Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with haircare

Knock-off of American Crew haircare products?

tfmm — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:45:13 -0800

I really like the smell of American Crew haircare products, the gel in particular. Does anyone know where (or if) a replica line of products is available?

Osis Matt Explosion in US?

wanderlust_babe — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:43:31 -0800

Does anybody know if Osis Matt Explosion (haircare product) is available in the US, maybe under different name? Living abroad, I got atached to that product. Now I find that Osis (from Scwarzkopf) is being sold in US, but apparently not Matt Explosion. Is it maybe under a different name??

Nursing Home/ Hair Care Filter: How can I wash her hair without actually washing it?

lrkuperman — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:42:03 -0800

Nursing Home/ Hair Care Filter: How can I wash her hair without actually washing it? Is it possible to help my bedridden mother keep her hair clean without washing it? Long story short, my mom who is mobility impaired fell down about a month ago; she broke her leg and badly bruised her tail bone in the process. The break was bad enough to require surgery and now she is bedridden for the next 2 months. Until 2 weeks ago she was in the hospital which fortunately had a on site salon which provided in room/ in bed services such as shampoo and style for a nominal fee. For the time being she is in a nursing home, recovering from her surgery and waiting for her leg to heal. So until she can bear weight on that leg and begin rehabilitation they (the nursing home staff) are giving her bed baths but they do not do anything about her hair.

How can I keep her hair clean for 2 months without actually being able to wash it? I've heard of dry shampoos but I am under the impression that it is not a long term solution. Am I wrong in this assumption? Also if dry shampoo is the answer to this conundrum, where would I find it and which brand should I get?

High-quality hair doo-dads for AA toddler

not that girl — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:23:20 -0800

Where can I find high-quality hair doo-dads for my AA toddler? My daughter just turned 1 and her hair is getting long enough to use barrettes or hairties. She's African-American (I'm white). I've been looking for great hair doo-dads for her. The selection at our local superstores and pharmacies is very limited, and the local black hair supply store disappointed me by mainly having very cheap, poor quality things. For instance, I was prepared to spend $20 or more on a high-quality boar's bristle brush, and they didn't have anything that cost over $5--and every time I brush her hair, the one I bought loses a few bristles.

I want covered elastics that are small enough for her tiny poofs of hair, rather than just rubber bands. I want barrettes that are beautiful and durable. I want a really really good brush for her. I want things that are charming, surprising and unique.

Where can I find them?

Bonus points for a site that not only sells supplies but has some pictures of toddler girl hairstyles.

Curly hair care

dreamphone — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:05:18 -0800

What other memos did I miss? Techniques for managing curly/wavy hair sought. I recently learned from several friends with curly hair that none of them uses shampoo on a daily basis. When showering, they will use a daily conditioner, but they shampoo only about two or three times a week. I tried it, and noticed a big improvement in the manageability of my curly/wavy hair. I’m wondering what other care or styling tips I may have missed. Please share!

Additional details: My hair is nearly shoulder-length, on the dry side, and is somewhat thick with loose curls. I’ve tried a million hair-case products, from the very cheap to Bumble and Bumble, and one of the troubles I have is that products that manage frizz tend to flatten my hair and deaden the (brown/gray) color. I typically use a diffuser for a few minutes while my hair is damp, which prevents the curls from becoming too frizzy. All suggestions for haircare and handling appreciated.

Why is my girlfriend's hair breaking so easily?

Anthony84 — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 23:48:54 -0800

My girlfriend's hair comes out, too much! Every day she loses a small handful of it, and it won't grow past her shoulders very far. It's been this way for several years. What could be the cause of this? Since shortly after I met her 2 years ago, my girlfriend seems to drop off too much hair. When she showers, there is a noticeable gob of it after every one. When she straightens and combs it, she leaves another small gob, probably 30-50 strands of variable lengths. Throughout her scalp, short (3-6 inch) hairs stick out, leaving an odd look.

While her hair really doesn't look bad to me, it's clear to both of us that something is not right with it. We are both concerned. Her hair seems brittle and easy to break, and it is particularly wirey (sp). My best guess is that her hair has somehow become very fragile and is breaking off with normal care. Is there a likely explanation for why this is happening? Regardless, is there a way to minimize the breakage and strengthen her hair?

