Hair & Hair Products - Beauty Questions Answered

How to find a person that formulate hair care products

carol_1 — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 18:16:06 -0400

Hello,
My Name Is Carol and I would like to make organic hair care products and I would like to know where to find a formulater.

Hairloss ????

tombs — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:05:23 -0400

Has anyone experienced hairloss using Moroccanoil Treatment ??

Girls with Curls

Qwerty — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:53:58 -0500

I have noticed through reading different post here that there are at least a handful of ladies who come to the forum that have curls and with those curls they have frizz. I was just wondering if any of you have tried the tressemme extra firm control gel? Since reading the blog on gel for humid climates I decided to try the tressemme gel in the list of products from the blog.

http://thebeautybrains.com/2013/02/06/what-type-of-gel-ingredients-should-i-look-for-in-a-humid-climate/

I love it. At least for the moment I do. I put the gel in my damp hair last night and clipped it up on top of my head with hair clips to scrunch it while I slept. I took the clips out this morning and my hair was still a bit damp but there was great body, strong curl definition and gratefully no crunch what so ever. I personally have never had this result without the crunch. At this point in the day my hair is fully dry. It still has the body and curl without frizz.

I live in FL where it is humid more days than it is not humid but today is a beautiful low humidity day and the next few days are expect to be nice as well so I was really wondering if anyone else with curls has tried this product and how did it work for you when the weather was humid and nasty? I am just wondering if this hair gel is as great as it seems at the moment or is it just making my hair look nice because the weather happens to be so nice right now?

Before using this gel the best product I found to work previously, when fixing my hair curly, was the John Frieda take charge curl boosting mousse. It does give body and does keep down the frizz but it was such a crunchy look. I felt stuck in the 80s. I love the idea of being able to fix my hair naturally without looking like a huge mess or I forgot to come out of the 80s. The tresemme gel gives my hair a soft natural look with volume, body and curl without becoming a poof ball of frizz at least in today's nice weather. I was thinking if in more humid weather that my hair does frizz with this gel then maybe I could try a combo of the tresemme gel and john frieda mousse. I am basically saying that just to ask if anyone has used the the tresemme gel but also had to use a secondary product? If so what did you use and how did it go?

Volumizing Hair

neroli77 — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:29:18 -0500

I'm likely to mainly post about ingredients and formulation, as I'm addictively fascinated, and in some ways it fits with my work (Namikoshi, traditional Japanese that is, shiatsu, mainly for chronic pain) and having to start over and maybe go in new directions. The good news is, I have tons of time to study before doing much, because of long term illness.

Which may partially explain my fascination with hair conditioning, since it turns out I don't absorb vitamin B12, and that went misdiagnosed for actual years. So I'm grateful I don't have bald spots, and know getting well & B12 shots is the first answer, but my poor hair *eek*. I'll definitely be trying the bhringaraj from the hair oils thread, and need all the help I can get here.

What kind of ingredients add volume - I know anything that adsorbs and forms a hygrophobic film should help, and need help sorting those out. Think I remember siloxane as maybe doing that (and it's high in affordable Aussie moist!), and silicones generally are great conditioners, but do they do anything for volume too? Of course a good cationic quat, although those vary too, it looks like rice quat is extra awesome.

Actually I'm not even sure if film forming is the whole idea or what would be. Also have heard good things about centrimonium bromide, quaternium (number here) and polyquaterniums, for increasing body and volume, but don't know how they work. Correction, those are cationic quats too, but apparently vary in how much they do for body and volume.

After that I see claims for forming a film to various degrees, and will give props to making cosmetics for adding info about how much, but all advice in this jungle is super appreciated. At this point, mega-hold products to fake it can seem necessary.

There are also traditions like crazy for the natural things I mentioned in the other thread being great for hair, but so far the science says great for mature skin (hibiscus) and already in use in skin lighteners (hate that name, wish they'd just call it evening pigmentation or something), which is turmeric. I'm willing to try a natural ingredient with tons of tradition, without science to back it up so far, but only if the traditional part is real and concrete.

Sorry about such a broad question, but it would break down into a zillion posts for all of them, so I tried to pick - if many small posts are preferred, let me know ; ) May try a few of those...

