Need Conditioner Advice Please

Hello fellow Dawn!My first advice would definately be to go back and check all the wonderful hair advice articles written by Karen. She is truly the expert on the vast array or conditioners and styling products out there. Also, it would be important to understand the type of hair you have before you decide on a specific conditioning routine. Lori's curly hair needs a completely different set of products than my pin straight hair for example, Cher's very full thick hair requires different treatment than my very fine hair as well. Get what I mean? Once you define your type then you can proceed.For myself for example, I always just use a coordinated shampoo and conditioner (I use Nature's Gate original herbal, jojoba, keratin, the whole line really) and every once in a while a deep conditioner like St. Ives or some hot oil treatment. Since I've been using the NG jojoba I haven't even done a deep conditioning and have been quite happy. That's all, no other styling products. This is just what works for me. You're already using a top of the line product and should be getting some good results though. If you want to switch why not give the Artec products a try, Karen says they are great.I'm certain lots of other gals will be on soon to share their personal tips with you too. Find what works for your hair type and stick to it!Best wishes to all!Dawn

> Can anyone recommend any> REALLY good conditioners (ex. Aveda, Paul Mitchell,> Artec, Nexxus, System Biolage, Redken, Sebastian,> etc.)??? I use Aveda's Curressence, but I'd like> to try some others too.I was going to suggest Curessence, but since you've already been using that one...Both here and on a mailing list I'm on, a number of people have been raving about Nature's Gate. I've been very happy with Aveda, and really wasn't looking to change, but Nature's Gate is so much less expensive, I thought I'd try it. (The conditioners are about $5 or so for 18 fl oz, while Curessence is $20 or more for 8.4 fl oz. I did have to use more of the Nature's Gate than the Curessence, but it's still a big savings.)I tried the Original Herbal shampoo and conditioner last night, and my hair feels very soft today. It's also been almost completely tangle-free. (Just so you have a basis for comparison, my hair is straight and very fine, but there is a lot of it. It is light-to-medium brown, waist-length, with bangs I am currently growing out. It tends to be a bit dry at times.) I wouldn't commit to a product after only one trial, but so far I'm happy with it. I doubt I'll give up on Aveda, but I may alternate Nature's Gate in some days.> While I'm here, can you> answer 1 other question? What is everyone's opinion> on leave-ins and styling products? I'm so confused!!!> I want healthy long hair but I can't seem to find> a good routine. Someone told me to conditioner> my hair, then add a leave-in conditioner, then> put in gel with conditioner. I don't mind doing> this if it will give me healthy hair. But I'm> afraid of putting too much stuff in my hair and> actually hurting it.I don't like to use styling products. They tend to dry my hair, even ones that claim to condition. Leave-in conditioners can irritate my scalp (which is quite sensitive), so I don't use them either. I do use Aveda's Phomollient to help hold my bangs back out of my eyes while they are growing out. I like it because it doesn't smell very strong, it doesn't irritate my scalp or dry my hair, and it doesn't have any silicones (which tend to be bad news for me, especially in styling products!).I suspect the key is choosing the right products, and making sure you use the right shampoo so that you don't end up with sticky residue left in your hair. (That does NOT necessarily mean you need to use a detoxifying shampoo!) I've never been happy with a mousse or gel before, but the Phomollient seems to suit me just right.Good luck!Laura Jane lswanson@sunflower.bio.indiana.edu

Hello. I need advice. I have curly just to my shoulder length hair that is pretty thick. Before I ever started coloring my hair for fun, I had such beautiful healthy hair that drew compliments from so many people. I still think my hair is okay, but I am afraid that I have damaged it so badly that it is beyond help. I have been using Jheri Redding Extra products on it and find the result to be positive. But it seems that the only thing that makes my hair somewhat resemble its former healthy state is a silicone serum. I have heard that this dries my hair out in the long run. But in the short run, it makes my curls stay together and it stays shiny and soft. I have tried Ouidad products but find that they leave my hair feeling dry. So far, Jheri Redding has been the best shampoo and conditioner for my distressed hair. What I did about a week ago is that I tried to do a home highlighting kit on my dark brown, already permanently colored hair. It looked bright yellow-orange on the streaks. Then I used a semipermanent over that to change that orange color. It didn't take. So I ran out and got a permanent medium golden brown color and did that--all in the same day!!!!!!! I know that I have severely damaged my cuticle as a result of this. My hair does not look like a disaster because I have always known how to use good products and I know how to handle my curly hair. I also do not use a dryer often, and when I do, it's on cool. I want to grow my hair longer and am willing to stop this ridiculous coloring.( I have no reason to be coloring my hair except that once I got into the cycle of doing it for "fun", I have been trapped. I am sure you people understand that.) My question is, is there any product out there that I can leave in my hair that does not contain silicones but that will have the same effect? I am so hair paranoid. It has always been my favorite feature and to destroy it would be terrible.