Hair care products for WOC...

[utgirl2006]

I have used Dudley (which JCPenney where I live stopped using a few years ago), Affirm, and Mizani. Truthfully, I get the same result using any of the products. I think my stylists said that she prefers to use Affirm, so I wanted her to use what she worked best with.

And, seriously, WOC, give Penney's a try. I rarely, if ever, have to wait past my appointment time, you know what products they are using, the prices are reasonable, and you can often get a discount on their relaxers. I could go on and on.

 

[na_pink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by utgirl2006 My hair is relaxed, and I use Nexxus shampoo and conditioner. My hair is thick and healthy. I use Cantu leave in conditioner, and it is the best leave in I have tried. I don't recommend Carol's Daughter products (I've only tried the hair milk and the hair butter or something like that) because I think they are too expensive, too heavy for my hair, and didn't condition or do what the products were advertised for. Additionally, I think we as African American women do not wash our hair as often as we should. People at school always acted like I was crazy that I washed my hair every other day, but were constantly complimenting on it. Whenever I told them that washing it more often and where you go to get it done was one of the main reasons, they, again, acted like I was crazy. Hair is just like any other part of your body and needs to be cleaned frequently. Just think about how much your hair is exposed to everyday - pollution, smoke, dirt, etc. You wouldn't go two weeks without showering would you? Well, I hope not. Okay, sorry for the rant, but I just hate that we think only Cacuasian women can wash their hair more than once a week.

every other day IS alot , but think about it .. if you you dont know how to take care of your hair and you wash it that often you are going to end up with a hot mess (not you - but the persons commenting on it). I think they key to washing your hair that often is using the right shampoos and conditioners and also adding the moisture you just lost back into your hair strands

i think Carol's Daughter products contain beeswax which is really too heavy for fine hair (or hair period). We should avoid anything with mineral oil , petroleum or lanolin which clog pores and coats the strands of the hair

 

[TISH1124]

^^^ I agree...Thank God I have wash and go short hair right now and I don't have to do much to it when it's this length....

adding and Alcohol.....Most wrap lotions that have alcohol in them are so hard on the tresses

 

[na_pink]

yeh alcohol is awful - it dries out the hair to some nastiness . There is another ingredient too but i cant remember it - its on the tip of my tongue

I think the shorter the hair the easier it is to wash often. When i had neck length hair or shorter i would wash every three days ... now that it is to the middle of my back i dread washing it - but i can def. see the effect not washing as often is taking on my hair. But its ridiculous to deal with at this length - and i just dont have the time

 

[ClaireAvril]

Quote:

Originally Posted by utgirl2006 Additionally, I think we as African American women do not wash our hair as often as we should. People at school always acted like I was crazy that I washed my hair every other day, but were constantly complimenting on it. Whenever I told them that washing it more often and where you go to get it done was one of the main reasons, they, again, acted like I was crazy. Hair is just like any other part of your body and needs to be cleaned frequently. Just think about how much your hair is exposed to everyday - pollution, smoke, dirt, etc. You wouldn't go two weeks without showering would you? Well, I hope not. Okay, sorry for the rant, but I just hate that we think only Cacuasian women can wash their hair more than once a week.

What are you setting your hair with each time you wash?

I was my hair once a week and I blow out my hair. Still haven't mastered the hard rollers on wet hair. If I blew it out 3x per week i'd have none left.

 

[ClaireAvril]

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshari The term African American refers to a race/ethnicity as well as nationality. Jamaican on the other hand refers to a nationality. I am Jamaican/Guyanese, but saying that tells you where I am from in terms of backgroud, but it doesn't tell you that it is actually Portugese (white) guyanese, Chinese Jamaican and black Jamaican that I am mixed with.

I think this is what na meant by her original comment and I agree with the both of you. i concurrrr

 

[JamaicanDiva2]

I'm not even going to respond to the comments that took this post off topic b/c CLEARLY everyone has their own opinions on how to label themselves & what is race or ethnicity, etc, & people are going to interpret comments to mean different things based on personal experience. . . whatever. . .I think the only thing that is important is that we all know who we are & however each person decides to identify him/herself based on race/ethnicity/heritage/origin/whatever, is up to him or her & no one else should question that.

Anyway, back on topic, I've recently been hearing some good things about Cantu products & i'm dying to try some! If i'm not mistaken i believe these can be purchased at the drugstore?

