Hair "Softening"
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free skin care · Thu Jul 07, 2011 7:23 am

I know that others have written here about their successes with Global Keratin and Coppola products for straightening hair.

I need a product to "soften" my coarseness and frizz - I don't want to go completely straight or lose my natural wave or slight curl.

I see that Marcia Texeira (sp?) has come out with something called "Soft Chocolate" and other companies are coming out with formaldehyde free formulations.

I am thinking a product like this might help me - as I only want a minimal change.

Please do not suggest a flat iron or more frequent deep conditioners. I already deep condition and flat irons only provide a couple hours of change for me.

Thanks a bunch, bfg

free skin care · Thu Jul 07, 2011 7:24 am

oh sorry - so my point was that I would appreciate any and all suggestions for my particular hair challenge!

Thanks again, bfg

free skin care · Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:47 am

What has helped me was coconut oil

free skin care · Thu Jul 07, 2011 9:37 am

I already use coconut oil, it's not working.

I need a chemical based formula, but I remain concerned about using the right formulation for my own hair.

bfg

Thu Jul 07, 2011 3:59 pm

I used Garnier Fructis sleek and shine and it made my hair soft and took out the frizz. The instructions say to flat iron your hair after applying the heat activated serum if you want your hair to be straight or blow dry it only if you want to keep the wave. The results will last about 7 washes.

free skin care · Sat Jul 09, 2011 10:00 am

not sure if this will help but it helped my coarse dry hair feel really soft

Bamboo Silk Sleek Brilliance Cream

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2228633&productId=xlsImpprod3070017&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat120024&utm_medium=email&utm_source=The+Zoe+Report&utm_campaign=87aab754cb-Paul_Mitchell_Turbolight_Dryer_Ad_10_Guide4_4_2011#details

I use a ton of conditioner and then this and Morocco oil.

free skin care · Sat Jul 09, 2011 11:51 am

Eliminate sulfates from your hair products and shampoos, you will definitely see a difference. Sounds like we have similar hair. Curly hair tends to need lots of oils and can't handle sulfates. Try different oil blends like camellia and wheat germ. Coconut didn't do much for me either.

free skin care · Sat Jul 09, 2011 1:51 pm

Go get a Redken Chemistry treatment, make sure they use the "All Soft" shot. This is a beneficial chemical treatment that really alters hair structure. They will chelate your hair first and then add the shots to a base, and let it sit Finally, they will spray your hair to bring the Ph up to a level that seals the cuticle. At least this is how I understand it working. The results for me have always been strong, bouncy, shiny, soft hair.
I originally had this done when my hair was wrecked by hard water and minerals in Paris, and chelating shampoos are illegal to sell there, so I had to go to a salon to have the minerals taken out of my hair. They did the Soft treatment on my hair in addition, and it was nothing short of a miracle! It's inexpensive to do and you have nothing to lose. Just make sure some dimwit stylist doesn't hijack your intentions and give you some other treatment that they think is 'better' instead (this happened to me once!).

--avalange

http://for-the-love-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2009/01/redken-revamps-chemistry.html

free skin care · Sun Jul 10, 2011 12:26 pm

In case it helps, I've heard that broccoli seed oil is starting to be used as a natural substitute for silicone in hair products.

free skin care · Sun Jul 10, 2011 1:47 pm

These all sound wonderful to me. Very Happy

Sat Aug 06, 2011 4:43 pm

This product looks promising for addressing frizziness etc.:

Crack Leave-In Hair Cream
http://www.folica.com/hair-care/hair-creams-lotions-and-glazes/crack-leave-in-hair-cream
http://prolocksusa.com/

Seems to have lots of great reviews and the before-and-afters in the video are crazy impressive IMO. Smile

Anyone tried it?

free skin care · Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:55 am

i use the chi and use their spray that is suppose to protect from heat damage.

