I've been going off cones, and I gotta say, it's been kinda rough.  I've just not been able to find a natural CO that's 'coating' enough - not necessarily heavy, but staying on the strands so when it dries, I can run my fingers through it without it catching on all the frizz.

Anyone else have this problem?  Any ideas?  I've had decent results from Nature's gate Keratin and Panthenol, if that helps.

"Natural" like organic stuff, or "natural" like cone free? I've heard that Biolage Conditioning Balm works really nicely as a finishing C, that leaves hair manageable. I use cones, so frankly I have no idea myself. I layer my cones over a coneless to minimize damage. but Strawberryfine has used Biolage... (we know you're out there SF).

I'm sure others have tried Biolage too, maybe they can pop into this thread.

I also use Nature's Gate Keratin and usually use more than I did when I used contidioner with cones.  Anyway, you might want to try Aubrey Organics.  Their conditioner is vegan friendly and cone-free.  I haven't tried that brand yet, but it's supposed to be good.  The bad part is that it's about $10 for 11oz.  If you're just going for cone-free, I think Dove conditoners don't have cones, but I don't know how good that brand is.

The website for Aubrey Organics is http://www.aubrey-organics.com

Anais,
Does that mean you mix coneless and cone conditioners together?  Because, like Ceridwen, I am enjoying the benefits of the cone-free lifestyle, but...

but   ;)

I was thinking that if I could just mix my cone Pantene Pro-V deep conditioner with the super cones with my cone-free Suave Citrus Smoothie (and a new personal FAVE) conditioner to my final length conditioning step; I'd have the perfect mix.

I guess I just need to tinker with the recipe....   :P

Hmm...  Unfortunately, the funky smell of the Aubrey stuff sets off my fiancee's asthma.  Pooh, because it made a great overnight end soak, but it's not worth losing the TLC from my man.

In a perfect world, I'd go for natural in the sense of minimal unpronouncable chemicals, but I might give the Biolage a go.  As a last resort...  *sigh* guess I'll have to put some cones in to control the poufiness.  I might go with Marc Anthony forever long for curly hair - it's only got dimethicone fluid in it, not the usual laundry list of every cone known to man.

But yeah... will try that Biolage stuff for sure.

Oo OO Ooo!  Ceridwen, I think I've got this figured out!

Rightyo... I use a cone free conditioner to protect my length while using the cone free/shampoo mix for my scalp, then, in the final conditioning the length step, I use cone free conditioner with just a dab of super-cone conditioner mixed it.  It makes the cone free stuff just a tad bit creamier, and it's just the right amount of cone to make your hair lie flat.  

Much luck, and happy tinkering!

You know, after some fiddling, that's pretty much what I came up with.  My hair still seems to absorb oils, and it isn't being horrid and frizzy on me.  Coolness :)

Aminodimethicone seems to be one of the water soluble cones - Garnier has only this one and L'Oreal Mega Moisture also - so if I were to use one for the first "C" it would be one of those.

I don't mind the heavy duty stuff on the final or leave-ins but I do not use them all the time - being a true hair "ho" the constant rotation seems to be working for me rather well right now ;~) ...g

*s* aye, I can go with cones once a week.  I think I've found the ultimate solution though...

Wash as normal, CO the heck out of it, then when you're out of the shower, braid it into two loose plaits, leaving the loose tails long.

On the loose tail section of the braids, smoothe on shea butter, perhaps about a teaspoon total, work it in real well.

I let the hair dry in braids. This tames the curl into locks and keeps it from kinking into fuzz.  The ends - and ONLY the ends - get the moisture from the shea butter, which soaks in a treat and keeps the ends soft without greasing up the top.

When it's almost dry, take out the braids and style as normal.  ta da!  Less frizz, coherent curl.

This method seems to work equally well with various cones and my fav non-cone, Nature's Gate Biotin and Keratin.  Just a matter of controlling it during the drying stage, where the frizz forms up the worst.

Try jessicurl.com.  She makes organic shampoo/conditioners with oil base.  Great for dry/curly hair.

I second the jessicurl conditioner- the Aloeba daily conditioner is light and won't weigh down hair.
Also Aubrey organics GPB Conditioner.  These are both natural, and organic.
I still like to use cone-based products occasionally.

WOAH!  You sure weren't kidding...  this is the best stuff I've ever used.  Just ordered a truckload of the stuff.  The Too Shea with the Rockin' Ringlets is just what my hair needs, not too greasy, totally moisturizing.  My ends don't even crunch now.

Yeah!  Congrats!  Check out her website for her hair care routine.  I do the honey rinse between shampoo and condish ;D

Well, I think teh idea of COing witha coneless conditioner before you apply one is to seal in soem mositure before you lock down the cuticles. If you don't have some moisture in them and just CO with teh cones, you're hair may snap :(. Btw I'm trying this method myself and am waiting to see what happens over the next few weeks.

Try giovanni Shampoo and conditioner.  It works REALLY well.  I buy it at Fresh Feilds or WegMans.  Use a boar bristle brush or a comb.  Good luck!!!