Here's a little poll of sorts, when it comes to shampoo and conditoner, what are your all-time favorite products?  Are they all natural?  Costly?  Where do you buy them?  Do you have any favorite follow-up products, like leave-ins or styling aids?  And lastly what benefits do these products have for your hair/why do you like them so much?

Lots of questions, I know!  The reason I'm asking all this is because I've been on the quest for the ultimate S&C, but am just not quite finding anything to meet my expectations.  I am currently a Pantene user, and have been for years (occasionally switch to Biolage), but I would like to find GOOD products that are all natural and not animal-tested- that's really important to me- and I'm nearly positive that Pantene tests on animals which makes me feel horrible for using the products.  So, I'm looking for all kinds of input, any you have will be much appreciated!  

THANKS!!!  ;D ;D ;D

I've had good results with Kenra Platinum moisture lock conditioner.  I'm still searching for a favorite line also, but I like this enough to buy it again I think.   I'm not sure about the animal testing though, I got this bottle from my MIL.  

Greetings, maggie. Great poll!

Like you, I'm an incurable Pantene addict.  :D  My all-time favourite products (the ones which I use every day) are the Daily Moisture Renewal 2 in 1 and Conditioner.

About once a week, I will use their Purity clarifying shampoo.

My favourite follow-up product would be their Light Spray Conditioner (even though it contains oil, which I'm not supposed to use for dermatological reasons).

I absolutely love, love LOVE the Daily Moisture Renewal treatments!! I use the Intensive Restoration Treatment at least once a week, and the Overnight Repair Intensive Treatment whenever the urge strikes (I often pick up a packet every time I visit the store).

As a general rule, I never use styling aids...with the rare exception of when it is absolutely necessary. So when it is, I usually rely on their Flexible Hold Classic Hairspray. I just can't stand stiff hair and sticky build-up.  :P

All Pantene products, as you undoubtedly already know, are on the costly end of "drug-store" brands. I buy them at Wal*Mart (personally, I hate Wal*Mart and everything they stand for, but that's where I find the greatest variety and the lowest prices).

As far as the benefits go, I could rave about Pantene all day. I love the way they make my hair look, feel and behave.
 I love the shine that they give to my hair, and how they seem to bring out the natural red tint to it (no other products have done this).
 I love how well they condition, and how soft and luxurious they make my hair feel. I like that the ingredients are mild enough not to break my skin out into a terrible rash (which other products have done).
 I like that they contain pro-vitamins, amino proteins and cones (yes, my spiderweb-fine hair actually likes cones!). And I love that they offer a wide range of all kinds of different products. From simple S&C's to treatments to styling aids, etc. It's like they make whatever you need. Plus, it makes it more fun for enthusiasts like me to try new things and see how they work.  ;)

Basically, it boils down to one thing: I love the products that I love because they are the ones which I have found to work best for my hair. I feel that they are certainly helping me to grow it out long, strong and healthy.

To me, Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal 2 in 1 and Conditioner are "the ultimate S&C."  :D

The qwest for the perfect products may be like looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

I find that different products work for me at different times.  During the summer I wash my hair much more often than I do during the winter months.  I have been using JASON shampoo and conditioner this summer and have liked how well it cleans, but does not over dry or strip my hair.  During the winter months when the air is sooo dry, I have used Giovanni products.

I'm always on the look out for a new product that might be better.  I just noticed that Pantene has a new line that is geared towards hair color.  I checked the ingredients for the dark blonde conditioner and did not notice any -cones, so I just might have to give them a try some time.

I'd have to say my favorite is the one I'm using now is

Avalon Organics Lavender Nourishing Shampoo and
Avalon Organics Lavender Nourishing Conditioner

But I think that the shea butter really makes the difference.  I could probably use a number of different brands of shampoos and conditioners, and have the same results as long as I have ma' buttah'!

Cynde

PS - I get this stuff from a local health food store called Lazy Acres.

I think the shampoo I liked the most was Nature's Gate jojoba. It's supposed to be a natural shampoo, but I'm not sure if it's tested on animals. That one left my hair feeling clean, but not stripped. Nature's Gate can be found at most health food stores.