Also, despite all the spreads in ethnic magazines & celeb-endorsement & supposed rave reviews, I have rarely heard great things about Carol's Daughter's products, which kind of surprises me. The concept seems great, & i'm sure it works for some people, perhaps a lot, but the general concensus of every hair care forum I've ever been on, as well as many Black bloggers seems to think that CD's products are overrated. I really wanted to like her products, but they just did nothing for my hair!

Which makes me hesitant to try the even pricier Miss Jessie's products. . . hmmm

 

[User67]

Quote:

Originally Posted by utgirl2006 My hair is relaxed, and I use Nexxus shampoo and conditioner. My hair is thick and healthy. I use Cantu leave in conditioner, and it is the best leave in I have tried. I don't recommend Carol's Daughter products (I've only tried the hair milk and the hair butter or something like that) because I think they are too expensive, too heavy for my hair, and didn't condition or do what the products were advertised for. Additionally, I think we as African American women do not wash our hair as often as we should. People at school always acted like I was crazy that I washed my hair every other day, but were constantly complimenting on it. Whenever I told them that washing it more often and where you go to get it done was one of the main reasons, they, again, acted like I was crazy. Hair is just like any other part of your body and needs to be cleaned frequently. Just think about how much your hair is exposed to everyday - pollution, smoke, dirt, etc. You wouldn't go two weeks without showering would you? Well, I hope not. Okay, sorry for the rant, but I just hate that we think only Cacuasian women can wash their hair more than once a week.

I think if you have AA hair & it can hold up to be washed that often that's great. But, I think if I washed my hair that much it would dry up & fall out. I wash my hair once a week, but I really take my time & scrub it good so that's it's squeaky clean.

 

[User67]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamaicanDiva2 Anyway, back on topic, I've recently been hearing some good things about Cantu products & i'm dying to try some! If i'm not mistaken i believe these can be purchased at the drugstore?

This really peaks my interest! I just looked up their website & it looks like they have some really nice reasonable priced products. I am a total Walmart junkie, so next time I am there I will check out their stuff!

 

[amber_j]

I'm learning so much from this thread! I rarely talk about hair with my family and WOC friends - it's just something we get on with. But it's been fascinating reading about all your experiences and recommendations. Thanks to Nyla2120 (the OP) for starting this!

Now I just need to find a Specktrette in the UK with natural afro hair...

 

[carandru]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyla2120 I think if you have AA hair & it can hold up to be washed that often that's great. But, I think if I washed my hair that much it would dry up & fall out. I wash my hair once a week, but I really take my time & scrub it good so that's it's squeaky clean.

Back when I had a relaxer, I washed my hair twice a week. I would wash/deep condition on sundays and wash/condition on wed/thurs. I had layered shoulder length hair then, so it didn't take much time. Additionally, I was involved in a bunch of physical activities, so if I didn't wash my hair that much it would be nasty. My hair was super shiny, bouncy, and so healthy back then, lol.

Now I wash my hair about once a week. I would love to go back o twice a week, but 1) it takes way to long for me to comb through this mess and 2) my hair seems drier now that I'm natural. I don't want my hair looking like straw when I do straighten it out.

Overall, I do feel washing it more often is better, but as stated eariler, only if you have the right products.

 

[MAChostage]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TISH1127 ^^^ I heard Affirm is one of the best perms ever... Does she use any of their other products, if so are they good?

She doesn't use any of the Affirm products (don't think there's any reason why, just doesn't.). She does use some Keracare, Mizani and Biosilk stuff.

 

[TISH1124]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyla2120 This really peaks my interest! I just looked up their website & it looks like they have some really nice reasonable priced products. I am a total Walmart junkie, so next time I am there I will check out their stuff!

I just bought this Flat Iron Spray by Cantu at Walmart ....When I try it I will let you guys know what I think...

