On the days when I actually use something that isn’t a dry shampoo, I’ve been using a couple things from Carol’s Daughter: their Hair Milk Cleansing Conditioner, which I use as my “shampoo,” (you can find it at Target for about $12 a bottle) and their Hair Milk Original Leave-In Moisturizer (also about $12 at Target), which I use as my conditioner.
My hair is long, colored, wavy and naturally dry — both my strands and my scalp — and the dryness is even worse in winter, so I diligently try to avoid any products that might strip whatever remaining moisture my hair has.
I look for products that are going to put moisture back into my hair and don’t build up to a frothy lather.
Oh, and I also do more heat styling in winter, which is another reason why I like using cleansing conditioners and leave-ins, because they seem to help my hair retain more moisture and counteract more of the damage done from the hair dryer and curling iron.
I use these products once, or maybe twice, a week in the shower, and then use a dry shampoo (LIVING PROOF!)on the in-between days to freshen my roots.
If your hair happens to be on the drier side, I wholeheartedly recommend those two Carol’s Daughter products. They get two big ol’ thumbs up from me. Since I started regularly using them about a month and a half ago, my hair’s been in the best winter shape it’s been in a while…so it’s still dry, but much less dry than usual for winter.
How about you? What have you been using lately to wash your hair?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I’m a curly girl so i can only use sulfate-free shampoo, and here in Belgium, you don’t get a lot of choices when it comes to sulfate and silicone free hair products. I did find a website that sells Shea moisture and when I ran out of my regular shampoo, I will definitely try the Shea moisture line! All natural and without chemicals!
I have to admit that I am not that particular about my shampoo. I have dry, hair and use whatever is on sale at CVS. I have lately been using Suave with Keratin and Argon Oil. I wash my hair maybe twice a week. I have never used a dry shampoo. I am a little grey at the moment, but I have an appointment for a color treatment next week. I may go check out the “Hair Milk” at Target. Going into the City tomorrow for dinner with friends and our boys (early to beat the crowds). Should be back in “the burbs” before midnight. Have a good and safe New Year! You have lots to look forward to.
Say whaaaaaaaat?!? Karen, your hair looks so healthy, shiny and beautiful, I would never have known it was dry! I just use a menthol head and shoulders (every other day) and Aussie 3 minute miracle conditioner (every other day). Sometimes I use coconut oil in my hair to deep condition it – plus the coconut oil makes your hair smell uh-may-zing for the next couple of days. I rarely use heat tools and never blow dry my hair. My hair is very thick (approx 4-5 times more on my head than most women), very wavy and has a medium texture.
Hoping you have a fabulous New Year, much love from the UK to the USA xxx
I’m always looking for the perfect shampoo and conditioner. Lately I’ve been using Lea Journo, Alterna Caviar and Drybar Sake Bomb. I like all of them, but you know there must be something better, right? Your hair looks fantastic so I think I’ll have to try Carol’s Daughter next. Bumble & Bumble is my go to dry shampoo.
Happy New Year!!! Thanks for all the great reviews!
Ive been using Wen exclusively for 3 years now. I also use fractionated coconut oil as a deep conditioner and treatment. Ive been on a coloring spree this year and my hair and scalp have remained hydrated and healthy. I use Lush No Drought dry shampoo and its wonderful. The scent is invigorating. I also drink plenty of vegetable juices and cucumber/lemon/mint along with plant oils which my mom says help with hair, skin and nails.
Blessings and wishing you a wonderful 2016!
I have been testing several different shampoos lately, but nothing has convinced me yet. To battle my dry lengths, I try to deep condition with olive oil and aloe vera once a month.
My hair is a conundrum – it’s curly and therefore dry, but it’s also fine and flyaway. I am not much for heat styling at all…and I’ve tried no poo methods, every curly geared gel, mousse, cream, and paste known to man and I cannot make it work. My hair looks a hot mess unless I wash at least every other day and get it wet every single day. A lot of more moisturizing products weigh it down, but if I don’t get something moisturizing it’s flyaway and slightly frizzy. I wish I were still in my teens and 20s when this was not an issue. I used whatever and my hair was fine. My favorite shampoo and conditioner is the DevaCurl LowPoo and One condition, but I don’t like their gels and they are expensive. I like ouidad’s gel – but the blue one NOT the red one – it does nothing for my hair. I usually alternate shampoo and conditioners because I have found that the nopoo/lowpoo sulfate-free regimen creates build up on my hair. I like the OGX Kuikui oil shampoo and conditioner.
I’d consider trying it. I’m using OGX and Acure right now but it’s not enough for my winter hair!
