Hair help badly needed! - YouLookFab Forum

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Hair help badly needed!

doggeh lover

Can anyone recommend a really good hair repair mask/deep conditioner? I moved to a different state last year and the water HATES my hair! We have a water softener but it's not helping. I've tried several brands with little luck. My hair is getting to be a frizzed out, snarly mess, no matter how many times a day I comb it I battle snarls and the frizz is worse every day. I've stopped drying it, no flat-iron/curling rod either. I'm afraid when I go in to the (not great) salon they'll want to buzz cut me! I live in a very small town and have tried all 3 places. Nearest big city is 50 miles away...

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16 replies

Latest reply was from doggeh lover

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm sorry, doggeh lover. It's unpleasant to battle with your hair

I don't have hair conditioner or anti-fizz suggestions, but I'm sure other Fabbers do. Hang in there!

cat2

Veteran

I like Aveda masks. I found travel sizes so I could try them without springing for an expensive tub. I would research which would work best for your hair.

Irina

Veteran

Olaplex helped recovery of my hair from a stress related loss at the beginning of the pandemic. I use it since - shampoo and conditioner, plus some other products as needed.

kerry

Veteran

$$$ Amika soulfood
https://loveamika.com/products.....9180093458

$ Pantene Miracle Rescue
https://pantene.ca/en-ca/produ.....-treatment

I’d also use a leave-in conditioner.

$$$ Pureology Color Fanatic
https://www.pureology.com/colo.....natic.html

$ Kristin Ess Leave-in conditioner
https://www.kristinesshair.com.....onditioner

Kate

Veteran

Both hard water (lots of minerals) and using a water softener, can wreak havoc on hair. I’ve experienced both at my family home in coastal NC.

The best—and easiest!—thing you can do is to wash your hair in the sink with distilled water, using whatever shampoo & conditioner you choose. I always have a gallon of DW in my bathroom at the ready!

I also finish up with a quick apple cider rinse for detangling & shine, but that’s not necessary. It’s the distilled water regimen that’ll do the trick for you.

Sisi

Veteran

I was going to suggest what Kate said - distilled water. The type of water makes a big difference on hair and skin.

Olive Green

Veteran

K18 Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask, Repairs Dry or Damaged Hair, Reverse Hair Damage from Bleach, Color, Chemical Services & Heat

This stuff comes in absurdly small amount for the price but it works really well. Use it 4 times and you will be telling all the friends. And, bonus points for being used by Simone Biles!
You leave it in. Smells pleasant and the smell goes away in minutes, and I don’t use hair product (sticky, harsh, oily, ugh) and I can use this, it disappears and your hair looks healthy and shiny. I get it from Amazon.

Irina

Veteran

Olive Green, thanks for the info on K18. I don’t know the brand but want to try a leave in product. I just ordered it from Sephora, it’s cheaper through them than Amazon here.

Olive Green

Veteran

Great, Irina! Let us know if it works for you. Summer does a number on hair.

judy

Veteran

One thing I've done is to completely give up combing my naturally wavy hair. Combing and brushing just makes more frizz. Fingers work much better. I use my leave in product...Kiehl's silk groom... with my fingers then pull it up or back while it's wet to dry, to minimize frizz too. I've never used hairdryers or flatirons on my hair. I also only use Hairstory shampoo, no need for conditioners with that, and only use it twice a week. Even Olaplex dried out my hair too much. I've done this for many years now and it really works for me. Maybe that and the distilled water would make enough change? Good luck!

Runcarla

Veteran

I feel your pain! I’m always dealing with swimmers hair, and May through September there’s heat and high humidity. Olaplex No. 5 used as a monthly hair mask and keeping it just long enough to pull back with a scrunchy are my (less than perfect) solutions.

bella

(website)

Veteran

I will third the olaplex suggestion.

Star

Veteran

I agree with Judy. Since I stopped combing my hair (only once while it is wet directly after washing), it has gone from a frizzy mess in our humid climate (with hard water) to manageable waves. I use any shampoo with a bit of oil inside (currently one with argan oil and a coconut conditioner). I just finger comb my hair into place before leaving home. Sometimes I iron the front flicks briefly for some shape. I roll them around the straightening iron backwards. Otherwise only air drying. Also, during the day if I want to get my hair off my neck I use a butterfly clip. This does not damage my waves or cause any frizz as another type of tie might. At night I try not to sleep on my hair if that makes sense. I pull it up and away from my head.

doggeh lover

Thank you all SO much for the advice! Really appreciate all of it! Sorry for the long delay, my phone is being very temperamental as to which functions are gonna work each day, and it's a 140 mile round trip to pick out a new one...ugh! I knew I could count on you ladies to steer me in the right products

April

Veteran

Try the distilled water for sure (expensive though) and look at the Mixed Chicks website for products.

Also, try refined coconut oil. No coconut scent but it seems to be the one oil hair can actually take in?

Mostly, no matter how much a product talks about "penetrating deep into your hair", it's not doing that. Each hair is covered with tiny scales that need to lie flat for hair to be smooth and shiny. This is called the hair's cuticle. When it gets roughed up, the hair can't reflect light (to shine) and a mild acid - like the vinegar referenced above - will make it lie flat again. Then you want to coat it with something to protect it and keep it from going to seek water, which is what creates frizz. Flatten it down with acid then seal it with curl gel.

Probably TMI, but let us know what you try and how it goes!

doggeh lover

Thanks, April! I will...