Daily Moisturizer:
Eight. To address my dry hair issues, I turned to a suggestion offered in a thread to another poster - Qhemet’s AOHC and BRBC mixed with OHHB, which effectively solved my problem. However, what I really needed was a liquid refresher-type of product. So, after sampling Oyin’s Juices and Berries to no avail, I opted to use a concoction of distilled water with a small amount of oil and conditioner. Epic fail; my hair felt nasty and coated. I kept reformulating the mixture using smaller amounts of oil, no oil and different conditioners with no success. Next, I tried distilled water and a small amount of essential oils followed by a creamy leave-in (Oyin’s Hair Dew but the smell forced me to replace it with DB Transitioning Cream). Instant success!
Deep Conditioner:
In the neighborhood of thirty (and I’m being conservative) – from cholesterols to Dominican products, to the ones hyped in various threads. After a while, I stop chasing the products and began searching for the ingredients I knew my hair liked (e.g., those with no or low protein/hidden protein content, lots of emollients and oils, and no heavy butters). My current staples are Hairveda Sitrinillah, Nairobi Humecta-Sil, ORS Replenishing, Kenra MC, and Shescentit Avocado and Banana Brulee.
Moisturizing Shampoo:
One, then four tries. I was fortunate to find my staple shampoo on the very first try (Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo). Unfortunately, since it’s been reformulated, it has sent me back to the drawing board. I am currently using Elucence Moisture Benefits, which is a good substitute since it’s highly concentrated, moisturizing, keeps my hair soft and allows me to detangle while rinsing (after having little success with Keracare Hydrating and Detangling, CON Argan Oil, and the new formula of Elasta).
Clarifying/Chelating Shampoo:
Three. First, I tried ORS Creamy Aloe (but 12oz is not enough product for a bulk purchaser like me), then settled with Quantum’s Clarifying Shampoo for a few years (couldn’t hack the protein content) before finding Elucence Acidifying Shampoo (which is highly concentrated and effective without the dryness).
Relaxer:
N/A (Although when I would do my neighbor’s hair, I used Profectiv No-Lye and her hair went from a chewed up EL to a full, bouncy APL in three years).
Protein Treatment:
Three. My first foray into protein treatments was with the Aphogee 2-Step, which was a horrendously smelly ordeal. The next thing I sampled was the Aphogee 2-Minute Reconstructor and it was a staple for years until it was edged out by Colorful Neutral Protein Filler (great ingredients without the stiff, I-just-had-a-protein-treatment feel).
Leave-in Conditioner:
Fourteen. I’ve sampled KCKT (drying), Rusk Sensories Smoother (protein overload), Shescentit Coco Cream (protein overload plus coating and stiffness from the shea butter), Hairveda Whipped Cream and Bizzy Izzy (dry, nasty mc-dry), Roux Fermodyl 619 Treatment (meh), Lacio Lacio (blah unless straightening, which I don't do very often), Mozeke Kokum Hair Milk (dry, matted dreds), Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Smoothing Lotion (felt really great going on, but the next day my hair felt like the Sahara Desert), Jessicurl WDT and Too Shea (these would work really well if they had protein and shea butter free formulas because the softness and slip they produced was absolutely unreal; they sucked as DCs) and As I Am Naturally Leave-in (pretty good) before happening upon DB Peach Kernel (subpar unless I add oils) and DB Daily Leave-in (exceptional all on its own!). My current staple is the DB Daily.
Co-wash Conditioner:
At least twenty - from the cheapies to the ones with natural ingredients, to the ones full of silicones and even As I Am Naturally Coconut CoWash (which was pretty decent, but I couldn’t take the awkwardness of digging my hands into a tub while showering). For me, the best co-washing conditioner is a less concentrated DC because the only ones that gave decent results are Yes to Carrots, Elasta QP Intense and diluted Kenra MC.
Gel:
Four. I tried Beyond the Zone Noodle Head, Sunsilk Captivating Curls, the white Ecostyler and Hairveda’s Whipped Gelly before calling it quits. Since I never wear WNGs, I don’t see the point of using this type of product.
Sealant:
Five. The first oil I sampled was EVOO (which left me with dry, frizzy hair), before trying EVCO (same results, only faster), avocado (dry hair again), and castor. Although this produced softness and shine, it made my hair feel somewhat stiff). After revisiting my pre-LHCF staple, John Frieda serum, I decided to mix other oils with castor oil in order to make the perfect sealant. I am currently using a mixture of castor, JBCO, almond, argan, hemp seed, macadamia and pumpkin.
Conditioning Oils:
Two missteps. After my experiences with castor oil, I swan dived into the wonderful world of oils. The only ones to produce a negative reaction since EVOO, EVCO, avocado and neat castor are wheat germ and walnut. I currently use almond, apricot kernel, argan, babassu, camellia seed, flax seed, hemp seed, grapeseed, JBCO, rice bran, sesame, safflower and sunflower along with rosemary, clary sage, and bergamot essential oils.
All my information came from diligent searching through LHCF threads because this is the only hair board I belong to and I hate watching YouTube or any other videos and reading people’s blogs. HTH.
Tried about 4 different butters, tons of spray bottle mixtures...I get reallllly close, but I still haven't found "The One"
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