[MINIME]

I have really long hair and I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to keep it tangle free and not so wild. Any adivce on taking care of long hair would be helpful. I brush it everyday i use herbal essence for long hair but its so tangly.

[deliquesce]

is your hair curly/wavy/straight?

my hair is not very long, but long enough to get a few tangles (maybe midway down my back?). i find the only time it gets tangled up is at night when i'm sleeping, so i sleep with it in a loose knot now and it doesn't tangle up so much.

[MINIME]

straight and it goes all the way down my back

[Rhapsody]

I would suggest trying Tresseme Shampoo with Infusium Leave in Hair Conditioner - it works wonder for my hair and was recommended by my hair stylist.

[sunrise]

My two girls and I all have long, straight hair. We use Pantene conditioner. It really helps detangle, and it is not a designer brand so is relatively inexpensive. When I go get my hair cut, the stylist always comments on what good condition my hair is in. I get it for $3.79/bottle at Target and closer to $4.99 at the grocery store.

[kim_johnson]

A really gentle shampoo so it cleans your hair but doesn't make it 'squeaky'. You only need a really tiny amount and only need to apply it to your scalp (as it rinses through the rest of your hair that is kind of enough). If you shampoo the ends and / or if you use a harsh / astringent shampoo (as many supermarket brands are) then it will tangle...

Pantene works for me. Aveda damage control works great, too, but it is expensive in comparison.

Then LOTS of conditioner (until it isn't absorbing any more). If you leave it on for a couple minutes to absorb and then run your fingers through it it should detangle... I have this thing about changing brands every couple washes but that might be superstition...

Tigi catwalk does a really good leave in conditioning treatment. Helps soften / detangle. I have this keratin spray at the moment that helps with that, too... My issue is more about flyaway hair (that goes NUTS if I try and blowdry it and I really don't want to wreck it by assaulting it by pulling it with hot metal) and tangling is kinda subsidiary to that, I think. Also tangles more if the ends start to split so regular trims can help... And if you are breaking it when you try and detangle then that will damage the ends so... More tangling...

[ThePainNeverDies]

How often do you wash your hair? I find that if I change how often I wash my hair every month or so, so one month wash it every other day each week, then for one week wash it every day, then back to every other, that helps to keep my hair tangle free. Use things like sunsilk, tresseme, pantene, etc. and using conditioner should help to free your hair of tangles. Make sure you use lots of conditioner, it helps to make your hair nice and shiny too!

I hope this helps

[MINIME]

Thanks everyone

[christyv]

I have really long hair. The brand I like the most that doesn't cost an arm and leg is John Freida Weather Works including the Thermal Protection and Overnight Repair Serum. The Overnight Serum is a leave in conditioner that I LOVE! I add it before I comb my hair out to blow it dry before work and even add some to the ends if they are looking dry. (It's not just for overnight).

You might also try combing throught you hair with a wide tooth comb while your still in the shower.

[RomanSunburn]

You all have such great tips, but I dont follow any of them, lol.

I have long hair, always have. It's a bit shorter than it used to be, but not by much. I rarely use conditioner, leave in or otherwise. Sometimes I used two in one shampoos. Mostly, I just brush it out with a paddle brush before I shower, wash it with shampoo (Usually some herbal essences), dry it with a towel a little bit, and then either brush it again, or put it straight up in a bun with some clips. I find it depends on the water a lot. When I shower at school, I find my hair is a lot smoother, while at home I'm more likely to use conditioner every once and awhile.

Basically, keep it natural, and see if that works for you. It might take a little getting used to, but I think it's worth it. So does my pocketbook.

Ro

[notz]

I'll underscore one thing that Christyv mentioned about a wide tooth comb in the shower. That's what I do when I use conditioner, comb through my hair which helps to distribute the conditioner. Very simple and very effective for eliminating tangles.

notz

Originally Posted by notz

I'll underscore one thing that Christyv mentioned about a wide tooth comb in the shower. That's what I do when I use conditioner, comb through my hair which helps to distribute the conditioner. Very simple and very effective for eliminating tangles.

notz

I finger comb mine in the shower and add cream rinse to assist this . I use patene as well. Then I use a wide tooth comb.

I oil my hair once a week with my home made oils and add concenrtated essential oils and let it soak for a day prior to washing. I only have to wash it twice a week because I wear it braided . Braid down and braid in a bun. I have trimmed bangs . this combo allows me to have the best of both worlds . a short look when braided . I can fix a bad bang day very quickly.

When down I just toss and go . I don't have to comb it . The braid makes it wavy . I wear it down maybe twice a week. for about four hours each time. I cut my own hair.

I love my hair .I plan to keep it as it is till the day I die. I take special care of it.

Patricia

[AAAAA]

I would like to add that it's important to change your shampoo and conditioner. I've had three different stylists tell me that this does make a difference. I have three brands that I like, Panteen, Aussie, and one in a tube that I do not recall the name of. It's pretty easy, when one bottle of shampoo is finished, switch brands.

I can't sleep with a bun but I braid it before bed. 1) It's not a wild mess in the morning, and 2) I hate pulling my own hair or waking up to find my husband on it. When that happens it's time to get it cut short!

I second the infusium leave in conditioner.

[SeptemberMorn]

There's a lot of good advice in here, but may I add my two cents worth since I used to be a beatician and also have very long, straight hair...

I used to use Tresseme products. They're good. Now I use Pantene. Can't imagine what it was like before "creme rinses" and conditioners. I ALWAYS finish up with Pantene conditioner.

For an excellent, inexpensive once-a-month conditioner I use the left over mayonnaise in the bottom of the jar. I learned this in beauty school... not that we used it on the patrons. LOL If you do this, do it before you wash your hair. Wrap it in Saran wrap or a clear plastic bag and either sit in the sun, if you have time, or use the blow dryer on a warm setting just to keep it warm. The warmth opens up "the pores" of the hair and it absorbs better. Why mayo? It has eggs as protein source and certainly has "oil".

Definitely use a wide tooth comb either in the shower with conditioner still on the hair or after the shower to detangle the hair. Start from the ENDS of your hair and work your way up. DON'T rip the tangles out, work them out with the comb. DO NOT BRUSH wet hair! It stretches the hair and it will break much easier even after it's dry. That will cause more tangling.

The reason women used to brush their hair 200 strokes before they went to bed was to get the oil glands going, get that oil as close to the ends as possible simply to make the hair shine. If you have normal to dry hair, go for it but be very careful with the ends. Use a natural bristle brush.

When you start seeing split ends, get a trim. The trim will promote some hair growth... just like "pinching back a plant." Split ends do not stop your hair from growing. What it really is, is hair breakage. UGH!

Flat (to get rid of the bubbles and the drying alcohol) beer is also a good conditioner and it's a "leave-in."