# shampoo and conditioner **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 13, 2010, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253 "2010-05-13T01:52:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/1 "2010-05-13T01:52:21Z")
Lately my hair has been awfully rough and frizzy. I am using Fructis shampoo and Suave conditioner. I need suggestions for a shampoo and conditioner other than what I’ve bene using, that will make my hair sleeker. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/2 "2010-05-13T02:03:08Z")
When was the last time you had a haircut? All the conditioning in the world won’t really help hair that’s fairly damaged. Cut off the dead ends and start fresh. For deep conditioning, there isn’t anything much better or cheaper than soaking your hair in olive oil, wrapping it up in plastic wrap and then tinfoil, and using a hair dryer to heat it. Let it soak as long as you can – a few hours to overnight is ideal, but a 1/2 hour will get the job done – then shampoo and condition as usual. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/3 "2010-05-13T02:05:07Z")
My middle daughter (19YO) has _amazingly_ thick, curly hair. If she does not take major pains to the contrary, her hair easily becomes frizzy, poofy, and completely unmanageable; I’m pretty sure left to it’s own devices, it could rule a 3rd world nation. I’ve never been willing to spend a _lot_ of money on hair stuff for her, but she’s had good success with the Sunsilk line for dry/damaged/frizzy hair, followed by serum by John Frieda. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/4 "2010-05-13T02:07:35Z")
I just got a Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner specific for frizz. It’s in a tube rather than a bottle. I’m pretty happy with it even though I’ve only used it twice. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/5 "2010-05-13T02:17:38Z")
I’ve got hair that can rival **norinew** ’s daughter’s hair when the apocalypse comes. I use Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky shampoo and conditioner (and zmog does it get rid of dandruff!!) plus after I’m done I rub in copious amounts of [L’anza Daily Elements Leave-In Conditioner](http://www.aveyou.com/lanzadailyelementsleave-inconditioner338floz.aspx). All good stuff. But yeah, haircut helps too. ---
**Author:** ![dukette71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@dukette71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dukette71)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/6 "2010-05-13T03:17:44Z")
I also have very corse hair not due to any kind of damage. My hair person gave me some Redken Smooth Down conditioner that works very well. It is a little expensive, but a little goes a long way. [http://www.redken.com/products/haircare/smooth-down](http://www.redken.com/products/haircare/smooth-down) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/7 "2010-05-13T03:24:56Z")
How often do you shampoo and/or condition your hair? ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/8 "2010-05-13T03:52:53Z")
IME Suave conditioner is garbage. I use Pantene for dry/curly hair, and only use shampoo a couple of times a week (conditioner every day). My kids use Fructis (the smooth/shiny flavor) and it works fine for them–they both have extremely thick hair and one has frizz. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/9 "2010-05-13T04:37:36Z")
I also have dry hair which turns into a big ball of frizz at the slightest provocation. I find that the type of shampoo I use makes very little difference, but I am in love with Trader Joe’s moisturizing conditioner for dry hair. Cheap, too - less than $3 for a 16 oz. bottle. Also, seconded on the serum; the John Frieda stuff is OK, but Sally’s sells a bunch of variants that are much cheaper. Read labels - what you want is a lot of silicone. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/10 "2010-05-13T04:40:10Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > I also have dry hair which turns into a big ball of frizz at the slightest provocation. I find that the type of shampoo I use makes very little difference, but I am in love with Trader Joe’s moisturizing conditioner for dry hair. Cheap, too - less than $3 for a 16 oz. bottle. Also, seconded on the serum; the John Frieda stuff is OK, but Sally’s sells a bunch of variants that are much cheaper. Read labels - what you want is a lot of silicone. Oops - that was actually me (the perils of insomnia and shared computers!). Tom has nice, well-behaved WASP hair. Plus I think he will make his first post about his preferences in hair care products shortly after Hell freezes over. ---
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/11 "2010-05-13T06:47:13Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > How often do you shampoo and/or condition your hair? About three times a week. Its too oily less often but when its clean it feels dry and slippery. I am told this is due to menopause. I truly like Nexxus but its out of my range at this point in time. Its long and I cut it twice a year. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/12 "2010-05-13T07:05:22Z")
I’ve tried all kinds of conditioners, and Mane’n’Tail works best for me. Yes, the stuff for horses. It’s incredibly cheap, too. I use Neutrogena TGel shampoo, and I used to use their conditioner, too, but apparently they’ve quit making the regular conditioner, and only make a 2in1 shampoo/conditioner, which doesn’t clean as well as regular shampoo, and doesn’t condition as well as stand-alone conditioner. ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/13 "2010-05-13T13:20:21Z")
Daily. It’s easy as I shower daily to wash my hair and I always condition it. It only takes a few minutes. I use Loreal Vitamino Color shampoo and conditioner. I get it at the salon and it smells and works great on my thick hair. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/14 "2010-05-13T15:25:45Z")
> [@BigBertha](#): > > Lately my hair has been awfully rough and frizzy. I am using Fructis shampoo and Suave conditioner. I need suggestions for a shampoo and conditioner other than what I’ve bene using, that will make my hair sleeker. Thank you. To my mind (and frugal budget), Fructis is “the good stuff” and Suave is “the cheap stuff.” I’ve always found that shampoo matters little, but conditioner matters a LOT. Try switching: use the cheap stuff for shampoo and the good stuff for conditioner. Back when I wasn’t so frugal/broke, Biolage was my favorite conditioner. It comes in a tub and is pretty dang awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/15 "2010-05-13T15:38:12Z")
Water softener. ---
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/16 "2010-05-13T16:06:52Z")
Another girl with thick, curly, frizzy hair chiming in. I use Aussie Moist Conditioner - it’s the silicone that smoothes the hair - and John Frieda Secret Weapon to tame my curls when my hair is dry. (Seriously, if they ever stop making Secret Weapon, I will die. I have used it for probably ten years now.) Something else to try is cutting down on how often you shampoo your hair and switching to a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates will dry out your hair and make it frizzy. I shampoo my roots with a dot of Burt Bee’s Volumizing Shampoo every day to keep down the oiliness. I only do a full shampoo about once a week. ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/17 "2010-05-13T16:12:19Z")
I just started using Herbal Essences “Hydration” and have been loving it. If you watch for coupons and sales, you can get it pretty cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/18 "2010-05-13T16:48:58Z")
I wanted to chime in and say a little coconut oil on your hands then work into your hair (not at the scalp). Works great and smells nice too ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/19 "2010-05-13T18:51:52Z")
Yeah, you can’t really get away with cheapo conditioner if you have dry hair. Do you live in an area with a reasonably large black population? If so, get yourself to the “ethnic hair care” section of the supermarket or drugstore. You’ll find all sorts of excellent and reasonably priced conditioners there, such as the Mane and Tail that **Lynn** mentioned. I favor Queen Helene Cholesterol. And definitely use one of those silicone serums mentioned upthread. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253/20 "2010-05-13T19:57:20Z")
> [@Pyper](#): > > Something else to try is cutting down on how often you shampoo your hair and switching to a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates will dry out your hair and make it frizzy. I don’t use conditioner at all anymore since I switched to sulfate-free shampoo. Seems to me that you spend money on shampoo that scrubs every last bit of naturally occuring oil from your hair and scalp and then have to buy conditioner to put moisture back in your hair? No more haybale hair for me!! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shampoo-and-conditioner/539253.md?page=2)