Hey, all...

I'm having some problems with indecision regarding a hair care routine.  I have some items in my bathroom already and we are on a tight budget so are trying to be very frugal, but some of these things are taking forever to be used up and I am thinking about tossing some of them.  What I'd like is to tell you what I have, and see what you would do with it.  Which order would you use each item in and in what order?  What (if anything) would you toss out?  Would you add anything?  

First, about my hair:  It's fine, medium thickness, stick-straight and blonde.  I haven't colored it more than twice in fifteen years, nor have I blow-dried, permed or curled it in all that time.  I don't treat it as well as I should, though--I leave it down to get tangled too often and I have some breakage on the ends.  I can go four days before my hair starts to feel greasy and gross, but the ends start to feel dry and straw-like before that, so I usually break down and shower early.  

Now for the products.  Here's what I have:

-2 bottles of daily clarifying shampoo, one Pantene (half used) and 1 Suave (nearly full).
-2 bottles of hydrating shampoo, one is a gigantic bottle of Biolage knock-off, and the other is Nature's Gate Jojoba.  I'm not sure I need either...my hair is not particularly dry nor over-stressed.
-ACV
-Fructis Length and Strength Conditioner.  I've been using this for a long time and go through it pretty quickly.  It has cones in it, and I've been thinking about stopping using it so my hair can develop some health on it's own, but I'm not sure what to replace it with.  

So how would you put all of this together?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

TIA!

Krystal

If you have a women's care center (for abused women and children) nearby, they make take them gladly, even partially used.  Other than giving them away, or throwing them out, I have no other ideas.  Most people won't buy used products.  

Kathy--

Thanks for your reply, but I wasn't asking for advice on where to dispose of my products.

What I'm hoping for is someone to look at what I have, and help me make up a possible hair care routine from it.  How often, if ever, would you use each item (with my hair details)?  What would you dispose of?  What would you add?  For example....should I use an ACV before or after shampooing?  How often to use it?  Would you use the clarifying shampoos?  Daily, as they suggest, or less frequently?  Is a C/O good for hair that is fairly oily?  That's what I was hoping for.

Thanks again.

Krystal

Heya ScrapGirl,

The only one of those products that I would dispose of immediately is the Suave clarifying shampoo. Do NOT use this on your hair! Not only is the main detergent ammonium lauryl sulfate (the harshest one!), but cheap shampoos have an extremely high concentration of ammonias. You can actually smell it if you use it to clean things besides your hair.
   That said, it makes a remarkable cleaner for porcelain surfaces, such as tubs and sinks.  ;)

The CO method typically does not work well at all for oily scalps. I would suggest just using the shampoos & conditioner that you have right now to wash & condition once each day until at least the conditioner is gone. Then, if you have any shampoo left over, you can get rid of it or use it as a household cleaner also. That's just what I would do, were I trying to be as frugal as possible...and believe me, I have some experience with that!.  :P

Oh yes, and save the Pantene Purity shampoo & ACV for once-a-week clarifying washes. They help oily scalps tremendously. Cheers!

Thank you!  I will not be using that Suave Clarify.

Is there a recommended routine for ACV?  Right now I've been shampooing, using the ACV, then conditioner.

Also, can anyone recommend a good cone-free conditioner for those on a tight budget?  I'd rather not buy in the salon if I don't have to.

TIA!
Krystal

Actually, by using the CO method, many people have been able to wash their hair less often.  Their scalp has become less oily.  It didn't work for me, but it does for a lot of people.

Hi,

Saw your post and am new to this forum.  I dunno if this will help...but I really like AG products. Yes, they are from a salon...but a $23 bottle lasts me the best part of a year.  I dunno which one you would need but DO NOT buy the small bottles if on a budget...get the 1L for $23 (on sale) and $32 when not.  Just a thought.  Because I do not know your hair type, I am not sure which one would be right for you.  You can look up AG products on google under AG hair products and figure out which one is right for you.  Most good hair salons sell them...and as I said, $32 for 6 months is not bad.  Let me know if you look into this and what you think.

By the way...I am speaking Cdn so it may be cheaper if you are in the US.

Good luck.