Intro and questions

Hi everyone,
   I introduced myself in the main introductions section, but thought I'd better do it here, too, since the long hair forum is my main interest.
   I'm 19, and have had long hair all my life. It is medium brown, wavy, medium thickness, and knee-length. I've never done anything special to grow/keep it that long, and in fact rather abused it in various ways, but I'm starting to take better care of it now, and hoping that it will get longer, thicker, and healthier.
   I have a couple of questions. Can anyone recommend a good leave-in conditioner, preferably natural, and something I can either make myself, or does not cost a lot. It seems like no matter how much conditioner mixed with jojoba oil I use in the shower, the last few inches of my hair are still dry. I tried using the jojoba oil as a leave-in, but it made my ends really crunchy. I brush my hair every morning to get the natural oils down to the ends, using a brush that has bristles like a boar bristle brush, but they are some sort of synthetic material, not natural boar bristles. I'd really like some kind of leave-in conditioner to moisturize and protect my poor ends!
   My next question is, how many of you shampoo twice? I've heard that the first shampoo is to get the surface dirt and grease, and the second is to deep clean. I've also heard that you don't really need to shampoo twice, once is sufficient. Any thoughts on that?
  
   Thanks,
             Jillian

Welcome PF!

In addition to Susan's excellent comments, I will add a few thoughts for your consideration...

In addition to the diluted shampoo (mixed in an otherwise empty shampoo bottle), I hold up the ends (over my head) when I rinse my hair, so that most of the suds rinse out around my shoulders.

Years ago I tried using leave-in conditioners but stopped because they tended to allow my hair to collect dirt and dust, and make it harder to comb out.

It is possible (though I don't know how likely) that your hair ends are in need of clarifying.  I've also found that repeated use of reconstructive (high protein) conditioners make my hair (especially the ends) crunchy.  I only use such conditioners once in a while, anymore.

It's also possible that your water quality is making your hair unmanageable.  Hard water leaves behind mineral residue, which can lead to the symptoms you describe.  After I rinse out the conditioner, I always follow-up diluted vinegar rinse, which helps my hair feel softer, makes the scalp happy, and helps it stay clean longer.

I saw this video today and it answers your question about how many shampoo applications are necessary.  It says more than one is hard on the hair.

Hi, Princess Furrball, Welcome!!

Jojoba most closely resembles scalp oil, and it doesn't go rancid, that's why people usually use that. 

Grapeseed oil isn't typically used because its chemically extracted, that's why it costs less, its not a high quality oil, and may still have traces of chemicals in it...that's the theory anyway).  Almond oil also goes rancid in the air, but I don't know what it breaks down into.  You don't want stuff that goes rancid because it can break down into tiny quantities of things you wouldn't want in your hair (like olive oil breaking down into tiny amounts of peroxides when its out in the air and light). 

When I make the butters and jojoba, I usually eyeball it so its about half and half, but you can make it any way that suits you.  Less butter still gives a good effect on the hair (preventing crunchyness), more butter will make a solid that may be a little harder to melt when you hold it.  So, I'd aim for half to less of butter.

just a thought for you to consider...... I have found that my hair needs the water more than the oil.  Daily oiling made the ends feel nasty after a couple days.  I tried keeping it dry except for the 2 wash days a week with terrible results (yes, even with using a spray bottle).  I use shampoo on the ends about twice a month, but I condition every time I shower.

So do you wash your hair every time you shower, or just get it wet and condition?
I may be interested in trying that, because keeping the ends dry all the time except for the two wash days isn't working as well as I would like.


Edited by DaveDecker - March 16 2008 at 5:08pm

Hairbraider, thanks for the tip! I tried it today, although I chickened out and used a very tiny bit of shampoo on my scalp, because my hair was fairly greasy before I washed it. My ends, however, already look and feel happier! I think instead of bending over the tub to wash my scalp and leaving the ends dry, I'll do it in the shower and make sure my ends get their water! Thanks again!