Damaged Tresses

tmhappyhair82 — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:29:05 -0500

Unhappy with your damaged boring dull hair?? Hair repair treatment that instantly repairs your hair in four easy steps.
Easy to do at home with little effort and time. While other products merely coat the hair, Biolustre actuallyu restores hair to the health and shine of your youth! Polymer formula that actually restores elasticity and increases the hair's tensile strength by up to 300%!!! NO need to chop off your damaged hair. Add this treatment and watch your jair come back to life. Biolustre is a great treatment for anyone at any age.
www.biolustre.com

Biolustre'

SusanL — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 14:38:46 -0500

Just used Biolustre' hair repair a week ago, and although it did strengthen my hair, it also dulled it. This product would probably be great for someone with chemically processed and damaged hair, but my hair was probably not bad enough to appreciate its benefits. I had read where someone was actually able to remove it from her hair by adding shampoo with baking soda for several washings (which would also be pretty harsh). She also suggested she found a much easier way, possibly by using essential oils or a natural product which she inferred she found was breaking down the polymers in the product. Unfortunately, this "easier" remedy was either zapped from the web site, or she never went into detail. Is anyone aware of some way to possibly rid the hair of the Biolustre', if even partially? Susan

hair oils

Fitz — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:58:22 -0500

Is mira hair oil really worth a try.

I love nexxus

Fitz — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:52:23 -0500

I love the nexus products. I really love the conditioner Humectress..... but to me it's a bit costly. Does anyone know a site where I can order my own chemicals to make my own conditioners & shampoos.
Signed I want to save money and maybe make some!

How to grow curly hair faster?

T_Hooble — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:27:29 -0500

I'm trying to grow my curly hair longer but it seems to grow so much slower than my friends' straight hair. I don't know if my hair just grows more slowly or I just can't tell it's growing because it curls. Is there a way to make it grow faster?

Rhassoul Clay

RizosMios — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:34:51 -0500

Can a mixture of water and rhassoul clay really cleanse the hair? Rhassoul's mineral content is as follows:

Silica - 58%

Aluminum - 2.47%

Iron - 0.64%

Sodium - 2.3%

Magnesium - 25.2%

Calcium - 2.34%

Moisture - <8%

Can this actually cleanse and condition hair?

Is it okay to use Head and Shoulders even though I dont have dandruff?

rozy — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 02:05:14 -0400

It makes my hair look really pretty and nothing has worked as good.

Hairfinity???

MileHighDiva — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 03:19:11 -0500

Hello! Has anyone tried the Hairfinity supplements? If so, was it worth the expense? Its supposed to keep your hair in the anogen phase of growth longer. I'm curious about the efficacy of MSM and Biotin. I wonder if I would be better off just buying some biotin and MSM for less $$, before I take the plunge with the Hairfinity. Also, some people on Youtube are saying that the supplement breaks the out (acne). What in the supplement would cause acne?

Please Advise!

Does sebum prevent my hair from swelling?

alex_from_germany — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 05:51:11 -0500

Hello,

it's widely known that cocnut oil can reduce the swelling of the hair shaft when applied before washing. Does your own sebum provide the same protection against 'hygral fatigue' as coconut oil does?

Anything that will stop new greys from sprouting?

bebelyn86 — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:53:31 -0400

I am 26, I have had greys since the age of 10! I had to start dying my hair by the age of 16 and now I am 80% grey on the crown of my head! Is their anything I can do to stop further greying?

Can your HAIR get used to the stuff you use?

EmmaNelia — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 14:26:54 -0400

I've heard some people say that if they use a hair product regulary that their hair "gets used" to it and doesn't work the same way it did..

Such as not helping as much with making their hair as moisturized, shiny, detangled etc.

People in the Long Hair forum have said that when they switched their shampoos, their hair reacted to the change and looked better..

Do you think that hair gets used to a routine in products and desires change? If so how often should I switch it up?

Which things should I switch, shampoo, conditioners, heat protection, herbal oils?? Or does how often you change or what you change have no real effect on your hair's "wellbeing" or overall health?

Thanks for reading!

Wen Haircare

JoDi — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:34:37 -0400

Has anyone used Wen hair products by Chaz Dean? I saw a commercial for the products last night, and the main product is a cleansing conditioner so I'm guessing it's based on the "no poo" philosophy that becoming popular. Just wondering if it's worth the price so if anyone has used it would love to hear some feedback!

You can view the ingredients here:
http://www.wenhaircare.com/whyitsunique.php

Thanks!
JoDi

temporary hair straighteners

vjrad — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:02:04 -0400

Hi,

One of your posts discusses dangerous permanent straightening options such as Brazilian keratin treatments. What about temporary
inexpensive drugstore straighteners that are supposed to last till your next shampoo, such as the ones by Garnier and John Frieda? Are they
safe? The Garnier one smells HORRIBLE!!

