How are you balancing moisture/protein?

Anavrin

New Member
As a newb here I've lurked around here enough to see yall lovely ladies talking about balancing protein and moisture conditioners. How do you balance these?

Do you just alternate the protein and moisture conditioners every time you condition?

Do you rinse one out and then follow up with another?

Do you use as needed?

Or is there something I'm missing, as in do you take other steps to balance these besides/without conditioners?

I know enough to figure that my conditioner is a light protein based product, and I dont have a moisturizing one...yet. :yep:

I should probably mention I'm relaxed and shoulder length. :rolleyes:
 

MrsJaiDiva

Embracing the Light
I do a weekly protein DC, and the rest of the week is all about moisture. I co-cleanse at least 2x during the week, and all of the products I use are moisturizing. So much so, that the weekly protein is what actually helps me to retain...without it, it'd just be split ends and SSK's all over the place.
 

Arian

Loc'ing Up!
To balance my protein/moisture, I use Aubrey Organics GPB. It is both moisturizing and strengthening and I do not have to use anything afterwards. It has a softening affect.
 

irisak

Well-Known Member
AdoraAdora24 said:
I play it by ear. Depending on how it feels, no real scheduling involved.

I use aphogee two step

Yep. I do the same. Also for me my strands won't hold moisture at all if my balance is off. I cut out protein for about six months and my hair was hard and dry at the end of that time. My hair never feels mushy as I've heard people on the board say.

Eta I also use aphogee 2 step
Sent from my HTC EVO using LHCF. any spelling errors should be blamed on auto-correct.
 

Evolving78

Well-Known Member
based off my experience and setback, i think one should just pay attention to what their hair is in need of. i use protein when needed now.
 

LightEyedMami

New Member
^ I agree with above i just got a good amount of breakage from trying to up my protein from aph 2 min. to AOGPB...that was a big mistake, if it ain't broke don't fix it :nono:....

*If your hair feels really stretchy give it some protein, otherwise "our" hair tends to need moisture more then protein...But since your relaxed most likely you can get away with a little bit more protein, Even so be careful with protein, i think listening to your hair is more effective then sceduled treatments:yep:

ETA: as far as my protein i tend to need a light protein every 1 to 2 weeks.
 
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virtuenow

Well-Known Member
I use a moisture-protein balanced deep conditioner, weekly, Aubrey Organics Gpb (on dry or damp hair).
 

Anavrin

New Member
To balance my protein/moisture, I use Aubrey Organics GPB. It is both moisturizing and strengthening and I do not have to use anything afterwards. It has a softening affect.

Is this stronger or weaker than Aphogee?

Monthly I usually mix a protein condish either AO GPB or Aphogee 2 min in with my moisturizing DC:)

Thats a good idea! Is that the only time you DC or do you do it several times during the month and then finish the month off by combining them?




Thank you all so much for your answers! :blush:
 

lamaria211

Well-Known Member
Anavrin said:
Is this stronger or weaker than Aphogee?

Thats a good idea! Is that the only time you DC or do you do it several times during the month and then finish the month off by combining them?

Thank you all so much for your answers! :blush:

I DC with a moisturizing condish weekly but I only use protein once a month yep!
 

30something

Well-Known Member
I change between moisture Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose and a moisture/protein Aubrey Organics Glycogen Protein Balancing conditioner (A.K.A AO GPB) for deep conditioning and use a hard core protein treatment every 3 months ...Nexxus Emergencee which is followed by any of my two deep conditioner.
 
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MsDee14

New Member
I use ORS Replenishing Pack monthly and add silk amino acids to my shea butter mix.
Other than that I use mostly moisturizing products, but I think the daily use of Coconut Oil helps a bit.
 

Ronnieaj

New Member
I use Aphogee 2-step 4 times a year, alternating with Mega-tek in six week intervals (so a moderate to heavy protein every 6 weeks). If I feel like I need something in between, I'll do a balanced conditioner, like AO GPB or one of my Marie Dean's. I cowash with Wen 1-2x/week, and otherwise use moisturizing DCs. My daily hair spritz has aloe vera juice and silk amino acids in it as well.
 

lovebug10

New Member
I play it by ear. Depending on how it feels, no real scheduling involved.