My hair is seriously hating life right now. Ever since I went red back in September it’s become super dry, feels straw-like, and gets tangled upon itself so much that it feels like it just exited a wind tunnel set to super sonic speed. Read: veritable rat’s nest. Then the gauntlet was laid down when I found out I’m allergic to my favourite Kevin Murphy shampoo and conditioner earlier this month. So, yeah. I think I might just chop it off again, dye it back to my natural shade of brown, and never look back.
On another note.. Have you tried olaplex, yet? I’m wanting to give it a go to see if it can salvage the healthy remnants.
I’ve been alternating! My hair is straight, not overly dry, relatively fine. For the most part, I’ve been using BIolage Fiberstrong shampoo and conditioner, as well as the leave-in product. However, I also have L’Oréal Oleotherapy shampoo and conditioner, which isn’t really great for my hair.
Then, I have a copper color-depositing shampoo from a brand called Tressa. I’m not sure it really does anything! I have a couple other color-depositing glosses in the shower too.
I saw a write-up on a new line from Orlando Pita in one of my magazines that looked really good, but it doesn’t seem to be available yet.
I actually just came from my hairstylist, and I got bangs for the first time since childhood…
I’m a curly girl also, and I wash about twice a week, usually I just wash with conditioner, and once every few weeks I use a sulfate-free shampoo for a deeper cleanse. I stopped colouring my hair about a year ago, and I’ve found my hair much easier to manage without the colour damage and dryness.
My favourite conditioner currently isn’t strictly CG, but I love the smell of it so much – it’s Lush’s American Cream. I’m also currently lusting after Kevin Murphy products. They were used on my hair years ago in a salon, and my hair smelled amazing! I’m going to check out a local salon that stocks them in the new year.
BTW Karen, I’m so impressed with how you’re sticking to your diet – as a fellow chocoholic, I can commiserate. It must be so difficult, but you’re doing marvellously!
Karen,
I love your blush color! What blush are you wearing in this blog’s photo?
I am petite, 4’11” so my main concern is always how my hair smells because, let’s face it, the top of my head is literally under everyone’s nose. I’ve never been able to see the top of anyone’s scalp, unless they are a small child, but I can always see men’s nose hairs, lol.
My horse tail hair will do what it does, but I can also make it do what I want it to do, so I just make sure any product is moisturizing. I find that any after-washing products, such as mousses or leave-in conditioners, just make my hair dryer & weighed down.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION after that long lead-in….
I’m absolutely in love with Red Flower “organic,” “chemical-free” (partic. gluten- paraben-free) hair products because they are the first and only one I’ve found in this category of hair care that actually smells rilly rilly good because, as a pocket-size person, the smell of my hair & scalp is most important (and if it’s moisturized, no flakes). Their Spanish Gardenia conditioner, for example, holy cow it smells almost too strong but I need that good-smelling-hair security.
btw, Red Flower also has other amazing looking products that I’d love to try when I run out of my other skin-care products, like serum & moisturizer.
hahaha your comment was absolutely hilarious, I never realized the struggles my “pocket sized” friends face what with having male nose hairs for a view when they look up lol
I’m not too tall myself, 5’3 and I totally know what you mean about getting self conscious about your hair when someone tall is nearby. I always worry about dandruff, I never even considered the scent aspect! 0_o You’ve got me intrigued now, I’m going to check out this brand. Thanks for sharing! Happy New Year!
Heehee, thanks, Ms. Bliss! If you sign up for RedFlower’s mailing list, you’ll get whiff of sales (that terrible pun intended), which is how I could afford to try the hair products.
btw the lawyer *and* the makeup artist in me (my moonlighting job) love the pragmatic approach of your blog! the what and the why and the what-it-does is very helpful & insightful!
Happy New Year to you, too! 😉
Whiff lmao stop it it’s too much ? Whatever happened to good old puns anyway? You hardly ever come across them in the sea of yaaaases and on fleeks. Perhaps it’s just me. Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely sign up.
And aw thank you for your kind words about my blog. I think it’s the cj grad student in me. Lawyer and a makeup artist, wow! My idea of someone who’s got it all together, I wish you the best of luck with both! ☺️
Shucks, I tried to answer your most recent blog post ‘coz I loved your answers, but I don’t have Goo+ or blogger account. =(
You don’t have to have Blogger, you can post anonymously too! With your penchant for puns and what not I’d love to read your answers! ☺️
omg, you used the word “penchant” and I like you even more now >_<
Ahahaha and no joke when I typed it I had a feeling you’d be the kind of rare person who appreciates words like penchant instead of mentally calling me a nerd. There’s some kind of kindred spirit stuff happening here!! ?
Oh my gosh, I read your answers and got to “Magenta” when my response was WTH?! Are we related?! I love magenta too by the way, I actually wanted to put that in my answer but I thought 3 favorite colors was pushing it.
