Leave-in conditioner
I mentioned a while back that my hair was getting a tad…oh, what’s the word for “horrifically dried out and skanky ho-bag looking”? You know, like I’d been shampooing with Drano: flyaway ends, a strawlike texture, generally assiness.
I’ll share with you some of the suggestions I received for improving dry, crappy hair.
Products:
• V05 hot oil
• SamySilk Serum
• Loreal Total Repair
• Deep conditioning treatment by Osmos
• John Freida frizz-ease
• Biolage Deep Conditioner and/or Biosilk Silk Therapy
• Frederic Fekkai Protein Rx shamp/cond/reparative mask
• Bumble and Bumble’s Brilliantine
• Aveda’s Be Curly
• Kérastase line of products
• Redken glass 01 smoothing serum
• Tui Hair Smoothie
• Chi Silk Infusion
• Chi straightening iron
• Hair Art straightening iron
• Infusium leave-in conditioner
• Aveda Brilliant Universal Styling Creme
• Neutrogena Triple Moisture
• Nexxus Humectress
• Farouk Silk Therapy Biosilk
• Bumble & Bumble’s Creme de Cacao shampoo and conditioner
• Kerastase Lumiere Nutri-Sculpt
• Sebastian Potion 9
• Burts bees avocado conditioner
• Montagne jeunesse pink grapefruit frizz miracle
• Paul Mitchell “Skinny” line
• Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure Sealed Ends
…and techniques:
• Wash less often!
• Japanese thermal straightening
• Salon deep conditioning treatments
• Sleep with conditioner in (glop on before bed, wear shower cap, wash off in the morning)
• Razor haircut
• Brush hair every night with a boar-bristle brush, distributing oil from scalp throughout ends of hair
(I have to say, I’m pretty intrigued by the Japanese thermal thing, but it’s kind of rich for my blood. I don’t think I have enough hair to make it worthwhile – maybe if I ever grow it out.)
The one major change I’ve made since asking for advice was to buy a leave-in conditioner. I already use salon shampoo and conditioner, I have a good flatiron, and I cannot deal with shampooing less often, so I thought I’d start with something basic.
For the last several days I’ve been using a spray-on conditioner which I spritz all over right after towel drying, and then I spray on a healthy amount on my ends before using the dryer. And? I am amazed at the difference. My hair feels softer, it’s shinier, and the flyaway ends have really improved. I think overall I still need a trim to deal with the damage, but it looks way, way better.
Here are some photos for comparison. Before and after, and one more of just the ends.
Okay, ready for the best part? The magical awesome leave-in conditioner that has greatly improved the quality of my hair? Costs, like, four bucks. It’s Aussie “Hair Insurance”, which smells good (in a nostalgic kind of way, I think I used to use this stuff in high school), can be purchased at my grocery store, and costs less than a venti vanilla latte. ROCK. 
I still plan to try some of the other products that were recommended, but in the meantime, it’s all Aussie for me, mate. Crikey, cheap drugstore brands don’t always suck.
Link: Aussie Leave-In Conditioner, Hair Insurance - 8 fl oz
Ballpark price: $4.22
Posted: September 22nd, 2006 under Hair, Personally recommended by Linda.
Comments: 16
Comments
Comment from jonniker
Time: September 22, 2006, 4:14 pm
Um, wow? Your hair looks great! And dude, I’ve always loved the Aussie products. I’ve no idea how well they work, since I haven’t used them in years, but that smell, oh that smell! I love that smell! CANDY.
Comment from Daily Tragedies
Time: September 22, 2006, 5:40 pm
Of course I read this AFTER I drop $40 on products from my stylist. Boy that was an expensive lunch hour!
Yay for the non-frizzy hair, though!
Comment from Jem
Time: September 22, 2006, 10:52 pm
Your hair is looking great! Your entry the other day inspired me to try something new, so I coated my hair in olive oil to see what happens. Result - not much, although you waste a lot of olive oil. I’ve heard you’re meant to mix it with hot water first so I might try that next time. I bet you once again it will be a waste of olive oil.