I have used the aveda deep conditioner i believe its called damage therapy.

i find it works really well.

what i do it apply the conditoner on my dry hair for half an hour then wash and condition my hair with regular conditoner and it makes my hair extrememly soft

free skin care · Tue Aug 16, 2011 9:12 am

For me, wash-off conditioner works better than live-in serums/oils, some of which makes my hair dryer instead.

free skin care · Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:47 am

Ava with wings wrote:

Eliminate sulfates from your hair products and shampoos, you will definitely see a difference. Sounds like we have similar hair. Curly hair tends to need lots of oils and can't handle sulfates. Try different oil blends like camellia and wheat germ. Coconut didn't do much for me either.

Totally agree with this, especially the sulfates issue!

free skin care · Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:20 pm

Coconut oil helped me also. Love it. There are some great videos on You Tube that explain what it does.

Thu Sep 29, 2011 8:25 pm

Have you tried the Aphogee 2 step protein treatment? I love it for my coarse and frizz prone curls....

I get at sally's and it begins with the protein reconstructor. Kinda smells, I apply it to clean damp hair, and then sit under a bonnet dryer to allow it to 'cure.' The protein hardens when dry so be careful handling hair during this step.
Then, once dry, rinse hair gently and apply the conditioner that comes with it. (Which, IMHO, is only ok, I like to use a different deep condish suited for the mop Laughing

)
After deep conditioning for about half hour, I rinse and air dry. The protein in the aphogee helps to smooth down my rough cuticles, and overall my curls are smoother and shinier. AND it doesn't ruin my curl/wave pattern. I only do this treatment every 3-6 months. I've heard that too many protein treatments can dry out my type of hair. Aphogee is also recommended for women who regularly color treat hair/heat style. I'm guessing the intensive protein fortifies each follicle.

Also, another good one is cassia powder. It's a total mess and is kinda labor intensive like the aphogee, but the results are also smoother, shinier hair. I prefer to do this once a month, but I have a sneaking suspicion the results from cassia work best for women who don't heat style hair. I rarely heat style my hair, so I love it.

HTH, not quite a full blown chemical process, but I think this falls into the vein of what you might be looking for?

free skin care · Fri Sep 30, 2011 12:34 am

If you want something to smooth the hair but keep it wavy,

Sebastian Color shine hair "glaze".
they make a clear treatment that the salon puts on your hair and you go under the dryer for 20 minutes I think.

I used to buy this at a salon that orders the product for me,but it is really supposed to be a salon only treatment.
I have wavy hair and it makes it look smooth when I use it,but still wavy.
I have not used this in 1+ year though,but will get around to buying it sometime.

http://www.sebastianprofessional.com/en_US/products/salon_services/index.jsp

I guess it is now called Sebastian Cellophanes,but same product. Now in a tube (used to be in a bottle).

http://www.amazon.com/Sebastian-Laminates-Cellophanes-Brunette-Coffee/dp/B00187Y4M4
-direct link to product
http://www.sebastianprofessional.com/en_US/products/salon_services/product.jsp?id=100060

you could use this every 2 weeks, it does not damage hair and has almost no smell from what i recall.

AMMONIA-FREE COLORIZING GLOSS TREATMENT

ammonia-free colorizing gloss
to shine, shade and dramatize
shapes. translucently illuminates
each strand.

divide damp hair into 4 sections
and apply the color from root to
tip, avoiding the scalp. cover
hair and heat 15-20 minutes.
let cool, rinse, shampoo and condition.

-I've used the clear and Golden brown shade and some of the reds and they are all nice.
blond will not reall show up on dark hair.

free skin care · Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:46 am

coconut oil is good.

Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:57 am

Oooh Sebastian cellophanes are great! It's been awhile since I've seen those stocked at my beauty supply and I promptly forgot all about them... Ugh, I suppose EDS may be holding the potential to get the economy on track if more women read this forum...

Well, off to buy some cello treatment. I have no self control when it comes to fun beauty finds....

free skin care · Fri Sep 30, 2011 11:02 am

havana8 wrote:

This product looks promising for addressing frizziness etc.:

Crack Leave-In Hair Cream
http://www.folica.com/hair-care/hair-creams- Anyone tried it?

yes I use this and love it, it's even better than Morocco Oil and Bamboo Brilliance cream, my fave so far.

free skin care · Fri Sep 30, 2011 4:40 pm

Barefootgirl wrote:

I know that others have written here about their successes with Global Keratin and Coppola products for straightening hair.

