Hi all,

I know I haven't been back on the board for a while  I've been busy working and trying to help co-ordinate my mom's wedding.  I'm planning on wearing my hair at least partially down to show off the length, but I'm getting a little frustrated with my hair.  It's been tangling more than usual lately, and all those tangles can't be good for my hair.  I noticed last night that my hair felt kind of "sticky", and it's kind of been that way for a while.  I'll comb out a section and 2 minutes later it has knots in it again.  I would braid my hair more, but I tend to lose hair easily when I do braids or updo's, and I haven't had time to practice braiding much, but braids usually have tangles when I take them out, too.
So, I was wondering. . . What are the signs that your hair doesn't like cones anymore???  My hair's been both sticky and oily for a while, and I think it's time to change my shampoo. Or something.  I'm currently using Garnier Fructis, which I know has a lot of cones.  I always thought that my hair was just naturally tangly, but can any of you ladies suggest a good cone-free shampoo that's not too expensive?  Or if there is another solution to my problem I'd be glad to hear it!  I finger comb my hair and use a plastic detangling comb, so those can't be the problem, right?  
I'm just getting really frustrated with my hair.  I spend all day combing out tangles lately, it seems.  I hate to think about cutting it, but it's just totally unmanageable right now.  Any advice would be hugely appreciated.  Thanks!

Nice to see you again, Eowynsmane. 

I remember you saying that your hair is fine, and unfortunately, fine hair is the type that tangles easiest. 

I don't know whether cones would really be the enemy, since they are designed to help protect against tangles. I used Pantene Pro-V for many years because it was the only thing that didn't leave my hair a hopeless rat's nest. I'm not really sure how to officially detect when your hair doesn't like cones...somebody else might be able to answer that (hopefully).  ???

That sticky/oily feeling that your hair gets may be from leave-in's, as bikerbraid mentioned. My hair had that same feeling from the Pantene leave-in's I was using. They do eventually build up and make it one majorly greasy mess! 

If you aren't already using leave-in's, however, I would suggest a detangling leave-in conditioner, as these greatly assist in removing tangles before combing wet hair.
    Also, a little bit of oil can also help. I have a small spray bottle that I mix up about ¼ baby oil and ¾ water in. I use this solution on the ends of my hair only, and it makes a world of difference!

As far as an inexpensive cone-free shampoo, I would recommend Herbal Essences. I use it every time I want to take a break from cones & heavy conditioners. Herbal Essences conditioners do contain dimethicone, however, so if you're dead-set against cones, you might want to use a different conditioner. I personally have found that using less cones can help a great deal. Just to let your hair "breathe" a bit more.

Oh yes, and one more thing...it helps to wear your hair in a contained (but not tight!) style at all times. I usually wear mine in a ballerina bun or a looped ponytail. Just to keep it out of the way and prevent it from tangling hopelessly.

Anyway, I hope at least some of this helps. I have fine hair also, so I know what you're going through. Just hang in there & resist the urge to cut!! 

I haven't been around in a long time either, Eowynsmane!  But I'm baaaaack... 

At any rate, I wanted to let you know that about 6 months ago I started having the same problem you're describing.  Sticky hair, tangled mess.  I was so frustrated thinking it was shampoo, or maybe not *enough* conditioner, so I used even more.  My hair was lifeless, dull, and even after it was dry, sticky.

As it turned out, my hair was just on conditioner/cone overload.  It took a couple of vinegar rinses, and two washing cycles of me just using diluted shampoo (shampoo with water) and no conditioner save a drop or two of JoJoba oil before my hair returned to its' spendiferous self.

Now, when I wash, I use my diluted shampoo, but no in-shower conditioner.  I use a few good sprays of Aussie leave-in conditioner while my hair is still damp, or a couple of drops of JoJoba oil if I don't manage to get to my hair until after it's dry.     I still use a vinegar rinse about once a month, and my hair has been treating me the better for it.

Not sure if this will work for you, as everyones' hair is different, but it is worth a try.  I think I was just on product overload until I realized that what my hair needed was just to be natural.  I use very little in the way of shampoo and conditioner, and my hair is all the better for it.

Much luck to you!

Thanks for the advice, novusfemina!  I wondered whether my hair had cone overload.  I've only vinegar rinsed once before (last month), and it left my hair kind of oily, but I think maybe if I dilute  it some more it might work.  I'll take your advice and skip the in shower conditioner for a while.  As long as I use my leave-in, and jojoba I should be OK.  It's nice to know that someone else has had the same problem as me, although I wouldn't wish it on anyone, of course!

Hello Eowynsmane!

I'm thinking that maybe it was the brand you were using, I have used Garnier Fructis in the past with horrible results, just like you were describing.  My hair was waxy, dull and sticky feeling, I was so disappointed, I guess the commercials of the girls with long flowing hair really sucked me in.    I tried to pawn it off on my husband, but after one use he wouldn't use it either, so I threw it away.  What a waste of hard earned money. 

So, I went back to my good-ol' Pantene & all was well again.  Live & learn!

Thanks everybody for the advice!  I think I'm going to go off the Garnier for a while, but I'm not sure what shampoo to try next.  It seems like a lot of shampoos out there have sodium lauryl sulfate in them, too, and I can't remeber why this is bad, although I seem to remember some posts on here that said it was.  Can anyone tell me why?  Also, is ammonium lauryl sulfate as bad as the sodium?  I have now become an obsessive reader of shampoo labels, but can't seem to decide which one would work best.  I've been thinking I might try either Suave Biobasics or Nexxus.  Any thoughts ladies?  I suppose I could always go back to Pantene, too.  I used that before I started using Garnier years ago.
I have decided not to go -cone-free.  With my tangly hair it could be a disaster, and I just can't risk it.  (My hair is very fine and thick). I should probably clarify before changing shampoos, too, so I start fresh.  Does anyone else have a problem with their hair getting really oily soon after an ACV rinse?  Maybe I need to reduce the vinegar concentration.
Wow, that's a lot of questions   I'm so glad I have a place to go for advice though!  Maybe soon I can stop haunting the shampoo aisle in the grocery store and actually CHOOSE SOMETHING!!!!  I might be too obsessed with my hair but I want it to be as healthy as it can be. I'm also thinking about getting one of Ric's combs as a birthday present to myself.  I think reducing static might really help with the tangles.  And they sure are beautiful combs!
Good night all!

hi all!!!

        i'm SO glad i'm not alone in "haunting the shampoo aisle"!  i also had the same horrible experiences with that garnier fructis stuff...it was like the top couple inches of hair were stiff with wax. very, very weird. yuck.

                                             - Ophelia -

i thought it was simply switching shampoos, but i recently started using garnier fructise, and i'm having the same problem with the first few inches of my hair being stiff.
I guess we all know now

don't use garnier