What shampoo do you use?

strawberryfine wrote: I would really love to read about your dilution method with the GM shampoo, if you wouldn't mind posting it.

Hi Strawberryfine!

Your hair is very pretty and shiny! And thank you for your nice compliment.

Here is my shampoo method:

1) center-part head, bring sides forward, comb thoroughly, then brush. Hair is "perfectly" detangled.

2) Hop in shower & wet hair, trying not to move head up/down/sideways... keeping it "in place"... until it's wet.

3) Pour about 1 ounce of your favorite shampoo into a clear/translucent plastic bottle, add about 5 ounces of water. Slowly rotate bottle back/forth. "Stirred, not shaken." Shaking it would make it all foamy -- would not help with application.

4). Slowly pour diluted shampoo mix onto one spot on the scalp, massage with fingertips of the other hand, until it starts to get sudsy, then move onto an adjacent spot on the scalp and repeat. It takes about 2 minutes to cover the entire head. Then massage the suds some more, and rinse, letting the shampoo flow through the strands.

5) Repeat step 4) if you feel necessary

Practice makes perfect. Let us know how it goes for you!

Juliana,

"GM" is George Michael, reknowned long-hair stylist (opened a salon in NYC in 1960, still in operation today under ownership of his original assistant).

Thanks for reminding me of these products, Nicole. I used them years ago. My first impression of their Creme shampoo was "yuck, too drying!" and I gave away a big bottle of it. Some time later I tried it again (using my dilution method) and was amazed to discover that my hair loves the stuff. And, at this same time I tried their 12-minute conditioner, too. My hair loved that stuff as well.

Hi Layla. I put shea butter conditioner on my scalp and hair after shampooing. (While my hair is still wet.) If you can't find a shea butter hair conditioner, you can use natural shea butter. Just warm a blob between your hands to liquify it. Then massage it into your scalp and work it through your hair with your fingers. You can leave it on for 3 minutes. (I sometimes leave it on for up to 30 mins. with my hair wrapped in a warm, damp towel.) Then rinse your hair with tepid water.

I tried a lot of dry scalp treatments before finding shea butter. None of them worked this well. It smells great too and makes your hair feel soft and look really shiny. It's also an excellent body moisturizer.

Nicole, what is the GM line? I've never heard of it. Does GM stand for something? Your hair looks fabulous, so they must be excellent products.

For the last year and a half I've been using the GM line. For some reason my hair seems to respond best to that line. Yesterday I went to the salon to get more of the 12 minute conditioner, and told the lady at the front desk that I credit my growth half to genetics and half to the GM stuff.

Right now, I'm alternating Aveda Sap Moss shampoo with California Baby Shampoo, sensitive.

I'm also using Biolage Conditioning Balm.

My hair is happier than it has been in a long time.

Thanks for posting this question!

strawberryfine

Suers wrote: IDoes anyone know any other old remedies for hair?

Before they used soaps, people would boil herbs rich with saponines, that make like a gentler, soapy rinse. Herbs rich in saponines would be rosemary, violets, and birchleaves, for example.

I have been recommended to use these herbal "teas" to mix with clay powder instead of just plain water, to increase the cleaning power, but I haven´t tried it yet.

I sympathize with the scalp condition. I hope you find a tolerable solution. Just be careful. Some skins just seem to be super allergy prone.

I use creme-moist shampoo in the Abba line. I also use their conditioners. Then I also use a big of jojoba oil too.

I have a really big problem with an itchy scalp. When I use drug-store products it gets worse. I think I must have some chemical sensitivites.

I often wonder what people used to use to wash their hair hundreds of years ago. Soap was used with rain water (because it is softer) and often followed by a beer or vinegar rinse (acidic). They used oil too. I don't think they would ever have washed their hair more than once a week. They also brushed it alot and keep it up in braids or buns.

Really ancient cultures used clay to remove the oil. I think they used oil as well. They covered their heads to keep the sun and dirt off.

Does anyone know any other old remedies for hair?

I've used Dove a couple of times. I think it's the best product in its price range.

Emilee, I've tried Tom's of Maine too. I use Tom's cinnamon toothpaste everyday (it's my favourite). I don't know if it's available all across North America, but I buy it at my local health food store in Nova Scotia. Avalon all-natural lavender shampoo is really nice too (also in health food stores). I've tried a lot of different shampoos. (I'm a sucker for aesthetically-pleasing packaging or a nice scent.) Like Sarondie, I don't notice a huge difference in my hair based on which shampoo I've used. (Although some of them stand out for being awful -- like Fructis -- major build-up). The conditioner is key for me.

i use thermasilk, herbal essences and occaisionally finesse. i don''t really notice different results from different shampoos, except pantene is not good for my hair. i really like the conditioners that come with haircolor. my hair is always its softest when i use those (which isn''t very often).