The Long Hair Community - Terressentials / other clays

Madeleine · May 1st, 2003, 08:31 AM

Before I try washing with clays I wanted to ask a few questions:

How much of that stuff do you all use? So much that you're just able to spread it (which would probably be just a little more than regular shampoo)? Or do you saturate your hair with lots of product, like you do when C/O washing?

Do you apply it to all of your hair, or just to the scalp?

How long do you leave it in before you rinse?

Do you just apply and rinse, or do do any scrubbing/washing with it? If so, do you wash before or after it sat on your head for a while?

Will I be able to comb through after I applied the clay?

Do you apply the stuff to wet or dry hair?

Anything else I should know before I start experimenting?

Thanks in advance for any help

Elspeth30 · May 1st, 2003, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madeleine

Before I try washing with clays I wanted to ask a few questions:

I have been using Terressentials recently (2 washes so far.)

How much of that stuff do you all use? So much that you're just able to spread it (which would probably be just a little more than regular shampoo)? Or do you saturate your hair with lots of product, like you do when C/O washing?

I use a little more than regular shampoo.

Do you apply it to all of your hair, or just to the scalp?

Mostly scalp (I part my hair down to the nape and apply up from the nape, out from the part, and then run my lightly coated hands down the length.)

How long do you leave it in before you rinse?

About five minutes while I wash.

Do you just apply and rinse, or do do any scrubbing/washing with it? If so, do you wash before or after it sat on your head for a while?

Both before and after, I lightly massage my scalp with my fingertips. Since this stuff has no slip at all, I work my fingers to the scalp carefully)

Will I be able to comb through after I applied the clay?

In the shower? I definitely would not try that.

Do you apply the stuff to wet or dry hair?

Wet.

Anything else I should know before I start experimenting?

You definitely get a sticky feeling if you have used anything that has coated your hair, but it goes away if you stop doing that.
I've been using various oils, lavender and rosemary EO, and once yogurt with the Terressentials. I am not sure if the yogurt is really going to work...I will give it another chance though, since the day that I had off-putting results I had another product in my hair too. (I was playing with a style that needs sleek hair and put a 'natural' mousse in my hair...yuck.)

Thanks in advance for any help

No problem...but please post your results too.

-Elspeth

Jonobie · May 1st, 2003, 10:08 AM

*listens in to the answers* I've been curious about the same.

Cheers,
Jonobie

Heidi · May 1st, 2003, 10:38 AM

I've been wanting to try the Terressentials myself, so I'm looking forward to hearing more responses to this post.

Madeleine, I've been making a clay-based shampoo to see if clays would work for me:

The latest recipe is approx. 2 heaping tsp. of clay (the best would be fullers earth), 1 tsp. of molasses, and enough warm water to make a paste that is loose, but easy enough to scoop with my fingers and spread on my scalp without dripping.

I apply it to my dry hair by making little parts on top, at the crown, and behind and below the ears. I try to keep it off of the length. I massage a bit as I'm applying. I leave it in long enough to finish preparing for the shower and adjust the water temperature, so no more than 5 minutes, then I rinse it out with warm water and more massaging. Most of the time I follow up with an ACV or an herbal rinse.

So long as I make sure to apply it well (I get yucky if I don't apply spend some time on my crown), it gets my hair nice and clean. I do miss having a conditioner afterward, though.

rosepetal · May 2nd, 2003, 05:51 AM

Madeleine, I think you will enjoy the clay shampoos.

I use it similarly to the MM shampoos. I pat it on my fingers and apply it all over to my scalp. I gently massge the clay throughout my scalp without tangling my hair. I do not apply it to my length at all.

I let it sit for about one minute, and then rinse, rinse, rinse. I allow the clay to just wash over my length. A mild ACV rinse is good too, if your hair tolerates those well.

Have fun!!!!!

Madeleine · May 2nd, 2003, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosepetal

Madeleine, I think you will enjoy the clay shampoos.

I bet I will - I'm just trying to collect as much info as I can to give me a head start once I actually use them.
So far I'm trying to stick to MM only for a couple of weeks. I need to know which product causes what results (that's my inner scientist talking), although I'm really itching to try everything at once. It takes so looong to experiment when you wash twice a week at the most

Patience is a virtue ... Must ... restrain ... myself, LOL

Madeleine · May 2nd, 2003, 03:58 PM

And silly me meant to add a thank you to everyone who responded, your help is muchly appreciated!

One more thing ... do you find you need a conditioner with the clays, and if so, what do you use?

Thanks again!

rosepetal · May 3rd, 2003, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madeleine

do you find you need a conditioner with the clays, and if so, what do you use?

You might try the clay on its own first to see the results. It gives me tons of volume in my naturally stick-straight hair. The directions for starting Terressentials suggest that you shampoo several times with the clay to remove the residue from your hair. I followed this procedure, and liked the results. Just remember to RINSE a lot!

If you have trouble with your comb-out

, you could add a conditioner next time. Since I am sensitive to chemicals of late, I have been experimenting with several natural conditioners... Giovanni Smooth as Silk, and Tate's Natural Miracle Conditioner. I had slightly gummy results from the Giovanni Smooth as Silk, but may not have rinsed thoroughly, as others have raved about it. I only had the sample size, and will probably try it again. I like the Tate's conditioner very much so far... it is moisturizing and light. I have ordered the Paul Pender's Lemon Rinse, so I will try that next and post my results.

I would try whatever my favorite conditioner is to see what happens. The great thing about the clays is that they are so mild, but clean thoroughly. So, you won't damage your hair by using them alone, as long as your comb-out is gentle.

epiphanee · May 4th, 2003, 04:04 AM

To clean: 100% clay powder mixed with spring water &/or lemon juice. Amount sufficient to totally cover my scalp and hair. Let sit on head for 2 hours. Rinse off with wam and then cool water.

