Berkeley Parents Network: Hair Care Products

Berkeley Parents Network

Hair Care Products

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > Beauty & Fitness > Hair Styling & Care > Hair Care Products

Can't get all the tangles out of daughter's waist length hair
Detangler for Asian child's long hair
Need a detangler that really works for 7-y-o's hair
Conditioner for fine, flyaway, shoulder-length hair
Shampoo without Sodium Laureath for frizzy South Asian hair

Can't get all the tangles out of daughter's waist length hair

June 2006Feb 2005

Hi. I was wondering if anyone can recommend any good children's shampoos/conditioners along with any lotions? The drug store stuff just doesn't seem to get all the tangles out of my daughter's waist length hair. Washing her hair and conditioning to drying and combing is a nightmare!!! Any recommendations/suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance good health and beauty product seeking mommie

As far as hair care goes, we are in the same boat. I have stopped buying children's products for my daughter's hair, and now just use grown-up, dry-hair conditioners on her hair. (For drugstore brands, try Dove or Neutrogena; Essential Organics makes a nice dry hair conditioner, too.). Also, I comb through the conditioner for her in the bath or shower. That really works it through and it is very easy to get the tangles out that way, while the conditioner is still in th hair. One important tip: NEVER let your daughter dip her clean hair back into the dirty bath water! We learned from a hairdresser that the soap scum and other stuff in the water coats the hair and makes it nasty and unmanageable again. So, now we make sure her hair gets washed last, just before she get out. That trick alone really made a difference.

I don't have a specific brand recommendation, but regarding the tangles in long hair, here's a simple and effective technique that I have used on my long hair and my niece's waist-length hair. All you do is wash the hair, then put in the conditioner, then comb through before you rinse out the conditioner. The conditioner makes the hair slippery, and the tangles come right out. This has worked with pretty much any moisturizing conditioner that I have used, and I often buy the cheap brands. Linda

My daugher has long curly hair that she hates having washed or brushed, so I feel your pain. I have many high-end beauty products in my home (for myself) and have tried most of them on her, without much luck. It surprised me to find that the best solution was a drugstore product: Neutrogena Triple Moisture leave-in conditioner. Now I just wash her hair with a no-more- tears shampoo in the bathtub, then apply the leave-in conditioner, liberally, while her hair is still dripping wet. Then we turn the TV on while I comb out her hair. I start from the bottom and work my way to the crown. The Neutrogena really makes it so much easier to comb, and once her hair is dry, there seems to be no residual sticky or greasy feel. I like it so much I have abandoned my Bumble & Bumble and use it myself. It can be hard to find in local drugstores so I've been ordering from drugstore.com, but I did spy some in Walgreens the other day. FYI: We never use a hair dryer because that adds to the tangles. Hope this helps curly girl's mom

My daughter has long curly hair. My quest for the perfect hair product is over. I use MOP Pear Detangler. You can get it in most of those discount beauty supply stores. I found mine at the one in Montclair. A bottle is $12 I think...but it lasts forever and it works. I also use a tiny (about a nickel in size) dab of Curlfriends leave in conditioner on the ends of her hair after I wash it. They sell that there too...it's in the $15 range and lasts forever as well. I spend more on my kids hair products than I do on my own...but its worth it just to tame the beast! Mother of two of hair challenged girls

Hi, My own daughter's hair, though only mid-back length, also caused many tears during the comb-out process, especially during the summer months with near daily swim activities. What finally helped us was not a change in product (to my knowledge) but a change in process. We shampoo first (we use Ultraswim during the summer, and just plain Suave the rest of the year), and after rinsing we apply a generous amount of conditioner to her hair, from root to tip. Because we use conditioner liberally, we buy a very cheap but effective product, White Rain conditioner, which is 86 cents for a large bottle at Target. The next step is key: we comb out the hair with a wide tooth comb WHILE it is wet, in fact often while we are rinsing out the conditioner. It is much easier than trying to do so after towel drying. After all the conditioner is removed, we pat the hair gently with a towel but don't rub, so that the detangled hair essentially remains that way. The next morning, we have some tangles again, so we spray with a detangler (Target brand, I figure most products are very alike in composition, you're paying for packaging for many of the cosmetic brands) on the dry hair before brushing. Usually no problem as long as I am patient in brushing! Hope this helps. We've been there! carolyn