I need a product to "soften" my coarseness and frizz - I don't want to go completely straight or lose my natural wave or slight curl.

I see that Marcia Texeira (sp?) has come out with something called "Soft Chocolate" and other companies are coming out with formaldehyde free formulations.

I am thinking a product like this might help me - as I only want a minimal change.

Please do not suggest a flat iron or more frequent deep conditioners. I already deep condition and flat irons only provide a couple hours of change for me.

Thanks a bunch, bfg

My understanding is any chemical treatment which changes the internal structure of the hair is damaging, it will not make your hair softer or less coarse. Most people use these treatments with a flat iron, higher temperatures can cause silicone deposits on your hair to permanently bond. This will give you a faux gloss whilst weakening the structure. Are you saying your hair is only wavy, but frizzy and uncontrollable? If so are you sure your hair is not curlier than you realise? There is a great thread on the Naturally Curly curltalk forum ('General discussion about curly hair' board) called "Post your before & after CG pics". This shows frizz is generally the result of curls being treated as if it was straight or wavy hair. Idea

CG is the book 'Curly Girl' by Lorraine Massey BTW. She advocates no sulphate shampoos, no silicone conditioners, no brushing, no terry towels ... all mistakes I was making. Product-wise I wash with Inecto coconut conditioner, leave-in condition/ style with Fructis Repair & Shine (Triple Nutrition in the US) and deep condition with Inecto with added coconut oil. Coconut oil will not penetrate if you have a build up of silicones on the hair.

Fri Sep 30, 2011 5:50 pm

I have a similar problem as OP but I find my Matrix Biolage Ultra-hydating shampoo and Ultra-hydrating conditioner make my hair very manageable. However, there is still a bit of frizz and I've been using Redken, and sometimes Biosilk, silicone serums Sad

I don't want any chemical-restructuring treatments...just no frizz out of the shower! I also only wash my hair 1-2 times per week. It looks the best on days 3-5 after shampooing.

Firefox7275 wrote:

Are you saying your hair is only wavy, but frizzy and uncontrollable? If so are you sure your hair is not curlier than you realise?

I'm intrigued by this! I've always assumed my hair is classic wavy, but how can one know for sure? Is there any easy way to distinguish if your hair is wavy or curly? Sometimes my hair is wavier(curlier?) than other times...

free skin care · Fri Sep 30, 2011 6:10 pm

Ava10 - if you do a clarifying wash to get the silicones off your hair (presuming you use silicones) & then just do CO washings (silicone free conditioner only washings) you may find your hair is a lot curlier than you think. When i always used sulphate shampoos & silicone filled conditioners i always thought my hair was just naturally a bit wavy. I discovered at about the age of 38 that i'm actually very curly! Laughing

Back on topic - the thing that's helped my hair's softness most is coconut oil. I always dampen my hair first before adding a little coconut oil.

free skin care · Sat Oct 01, 2011 12:26 pm

I also found out I had very curly hair after a two decade long battle with it. I thought I had course, wavy hair, but now that I put the proper moisture and oil into it, I have lots of curls. I never use sulfates and I oil it daily.

Sat Oct 01, 2011 12:59 pm

CindiLou, thanks for the reply! I have read that clarifying shampoos are really harsh. However, would an ACV rinse be enough to remove the built up silicones? I have never used a clarifying shampoo so I am sure I must have buildup although I can't say that my hair is dull either. When I did a treatment with olive oil and honey, my hair was quite shiny without any serums in it. Also, if I stop using silicones, is there any need to ever use a clarifying shampoo again?

I just looked at my Biolage Utra-hydrating, and the shampoo has silicones, but not the conditioner Rolling Eyes

Ava with wings, can you clarify what you mean by oil it daily? Do you put oil on your scalp, your ends, both? Put oil on after or before washing? Also, do you need to wash out the oil daily? Since I only wash my hair 1-2 times per week, I don't think I could add oil every day.

Thanks for all the help!
AVA

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