To condition: Coconut oil on damp hair.

That's it and I'm very happy with the results.

rosepetal · May 4th, 2003, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epiphanee

To clean: 100% clay powder mixed with spring water &/or lemon juice. Amount sufficient to totally cover my scalp and hair. Let sit on head for 2 hours.

Is that 2 minutes? Also, I read that you sometimes use just lemon juice to rinse the hair without "shampooing." How much do you dilute it, and doesn't it cause some dryness? Thanks!!!

epiphanee · May 4th, 2003, 05:36 AM

No - 2 hours.
I forgot to mention that before I clay-up, I do a heavy overnight oiling with castor oil.
During the 2 hours the clay dries up (tho' not completely). This pulls the oils off my hair and the dead skin off my scalp.
I feel more clean with this procedure than with any shampoo. Also, no itchies for the next 7 days.

I do a lemon-juice only wash on occasion which is just the juice of 2 large lemons applied to dry hair/scalp, covered with a thin shower-cap for 10 minutes and then rinsed off with water.
Tend to do this if I have been exercising and have a sweaty scalp.
It's not drying at all - just cleansing, freshening and invigorating.

Try it for yourself and see.

Anne · May 4th, 2003, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heidi

Madeleine, I've been making a clay-based shampoo to see if clays would work for me:

The latest recipe is approx. 2 heaping tsp. of clay (the best would be fullers earth), 1 tsp. of molasses, and enough warm water to make a paste that is loose, but easy enough to scoop with my fingers and spread on my scalp without dripping.

I apply it to my dry hair by making little parts on top, at the crown, and behind and below the ears. I try to keep it off of the length. I massage a bit as I'm applying. I leave it in long enough to finish preparing for the shower and adjust the water temperature, so no more than 5 minutes, then I rinse it out with warm water and more massaging. Most of the time I follow up with an ACV or an herbal rinse.

So long as I make sure to apply it well (I get yucky if I don't apply spend some time on my crown), it gets my hair nice and clean. I do miss having a conditioner afterward, though.

Heidi, I have some fuller's earth, I'll have to try your method. Sounds like it would work!

Madeleine · May 4th, 2003, 02:46 PM

Thanks Rosepetal and Epiphanee!

I actually tried the Sultry Spice today. I had been planning to stick to MM-only for longer, but shedding or no shedding, I either need more conditioning or an even gentler cleanser. My ends tangle!
I played around with the Euro oil as a pre-wash treatment, but I either wash it all off and it doesn't make a difference, or I use less shampoo and end up with even dryer and stiff hair due to oil residue - crunchies will be the next step and I don't need that. Monoi, Jojoba, EVOO, Euro - my hair just doesn't like oils, not damp nor dry, I guess I'll just have to accept that.

Anyhow, I oiled lightly and washed with MM Earth (boy does that stuff smell great) once. Used one of the MM spray conditioners, let air dry and ended up with stiff, tangly hair due to the pre-wash oil.
Decided that I needed to wash again. Thank heavens it's Sunday and I have the time.

Washed with Terressentials Sultry Spice twice, let the first lot sit on my head for about 15 minutes. Rinsed lots, used no conditioner, let air dry.

So far I'm pretty pleased with the results - this one cleans even gentler than the MM shampoos and I get enough slip to comb through while wet, even with no conditioner. This I found really amazing, considering that I smeared freakin' mud into my hair, LOL

Right now I have clean, almost tangle free, fluffy hair.
I still get those darn tiny fairy knots and mini tangles in my ends though now that my hair is dry. I don't have them when I use "real" conditioner. I think I'll experiment with Terressentials and my beloved Seal The Ends cone leave in next, although that mix sounds so absurd that I'd find it most surprising if it worked ...

Looking forward to brushing tomorrow night, the amount of static I get is always a good indicator of how well moisturized my hair is. With C/O I had no static whatsoever, I didn't even need to follow every brush stroke with my hand. I'd love to get there with natural products.

Oh gosh, I'm rambling ... maybe I should start a journal after all

rosepetal · May 5th, 2003, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madeleine

I actually tried the Sultry Spice today...Washed with Terressentials Sultry Spice twice, let the first lot sit on my head for about 15 minutes. Rinsed lots, used no conditioner, let air dry.

So far I'm pretty pleased with the results - this one cleans even gentler than the MM shampoos and I get enough slip to comb through while wet, even with no conditioner. This I found really amazing, considering that I smeared freakin' mud into my hair, LOL

That's great Madeleine!!! The Sultry Spice is my favorite. I have ordered a full-sized bottle. I was amazed too... as I have been a slave to heavy conditioners for many years... So, now I just spread mud on my hair and rinse... and my hair looks better than ever... with no conditioners!!!

I may try making my own clay mixtures now... feeling brave!

Jonobie · May 5th, 2003, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madeleine

Thanks Rosepetal and Epiphanee!
Washed with Terressentials Sultry Spice twice, let the first lot sit on my head for about 15 minutes. Rinsed lots, used no conditioner, let air dry.

So far I'm pretty pleased with the results - this one cleans even gentler than the MM shampoos and I get enough slip to comb through while wet, even with no conditioner. This I found really amazing, considering that I smeared freakin' mud into my hair, LOL

OH no. Must resist. Must resist. Must resist. ;-)

I managed to hold out through MM, but now Terressentials is tempting me! You've got to start a journal so I can keep an eye on your progress. If you still like it after I finish up my current batch of shampoo, I may be sold. ;-)

I suppose I could use my red clay at home again and see if it worked by itself. I dunno. I worry I've got weird clay or something, given my last experiment.

Cheers,
Jonobie