Detangler for Asian child's long hair

Feb 2005

Can anyone recommend a good detangler/rinse for our adopted daughter's long straight hair? She is Chinese, has beautiful long hair, but it frequently tangles in the back after sleeping. She is 4 years old and hates hairwashing. I have wavy hair and have been using a Paul Mitchell product to make it easier to comb through her washed hair, but lately it is leaving her hair semi-oily because she will not allow me to rinse it well. There are probably lots of products that women with similar hair can recommend. Please help. Want to do better

You didn't say which PM product you use. We use Paul Mitchell's leave-in conditioner, which is a blue gel, after hair washing. In between washes we use Paul Mitchell's hair tamer, which is a leave-in detangler with a pump sprayer. It has a little yellow happy face on the bottle. My (white) daughter has long hair and it really helps keep the tangles away. I also invested in a boar's hair hairbrush because it pulls less on her scalp. Sometimes I am tempted to cut her hair so it will be easier to manage, but it's so much a part of her identity by now that I can't bring myself to do it. Luckily her brother has short hair so I only have one head to worry about. Good luck! Fellow Hair Wrangler

Have you tried loosely braiding her hair at night? This worked wonders for a friend's daughter who had rear-length hair. I also have used the spray detanglers instead of conditioner (which weighed down my son's hair). Of course his hair is not as long, but mine is fairly long and I've actually used his detangler, as well as Aussie's leave in spray on conditioner. When I used to babysit as a teenager, the little one I sat for the most had VERY long hair, we played ''mermaid'' to get her hair rinsed. I would have her sit in the tub, leaning back on her hands, and I would use this big half shell her parents had to repeatedly pour water over her hair while we playacted mermaid together (Mermaids have VERY long lustrous hair you know, and you have to rinse it *just right* to get that mermaid shine..). Hope some of this helps. Karin

I don't know of any specific detanglers that work, but I also have long hair that tangles (not asian hair, just plain old white lady hair). I use regular conditioner and it works fine, but I also braid my hair at night so that it doesn't tangle, and perhaps a quick, loose braid would help your daughter's problem. Make sure it's low on the head because sleeping on the start of the braid might be a little uncomfortable. I use coated nylon bands that don't have a metal connector, too, because it won't rip my hair in the morning when I take my hair down. This works for me. Also tangled

I have long asian hair. I hope this can be of some use to you: Part her hair and put in 2 loose braids for sleeping (or 1 if hair is very long). They must be loose, so she can be comfortable. Make sure there are no single hairs pulling. Use silicone ''rubber'' bands to fasten the ends and wrap around as many times as necessary to not fall off. The tangling will be greatly reduced. When detangling, be gentle. Start by detangling the ends, then move up a few inches and detangle that section, repeat until you can finally comb from scalp to ends without tangles. Use a wide toothed comb without seams and ridges. If you brush, use one with soft bristles and do not try to penetrate the thickness of all the hair. A brush is only a polishing tool, not a detangling tool. Simply smooth down the hair gently. This can be a nice, relaxing, bonding time for mother and daughter.

As for product recommendations, I would be concerned about putting strong ingredients on her delicate skin. If you are using Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo, this is a rather drying shampoo. Maybe look into Free & Clear Shampoo and Conditioners. They are fragrance free to minimize sensitivity reactions. The drugstore should have them; perhaps call first.

For rinsing, a shower sprayer works really well. Have your daughter hold a folded washcloth over her eyes while you rinse.

When your daughter approaches puberty, her hair texture will probably change from fine and thin to thick and coarse; if it does she will need more emollient, heavier conditioners.

