A question for Helen Cater

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   frogdroppingposted 15 years ago

   Helen - I need some advice and you're the resident HubHair expert and so what I'd like to know is - can you recommend me a gel type hair thing that doesn't make me itch?
   
   My hair is very long and very stupid. It has a natural weirdness all of its own and I've discovered if I shove a little tiny bit of gel in it it seems to calm down.
   
   It becomes quite wavy but the main thing is it doesn't descend into a knotty mess. But - I need something that washes out easy, doesn't build up and doesn't make me feel like a dog with fleas - which is a terrible analaogy but that's what I feel like.
   
   And can you fit me in for a cut please, I'm in the UK next month and after hacking at it for months I think it needs a little human touch
   
   Thankyou very much in advance (and in the hope that you find this)

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      Helen Caterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Frogdropping I just found this after nine days and I am sorry for not seeing it sooner. Tigi do a great range of products for curly hair and the best tamer is called tigi curl amplifier. I use this on my customers with frizzy hair and they find it slightly lighter than a mousse or gel and it does not itch. In fact it gives your hair a little shine too. Sounds like a leave in conditioning spray could work well as I am assuming you don't do much to it. You are more than welcome to come to my salon and have your hair done, but you may not be coming to my neck of the woods.

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   rednckwmnposted 15 years ago

   Hey, sorry Im not Helen, but...I have hair..do you see me there?
   I have very little money, less time, and no patience. So, just for one teeny bit of advice that you can toaltlly ignore, and I wont be offend, mousse works better for me. Do you use a hiardryer? dryers are bad..
   shampoo...only put it on your scalp, less then you think you need..as it rinses out, it wil wash you rother hiar, wich if its long, is quite dry and damaged, adn needs tons of tlc to keep hte frizzies away
   next, conditioner!!!! If your going to spend money, spend it on conditioner. I like pantene...restoratives...let it sit there for the rest of your shower/bath, a good long time.
   Product, I have found theramasilk, and also tressame, to work good. If you want a leave-in conditioner, try Neutrogena, its in a yellow tube.
   Mousse, works real nice, dont put it on your scalp, just the endings part, and scrunch alot, to make even curl..dont blowdry...
   I so far, have not gotten itchy from this.

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3. 0

   rednckwmnposted 15 years ago

   Oh, yeah, plus, can I have a cut too, please Helen?

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      frogdroppingposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I asked first.
      
      And I have a hairdryer but don't use it. I have brushes and don't use them either. And my hair is probs about halfway down my back - yours looks the same.
      
      Never thought of mousse. I use shampoo (no idea what it's called I just pick one up and buy it) but not conditioner. It's slimy.
      
      You're very good Red - and you and your hair look great. I don't look great but my hair does. Still very dark and always shiny - something to be said for leaving it be

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      Helen Caterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Sure you can perhaps we could have a hubpages pamper day at my salon.

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4. 74

   frogdroppingposted 15 years ago

   Woooooo thankyou Helen. I just cut it again the other day. That's maybe three times now in two weeks. It's a mess
   
   And funny but the other day I was reading  price list in a hairdressers window down the street, wondering whether to go in and ask for a tidy up - when one of the staff wandered out for a cigarette. She told me my hair was lovely and asked who cut it. I mumbled some rubbish and walked off. If she thought my hair was great - I didn't want them making it worse ...
   
   I'm over the UK in a couple of weeks so I'll go and look for the Tigi stuff. It's not mega wavy or anything. I have a good dose of thick, black, curly asian hair, in and among my 'usual' hair, which is dark brown, a little kinky and european in texture/type. So you can imagine the fun I have.
   
   As for leave in conditioners, never use them. I rarely do anything with it. I'm surprised my hair hasn't got up and left
   
   Thanks for the advice, I will try it out. And I take it your down south or something? I'm heading for Yorkshire
   
   *edit: smiley addict *

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   1. 62

      Helen Caterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I'm over the UK in a couple of weeks so I'll go and look for the Tigi stuff. It's not mega wavy or anything. I have a good dose of thick, black, curly asian hair, in and among my 'usual' hair, which is dark brown, a little kinky and european in texture/type. So you can imagine the fun I have. Yorkshire is the other end of the country from where I am but you should be able to find it. Sounds like the reason you have such great hair is because you don't mess around with it like the rest of us. Wish I could swap with you mine is so fine now but I still manage to find ways to make it appear thicker. I think you would love that curl range as it won't look like you have anything in your hair. One day you might treat yourself to a good old cut and then you can ask the stylist to try out a few products. The best of both worlds then.

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   Sufidreamerposted 15 years ago

   I used to have a real problem with claggy hair and itchy scalp - I switched to cheap, own-brand shampoo from Superdrug or Boots and things improved.
   
   Another little tip: Our water is ridiculously hard - it flows through pure limestone. I make up a jug of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water and do a final rinse with that after conditioning.
   
   You smell like a chippy for about half an hour, but that disappears and you are left with a glossy shine. I use red wine vinegar, but cider vinegar is also very good

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6. 74

   frogdroppingposted 15 years ago

   Wow Sufi - you know more than me about beautiful hair
   
   I always wash my hair in cold water. Don't know why. Just do. seems to be clean and shiny when it eventually dries. Other than that, I brush it about once a week.

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      Sufidreamerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      lol - I worked in Superdrug for a while, so picked up a few tips Cold water is good - the Mediterranean sunshine causes enough heat damage!
      
      My hair used to be halfway down my back, but it is thinning, now

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      1. 62

         Helen Caterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Great tips thanks as I find my hair is awful when I travel to Europe. Will have to try this one as at home it is good, but abroad unless it's the States, it can become very fluffy

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   cindyvineposted 15 years ago

   I need a haircut urgently as I'm looking like a woolly mammoth.  Helen, can you help?

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   1. 62

      Helen Caterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      What kind of help do you need? are you thinking of changing your style?

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