Hey Im new and want to give my hair a hot oil treatment, but I dont know were i can find all the oils I need. Im looking for soybean oil, sandalwood oil, lavendar oil, geranium oil and the always popular, jojoba oil! ;D I dont really want to order stuff off the internet, so can I find these things at a Super Target or GNC, somewhere kinda easy, not any fancy store?

Also, I need sum advice on what shampoo and conditioner I should be using. My hair is to the middle of my back and I would like for it to be somewhere near my waist. Its mostly straight with a little wave and thin. Right now Im using BED HEAD Self Absorbed and I like it alot, but it's a little too pricey to continue using after Im done. What would be a good alternative??

Also I have a bad habit of how I style my hair. I straighten it with a Chi. I know it's bad but I love the way my hair looks but it makes me feel bad because I know it's not good for my hair. Is there anything I can do to protect my hair but still straighten it or anything to use to repair the heat damage? I barely straighten at all since it's the summer but when school starts I will probably do it 2 or 3x a week. Or could nebody give me tricks to making my hair cute without it having to be up?? I need help.

Thanx to ne1 that replies, I appreciate all ur help!

Hi Kris and welcome!!

The oils you want will likely be found at a health store.  I am not sure about GNC or Target but I am sure someone else will know about that.

I think we would need to know more about your hair to address your question.  Can you tell us if your hair is course/fine, colored and things like that?  It would probably also help i you told us your hair care regiment (how often do you wash, do you deep condition, oil you ends, etc).

I am not aware of anything that will protect your hair, but there are people here that have more experience than I do and will likely know.  What I do know is that once the hair cuticle is damaged, there is nothing that will fix it except cutting it off.

Sakina will probably have some ideas for you if you want to change to enhancing the curls, instead of straightening.  It would be much healthier for your hair...but it is a question of whether you will like it that way or not.

JD

Thanx so much. ill give a little more hair info. It is thin and fine (dont know if that's the same thing). It's not coarse or anything, alot of people say my hair is real soft. I did dye it but I think that's all gone now. I usually shampoo and condition every day, but now im trying to cut down on the shampooing and use just conditioner sumtimes because of what I have read here. I put this leave-in conditioner stuff that I got from the hair salon on my ends about every other night. I just want to do other things that are all natural for my hair (like oiling for example) :).I usually wear my hair up but I would like to wear it down more cuz it's pretty. I just dont want to have to damage it for it to look pretty. Anything helps!! Thanx so much  JD :-*

Welcome to Longlocks! 8-)

Hi, Kris.
Look in the cooking isle for the soybean oil and the beauty department for the jojoba.  You will find essential oils at the health food store.

There is no product on the planet that will prevent heat appliances from damaging your hair.  The damage is not repairable-it has to be cut off.  You will have to stop using heat on your hair if you want to stop damaging it.

As for shampoo & conditioner, I use Ouidad and Devacurl.  I have loosely curly hair, so I use products specifically for curly hair.  If you want to check these out, go to www.ouidad.com or www.naturallycurly.com.

Regarding styles, I'd recommend 1/2 up.  Take the front of your hair and pull it to the crown or back of your head.  With your length you could then 3 strand braid, rope braid or just bun it.  Of course, you could turn the braid into a bun, too.  I wear my hair this way most of the time.  Today, however, I'm in braided low pigtails.

Welcome Kris!

Good advice has already been given.  It is good that you are starting to think about the health of you hair now, that will increase your ability to grow healthy longer hair.

Health food stores are good sources for the oils.  Target and GNC don't usually carry the oils you would want to use in your hair.  As for your shampoo and conditioner choices, look for products  that say they are moisturizing or for damaged hair.  You will need to experiment a bit to determine if your hair likes silicone type products or not.  I believe the Bed Head line is heavy with -cones, so you might want to try the Pantene line or even the new Dove Sheer Moisture products.  These should be cheaper and do a good job for you.

I'd also suggest adding a vinegar rinse to your routine at least once a week (since you are using -cone based products).  This will help prevent the buildup of the product and keep your hair shiney and soft.

BB is right.  I just started ACVs (apple cider vingar rinses) in the last 2 months and I LOVE them.

If you decide to embrace your curly locks, Sakina can tell you a great book for it.  She just got me started on it...and I am going to start using the advice in it in a week...ok...I need time to adjust  ::).  I would never have thought I would embrace it...it is a great little book and not expensive...and neither is the advice in it.  I feel it is for Sakina to tell you about it (and I will send her PM incase she doesn't see this) since as far as I am concerned, it is her glory to share!!!  I will tell  you though, this book tells you how to make your curls look great...and I trust Sakina enough to know it must be true, even if I myself have't tried the recipes and advice out!!!  Watch my journals (Joey dog growing hair when sick) to see how it goes, day by day!!

JD

Thanx to all of you for ur replies! I will go to the grocery store tomorrow and get stuff for a vinegar rinse and see how I like it! Thanx again!

Oh and I went to Bed Bath and Beyond and bought a satin pillowcase today! ;D

Kris,

Great move with the pillowcase.  I love mine.  I bought 2 to start and just bought to more.  I love them.  My hair is shorter than yours...but I keep thinking if I really get it down to classical length...I will need satin sheets...even though I tie it up and...  Oh, BTW, Curly64 sells these really neat satinsox to put your hair up in (which would mean I don't really need satin sheets...but ...).  Check it out with her.  They are awesome.  I have 2.

BTW, did you check out some of the home recipes on this forum?  I have tried several in my short time here and found what works for my hair.  I love them.

JD

There is a product that will help reduce heat damage, it won't completely stop damage but it does help if you want to heat style. It is Matrix iron smoother from the sleek look line, it is a spray. Apply 1-2 spritzs to each section starting at the scalp and sweeping down to the ends then flat iron the section, repeat for every section you want to flat iron. I use it on my curly hair on the rare occasion I do flat iron and it keeps damage to a minimum. Hope that helps some

Hi Kris,

Welcome to the LongLocks!!!!  Everyone is right.  And it is very true that once the hair cuticle is damaged there's nothing you can do about it except cut it off.  But I think your best alternative is to try products like Pantene and Dove Sheer, and do the vinegar rinses too like what BB says.  It does give your hair a beautiful shine!!!!

Blondie35

Hi Kris and welcome!!

Debr

Hi Kris,
Welcome to LL!  Enjoy the boards and feel free to ask questions :)