You may find the following link helpful: http://www.longhaircommunity.com/ This is a very warm, welcoming community who would love to answer your hair questions! HTH! J12

Need a detangler that really works for 7-y-o's hair

Jan. 2004

Does anyone have a recommendation for a detangling spray that really works for very fine long hair? My seven year old really wants to keep her hair long, but I don't like the drama every morning trying to comb her hair. We've tried Suave and J&J, but someone told me there was something that worked even better but I can't remember the name. Thanks for any help detangling

The detangler that works for us (self and daughter, both with long hair)is Paul Mitchell Lite Detangler. It is a pump spray that goes on wet (or dry) hair before combing. I periodically check for it at beauty salon places with the same company's products but it is hard to find this particular product. I stock up when I see it and haven't had to purchase any in a while so I can't recommend where exactly to find it. Paula

I just put a couple of dollops of conditioner in a spray bottle, fill the rest with water and it works well. Also I glob conditioner over the knots before washing my daughter's hair or at the same time as the shampoo, which also helps. Lastly I don't remember the name either (possibly California Baby) but I know it was grapefruit-scented and from a health food store- tried a few years ago and it seemed to work very nicely. Except the grapefruit smell got to be too much for me after a bunch of sprays (however I am quite sensitive to smells so it may not be too strong.) Chris

We have had good results with L'Oreal Kids Tangle Tamer. Put it on dry hair - really saturate the snags - and let it soak for a few minutes before brushing. Really bad snarls require repeat applications, but it doesn't leave the hair sticky or unpleasant at all. Good luck. Janie

You should ask your question here: http://www.longhaircommunity.com/ You will get lots of great advice!

Conditioner for fine, flyaway, shoulder-length hair

Jan. 2004

I have fine, flyaway, shoulder-length hair with lots of body. Because it is colored every 10 weeks or so, it periodically looks dry and dull-looking. I'd love a recommendation for a great conditioner, possibly the type that you need to leave on for a while, and that is effective enough not to use after every shampoo. Thanks!

Hi, my hair has also been through a lot of chemical processes (straightening, dyes, etc.) and I have tried many conditioners, cheap and not so cheap. I highly recommend Terax Original Crema - it is a conditioner that can be used any way you want. You can use it a few times a week, or once a week, and leave it in your hair for as long as you like. It is a bit pricey; I paid $16 for a 5 oz. tube at a beauty supply store, but Sephora charges $20 for the same amount. Hope this helps! Annabel

I use Bumble and Bumble Super Rich Conditioner on my dry, color treated, curly hair and am very happy with it (I've tried many!). I buy it at Festoon, but don't get my hair done there any more for a variety of reasons (including the fact that everything there is very expensive, as is this product). I use it every shampoo, but you only leave it on for a couple of minutes. Occasionally, when my hair is especially stressed, I leave it on under a cap for about half an hour. Cecelia

KMS makes a product called ''Color Revitalizer'' (previously called ''color reconstructor'')that does a good job with what you want. The bottle recommends wrapping your hair for a few minutes, but I just leave it in for the duration of my shower. I also find that more frequent coloring keeps my hair looking better. If you are only coloring gray and you're not doing any fancy processes, you might try doing it yourself with professional products that are great for your hair. I use Color Charm by Wella. You can get it at the Beauty Center on Solano. All you need is the color, developer, some latex gloves, an applicator bottle and a comb. It's quicker, more convenient and MUCH MUCH cheaper than a salon. It's also very easy to do a good job. prematurely gray

I have fine flyaway hair that I color too. I love the Kerastase products (the green line) that Festoon sells and have never found anything better for giving my limp hair body. However, Kerastase is a European company and they require their N. American distributors to double all prices. My conditioner costs $24 at Festoon (only place i know of to buy it) but I got it for half that - $13 - in London! And you can buy it at Supercuts! Whatta ripoff. I was getting around this by ordering online from a place in Europe, but Kerastase has cracked down on them now too. So I am boycotting Kerastase and my hair will just have to look like %&$#! - Looking forward to others' suggestions

Shampoo without Sodium Laureath for frizzy South Asian hair

Jan 2005

I am desperate to find a REALLY good shampoo,conditioner, hair cream?. Since having my second child, my hair has been sort of frizzy - i.e. strands don't lay down together nicely. My sister, in Australia,recommended using shampoos without sodium laureath (sp?). Any idea where o find such a shampoo? I'd also appreciate recommendations for leave in conditioners etc. I'm South Asian, so I have thick, dark, coarse, wavy hair which currently points in every direction possible. Thanks. EPA

