How do I get smooth and silky hair?

[GIDGET]

Hi Ladies,

I am insanely jealous of those women who have perfectly smooth, shiny, silky hair - like in the TV commercials. I want to know their secret! I want smooth shiny hair too!

I have been using Pantene Always Smooth for a week - well, let's say it hasn't happened overnight. Will it happen? Do I need to use something else?

Today, I still have the annoying whispy, static look - why is it always me?

I have straight hair so when a hair is out of place - which is always - it shows! Why do I feel like the mum who turns up to Pre-school pick up in a rush, with toddler finger sticky food stained clothing, messy hair and lip stick on her teeth. Maybe that is not always true - sometimes I can look like I have it together.

Don't pity me - just let me in on your secrets!

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Sounds like you may need a volumising mousse. This will lift the roots, so it looks like you have thicker hair, and will keep a bit of a hold without being too static (use when hair is wet with a hairdryer). If your hair is short, try wax on dry hair instead.

I'm using Pantene "sleek and smooth" hair (I think that's the one) and have noticed I need to boof up the roots with that. My hair still forms waves at the bottom but does look better now I sort out the roots/volume problem.

ETA- if you use a tinted lip balm then that doesn't stain your teeth. Good luck!

[visitor1]

I use Flex....and its the best stuff i found for smooth silky hair.. and the only one that does not make my hair appear oily once it dries!

[Shanti]

i use a leave-in conditioner for my hair that i comb through when its wet or dry. it keeps it smelling nice all day and feels so smooth....
Pantene coats your hair with a substance called "salysilic acid" (sp?) that is also found in some other shampoos. but what it does is strip your hair of its natural oils and minerals that keep your hair shiny and silky naturally, and so its sort of artificially making your hair smooth does that make sense?!? but theres been many reports on Pantene... its up to you, some ppl love it, others dont touch it. i dont touch it... i believe it can permanently damage your hair over time and dry it out (but that is only my opinion and from what i've read and experienced with my hair)...but if you arent worried about that and want your hair to appear smooth and silky, then go for it cos it does seem to work cos of the chemicals they put in them.
but leave in conditoiners are good...i use Schwarzkopf professional Bonacure Hairtherapy Moisture Kick conditioner... its really good!!! !(from hairdressers)
why dont you use the pantene and then the leave in conditioner afterwards??

[Lisa]

Pantene coats your hair with a substance called "salysilic acid" (sp?) that is also found in some other shampoos. but what it does is strip your hair of its natural oils and minerals that keep your hair shiny and silky naturally, and so its sort of artificially making your hair smooth does that make sense?!? but theres been many reports on Pantene... its up to you, some ppl love it, others dont touch it. i dont touch it... i believe it can permanently damage your hair over time and dry it out (but that is only my opinion and from what i've read and experienced with my hair)

So so so so TRUE!!!
EVERY hairdresser I have been to says that Pantene is the worst thing you can use in your hair... mostly because of stuff that it coats your hair in.

IMO, the only way to get beautiful, shiny hair is to use good products, and to have regular trims... and use a good, natural fibre brush.

[CatherineL]

Pantene coats your hair with a substance called "salysilic acid" (sp?) that is also found in some other shampoos.

Salicylic Acid is used on the skin... and as the name 'acid' it breaks down the glue that holds the dead skin cells together - it is a form of exfoliation and is also known to be used to treat warts and fungal infections. It is not used in Pantene; it is however used in anti dandruff products and is not a 'bad' compound.

What Renee is meaning is that Pantene, among other products on the market (even some from hairdressers) leave a coating of silicone and also cause a protein build up. This build up is not removable other than growing the hair out and having it cut out. It causes problems with chemical treatments like perms and chemical straightening and hair colour isn't as effective as it should be. After a few weeks the silicone coating breaks down, leaving the hair unmanageable and damaged. You might see some women with beautiful roots and terrible lengths... above is the cause of this.

Not all products that leave a coating of silicone are bad, in many cases people with very damaged hair from excessive bleach etc. can actually leave a better result.
Products that give you that instant smooth and wow feeling, usually have left some form of silicone coating on the hair. Great hair isn't something that happens over night... it takes allot of maintenance. Using cold water when washing hair, towel drying hair before applying conditioner so it can be absorbed - otherwise the hair is full of water and can't absorb the product and so you’re basically just pouring your products down the drain. If you've got the coin, replace your conditioner with a treatment every wash - which should be every 3-4 days, not everyday and ensure it's not a protein treatment. Too much protein is norty. O o o... and the reason why the really cheap shampoo and conditioner is frowned upon is because it's basically detergent... you might as well grab your dish washing liquid and foam up the hair with that. That's why some people feel as though their hair isn't as 'clean' when they use a quality wash because it doesn't leave that squeaky feeling the cheaper ones do. It strips the hair of everything including all the good natural oils your hair should contain which is part of having healthy and beaut looking hair.

But in saying all that - I am just trying to be informative, each to their own and everyone should use what works for them... just because a gf recommends shampoo that works wonders for her doesn't mean it will for you - everyone's hair is different and needs different things.