Conditioner, I'd say Aubrey Organics' Honeysuckle Rose. This one is very thick and on the costly side (approx. $8 per bottle), but it's great on my bleached hair. The AO brand is organic and vegan-friendly (yay!). AO can also be found at health food stores. You can check this link if you like: www.aubrey-organics.com.

using herbs and henna actually makes for hair that can react very differently to products depending on how long it's been i henna'd ... but if i have to pick an absolute fave: leonor greyl's orchid mask for curly hair. very expensive (34€) but nothing else i used smells as nicely and leaves so much shine without silicones nor wheighing hair down.
the only think that tops it's perfume is sandalwood in powder, just too bad the smell is so delicate one would have to use a lot to keep the nice smell on the hair.

I have been trying out all the products geared toward red hair but I have not found anything that seems better than another.

I am devoted to LouiseMarie Longhairs.  Her BTN duo shampoo & conditioner are wonderful for my hair.  I scritch w/ the scalp oil, use #27 chillout spray on my scalp and face (it totally eleminates my heat rash on the chest), the bliss balm on my ends every night and the leave in conditioner when I know I won't get around to washing w/in 24 hours.
The more I use the BTN, the less of it my hair needs.  Oh yeah, I also use her soft wave hairgel since I am a wavy girl after all!
Before using LML, I really liked the Avalon Organics line.  the lavender was my favorite, too.

My favorites (that I've been using since April) are Chagrin Valley shampoo bars that I order from internet, www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com . They are just wonderful, so gentle, and washing with them is really simple. They are also cheap, one bar costing about $6 (shipping included) and lasting as long as several liquid shampoo bottles.

Though my hair is on a bit dry side, I don't need to use a rinse out conditioner at all when I wash with shampoo bars. Sometimes I use Chagrin Valley's soap (!) to my ends, soaps like Chocolate Almond, Cucumber Lime Yoghurt and Honey Butter are very moisturizing. Every time I wash my hair, I do a mild ACV rinse (occassionally varied with chamomille tea or essential oils). Besides that, I just oil my hair and deep treat it occassionally.

Oh my goodness  :o , all the responses!!!

Thanks for pitchin' in everyone, this is exactly what I was hoping for - a rainbow of responses with all different products to check out -COOL  8)!

Angel Spun:  My fav. Pantene item is the 2-in-1 Classic Care, but right now I am using the sep. S&C's classic care and like you, the Purity like once a week.  I, too, follow up with the light spray conditioner (I picked up the curl reviving by accident, my hair is straight, but still it works well), and for styling I use only a bit of hairspray (using suave freesia right now), nothing else.  I have been happy with all of these so far.  As for Wal*Mart, I have the same feelings on them that you do, especially being a small business owner trying to survive in a small town.  They outstock and undersell me left & right!  >:(  Hopefully it's not a losing battle!

Bikerbraid:  You are def. right about different product at different times, my shower is always full of hair-washing "options", drives hubby nuts!  I have different washes for when my hair feels dry, oily, happy, mad....you name it!  I kind of look forward to all the options, I just kind of stand there like "Hmmm, what shall we use today???"  Wierd, yes - but it makes me happy  ;D.  As for the Pantene color-line, I tried the one for brunette hair and was pleased with it.  I sent for a free sample from coolsavings.com, so I did not get to see the long-term effects of usage.  I wouldn't really say it did anything for my color, but my hair felt nice after using.

So, now I'm going to go back and check out all these product y'all recommended!  (No, I'm not from the south- so that "y'all" would sound just like a yankee girl trying to say it with a poorly done southern accent!  ;))

I'm a little late,  but here's my fav's:
Natures Gate Shampoo and Condish
White Rain Condish (for CO wash)
Camillia oil
Jojoba oil
emu oil
Amla oil
Shea butter

This is after some trial and error, but with the great help I had here I found the right products for me!  ;D

Juri Natures Gate is not tested on animals. On the bottle there should be a little picture of a bunny within a circle which means cruelty free :)

Oooooooh  :o!!!  I just checked out the link for chagrin valley's soaps!  I see that they're closed for october, but I want to try some of there products- I see you can get samples, so I think I'll try a few different ones, they all look so yummy!  If I like them, I'm actually thinking about buying some in to sell at my shop, there is nothing like that offered around here (maybe that explains some of the hair-do's I see walking around this town!) I think it would go over well, especially if I can give them a good recommendation, (I can be very persuasive, you know!).  I'm so excited!  ;D

wrote on Oct 17^th, 2005 at 2:46pm:

Juri Natures Gate is not tested on animals. On the bottle there should be a little picture of a bunny within a circle which means cruelty free :)

Thanks, Lisabelle! I don't have anymore NG bottles so I couldn't remember.

wrote on Oct 17^th, 2005 at 6:50pm:

Thanks, Lisabelle! I don't have anymore NG bottles so I couldn't remember.