Thanks,
Vicki

Pureology and my story....

LittleRhino — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:16:35 -0500

So a while back I made an appointment with my eye doctor and my derm. I've had a wicked case of itchy eyelid, some redness, dryness, puffy, you name it I got it! The eye doctor made the assumption that I have blepharitis, but yet she said she had never seen it in only one eye. Hmm, so of course I booked it out of there feeling defeated and still wondering? Considering she wasn't sure and I had some signs leading to that diagnosis...I treated it as such. Nothing changed. It didn't get worse. Though, it didn't get better.
Second opinion. I went to my faithful derm. He looked at and concluded some sort of skin irritation. Wow. No really? He concluded that I should refrain from all makeup. Already did that. Refrain from all cleansers and skin products. Did that too. Wash with water and use some anti-itch cream on my eye. Call me back if you see no changes was my parting gift. Well, I've been following his plan. No change. Not worse. No change.
Fast forward a couple months and some other strange things have been happening. ( I have not used any cleansers, lotions, makeup, nothing. Yet, it still is there) I have been using Norwegian Fragrance Free Hand Cream on this eyelid. I can say for the first time in months I get some relief. So, moving on...I have extremely itchy scalp. Hairline Pimples that hurt. (I don't get pimples except for on occasion-plus I've been using no hair products) Behind my ears are a little red, itchy, dry, and scattered a few pimples. A couple down my neck and the base of neck itches. Forehead pimples. Scattered like sandpaper rash. Flaky scalp-though not dandruff. Now, this is blowing my mind! What the heckers am I doing wrong? Ironically, all these things go away after a couple days(except for the flaky scalp). Then they start up again after I take my shower and wash my hair.
Lightbulb. Yes, it took me this long to figure out that my perfect, gentle, Pureology (great for sensitive scalp) is causing me this distress. I have since stopped using this and took up with dry scalp care 2-1 by Neutrogena . All symptoms regarding my scalp have cleared in 3 washes. My eyelid is no longer puffy or red. Just a little dry but on the mend. I'm convinced my contact allergy was to the fragrance in this Pureology Shampoo/Conditioner. How it effected only one eyelid and not both? I have no idea. It's not like I was washing my face with Pureology. The eyelid skin is thin and contact reactions are riddle. I'm just glad after all these doctor visits, medications, it's clearing up. I apologize for the winded post. Though, if it can help anyone. Great. Cheers!

Are their premuim grades of silicone in salon hair care

Reylena — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 23:36:07 -0400

Taking with my hairdresser she suggested that I use Oribe products which they sold at the salon. I told her that I was very well pleased switching off between my Aveeno and Garnier products, and asked her what was so special about this Oribe line of hair care that justified the price outside of smell and a pretty bottle. To this she told me that Oribe products are made with premuim grades of basic ingredients such as sulfates and silicone. And that the cones in drugstore products where made with cheaper, inferior, weaker silicone and sulfates. While I understand that their are different types of cones, and i'm sure that they all work a little different. However always I thought that good old
Dimethicone would be the same bought in bulk by any company, for any product. Or are there truly different grades of quality?

Surface hair care products

Diana — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 18:12:48 -0400

Do Surface hair straightening products contain formaldehyde? What chemicals do they contain?

lost in frizz

Myzza — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 03:21:32 -0400

I have dry, frizzy naturally curly hair i have tried shampoo and conditioner for curly hair but it does not seem to do anything. i have recently read articals online saying that people with curly hair should not use a towel to dry their hair insted to let it air dry and other saying to use a towel. or things like blow dry or dont blow dry your hair. then i seen a lot of articles about using olive oil in your hair and alot of other Homemade Hair Remedies. If i use olive oil what kind do i have to use. do i have to make my own homemade shampoo and conditioner or can i just add the olive oil to them? does the shampoo and conditioner have to be a certin kind or can i just use any. how do i get rid of the fizz but keep the curl with out having to cut my hair because if i cut my hair i will just be a poof ball and i rather have it long. i dont want to have to take a lot of time mixing up ingredients like a mad scientist.

Joan Rivers Great Hair Day?

