In the last month I’ve purchased many different shampoo and conditioner formulas ranging from $4.00 to $10.00 each. It seems that no matter what type I use, my hair gets extremely tangled. My hair is curly and fairly thick but even when I use things made for such hair, it doesn’t help! Should I try something that is gentler on my hair? What is the best shampoo and conditioner for thick curly hair? Thank you! – Linda
Hi Linda,
My first suggestion would be to stop washing your hair so much, and give your conditioners a chance to work. Every time you wash your hair, it’s a mini trauma to your moisture levels. Trying a bunch of different shampoos in such a short period of time is going to mess up your scalp’s sebum production. It’s good to change up your shampoos time to time, but not so frequently. No wonder your hair is tangled! I use my regular shampoo every four to seven days, and I wash with a clarifying shampoo about once a month. I would recommend the same to most of my clients. The question is, which shampoo and conditioner is right for you?
Unless you have a scalp condition, you do not need to spend a lot of money on shampoo. The pharmacy is full of options that totally do the job. Find one specific to your needs. Since your hair is thick, curly, and tangled, you’ll want to look for moisturizing shampoo. If you colour your hair, make sure to get one formulated to protect your colour. L’Oréal EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care System Moisture Shampoo is a decent one that covers the bases, and it’s only $7.00.
Conditioner and conditioning masks are where you want to invest your money. A good conditioner is important. Luckily, there are many on the market you can trust your hair with. Redken, Aveda, Paul Mitchell, and Joico all make great moisture rich conditioners (just to name a few).
If a good conditioner is important, a good conditioning mask is essential. Just because a conditioning mask is expensive doesn’t mean it’s good. However, an inexpensive mask picked up at the pharmacy is pretty much guaranteed to be full of filler chemicals. A hair mask I swear by is Kérastase Masqueintense. It’s a freakin’ miracle in a jar. Check out my tutorial to see how to apply it properly.
Lastly, I would recommend you get yourself a leave-in detangler. It really helps. Bumble and bumble Prep Spray is a great detangler, and it’s light, so it won’t affect your curls.
