NWR: my hair is a rat's nest

Go to the salon and buy shampoo from there. Yes pricey but worth it. The stuff at other stores is not the same. It's like bottom of the barrel stuff.

Ok, cool! Thanks! I'll do some Google searching and find a reputable place around here

When was the last time you had a trim? If you don't trim it regularly, the split ends start forming and traveling up the hair shaft--thus causing tangles galore, no matter how many conditioning treatments you do.

As a stylist, I always tell clients trying to grow out their hair that they absolutely have to come in AT LEAST every 12 weeks for a trim to maintain the health of the hair.

Coconut oil is great for hair, though, so definitely keep using that! And if you have any treatments/products with protein, lay off for awhile. You can actually over-proteinize the hair with those, which will make it feel dry and brittle.

You can get salon products off Amazon cheaper. That might help the wallet

Sorry, Deb, but I would really advise against getting professional products off of Amazon! Many times they are either watered down, expired, or a different product with the "correct" label! The only way to guarantee the product you're getting is to buy it from an authorized seller...

This is the best picture I think I have that shows my hair texture (before I hacked it off to get the color out)...I feel your pain! Give Shea Moisture or Carols Daughter products a try. I personally love the Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil deep conditioner. I also use Kinky Curly Knot Today leave in/detangler. You can get both in the natural hair care section in Target.

Mine naturally has a bit of wave to it and is past middle of my back. If I'm wearing it wavy, I comb through it with wide tooth comb in shower after I work conditioner through. Then rinse.

This brush also helps a ton:

http://www.sephora.com/the-original-detangling-hairbrush-P399334?skuId=1739812&om_mmc=ppc-GG&mkwid=sxHRyNnhw&pcrid=102317976399&pdv=t&site=_search&country_switch=&lang=en&gclid=CNvBi87Jtc4CFROUfgodeYIGLw

@bailey, really? I thought straightening it was making my hair worse?

@I_CRE8, I had a trim a few weeks ago, but it didn't feel much better afterward, so maybe I should go in for another?

I'll also check the protein levels in the products I use.

@deb, kir1112 and keri, thanks for the tip!

Keri, I love those tight curls! Mine are nothing like that, but I can imagine the upkeep is hard!

I would keep up on regular trims - even when you treat your hair like gold it is natural and unavoidable to not get split ends especially with curly hair which is naturally more dry. I have curly hair and get trims every 6 weeks religiously (and honestly they only take a fraction of a centimeter off when you get it done regularly). I also use redken all soft shampoo and conditioner and it is great on my hair! Worth the extra $$.

I have soooo many things to say, so many. I'll try to edit myself here but let me just say that shampoo is the ENEMY. The worst enemy you've ever known.

Shampoo was not designed to clean your hair, shampoo was designed to strip hair product out of your hair--so if you're using products with silicones in them, you need shampoo. Best way to treat your hair is to stop using all those products that require a harsh stripper and start cowashing. Yep, that means no shampoo (I use it maybe once a month at most to give myself a refresh). Conditioner has the same cleansing agents, just less harsh, so it's wayyyyy better on your hair.

I use Kinky Curly Curling Custard in my hair. I tried a lot of brands and settled on this one because it's petroleum free, silicone free, plastic free, mineral oil free, carbomer free, acrylic free, alcohol free, wax, free, paraben free (it's easier to look up what you can use in your hair than what you shouldn't) and the best part---cruelty free. Target sells a lot of products like this in a special section, which is where I buy this. Best way to treat your hair is to find a water-soluable product like this.

I cowash my hair every time I'm in the shower, and comb (never brush) through it in the shower while still wet. Apply the curling stuff to dripping wet hair and let dry. It's amazing.

Kir I love that brush and I love it. Sometimes it's the only thing that can deal with my hair. It's thick and pouffy, but settles into waves as it gets longer. Curly if it gets wet and I let it air dry.

Thanks @Cryst'l! It's just annoying sometimes to comb it out. Definitely keep trying to find the right products. It took A LOT of trial and error for me to find the right combo of products that my hair likes. I agree with @AMW that shampoo should be used sparsely. I still use it, but I cowash more than anything.

I bought off of amazon and I did not get the product I usually buy at the salon. It was imitation with the name brand label. It dried my hair out and even my hairdresser noticed.

For my curls I use Deva Curl for shampoo and conditioner (leave in) and Ouidad for frizz.

Oh I feel you girl! My hair is rat nest city - I've had to cut out knots before ! I recommend these items from lush, they have changed my hair! Big shampoo, rehab shampoo, retread, and tangled hair treatment! Love Lush!