rubydoo63
10-29-2004, 08:14 AM
HI ALL :wave:
I need some ceramic ironing help.....
Ok, I have the technology and tools - I just can't seem to put it all together! I have medium-long hair, sort of coarse and tends to frizz out through the day.
I use Matrix Smooth down shampoo and conditioner, then put on Super Skinny (paul mitchell i think), blow dry my hair, then flat iron. After I flat iron, I put a small amount of another smoothing serum. But it still seems very dry. I have also tried redken heat glide and silk therapy.
Am I using it wrong? Do I put it on dry hair before I flat iron? If so, how? with my hands? Someone said they put some on their brush, then brush before they iron?
I know I sound like a complete moron......Anyway......any helpful tricks would be greatly appreciated!
Rubydoo....
I need some ceramic ironing help.....
Ok, I have the technology and tools - I just can't seem to put it all together! I have medium-long hair, sort of coarse and tends to frizz out through the day.
I use Matrix Smooth down shampoo and conditioner, then put on Super Skinny (paul mitchell i think), blow dry my hair, then flat iron. After I flat iron, I put a small amount of another smoothing serum. But it still seems very dry. I have also tried redken heat glide and silk therapy.
Am I using it wrong? Do I put it on dry hair before I flat iron? If so, how? with my hands? Someone said they put some on their brush, then brush before they iron?
I know I sound like a complete moron......Anyway......any helpful tricks would be greatly appreciated!
Rubydoo....
Sponsor
Peekaboo971
10-29-2004, 09:09 AM
Hiya!
Wow... you are using quite a few products! But I guess when all is said and done, I do the same if I'm ironing my hair. I have course hair, a LOT of it, and it's colored. The natural texture is wavy.
First off, it sounds like dryness is an issue. Look at the products your using and look at the ingredients. Do you see alcohol listed anywhere? I was SHOCKED when my hair stylist told me to look at the ingredients of some of the products I was using and alcohol was the 2nd or 3rd ingredient. :eek:
Very drying on the hair! Avoid it if possible. Do you deep condition your hair once a week or so? It sounds like you could be overprocessing your hair. Between the heat of the hair dryer, and the heat of the straight iron, you're putting a lot of stress on your hair. Do you straight iron every day? Do you blow dry every day? Do you wash your hair every day?
I don't know if you're going for a real straight look all day, but my hair does do the same thing. I live in a pretty humid climate, and I had mentioned on another post, that if you're going for Jennifer Anniston "straight" Friends hair, well, keep in mind they had to flat iron her hair every 20 minutes to maintain that look she had.
Also, when blow drying, I dry from the top down to the cuticle remains smooth. Blowdrying towards your head will just rough up the cuticle.
I don't know if I've helped with any of the suggestions, but I have a deep conditioner that I absolutely LOVE. It's not cheap, but it works ten times better than anything I've ever bought before. It's from Nexxus, but it's from their organics line called Phyto-organics. I use a very concentrated shampoo called Hydruss and a conditioner called Enphuse. I only know of one place near where I live that carries it, so if you have a stylist, ask them if maybe they can order it special for you. Just a thought.
Good luck!!! Hope you get the look your going for. :)
Wow... you are using quite a few products! But I guess when all is said and done, I do the same if I'm ironing my hair. I have course hair, a LOT of it, and it's colored. The natural texture is wavy.
First off, it sounds like dryness is an issue. Look at the products your using and look at the ingredients. Do you see alcohol listed anywhere? I was SHOCKED when my hair stylist told me to look at the ingredients of some of the products I was using and alcohol was the 2nd or 3rd ingredient. :eek:
Very drying on the hair! Avoid it if possible. Do you deep condition your hair once a week or so? It sounds like you could be overprocessing your hair. Between the heat of the hair dryer, and the heat of the straight iron, you're putting a lot of stress on your hair. Do you straight iron every day? Do you blow dry every day? Do you wash your hair every day?
I don't know if you're going for a real straight look all day, but my hair does do the same thing. I live in a pretty humid climate, and I had mentioned on another post, that if you're going for Jennifer Anniston "straight" Friends hair, well, keep in mind they had to flat iron her hair every 20 minutes to maintain that look she had.
Also, when blow drying, I dry from the top down to the cuticle remains smooth. Blowdrying towards your head will just rough up the cuticle.
I don't know if I've helped with any of the suggestions, but I have a deep conditioner that I absolutely LOVE. It's not cheap, but it works ten times better than anything I've ever bought before. It's from Nexxus, but it's from their organics line called Phyto-organics. I use a very concentrated shampoo called Hydruss and a conditioner called Enphuse. I only know of one place near where I live that carries it, so if you have a stylist, ask them if maybe they can order it special for you. Just a thought.
Good luck!!! Hope you get the look your going for. :)
rubydoo63
10-29-2004, 09:44 AM
Yes, my hair does seem dry.
I wash it usually every other day. I don't use my creamic flat iron much because I can't seem to get the look I am going for.