Hair care details: She's currently using not one, but three types of Garnier Fructis shampoo. She uses all three each time she washes her hair. She's using some Fructis conditioner along with that. She also straightens it daily (her hair is naturally very curly) with a high-quality straightening iron. I believe she uses a standard comb and brush as well.

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

I want to wear black shirts again.

Elmo Oxygen — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 14:51:34 -0800

Looking for an all-natural, hair-friendly, anti-dandruff shampoo. For the longest time, I used Herbal Essences, and everything was alright with the world. I'd have to wash my hair more often in the summer then the winter, but it was no big deal. (think twice a week during the winter, every other day during the summer)

However, about 6 months ago, they changed their formula and threw my world into chaos! Since then, I've tried a few different brands (including the new Herbal Essences formula) and none have worked for me. Most disturbingly, I've developed dandruff! Yuck!

So, bottom line, I need a new shampoo. I've tried the standard anti-dandruff shampoos before (think Head and Shoulders) but they all scared me - they burned my face, had a real mediciney smell, and made my hair look awful. Worst of all, they used things like 'coal tar.' Yuck!

I'm looking for all-natural shampoos and conditioners that will keep the dandruff at bay and will also make my hair look great. My hair is naturally very thick and wavy and bouncy. I don't know if this matters or not.

Also, bonus question - the dandruff has mostly appeared in the last few months. It isn't super super bad, but it's at the point where it even appears a few hours after I've washed my hair. I'm pretty sure that it's never been this bad before. Can one 'develop' dandruff? Could it be seasonal? Or is it due to using the wrong haircare products?

Mefi make me pretty!

Attackpanda — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:58:01 -0800

I'm beginning to use hair product for the first time. I have fine hair and all the stuff I've used so far just weighs my hair down and makes it look greasy and dirty. Any recommendations for hair products for short fine hair? I'm looking for something that will make my hair stay in place and not flip up.

I've made a huge mistake...

Silentgoldfish — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 08:32:20 -0800

Ask Methairfilter + Arrested Development: What hair stuff do you reckon they used on Jason Bateman's hair and how can I semi-imitate that look? I find my hair naturally falling in the same general pattern as his did on that show except that my hair is very fine but thick so I have very poofy hair -- a white afro if you will -- if I don't stick it down with something.

What'd be the best kind of hair stuff to get?

Comb buying in Kyoto & Tokyo

jadepearl — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 08:12:39 -0800

Tokyo or Kyoto shopping filter: On a mission for boxwood combs. Do people have any suggestions on where to purchase traditional, handmade combs in Kyoto or Tokyo? I have some names and addresses however, the information maybe way dated. Here is what I have:

Kyoto --
Jusan-Ya combs
Otabi-cho, Shin-kyogoku higashi-iru, Shijo-dori, Shimogyu-ku

Nijusanya is at 85 Shin-cho, Shijo Kawaramachi Higashi-iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (telephone 221-2371). It is open 10 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. and closed the third Wednesday of each month.

Tokyo --
Jusan-ya
2-12-21 Ueno, Tokyo, Japan - - Taito-ku
Phone: 03-3831-3238

Yonoya
1-37-10 Asakusa
Taito-ku, On Demboin Dori (also spelled Dempoin Dori), just off Nakamise Dori

It is important to me that the combs be not mass manufactured but made by hand with the care that Japanese artisan families are capable and famed for.

Also, does anyone know what the "eeek" or "eewww" factor is if I sent a sample of my hair along to help in comb selection? A friend is kind enough on taking this mission on while in the area.

Any information or suggestions welcome EXCEPT why not order the stuff online....errrr...besides not being sure of the quality, many of the websites seem to be stealing both images and text from other sites which does not engender a great deal of confidence.

Help me fix my hair

blueskiesinside — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 17:53:11 -0800

HaircareFilter: I just had my hair bleached and dyed. It was in pretty good condition to start with, but now it's somewhat dry and tangles more easily. I have gentle, color safe conditioner and shampoo and a deep hydrating hair masque. What else can/should I use to get my hair back to it's natural luster and softness? Any other tips for someone with recently bleached hair? (for example: is my hair going to fall out if I brush it when it's wet?)

