Reddit reviews Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner with Peppermint and Eucalyptus - Cruelty Free (16 oz)

I have this same patch. I put in Havana Twists to keep the ends protected and it's helped a lot. Between that and my regimen, I've been seeing that section match up to the rest of my hair length. It's still a little shorter but it's a lot stronger and there's way less breakage there than there used to be.

I don't shampoo my hair ever. I just co-wash using This Trader Joe's conditioner. Though I do plan on switching to This conditioner by them because I've heard great reviews about it and my hair stops being really responsive to conditioners after a while. My hair still responds to the first one relatively well but I've noticed it's seeming a little more lack luster than when I first started using it.

I spray my hair/scalp with a mix of Aloe Juice and Water every day and use either just straight up coconut oil or this hair moisturizer (I know you're not all for a bunch of homemade stuff but I essentially swear by her products. They make my hair so soft and they seal in the moisture perfectly, helping bring out more natural shine). With that product, a little goes a long way. so though it's 16 bucks you're putting down, it will last you a while. I bought my first bottle of it about 4-5 months ago and I still haven't made much of a dent in it.

The biggest thing is probably making sure that part of your head is getting the amount of moisture it needs and locking it in.

I've also started doing deep conditioning protein treatments once a month or so. It's gross but I use a small thing of Greek Yogurt, one egg, a bunch of honey and vitamin E. My hair responds so well to it, and I make sure to slather that part with it a ton because it helps strengthen it a shit load. My hair has also been incredibly responsive to it, leading to way less breakage then what I used to get.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

I just use Trader Joes. Works the same and is a lot cheaper.

https://www.amazon.com/Trader-Joes-Peppermint-Eucalyptus-Botanicals/dp/B002LMBLTY

https://www.amazon.com/Trader-Joes-Conditioner-Peppermint-Eucalyptus/dp/B002LMNJDA/ref=pd_bxgy_194_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B002LMNJDA&pd_rd_r=GMZVBCNK17PZNZY7FBKW&pd_rd_w=9iAjh&pd_rd_wg=eGMON&psc=1&refRID=GMZVBCNK17PZNZY7FBKW

If you have a Trader Joe's nearby, I found this conditioner to be decent for co-washing: http://www.amazon.com/Trader-Joes-Conditioner-Peppermint-Eucalyptus/dp/B002LMNJDA

(It's much cheaper, $3.99 at the store).

You may want to consider this in your discovery process, but I actually have 95% foregone shampoo and mostly co-wash (conditioner-only wash). Basically, I wash out my hair with conditioner instead of shampoo, completely rinse my hair, then apply conditioner again and let it sit for at least 2 minutes before continuing with the rest of my routine. With the right conditioner, it will soften your hair, help it be shinier, and will absolutely avoid alcohols, silicones, sulfates, and parabens, obviously depending on the brand you buy. I recently bought this stuff, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. If you want a smaller bottle, Trader Joe's Tea Tree Conditioner will do the trick, too (nevermind the listed price in the link I gave you. In-store it's like $4 for a bottle).

I only mention this because you said your scalp is dry and flaky, and it may be that your hair is on the drier side, too, as a consequence of the product you're using. It could also be that your scalp needs a little more love and isn't the product at all. These are things you'll find out in the process.

I personally think you should start slow and easy with the hair styling products you're looking into. Try just a blow drier and a barrel/round hair brush to begin with. Here's a beginner video for how to blow dry with a round brush. If you really, really need one, a ceramic straightener would be the next tool you'd want. If you want your hair to never move, then tons of gel is the answer, but it's up to you if you want your hair to be more dynamic and flowy or stay in place more.

/u/Lunakill mentioned some things to seriously consider, because it will change how your hair reacts to certain products.
(For example, my hair is low porosity, meaning it takes longer to get wet and retain product. As a result, my hair needs to be completely sopping wet and I have to apply a megaton of gel before I let it dry.)

To reiterate, I would also agree that you should avoid putting product in your hair since you're just starting out. I absolutely believe that a blow dry with a round brush will do the trick.

Yeah, of course!

The right picture I used Macadamia Hair Mask and then Neutrogena Triple Moisture Leave-In. I put it up in a hair wrap for a while (do HW, clean, etc) then applied Cantu Curl Activator Cream.

The left pictures were about 1 year ago so I'm not exactly sure but I probably I used either Trader Joe's TTO Conditioner or Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Shampoo. Leave-In, up in hair wrap, Curl Enhancing Smoothie or KCCC.

This is my favorite method for definition.
:)

A bit late to the party, but do you have a Trader Joe's nearby? If so, I highly recommend their Tea Tree Tingle conditioner (it's not that expensive in-store). It's really lightweight and highly moisturizing for my curly hair.

Edit: also, if that is too light, I also use the TJ Nourish Spa conditioner. This is thicker, and I use it to clump my curls, but it is very very moisturizing. I've been using these conditioners for about three years, and my hair is never heavy.

The same friend I got the other advice from has recommended this conditioner and the shampoo that comes with it.

I haven't tried it personally yet, but her hair always looks great, so I'm assuming it works well.