If I use silk therapy or heat glide, do I put it on dry hair before I flat iron?
I wash it usually every other day. I don't use my creamic flat iron much because I can't seem to get the look I am going for.
If I use silk therapy or heat glide, do I put it on dry hair before I flat iron?
just_imagine
10-31-2004, 11:14 PM
I actually use silk therapy when my hair is damp, and then again on my dry hair before I flat iron it!
A word of warning though, and I really hate to be a bum about Biosilk since I know tons of people like it, but lately I haven't been too impressed with it. I used to be a diehard fan of the stuff, it worked like a dream in my hair for the first 5 months or so. I was obsessed with it, thought I'd found my dream hair product. Lately however, I think it's actually doing more damage than good. I think it's actually making my hair dry. Maybe I overused it and my hair as built up a tolerance, I have no idea...
Anyways I'm trying to make a switch to a new product, probably something by Kerastase since that is my new favourite product line (though extremely $$...yikes). They have a leave-in treatment that is supposed to be amazing, so I might try that one out and see how it goes.
A word of warning though, and I really hate to be a bum about Biosilk since I know tons of people like it, but lately I haven't been too impressed with it. I used to be a diehard fan of the stuff, it worked like a dream in my hair for the first 5 months or so. I was obsessed with it, thought I'd found my dream hair product. Lately however, I think it's actually doing more damage than good. I think it's actually making my hair dry. Maybe I overused it and my hair as built up a tolerance, I have no idea...
Anyways I'm trying to make a switch to a new product, probably something by Kerastase since that is my new favourite product line (though extremely $$...yikes). They have a leave-in treatment that is supposed to be amazing, so I might try that one out and see how it goes.
armadillo pie
11-01-2004, 12:10 AM
I have been using the biosilk for about a month on wet and dry hair. I stopped flat ironing it because it was so damaged from coloring and heat and now let it's natural wave/curl take over ( which looks good). Anyway, I noticed that biosilk has alcohol in it and was told at the beauty suppy that is can be very drying to hair. I do like that it eliminates frizz and makes my hair so shiny, but I am wondering if it is worth it considering it also is probably drying it out.
AnitaPita
11-01-2004, 05:07 PM
I ceramic flat-iron almost everyday. The thing that I have found that cuts way down on the dryness is to skip blowdrying. You just have to make sure your hair is completely dry before ironing. At first I didn't think I would be able to do it. I swear it has cut down the dryness by at least 70%. I just set the heat on the flat iron to higher than I would have to if I blow dried first. Also I think alot of the anti-frizz serums I was using was also contributing to the dryness. Even the expensive ones, and believe me, I have tried all of them out there. I have found the one that works THE best is Citre Shine Serum. And its cheap! My hair looks very moisturized and healthy when I use it in conjunction with the flat iron. The only downfall is it is a bit heavier than other serums and if I dont wash everyday my hair looks kind of oily. But that is not an issue for me because I MUST wash everyday because I go to the gym. Here is my routine:
1. Wash hair. I am not that particular about shampoo but for conditioners I like Biolage Conditioning Balm or Infusium 23 Power Pac.
2. Towel dry and comb out hair. Use a dollop of Citre Shine Serum. Allow to air dry. My hair medium/fine with lots of waves.
3. If I am in a hurry, I will blow dry just at the roots. This speeds up drying. I only use the dryer on low or medium.
4. After hair is dry, apply just a drop more serum to hands and run through hair. Set ceramic flat iron to heat setting 20. (25 is the maximum.) Run through sections of hair without stopping and slow down a bit when I get to the ends of the hair.
5. After ironing, if I feel it needs it I apply just a small drop more of serum to my hands and run through the ends only.
My hair is highlighted also...my hair is naturally dark brown but I have alot of carmel and blond streaks. It is prone to dryness. I get compliments on my hair all the time how healthy it looks. I hope this helps. I think everyone has to find a routine that works for them. I just found that if I blow dried my hair straight and then flat ironed on top of it...my hair felt almost crunchy....I could feel how dry it was too when I wet it down to wash it. Good luck! :bouncing:
Oh another thing....maybe you have a ceramic flat iron already, but ceramic is definitely a must. It cuts way back on the damage and dryness as opposed to metal or gold plates.
1. Wash hair. I am not that particular about shampoo but for conditioners I like Biolage Conditioning Balm or Infusium 23 Power Pac.
2. Towel dry and comb out hair. Use a dollop of Citre Shine Serum. Allow to air dry. My hair medium/fine with lots of waves.
3. If I am in a hurry, I will blow dry just at the roots. This speeds up drying. I only use the dryer on low or medium.
4. After hair is dry, apply just a drop more serum to hands and run through hair. Set ceramic flat iron to heat setting 20. (25 is the maximum.) Run through sections of hair without stopping and slow down a bit when I get to the ends of the hair.
5. After ironing, if I feel it needs it I apply just a small drop more of serum to my hands and run through the ends only.