Quite apart from my gratitude to you for taking the time to leave such a nice comment, I loved reading your answers! Allow me to use a term I’ve never before used (not that there’s anything wrong with it) but you my friend are goals! =D
You’ve been to so many different places and I love that. I long to travel, hopefully I will one day. This world is so vast and beautiful, it would be sad to only experience one tiny little corner of it. So you’re basically life goals! =D
Also, you had me at men’s nose hair haha I swear I’m not a creeper either. I hope you’ve had an amazing first day of the New Year and that they only get better for you 🙂
Heehee, so our comment thread officially spans 2015-2016 and is so ridiculous but idc. XD
Thank you for your kind shout-out, Annie. They never even happened as goals, they just all happened. I have much mahalo for all of it and have not one regret (incidentally, I did have one regret and it just got eradicated over the past year). You can do all the things you strive to do, using motivational lion as your guide (i [heart] that YouTube/poem, girl!!).
btw, this is my equivalent of your iisuperwomanii (whom I checked out and she is awesome! *brown girl fist bump*): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT6PuXWZWEc
Have a great upcoming week, sweets.
xo
*topples over giggling hysterically* THE LOOK ON HER FACE WHEN THE UNICORN POOPS INTO THE CONE! oh my *wipes tear* that was the best thing I’ve witnessed in a long time lol and ooo your comments are always so intriguing, I’m glad your one regret got eradicated. That must have been an amazing feeling. 🙂
tehe this comment thread is getting ridiculous, I agree. If Karen ever sees this she must be like, unicorn poop?! What are my readers smoking?! But here’s to what looks to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship *imaginary toast*
Have a wonderful weekend my lovely friend with sweet smelling hair =D
P.S. Yay! I’m so happy you liked old lion dude. Dedication is key to achieving your goals, I’d say.
I’ve been using Redken shampoo and haven’t changed it for a really long time. I love it though, it keeps my hair in check and doesn’t create any frizz.
xx,
India
You and I have the same type hair so I’ll defin give this a try! I recently discovered LP no frizz shamp, cond & styl treatment. Makes my hair look like I just stepped out of the salon. Love that stuff!!
Lisa have you tried Karmin’s 4 step hair repair system this product line contains argan oil super anti frizz my granddaughter swears by it.
I am using Kenra moisturizing shampoo. I just started using it, so far so good. I was using another brand and it made my scalp dry. I really like it when Ulta has the liter of shampoo and conditioners on sale, like they do now. My daughters like the Sebastian shampoo.
I was using Dikson ArgaBeta beauty shampoo previously. I’m now using Mixed Chicks shampoo. I liked both.
Dry shampoo is a lifesaver; my current one is a Hush Beauty one.
Your hair looks very healthy, so what you’re doing is definitely working!
Gawwwwwd, you’re gorgeous!! Next time I’m in the states, I’m going to get some of this! In London, I can’t seem to find much of what I used to use (maybe I need to hunt more), so I just tried Umberto shampoo, conditioner, and a cream all for frizzy curls and I like it! I simply can’t fight my hair anymore as it rains almost daily here, and my hair goes in every single direction…except down!! 😉
CD products were my jam back in the day. I recently started my love affair with the brand again when I found the heat protectant serum & one of her biotin vitamins conditioner (name escapes me right now). Sadly, her products are no longer sold at Sephora & the heat protectant serum is only found online. At least that’s the only place I can find it. It works wonders for my hair during the few times a year that I actually blow dry & flat iron it. Beyond these, I really like Shea Moisture products, Cantu products, & the Sweetback Treatment conditioner from Miss Jessie’s. 🙂
I dye my hair bright red or magenta-red, so I used a shampoo for red hair. I use Quantum Riveting Reds Color Replenishing Shampoo and Conditioner. I used to use John Frieda Riveting Red, but that color is so hard to find now.
I’ve heard quite a lot of good things about Carol’s Daughter so it’s definitely on my list to try! I’ve been going for the hipster tousled long bob lately so I’ve been using a John Frieda sea salt shampoo to make my hair a bit more beach wavey!
Daaayuuum, your hair looks amazing in that last photo!
Shampoo has been at the top of my mind the past month because I’m letting my hair get a bit longer and I feel like it gets dirty faster. It’s not crazy long now, just brushing the tops of my shoulders but I’m liking it.
Anyhoo, I color it and I have dry scalp,so it tends to overproduce oil.
I think my hair does better when I use a variety of shampoos and conditioners instead of using the same one for weeks on end. Right now I’m rotating between Aubrey Green Tea Shampoo in Mandarin Splash, which I absolutely love, Living Proof anti-frizz shampoo and when I want waves, I’ll wash with Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Shampoo. But that stuff is really effective so I have to be committed to a wavy look when I use it.
Picking these products up at Target. I’m going to try this combo next shampoo!
Where did you get that top?? <3
Hi Nicole,
It’s a maternity sweater from a Pea in the Pod. I ordered it about two months ago online from their website.