi-purpose sort of ingredient. Along with it's humectant properties, panthenol can thicken hair strands by up to 10%. Since I already have coarse hair that is somewhat tough, it's no surprise that I (and a couple of other coarse haired curlies) dislike it so much. It's often high up in hair products that claim to give hair body. So, in that regard, panthenol acts like protein on me as both thicken the hair strand in a bad way. Interestingly, both panthenol and proteins are often considered to be great hair moisturizers.

I can see why this would be a fabulous ingredient for someone with fine fair, or someone who just doesn't have the goofy hair strand size issues I have. Lots of people do like the AOMM.

I swear I'll need a science degree to fully understand it all.

ETA: I wouldn't advise anyone to avoid panthenol (unless they have super low dew points) off hand, but just to watch and see if it is a drying ingredient, especially if they are coarse haired and dislike protein. Perhaps this plays into porosity as well, but I don't fully inderstand porosity yet.

kathymack · 01-28-2009, 09:29 AM

While rcc was replying, I was googling. Here's what I found on a sci something website:

"Because panthenol binds well to hair follicles, and attracts moisture from the air, it is a moisturizing agent used in shampoos and conditioners. It lubricates the hair without feeling greasy. It smoothes roughened hair surfaces, making them shiny and easier to comb.

Panthenol does not "nourish" hair. It coats it to make it slippery."

Explains why a lot of hair products have it.

redcelticcurls · 01-28-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathymack

While rcc was replying, I was googling. Here's what I found on a sci something website:

"Because panthenol binds well to hair follicles, and attracts moisture from the air, it is a moisturizing agent used in shampoos and conditioners. It lubricates the hair without feeling greasy. It smoothes roughened hair surfaces, making them shiny and easier to comb.

Panthenol does not "nourish" hair. It coats it to make it slippery."

Explains why a lot of hair products have it.

Thank you! Further explains my hatred. I hate binding stuff.