Comment from Lesley
Time: September 23, 2006, 12:40 am
It’s nice to know about an inexpensive product, especially now that Starbucks is jacking up its drink prices. Your hair looks much improved.
Any product you can apply before you blowdry and flatiron (i.e. on wet hair) is going to make a difference.
Comment from Kristen
Time: September 23, 2006, 9:57 am
I love that stuff, too. I like how it makes my hair a little slippery. I also like the Suave Sleek Smoothing Creme stuff (even cheaper–about $1.50) that comes in an orange tube and claims to work as well as Matrix. Yes, SUAVE. I’m not embarrassed.
Comment from Paula
Time: September 23, 2006, 3:06 pm
Late (as usual) but also: Garnier Fructis Length & Strength Leave In Conditioner.
Comment from Jenny
Time: September 23, 2006, 8:56 pm
Aussie’s “deeeeeep” conditioner works really good too, since my hair was dyed a lot.
Comment from Fab
Time: September 24, 2006, 5:16 am
I think this is a fabulous site, Sundry! How awesome to share these things. I am running out to get that Aussie thingy right now. Targeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet, here I come!
Comment from Sara
Time: September 24, 2006, 9:15 am
HORRAY! Say, how long does it take you to dry and straighten your hair each day? I am thinking about chopping another couple of inches from my mop to shave some minutes off my styling time. Anyway, LOVE this site! Strangely, I actually trust your judgment. (!!)
Comment from Susan
Time: September 24, 2006, 9:55 am
First of all, I love this website!
My hair texture seems similar to yours. I, too, worship leave-in conditioner. Seems like you got a lot of great tips that I’ll consider.
FYI, my favorite line of hair care is Phyto. It is what Jennifer Aniston used to make her thick wavy hair appear smooth, shiny and flat-but-in-a-good-way. It’s worked wonders on my damaged hair. My favorite product is the Phytodefrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm ($24 Sephora). I really recommend it. Other great products are the plant-based hydrating creams for dry or very dry hair (I alternate them), the treatment mask with shea butter, and Phytonectar Ultra Nourishing Shampoo. This is the best shampoo and conditioner I’ve ever tried. (That’s in comparison to Bumble and Bumble, Frederic Fekkai, Redken, Oscar Blandi, Aveda L’Occitane, Terax.)
One more suggestion: the Frederic Fekaii Glossing Cream is an excellent leave-in conditioner. ($25 Sephora) I’ve converted so many of my friends to this glossing cream!
I know these prices seem kind of high, but they are sooo worth it. (And I’m still a broke-ass law student!)
Comment from samantha Jo Campen
Time: September 25, 2006, 12:52 pm
It looks like a different set of hair. Really. The difference is remarkable. I’m glad you found something!
Now, what is your advice for me finding an extra $100 to get rid of the 3 inches of roots on the top of my head and to cut 2 inches of dead weight off? Nothing? Sigh. Didn’t think so.
Comment from Jenny
Time: September 26, 2006, 2:01 pm
This website is so much fun!
I didn’t comment on the original hair entry b/c by the time I saw it there were already about eleventy billion comments, but leave-in conditioner was going to be my contribution. I use the Thermasilk kind (though I bought several bottles at a close-out store and I am only assuming the formula is still the same — and what is it with me and the close-out stores?) — I had forgotten about it and started using it again about a month ago and Will, who though not the least perceptive with regard to hair issues is certainly not the *most* perceptive, actually asked me unbidden one morning if I was doing something different to my hair because it seemed softer and smoother. It works!
Comment from stormy
Time: October 1, 2006, 3:05 am
Guinness stout. One bottle of it makes my hair shiny and flyaway free!
Comment from SI
Time: February 10, 2007, 8:24 pm
A good video on Aveda Be Curly vs. Mixed Chicks Leave-in Conditioner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ahYIgjroWo
Comment from tknuvsbbes
Time: July 3, 2007, 12:37 pm
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! mvkdtcbigeo
Comment from Alesia
Time: September 26, 2008, 10:37 am
I have relaxed hair..is it ok to wear it damp with conditioner in it?
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