Try the French brand Phyto --they have great hair care products. I don't know if they have Sodium Laureath, but they are plant-based andcontain mostly natural products. As a South Asian with wavy hair that does not stay in place without a lot of coaxing, I find these products work wonders. Specifically, the Phytonectar leave-in conditioning oil, and the Phytonectar shampoo. I usually alternate them with other brands. They are quite expensive and you have to buy them in salons--try Vine Street Salon in Berkeley. Also, some of the Aveda products might work--check the labels or ask your hairdresser. Another South Asian with unruly hair

I would recommend Aubrey Organics shampoos. They do not contain sulfates of any kind. The shampoos are coconut oil based. I have been using this brand for a little over two years and I love it. I also Avalon Organics Lavender Shampoo. That brand does not contain any sulfates as well. You can purchase Aubrey Organics at Whole Foods, Elephant Pharmacy (in Berkeley). Avalon is at Whole Foods, Elephant Pharmacy and most Trader Joes.

You can also make your own from castile soap; olive oil based (like Dr. Bonners). I have done online searches and found recipes where you mix castile soap, a vegetable oil such as olive, jojoba, avocado, etc, honey, etc. Carla ellialex@hotmail.com

Hi there! It sounds like your hair would respond really well to my friend's all-natural hair-cair products. If you want your wavy hair to look more like loose curls, less frizzy and all- around more healthy, you should try these products. I use them and love them! Go to www.jessicurl.com and check it out. She makes a bunch of different products. My favorite is the Rockin' Ringlets Styling lotion. I am addicted to it! I also love her Aloeba conditioner. Let me know what you think! Erin

My hair tends more towards curly, but one thing I have found to help with frizz is to shampoo less often. I use conditioner every day, but shampoo no more than once a week. As for products, I really like Bumble and Bumble - they have a line specifically for curly hair. They aren't cheap, but are worth every penny in my mind. No shampoo, Curl Conscious conditioner, then a little Curl Cream mixed with a few drops of No Frizz, and I'm good to go. Not sure where you live, but there are 3 salons in Rockridge that carry them - GenRay, Bellissimo, and Right Angle. Frizzy no more

Believe it or not, Trader Joe's makes a shampoo (I forgot the name--it's in a clear bottle) that is made without sodium laureath. Its main ingredients are rosemary and orange extracts, and it is desigend for dry hair. My husband uses it and really likes it , and it's inexpensive.

I have fairly curly hair, and my hair got quite dry after the birth of my second child. I swear by Aveda products (shampoos, Deep-Penetrating conditioner, and Be Curly, a product that encourages curl and discourages frizz). The folks at the Aveda store on Fourth St. are quite helpful. Good luck! ANON

Congratulations on your baby. Your hair sounds a lot like mine. What really benefits me is silicone. I've had good success with L'oreal Nature's Therapy Unfrizz, which can be found at Sally's Beauty Supply. This is a deep conditioner. Another good product is Generic Matrix Biolage Shine Renewal, a spray on silicone also available at Sally's.

Silicones, oils, waxes and styling products build up on hair over time. When hair begins to get unmanageable, you need to clarify your hair. Any shampoo that does not contain conditioning or styling ingredients can clarify the hair. I use White Rain Extra Body shampoo. Cheap and effective. It also contains a chelating ingredient to remove mineral build up from hard water or swimming.

Another factor may be the weather. Dry heated air can cause static and flyaways. A humidifier can help, but don't humidify so much that mildew grows on the walls. Hormones are yet another factor that can make hair unmanageable.

I would like to give you a book recommendation, Paula Begoun's ''Don't Go Shopping for Hair Care Products Without Me''. She has reviewed almost every hair care product available at press time and provides lists of recommendations based on your hair type. Granted, within these lists you will still have to discover your best product by trial and error, but it really helps narrow down the choices. She also gives scientifically-based hair care advice and debunks myths, such as salon products being better or gentler for hair (they aren't). By the way, sodium laurETH sulfate is one of the gentler surfactants. It is sodium laurYL sulfate you want to avoid. Paula Begoun has a website and her own line of cosmetics: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/

You may also like the online Long Hair Community: http://www.longhaircommunity.com/ Very informative, friendly and welcoming, and not just for people with long hair. J12

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