My hair is fine, 2b/c, High porosity hair. It doesn’t curl for the first couple inches, but idk if that’s because of genetics or something I’m doing wrong. Either way, I have symptoms of not having enough of either protein or moisture. It’s dry and frizzy, and sometimes feels like hay, but also breaks easily and is stringy when it’s wet. All I do is shampoo and condition with shea moistures light blue hydrate and repair. I scrunch it damp and then diffuse on cool for a little but not fully dry. I need ideas for products, and I’m open for deep conditioners or hair masks or something, but I like to get out the door and try not to spend long styling it.
We have very, very similar hair, and I’ve always struggled with this problem. I’m gonna tell you what I’m working on. Maybe it will work for you. Shea Moisture was always way too heavy for me. Yes, you might need moisture, but it’s not great for fine hair. I use a gentle clarifying shampoo that does include sulfates, and right now, I’m shampooing twice a week, three times if something gets funky and I need a refresh. I know that Curly Girl acolytes go sulfate free, but my fine, thin hair needs the cleanser. Before I shampoo, almost every time unless I’m coming back from a run or just don’t have time, I coat my hair in quality extra virgin olive oil. I leave it on for about an hour. Sometimes I’ll coat my hair and then go for a walk or a run, even. I shampoo, then I use a deep conditioner that I leave on for several minutes in the shower. I rinse with lukewarm water, towel dry, then follow with a leave-in conditioner on the ends only, finger coil and gently scrunch, then air dry, unless I need to go out, then I gently diffuse. Sometimes I will root clip if I feel like it. I do this about two times a week, like I said.
If my hair is getting limp in between washes, I will rinse with only water in the shower and follow with the leave-in conditioner again on the ends. I tend to root clip after a water-only wash to help the roots from lying flat.
Now, I’m starting a new routine with my Sunday wash. I’m doing an egg mask. I followed this woman’s video (besides the extra products she uses like The Ordinary hair serum) the first time, and I ended up with really hydrated, defined curls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LhfHaxi4p0
I’m going to try doing this once a week through the fall and winter and see what kind of results I get.
Because my hair is so fine and prone to breakage and being weighed down, I’m hoping that the oil and egg will add some much-needed moisture, protein, and general nutrition.
Also I just watched this guy’s video and maybe I’m a little persuaded now. Anyway, good luck! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXiZAQwZQjc