Natural condish recs for co-wash or RO? And protein free or super low?

coricourt · 09-09-2012, 05:45 PM

Hi all,

I've been CG for a year now, and I'm happy with my 3a curls. But I am always looking to improve the frizz factor, appearance of dryness, softness, and curl pattern/clump situation.

I'm looking for more conditioners (with natural ingredients) to mix up my routine throughout the week. Maybe you have some ideas of what could work for me. The main thing is that I have low-porosity, mostly medium but some fine, protein-sensitive hair with a tendency to frizz and not feel soft. In spite of the frizz, it's pretty shiny.

Currently I have the following conditioners in my shower for summer in Los Angeles:

- Jessicurl Aloeba Daily Conditioner, which is super light and probably better for fine-haired curlies (even though it's protein free)
- Acure lemongrass, which is OK but my hair is not crazy about panthenol I believe
- Desert Essences fragrance free conditioner, OK but not super moisturizing
-Aubrey Organics blue chamomile conditioner, OK but not super moisturizing
- Darcy Botanicals Pumpkinseed conditioner, which I use in winter but I still think is too oil heavy for my hair
- Jessicurl Too Shea!, which is a daily staple of mine
- a couple of DTs, which I can only use on the weekend because I hate my hair that first day after a DT

The Jessicurl line is not chemical/preservative free but isn't so bad and it works for me. I try to use the most natural options for my cowash, though.

For styling I use AOMM or a LI + KCCC. I just ordered a sample of Curly Kinks Coil Jam from KathyMac, plus a couple other jellies to try. My hair doesn't not like gel as far as I can tell!

(Side note: I have some dermatitis issues on my scalp and I find I have to co-wash every day or every other day to help with the junky patches on my scalp. What is helpful I believe is the massaging I do of my scalp when I cowash.)

Any hair twins out there who can help me? Or other knowledgeable folks who could suggest other options?

Sorry for the tome!

Thanks!!

rmc2 · 09-14-2012, 12:14 PM

I am 4a so not like you but maybe u can try Tresemme Silicone Free Conditioner, specifically the one that says Vibrantly Smooth with coconut oil and jojoba extract. Kmart seems to have a sale of buy 2 for $7. May help you with the frizzyness. As for your scalp dermatitis, google essential oils. I am not sure but check tea tree and rosemary oil.

WavesnWheels · 09-16-2012, 08:44 AM

The Acure conditioner contains guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, which according to the curl chemist is a non-watersoluble, and non-shampoo soluble quat. That could be the ingredient that doesn't work for you, rather than panthenol.

The acure conditioners look so good except for that one ingredient!

Other protein-free ideas available on the ground, that are more moisturizing than the ones you mentioned:

Dessert Essence Coconut
Aubrey Honey Suckle Rose
Aubrey White Camelia
Shea Moisture
Tresemme Naturals: some people add a little oil to this one.

I'm kind of new at this, but we are hair twins from what I can tell, and I find that the DT makes all the difference and I usu have my best hair days the the days I DT. I've had great luck with SS and JC.

Kaptiv8ncurls · 09-17-2012, 05:38 PM

Natural condish recs for co-wash or RO? And protein free or super low?-imageuploadedbycurltalk1347924890.186985.jpg

My 3a curls. My hair likes a weekly use of shampoo.
I use Garnier Frutis Sleek and shine
Tresemme Naturals to co wash and as a leave in
Garnier Frutis Pure and Clean Gel
I love grapeseed, apricot, or jojaba oils to seal.
Putting the conditioner on soaking wet hair works better for me that any type of tshirt drying. I can actually sit under a hooded dryer to dry the top of my head with no problem