I have been experimenting with shampoos and conditioners since I went gray. For the past couple of years, I've stuck to sulfate-free and silicone-free products. I discovered they work OK, but it takes a boatload of conditioner to de-tangle and de-frizz my longish dry hair. Plus, the natural products are typically not cheap. I've spent a fair chunk of change on high-end products that barely did the job.
There was an old bottle of something in the product graveyard otherwise known as my bathroom, so a couple of weeks ago I started using it. The product contains silicones. I noticed an immediate improvement in my hair. This product is a leave-in designed to straighten, so I lost a bit of the natural wave, but I was fine with that.
Last weekend I did a bit of internet research on drugstore shampoos and conditioners and dropped a whopping $10 on new goo. The shampoo contains sulfates, which are said to be harsh on hair. The conditioner contains silicones. Some people, particularly the curlies, are totally against silicones. Others say it depends -- whatever works for you.
I've decided they work for me. I'm only using a dollop of conditioner, and a comb slides right through without breakage. My hair is shiny, full and wavy if I let it air dry or straight if I blow it. The silicones do build up over time -- your hair starts to look and feel greasy or weighed down. But it's easy to shampoo it out and start all over. That's why God made sulfates.
I had this vision of being a natural girl, but it wasn't working for me. There's so much hype about what's good and what's not, and I think it comes down to individual experience. For whatever reasons, my hair likes silicones. What I don't like is the smell of my new products, but at these prices, I can continue to shop around.
Any recommendations? I've been such a product snob -- I can't believe I'm saying this in my outside voice. I'm currently trying out Herbal Essences Hydralicious Reconditioning Shampoo and Neutrogena Triple Moisture Conditioner -- the fragrance is tolerable. For weekly clarifying, I'm using Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo. Again, the fragrance is tolerable, but I feel certain I can find something that doesn't give me a headache.
POSTSCRIPT:
I've been contacted by a fine and reputable retailer to feature some of their dresses that I like and link back to their site. I assume some sort of minimalist compensation is involved -- I haven't asked yet (what I really want is the dress). I write whatever I want to write and use their high-quality and completely legal images to illustrate my post. I would disclose that this is a sponsored post.
Does this sort of thing offend you or turn you off? I like the idea because it allows me to explore and share fashion on a different level, but please let me know if you think this idea blows. I am grateful for your ongoing support and value your opinions.
