Newbie w/Information Overload...Just need a few tips

[Incognitus]

I've been a member since like '06 but never actually posted. I think I hold the record for longest lurkererplexed Now, I'm just sooo lost. I think I'm going through information overload. Here's my breakdown:

I have 2 left hands when it comes to my hair. I grew up with someone else always doing my hair, so I've only recently learned how to do certain things myself. I haven't relaxed since Sept 08 and still have a few inches of relaxed ends. I've trimmed some ends here and there, and some just broke off along the way. The back of my head has no relaxed ends left. It seems to grow faster, so I trimmed it more. I seem to have 3c/4a hair. I'm going by my preteen era of no perm and the current natural parts of my hair.

My Products:
Suave Coconut Conditioner
V05 Conditioner
Giovanni Smooth as Silk Conditioner (Gio SAS)
Giovanni Direct Leave-In
Carol's Daughter Hair Milk (CD)
Carol's Daughter Hair Butter (CD)
ACV (diluted with water)
Jojoba Oil - organic
Tea Tree Oil - Organic
Mega-Tek (MT)

Routine:
Cowash with V05 or Suave 3x week.
ACV (diluted with H2O) rinse 1x week.
Deep condition 1x week (overnight) with Gio SAS.
Apply MT to scalp then add CD Hair butter or Milk to ends.
Divide hair into 4 thick twists and cover hair. Keep MT Overnight.
Wash out MT with a cowash & apply CD to hair.

My Issues:

When I used Gio Direct Leave-In, my hair doesn't want to absorb it. I thought maybe I used too much, but even when I spray it on, it doesn't want to absorb into my hair unless I rub it on continuously. And this porous/nonporous hair stuff has me lost.

I need a moisturizing conditioner to apply to my hair while I'm using MT. How do I know if a product is a "moisturizing" conditioner and has no protein in it? Can anyone please recommend a few good moisturizing, non-protein Leave-in conditioners? Also, how do I know if a conditioner is a humectant? Winter is fast approaching and I live in the Midwest.

A few days ago, I made a mix of Giovanni Direct Leave-In, water, Jojoba oil, and a few drops Tea Tree oil. When I spray it on, my hair doesn't seem to want to absorb it. I have to manually rub it in. Then after 30 min or so, my hair feels a little tough. Not dry, just slightly tough/slightly crunchy.

I just need some sort of starting point. There just seems to be so many products...it's overwhelming. I just want a list of good deep conditioners and leave-in (non-protein) moisturizing conditioners with no "bad" ingredients. Bad = cones, paraben, mineral oil, etc.

Any kind of input would be appreciated.

 

[lovenharmony]

Woah, that sure is a lot of stuff you're putting in your hair! My only advice is to start off fresh and clarify with a good clarifying shampoo. All those products you use in your hair may be giviing you product overload.

As for "good" products, it all depends on what works for your hair. Some will say that they love coconut oil, however, I personally detest it! I usually stick with natural moisturizing products when lost at what to do when my hair is having a temper tantrum. Products like pure organic aloe vera gel, unrefined shea butter, vegetable glycerin (on wet hair), and water soluable oils. I also don't think cones are bad for your hair, just use them sparangly to seal in the moisture and clarify when necessary. HTH

 

[Incognitus]

Hmm...thanks for the advice. I've been so scared of cones. Maybe I should give them a try again.

Actually, I'm not using "all" of those products. That was just a list of all the products I own. Until this past week, the only items I put in my hair was: cowash, Gio leave in, weekly deep conditioning w/ Gio, & MegaTek (2x/wk).

Just a few days ago I started with the spray bottle mix (I read abt it somewhere on LHCF).

 

[FroFab]

For me the Giovanni works best with slightly damp hair (like I literally take some water in my hands and dampen my hair) and only a dime sized section per HALF of my head. After a wash it doesn't do much for me...but works wonders for DD. Be careful with the tea tree oil actually ON your hair. I know it says oil but somehow I feel like it has a drying effect and that may be the cause of your crunchiness. I actually used tea tree oil diluted on my acne when I was pregnant as an astringent.

 

[Incognitus]

FroFab, I took yr advice and eliminated the TT oil....and no more crunchyness. Also, I used less Gio and mixed it with water....much better results.

Side Note: I *think* my hair might have an affinity for oils....

 

[PPGbubbles]

I just want to say that my hair HATED the new giovanni leave in so that may be the case. And other ladies have cited issues with the newer formula that is out now

 

[FebeeSigns]

Some good conditioners without any parabens, cones or mineral oil can be found at
Oyin Handemade- Honey Hemp is lovely. Honey wash is amazing.
Afroveda
J/a/s/o/n
Aubrey Organics- HSR & GPB are top notch
Some Jessicurl condishes
Curls
Kinky Curly- Knot today is their detangler/leave in. I love it. It is definitely a staple\
Shescentit- I have their avocado conditioner. Great slip, fruit pebbles smell.
Beemine

A really great moisturizing leave in that is non-protein would be kimmaytube's leave in conditioner as well as just the Knot Today alone. Or a shealoe mixture. If you're in humid weather I would suggest a glycerin mixture.
Don't be overwhelmed with products, really. As long as you are treating your hair right and using something your hair eats, that's all that matters, IMO. Not so much the product you use, but the technique is important. Can use any product in the world but if you're combing and brushing your hair daily you'll have problems. Your routine sounds pretty decent.

 

[Incognitus]

I just want to say that my hair HATED the new giovanni leave in so that may be the case. And other ladies have cited issues with the newer formula that is out now

When did the new formula come out? Just curious since some stores carry older stock...

KnaughtyKurls: Thanks for the suggestions. By the way, I love your Sig Pic.

 

[Mrs. Verde]

My hair hates Carol's Daughter milk and Giovanni. How often are you using the ACV? I know you are overwhelmed with information, but you REALLY need to understand what ingredients are in the products that you are using. Many naturals need little to no protein. I would continue with the Suave coconut to cowash. I would get two products. Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose (AO HSR). Use this is a deep conditioner (maybe 1-2 times a week). I prefer using with an oil. I put oil on my hair first, then the AOHSR. I put this one my hair at night with a plastic cap and go to sleep. For a leave in conditioner, I wold recommend Aubrey Organics White Camellia (AO WC). Now many people do not care for the smell of AO WC, I know I don't. I use AO WC almost everyday. I put the AO WC on first. Then use a little bit of some other conditioner with a nice fragrance.

Here some information on that I would suggest you read.

Live Curly, Live Free - Curly Hair Basics

Live Curly, Live Free - Product Ingredients

 

[Incognitus]

Mrs. Verde: Thanks for the all the info. I'll check out those two AO products. Generally, I alternated between the different leave-in moisturizers I have. Actually, I only do the ACV wash 1-2x a month. Ive been researching the ingredients in the different products I use or am interested in. This has made me get rid of a large bin full of products.