Juri no problem!  I love that little bunny ;D

Maggie: Right on, a Pantene sistah!  ;D  When I very first started using Pantene regularly, I used the very same products in the Classic Care line which you described.

A few years later, they launched the Daily Moisture Renewal line, which proposed to offer the most intensive conditioning, so I gave it a try. I noticed a difference immediately & have been hooked on it ever since.  ;)

Like you, however, I have felt the occasional urge to branch out and try something new. But I was never as satisfied with anything else and the "change" would be short-lived.
 For example, I once tried to switch back to Herbal Essences (which I used before Pantene), but their formulas have changed since the P&G takeover, and they broke my neck out into a horrible rash! Plus the products essentially did nothing for my hair, save drying out the ends while making the roots oily (the very opposite of my objective).
 Some months ago, I tried to switch to Tressemmé, but the quality just wasn't up to par for me. Although, I did like that their leave-in spray conditioner was oil-free, smelled great and left my hair feeling quite soft.

Every time, however, I would go running back to Pantene. heh If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I guess.

I for one think it's cool that you're trying new things (you never know - you just might find something that you like better), and even cooler that you're sharing your experiences with all of us. Best of luck!!  :)

wrote on Oct 17^th, 2005 at 10:27pm:

Every time, however, I would go running back to Pantene. heh If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I guess.

That seems to be what it boils down to, I am always on the search for something better, I think that I've found a better brand, bring it home, love it the first day (just cuz it's different), second day am like "eh, it's OK", third day - back to the good ol' Pantene.  Then the half-unused bottles get stashed in the closet as "emergency shampoos and conditioners" - you know, when you've accidentally run out of the good stuff, at least you'll have something to fall back on!  I think that the chagrin valley stuff will be my next venture, but, I will keep my Pantene close to my side...just in case!

I'm addicted to jojoba and sweet almond oil.  I use them for pre-wash and braiding.

I would have to say my favorite conditioner is Biolage conditioning blam.  It keeps my ends from feeling crunchy.

Panpeus:  I just bought some jojoba oil to use as part of a facial cleanser, but I would like to try it on my hair, too.  How do you use yours so that your hair is not left greasy?  Does it rinse out thouroughly>

If you order shampoo bars, don't forget to post about it to Products boars (there's a thread about them).  :)

My favorite product is Joico K-PAK, Giovanni, and Herbal Essences, Thermasilk, Pantene, Alberto VO5.

What I consider "the ultimate S&C" right now is Pantene Restoratives Breakage Defense S&C. Great stuff...

After rereading this thread, I saw that the last time I posted anything on it, I was still using Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal - BLEH!!  :P  The devil take it! I will never touch that stuff again!

Proof that people can evolve quite a bit in just a few years...  ;)

Hmmmm, I'm going to have to check it out then.  Do you remember some time ago I told you that my favorite S&C was Pantene Restoratives but I had stopped using it because I was experimenting on different products?  Don't get me wrong but I still love the Pantene Restoratives but I have to say that right now the costly products is an ultimate for me.  It seems like products like Paul Mitchelle, Joico K-PAK, Biologe, Matrix, Redken, Biosilk, and Biosilk Therapy, KMS product line, and Queen Helen's Egg Shampoo.

I can't use really cheap produts like Sauve because it leaves my hair feeling shaggy and unhealthy.  I have to use products like Pantene Pro-V, Paul Mitchelle, Joico K-PAK, or Biologe.  But I do have to say that for my deep conditioning my Cholesterol by Queen Helen is a must ulimate for me!!!!  It leaves my little pass the shoulders hair feeling so nice, smooth, soft, and healthy.  It also helps it look healthier too.  But I've been trying this new deep conditioning method for the last month or so.

What I do is I mix 1/4 of water, 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil, and some of my daily conditioner, and I mix really well in a spray bottle.  Then I spray it all over my hair, and I leave it on for overnight of for several days or until my next wash, then I rinse it out, and shampoo and wash and condition my hair like normal.  I do this deep conditioning process 2 or 3 times a week, and since I've been doing it my relaxed and color-treated hair has been in the best condition ever!!!!!

I've learned this method from another longhaired person from another longhair website.  She goes by the name of JJJ.  You can find her at:  www.JJJphotopagezoomshare.com.  I think that's the website.  I will check it out, and let you know.  But she  has the most beautiful knee length blonde hair in the whole world!!!!!!  And she is over 40 years old.