My hair is highlighted also...my hair is naturally dark brown but I have alot of carmel and blond streaks. It is prone to dryness. I get compliments on my hair all the time how healthy it looks. I hope this helps. I think everyone has to find a routine that works for them. I just found that if I blow dried my hair straight and then flat ironed on top of it...my hair felt almost crunchy....I could feel how dry it was too when I wet it down to wash it. Good luck! :bouncing:
Oh another thing....maybe you have a ceramic flat iron already, but ceramic is definitely a must. It cuts way back on the damage and dryness as opposed to metal or gold plates.
rubydoo63
11-02-2004, 10:06 AM
Thanks so much! I think I need to invest in a better ceramic flat iron. Mine is a conair that only cost about $30. I wasn't sure if I would like flat ironing, so I decided to start with a more affordable one.
NDNhuni
11-09-2004, 01:18 AM
Oh another thing....maybe you have a ceramic flat iron already, but ceramic is definitely a must. It cuts way back on the damage and dryness as opposed to metal or gold plates.
Which flat iron do you use? I need a new one as my old one doesnt get that hot anymore. Im thinking of buying a CHI, Sedu or Solia. My hair is long and wavy. Thanks
Which flat iron do you use? I need a new one as my old one doesnt get that hot anymore. Im thinking of buying a CHI, Sedu or Solia. My hair is long and wavy. Thanks
BoOtYLiCiOuSbAbE
11-09-2004, 01:52 AM
i use the CHI iron and i have long hair that is thick but just a little wavy. i usually dont blow dry b/c it takes forever.. i just shower at night and flat iron in the morning (sometimes my hair doesnt dry completely from all night if its a late shower, then i blow dry). i use garnier fructis sleek & shine shampoo & conditioner (just started and i like it!) i also liked dove's intense moisture line. well then when i straighten i would use Silk Therapy BEFORE ironing.. but yeah lately i have been noticing its drying effect. it gives my hair a plasticy buildup!! i try clarifying it but it doesnt make a huge difference. at a salon when they clarifyed it my hair felt SOOO soft and shiny like never before! so i think im gonna stop using silk therapy.. not sure what else to try yet! but the Chi has been good.. i just use clips to do my hair in layers (takes about 20-30 minutes since my hair is getting longer). if i blow dry & straighten it usually isnt as soft since i must use it on high power or high heat so it wont take over an hour.
Kayley
11-09-2004, 12:59 PM
I had the same problem with the Silk Therapy and it's because of the alcohol, which dries out your hair. I tried the Chi Silk Infusion, as advised by someone here (Wannabehotguy) and it has made my hair so soft and shiny. Every day it's looking better and better. It does cost a little more than the Silk Therapy but to me it's worth it! I bought it at Beauty Brands. Let me know if any of you try it and it helps.
Kayley :)
Kayley :)
BoOtYLiCiOuSbAbE
11-09-2004, 03:25 PM
Cool... well I may try it sometime then! Aghh I hate how I still have a FULL bottle of Silk Therapy left!! Thanks for the help :)
Kayley
11-09-2004, 08:29 PM
That's a bummer! :( Do you have the receipt for the Silk Therapy? Most places will take it back and even if you don't have the receipt it's worth a try!
BoOtYLiCiOuSbAbE
11-09-2004, 11:05 PM
nope no receipt.. but actually i got it free with my CHI iron when i got it (but i already had a bottle, which has lasted a lonnnnng time). so i dont know if i can get that returned.. i actually DO my have CHI receipt but it is out of state (just moved out for college.. receipt is @ home). so i guess it would just be too hard to get that all figured out.. oh well! maybe ill find somebody that likes silk therapy! i do believe that the price sticker may still be on the bottle.. its from trade secret. do you think that they would maybe let me do an exchange?
Kayley
11-10-2004, 03:09 PM
I would definitely try! What have you got to lose? Let me know how it turns out and if you try the Chi serum.
Kayley :)
Kayley :)
BoOtYLiCiOuSbAbE
11-10-2004, 03:46 PM
yeah definitely! i may go to the mall today and ill find out! have you heard anything about Matrix Sleek Look Iron Smoother? meant for flat ironing and to protect hair from up to 450 degrees of heat!! and its also supposed to make hair shiny and resist humidity.. i may take a look at this one too.. i forget how much it costs.. somewhere between $10 and $20 so not too bad. ill take a look @ both & try to decide if i can exchnage the biosilk!
Kayley
11-10-2004, 10:14 PM
No, I haven't tried or heard anything about the Matrix Iron Smoother, but I do use the Sleek Look shampoo and conditioner sometimes and I like it. I also lilke the Biolage ultra hydrating shampoo and conditioner. I bought some Halo by Graham Webb shampoo and conditioner and tried it last week, but I'm not sure if I like it or not yet. So did you go today and did you have any luck exchanging?
BoOtYLiCiOuSbAbE
11-11-2004, 12:45 AM
yeah I heard Halo was pretty good.. their clarifying shampoo was good when i got it used on me.. ok so i go to the mall and the trade secret wasnt open yet!!! so i guess ill try another mall sometime!