Gidget - have you got some breakage?

[BamBam]

I use a hair straightener! I only use a cheap-ish shampoo for normal hair atm, as my hair has been a bit yuk from hormones.
A bit of hair moisturiser on the ends so the straightening doesn't dry it out, (i use schwartzkopf when I use it) and a spray of heat activated straightening stuff.. that smells suspiciously like vinegar.... (also schwartzkopf) and my hair looks and feels reeeeeeeally noice! no frizz, no waves, just dead straight swishy hair!

contemplates whipping out the straightener....

I have had a pretty shocking experience with Pantene - my hair started to actually break and fall out! Wasn't a good hair day (or few months) at ALL!! I still cringe at the memory.

ETA - Kim, I remember Flex! I remember it smelling kinda candy-like. Might look out for it next time I need to buy shampoo

[Jodie259]

I think using a 'professional' shampoo can make a big difference. I have always purchased shampoo's & conditioners from hair salons/suppliers.. and I can tell the difference when I use a supermarket shampoo/conditioner.

Like Renstar... I always put leave in conditioner in my hair. Whether it be cream, spray or serum.

Occassionally I use a hair masque - but normally when the ends are getting ratting and I'm due for a haircut.

Talking of haircuts - if you have split ends - its near impossible to get your hair really smoothe. So trimming off all the dead stuff can make a big difference.

And just blowdrying the hair can make a big difference. Pulling your hair tight (ideally on one of those round brushes)... and holding it to cool down before you release the brush. Once you've blowdried the hair, you can put some smoothing serum on the ends. Don't use too much serum though, as it can make your hair look greasy.

And don't try to emulate the models on TV and magazines... those girls do have beautiful hair - but they have professional hairdressers and their hair is then touched up to make it look perfect.

[~Jo~]

Ive never ever head anything good about pantene, for our hair and the environment, but a shampoo conditioner from the salon might be just the thing you need.

Jo

[Nadine216]

I swear by Avon shampoo and conditoner (Smooth and Sleek) The hair I have left is to die for (if I must say so myself) I wil never use anything els

[ShootingStar]

Ive heard pantene isnt that great for your hair too.
I use sunsilk and this its great. Maybe also try getting a treatment? They usually leave my hair all nice and silky smooth.

[Shanti]

yeah i agree with Kellxx, get a treatment once a month on your hair if you can afford it at the hairdressers or if not, buy the little packet ones they arent as intense but they are good and cheaper. they do the job!

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Oooh, not heard Pantene is that bad, only bought it because it was on offer! Going to change my shampoo this weekend now.

[Netix]

I have really long hair, and will not use pantene anymore. Apparently it basically coats your hair in something pretty much the same as silicone. Nice.
Sometimes I use the really cheap "fruit" shampoo and cond. from coles, and the result from that, I find pretty good, but prefer Scwartzcof (ha- don't you love my spelling!) anti-frizz stuff when I can afford it.

[Cricket]

I think that your diet has a big influence on the state of your hair. And apparently you need to use a pH balanced shampoo. One hair dresser said that the shampoo should be runny in your hand. If it all "clumps" together, and you can pass it from one hand to the other in one big "glop", not a "trickle", then it has too much wax in it, and that will make your hair gunky and dull.
But I read about a hair conditioner that is apparently great for getting smooth, shiny, silky hair. It is not great for fine limp hair, but if your hair is relatively thick, with a bit of "substance" or body, then it's supposed to be good! You just take an avocado and throw it in the blender with a tablespoon of olive oil, blend it smooth, and rub it through your hair, especially at the ends. Wrap your hair up in a towel and leave it for 1/2 to 1 hour, then rinse out, and if you feel you need to, use a really gentle shampoo on it (maybe a baby shampoo?). I haven't tried it myself, yet, but it sounds easy enough and not too expensive to try! HTH!

[paradise lost]

Cricket i've done it and you probably will need baby shampoo to get it out - the olive oil clings and doesn't rinse!

So many things can help with hair - rinsing it with beer makes it shiny (rinse the shampoo out then rinse with beer and leave it a bit, then rinse again with cold water) and everything from mayonaisse to plain olive oil can make it smoother.

My 2 "tricks" are a salon-bought shampoo and conditioner, and a womens vitamin with extra Vit E and a 1000mg EPO every day. The oil really helps the new growth to be strong and shiny, and the shampoo and conditioner (sytem professional 1.1 and 2.1) keep it healthy.

Bec

[Shanti]

I take Mega B Vitamins too, they help with hair growth, new cells etc hence my hair has been nicer the last 3mths since taking them

[barbie-up]

I have heard that using pantene can be the worst thing when you colour or have stuff done to your hair, because of the coating, colours just don't stick properly.

Also, I bought a 1litre bottle of cheap coles conditioner to use as a nit/lice thing for my daughters hair and I used it in my hair and got two shiney compliments that day !! So I went back and bought the matching shampoo !