I use aphogee two step

Same... If my hair feels crunchy or try then i just deep condition with something moisturizing... If I have some shedding then I use 2 min reconstructor. If I have lots of breakage or shedding I use Aphogee 2 step. Sometimes I use ORS replenishing Pak.

Basically I just listen to my hair:
crunchy/ dry = needs moisture
shedding/ breaking = needs protein

Also I don't use any special shampoo. JUst Paul Mitchell Special Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner. Sometimes I use an aphogee shampoo but not often.
 

NappyNelle

Kinky Coily 4A, Fine Strands, WSL
I monitor my hair, and take into account the styling products I've used since the last wash. Generally, I alternate protein and moisturizing conditioning treatments and my fine strands approve.
 

CurlsBazillion

Well-Known Member
I used joico kpak biweekly before I DC (conditioner varies, lately matrix biolage ultra hydrating balm w/ honey and agave nectar)but recently switched to matrix biolage strengthening conditioner and may start using it weekly because its very light. I'm going to start using cassia biweekly along with a moderate protein weekly in the fall until the summer again then return to light strengtheners.
 

JBunnie

New Member
I legit wanted to make a thread asking the same thing (or add it to the "Can I ask a dumb question" thread) because last night I read an article in which the girl said she mixes her protein and moisture DC (50/50) each wash.

I alternate weekly:
This week I'll do a mild protein DC (currently using Brazilian Tech Deep Penetrating Conditioning Treatment, but I have some others I wish to try)
Next week I'll do my moisture DC. (I use MoroccanOil Intense Hydrating Mask mixed with some honey and a few drops of the treatment)

I do a heavy protein treatment only after I use direct heat on my hair. (For that I've used ApHogee 2 step but I have a jar of the Jamaican Black Castor Oil Protein Treatment in my stash I'm waiting to use)

Though I do listen to my hair I still worry that my balance my get out of whack because I find that I do more moisture than protein. I have to moisturize my hair throughout the week when I refresh my curls and I co-wash maximum twice a week with a moisturizing conditioner. So I'm looking to find ways I can add protein into my reggie that aren't just the bi-weekly DC. I've been thinking about getting some silk amino acids to add to my leave in and refresher. But I might be thinking to much into, considering I haven't seen any issues.
 

Anavrin

New Member
I legit wanted to make a thread asking the same thing (or add it to the "Can I ask a dumb question" thread) because last night I read an article in which the girl said she mixes her protein and moisture DC (50/50) each wash.

I alternate weekly:
This week I'll do a mild protein DC (currently using Brazilian Tech Deep Penetrating Conditioning Treatment, but I have some others I wish to try)
Next week I'll do my moisture DC. (I use MoroccanOil Intense Hydrating Mask mixed with some honey and a few drops of the treatment)

I do a heavy protein treatment only after I use direct heat on my hair. (For that I've used ApHogee 2 step but I have a jar of the Jamaican Black Castor Oil Protein Treatment in my stash I'm waiting to use)

Though I do listen to my hair I still worry that my balance my get out of whack because I find that I do more moisture than protein. I have to moisturize my hair throughout the week when I refresh my curls and I co-wash maximum twice a week with a moisturizing conditioner. So I'm looking to find ways I can add protein into my reggie that aren't just the bi-weekly DC. I've been thinking about getting some silk amino acids to add to my leave in and refresher. But I might be thinking to much into, considering I haven't seen any issues.

Thats actually where I got the idea. I didnt even know that was viable. I thought about putting it in the stupid question thread but I felt like I could get a more detailed answer this way. I was confused because I had no idea that I was supposed to be mindful on whether or not my conditioner has protein or is a moisturizer. Im probably going to switch my conditioner soon because as good as Garnier Sleek and Shine makes it feel, its very temporary and never really lasts more than 12 hours, and then after that its as dry as the Sahara. So now im on a new hunt to find a moisturizing conditioner for relaxed hair.
 

me-T

New Member
Yep. I do the same. Also for me my strands won't hold moisture at all if my balance is off. I cut out protein for about six months and my hair was hard and dry at the end of that time. My hair never feels mushy as I've heard people on the board say.

Eta I also use aphogee 2 step
Sent from my HTC EVO using LHCF. any spelling errors should be blamed on auto-correct.

omg you are so right. i thought i had too much protein, so i cut it out for a long period twice, and never got that mushiness. heck i was hoping for it:lachen:
 
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