After reading suggestions about sulfate-free shampoo in another thread recently, I decided to give it a try. My hair has started to get rougher in the last couple of years, and the cheap shampoo/conditioner that I was using weren’t doing the job anymore.
After about a week, I can already tell the different. I’ve using a sulfate-free shampoo and I’ve given up the conditioner all together. I’m due for a trim, to take off the split ends, and hopefully then I’ll be good for a while. I’ve been using L’oreal EverStrong. I’ll probably try out a few others before I settle on one.
Yep, and I was using an Aveda shampoo. L’Oreal is a ton cheaper, too!!
I recently started using this, too – the 2-in-1, because it saves time during the week – and I also like it. And I like that the coconut ingredient makes it smell like suntan lotion (to me, anyway), because then I daydream about being at the beach while I’m showering. 
Right now, I’m loving Palmer’s Coconut shampoo and conditioner. My hair tends to frizz in the humidity, and it hasn’t done it since I started using it.
For those of you who like a lot of the salon products but can’t afford them, check out Sally Beauty if there is one near you. They have a lot of knockoffs of salon products that are pretty good, and cheap.
I also recommend switching to a sulfate free shampoo. Burt’s Bees makes sulfate free shampoos, as do several other brands. Personally, I’m currently using David Babaii for Wildaid and it works great for me. I have multiple textures in my hair* and have different hair needs depending upon the season, so right now I’m using the volumizing line to keep the greasies at bay while not completely drying my hair out.
*The top layer is Scandinavian baby-fine stick straight hair, but the lower layers vary from straight to wavy to slightly coarse with curls; at my current length, if I let it dry naturally, I have wonky curls that flip out underneath silk straight hair.
I use Aussie Three Minute Miracle, which is part of the Moist line-- it’s a deep conditioner that does wonders when your hair gets dry and unmanageable.
I’ve got a bottle of this coconut oil– it’s cheap and works great, and it lasts a long time. Any Indian/Pakistani grocery store will have it, as will some Asian grocery stores.
Good to hear! Conicidentally, I picked up some this afternoon on the way home from work. The constant wind and dryness we’ve been having over the past 3-4 weeks has not been kind to anyone’s hair. Windblown loses its appeal after a couple days of the wind messing up your hair every time you go outside.
I had been using Aveda as well and found that Head & Shoulders works much better for me. They recently started producing a conditioner, I assume to appeal to the female market more, and it really worked with me. I use the Smooth & Silky formula.
I agree with purplehorseshoe, cheap shampoo is alright but never ever cheap conditioner. Watching for coupons and sales, I rotate between a few different brands, the cheap stuff but the better cheap stuff. Dove, Garnier Fructis, Aussie, etc.
I bet just by switching to Suave shampoo and GF conditioner you’d notice a huge difference.
I’m another one with curly, dry hair. I rarely shampoo it, but condition it everyday with a good conditioner (right now, I’m partial to the John Freida line). I also use leave in conditioner anytime I take a pick to it (no combs for me and rarely a brush). I also do a cholestrol treatment once a month.
Regular trims, even when you wear your hair long are essential. The split ends and broken strands keep it from what can be fairly sleek or healthy looking hair.
It definitely helps to keep it trimmed. I didn’t really appreciate that until I started doing it. I also have dry, frizzy, curly hair. I use Tresemme Moisture Rich conditioner and shampoo. Sometimes I don’t shampoo (can be drying) but I ALWAYS condition.
Another vote for sulfate-free shampoo. I have sorta curly hair, so I use Bed Head Foxy Curls formula. No more frizzies! Especially here where it’s so humid.
I detangle with Paul Mitchell, but otherwise, I really don’t need conditioner anymore.