Frizzy Hair Begone!

missed — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 20:25:46 -0800

My friend is a young Indian woman in her early 30's and this NYC weather is killing her hair. She has long, naturally black thick-stranded (coarse, really) hair and her problem is that it's frizzy. Really really frizzy. Okay, ladies, how can she make her hair more healthy? Anti-friz shampoo isn't working here. Grease isn't either. It's been a life-long problem, too. Advice from Indian women welcome :D

Totally awesome hair products?

justonegirl — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 11:47:55 -0800

Absolute best hair care product for a lazy person? Since starting to work from home, I've become extremely averse to dealing with my hair (beyond washing and conditioning it). It's long (about 6-8" past my shoulders), cut in very long layers with no bangs, and fairly fine-textured but there's lots of it. When I let it dry on its own, most of it is wavy and nice, though it's unfortunately flat on top and tends toward a bit of frizziness/flyaways.

When I worked in an office, I'd generally blow it out straight or wear it up. However, now I'd like to find some kind of product that I can just throw in my hair when it's wet and forget about it. Something that will accentuate the waves, keep it from frizzing, but also look natural (not stiff or greasy). Does such a product exist?

How to find that perfect conditioner...

orange swan — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 12:39:58 -0800

Every time I colour my hair and use the tiny jar of conditioner that is part of the kit, I'm amazed anew at how much better it is than any other conditioner I've ever tried. It leaves my hair silky and tangle-free. Does anyone know of a similar conditioner?

Are there quiet hair dryers?

mathowie — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 15:59:51 -0800

I've quieted my PC by getting rid of loud fans. As my s.o. wakes me up with an old, loud hair dryer every morning, I wonder if a company has done the same with that appliance. Are there any quiet hair dryers available that still do the job? Money is no object if there's something out there that puts out heat, dries hair in a couple minutes, and is say, under 60db.

How often should a girl wash her hair?

pracowity — Sat, 26 Nov 2005 13:03:26 -0800

How often should a girl wash her hair? Long, thick hair is not easy to wash, but of course it has to be done. How often do girls usually wash their hair? How often should they wash their hair?

hairdryer?

lilboo — Sat, 12 Nov 2005 10:32:26 -0800

My hair dryer just bit the dust, and now I need to buy a new one. Any recommendations? Are those tourmaline dryers worth the $200 price tag? I have long, hair.... (its three inches past my shoulders, but on the thin side) and I intend to let it grow out some more, so a fast dry time is really important to me. The last one was a Bayliss, which was good, if on the heavy side.

Will shaving my head contribute to hair loss?

pornucopia — Sun, 11 Sep 2005 19:45:01 -0800

I'd like to shave my head, but I'm kind of developing a bald spot, and I'm worried about hair retention. Can anyone show me convincing evidence that shaving my head won't contribute to hair loss? Bonus related question: People won't think I'm a Neo-Nazi, will they?

Damn Humidity

slapshot57 — Mon, 18 Jul 2005 18:27:53 -0800

VanityFilter: My hair's about 3 inches long, curly and turns into a huge afro in this constant humidity. How come and what kind of product can I use to stop this? and yes I checked google, they all wanted to sell me something.

Personal Topiary

attercoppe — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 19:44:46 -0800

I have a rambling, multi-part question regarding hair, beards in particular, and hair care products. (Short version: what should I use to wash and possibly style my beard?) So since leaving my former job where I couldn't have a beard, I have been growing mine back. It grows fast anyway, and it has been (almost entirely) untouched for just over four months now, other than trimming my moustache to keep it out of my soup. This makes it longer now than I have ever previously worn it. The hair on my head, on the other hand, is not so much long as long gone. I have shaved my head for over five years, and buzzed it short for a couple years before that. But from what I remember, it was like what my beard is now - wiry. The hairs aren't particularly fine, and I don't think they're necessarily dry, but they feel like little wires - I had long ago been accused of wearing hair spray (on the hair on my head, when I had it). My beard is also, now that it's significantly long, beginning to show signs of being wavy like my head hair was. I don't intend on going ZZ Top with it, but I would like to attain some length, and would like to keep it neat, as well as smooth, soft, etc. How do I figure out what shampoo and conditioner to use? Do I even need conditioner? Should I try to tame some of the strays by using some sort of styling gel until the hairs are trained to lay down by themselves? Possibly tangental question - I have heard that shampoo (and presumably similar products) in other countries are adjusted for different pH levels (some sort of "racial" difference). Is this true? Could it be I need a Scot's or New Zealander's shampoo?