Qwerty — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:52:15 -0400

Has anyone used this to cover new gray regrowth? How did it work? Pros? Cons? There seems to be tons of great reviews on it. The products main pitch is that it helps thinning and balding hair look thicker therefore many of the reviews are on that. I am looking for it to cover gray so I can go longer without having to color the roots and there are very few reviews on that. From what I can tell it does cover gray and is non-transferable so if you brush against it with your hand it stays put without getting on your hand. It is also supposed to be waterproof so in the rain or if you sweat it doesn't streak down your skin or expose the gray until you shampoo the product out. If all that is true it seems like it would be great unless it is a mess to put in or some other issue in dealing with it.

http://www.joanriversgreathairday.com/

I tried that gray away spray and boy was it a mess to work with. It did temporarily cover gray roots but it went all over the place and the color would get on hands, sunglasses and clothing if the coloring was brushed against (even hours after the spray had been put in the hair). I spent more time trying to get the color off my skin near my hair line than anything else and found it very frustrating to try to use.

The Joan Rivers Great Hair Day sounds like it would be better but of course they are out to make it sound great. If anyone has tried it then how well does it work for covering gray?

Thanks for the help!

Effect of negative ions on damp and ice cold hair...

daviderlroe — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 03:05:42 -0400

Hi everybody, Im hoping to find out whether negative ions are either enhanced or reduced by wet hair being chilled at zero or below zero temperatures.

"Cocos Nucifera Oil" vs " Hydrogenated Coconut Oil "

alex_from_germany — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 07:52:59 -0400

Hallo Brains!

I am Alex from Germany. :-D

My question is:
I use a so called "nipple cream" on my ends and to do a pre-wash treatment once in a while. There are two different brands:
The first one contains

Hydrogenated Coconut Oil
Lanolin
Butyrosperum Parkii Butter
Cera Alba
Simmondsia Chinensis Oil
Tocopherol

while the other one has

Lanolin
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Buxus Chinensis
Tocopherol

in it.

Is the Cocos Nucifera Oil more likely to penetrate into the hair than the Hydrogenated Coconut Oil? What is the difference?
I prefer version one as it has Coco on top of the list (and contains some other nice things as well), but if this doesn't penetrate into the hair, it won't be that useful, what do you think?

Cristophe Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner: In the Beauty Brains Bathroom

LeftBrain — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 02:02:07 -0400

We’ve been busy trying a boat load of new products so get ready for a couple of rapidfire posts about what’s in our bathroom this week. Cristophe Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner Based on an ingredient review, Cristophe Glossing shampoo and conditioner appear to be very capable products but I’m always skeptical of any hair care [...] Read more: Cristophe Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner: In the Beauty Brains Bathroom

What is Quaternium-26?

LeftBrain — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 02:01:35 -0400

Mildred must know...so what is Quaternium-26? The Right Brain replies: Ah yes, The quaternium series. What a great example of the wacky world of chemical nomenclature. How chemicals are named As anyone who has taken a chemistry class knows, there are specific algorithms used to name chemical compounds. According to that system, known as IUPAC, [...] Read more: what-is-quaternium-26

What are These Chemicals Doing in my Conditioner?

LeftBrain — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 02:01:01 -0400

Elana asks…Just wondering what are stearyl trimethylammonium chloride and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and what could they possibly be doing in my hair product? Are they of natural origin or completely synthetic? Also, are they safe and can they weight down the hair? The Right Brain responds: As astute Alchemist pointed out in our Forum, we call [...] Read more: What are These Chemicals Doing in my Conditioner?

Can PEG warm up my scalp and what is so special about Glucosyl hesperidin?

Elana44 — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 04:35:31 -0400

I have a warming hair mask which supposedly helps improve hair growth by stimulating blood circulation.

It is said to contain a warming ingredient called PEG. Now, isn't it our good old polyethilene glycol? If so, can it really warm up the scalp?

Also, it claims to contain a very special component - Glucosyl hesperidin. Why is it special and what good does it do to hair?

Thanks a lot in advance!

stearyl trimethylammonium chloride and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride

Elana44 — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:31:39 -0400

Hi,
Just wondering what are stearyl trimethylammonium chloride and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and what could they possibly be doing in my hair product?
Any help is greately appreciated.

WEN Sweet Almond Mint Conditioning Cleanser: Look at the Label

LeftBrain — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 02:01:31 -0400

This week’s number seven top seller in Amazon.com beauty products is Wen conditioning cleanser. (That reminds us of our post on weird ways to wash your hair.) Let’s look at the label! WEN Sweet Almond Mint Conditioning Cleanser Ingredients Water This is a conditioner, not a dry shampoo, so of course the first ingredient is [...] Read more: WEN Sweet Almond Mint Conditioning Cleanser: Look at the Label