 

[j4lyphe]

I as a person from Jamaica who is also of Cuban descent agree you all bcuz as a Jamaican when i hear the term "Jamaican" it can mean a plethora of things...u cud be of black, mixed, white, chinese, indian (east indian), syrian, etc descent. As our motto says "Out of many one people" when u say Jamaican it can imply any race to me (not just black) as I grew up there and have friends belonging to all of the mentioned racial groups. As for Hispanic, that itself is not a race either, as it can include everything from black, to indio (Native Indian), mixed, to white...so being hispanic is not a race as there are many racial groups included under the the VERY general term Hispanic...so any mix really cud result from someone of "Jamaican" and "Hispanic" heritage

 

[j4lyphe]

Oh btw what i use in my hair when I actually do straighten it are: the regular Pantene Pro-V 2-in-1 Daily moisture shampoo & conditioner (the ones for WOC is horrible) and a Dark and Lovely tub of conditioner (pink top, yellow container). Then I use the Nexxus heat protectant spray and a bit of Biosilk...the Biosilk is amazing, but only use a small amt, it will leave your hair smooth and shiny but NOT greasy so your hair will be able to move

Oh my hair is relaxed and thick and gets super puffy when I let it airdry which is almost all the time, so I have come to embrace the puffiness lol

 

[Prototype83]

Hello!

I'm relaxed and have been for most of my life. I use Aphogee products alot and I think the products have helped me maintain my tresses and keep them strong as I grew my hair out (I have thick hair that falls midback). It just a matter of balancing the protein in those products w/ moisture so that your hair dosent dry out.

The main staple products that I use are...

Creme of Nature Shampoo
Pantene Relaxed and Natural mask or Silicon Mix as a deep conditioner
ORS Olive Oil Moisturizer as my daily moisturizer
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil for my scalp and ends
Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor as a pre-treatment
Aphogee Intensive (the hard stinky formula) as a treatment before a relaxer...I only use it every 2 months

Of course I like to change it up a little, but these products work for me.

I also limit the use of heat on my hair and I tend to wash it at least twice a week and then pull in into a bun. I do own a hood dryer and I give my hair a deep conditioning treatment every week. I think that is the best thing for relaxed hair....moisture and protein.

 

[joshari]

Seriously, my family has this joke about my hair. They always said that when God was handing out hair I must have thought he said care and I told him to give me plenty.

My hair seriously caused nightmares for my family growing up and it still causes nightmares for me and every hair dresser I have ever met.

My hair is so thick and long it is not even funny. I could never even think about washing it more than once a week. It simply takes too much energy to deal with it. It takes over an hour to blow it dry, and that is not even blowing it dry straight or anything.

I use herbal essences on my hair and I also use a dry shampoo during the week. I am not a big product person when it comes to hair. I like my hair to be long and flowing and not lie flat in one place. So other than a little serum on the ends of my hair for shine, I don't really use anything else.

 

[utgirl2006]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClaireAvril What are you setting your hair with each time you wash? I was my hair once a week and I blow out my hair. Still haven't mastered the hard rollers on wet hair. If I blew it out 3x per week i'd have none left.

I actually do not set my hair. My hair care rountine is pretty simple (to me anyway). After I get out of the shower, I towel dry it very briefly. Then I slap on some Cantu leave in conditioner. As I mentioned earlier, it is the best leave in I have tried on my hair. I then comb through it. And then blow dry it using a paddle brush. Probably takes me about 15 minutes. I lucked upon a great hair dryer at Big Lots that was sold by Fabio of all people. Then, I use Proclaim gloss to protect it from the flat iron and for shine. I just use the flat iron to give it a slight bump.

I've tried sleeping with rollers in, but it gives me a headache. And, sadly, I am too lazy to even put on a night cap. Pitiful, I know.

 

[KeshieShimmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamaicanDiva2 Anyway, back on topic, I've recently been hearing some good things about Cantu products & i'm dying to try some! If i'm not mistaken i believe these can be purchased at the drugstore?

yup at Wal-Mart/Target

Please don't use Luster's Pink Lotion on your hair. It is full of fillers and bad crap.

 

[calbear]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamaicanDiva2 Also, despite all the spreads in ethnic magazines & celeb-endorsement & supposed rave reviews, I have rarely heard great things about Carol's Daughter's products, which kind of surprises me. The concept seems great, & i'm sure it works for some people, perhaps a lot, but the general concensus of every hair care forum I've ever been on, as well as many Black bloggers seems to think that CD's products are overrated. I really wanted to like her products, but they just did nothing for my hair!

I will only jump in this thread to say that CD products got most of their raves when it was a small production out of the kitchen. The ingredients were supposedly better and more natural. But as fame and money and endorsements came - she had to start adding fillers and things to make the product last longer on the shelves.