Straw-like hair

Years ago, by chance, I found a drop of tea tree oil in conditioner gave a lovely shine to my hair. More recently I’ve realised a drop of any oil in conditioner works as well.

What memories this thread has brought back! Thank you, Kiwiqueen123. Sadly, Linco Beer shampoo (we knew it as Linc-o-Lin beer shampoo in the 60s) was discontinued in 2011 because of poor sales. However, Superdrug then launched their own version, which apparently is also unavailable! There is Anelco beer shampoo, but I have no information on that! As a teenager in the 60s with oily hair, I used Sunsilk with lemon in it, lemon juice being one of the remedies we used for dull hair. Sadly also discontinued!! I still remember the gorgeous summer scent of it.
Just a quick question, Kiwiqueen. Do you live in a hard water area, or have you recently moved to one? Hard water can play havoc with the feel of hair. DGD, who used to work for L'Oréal, is now struggling to maintain shiny hair after moving from the Midlands to the Home Counties. She has been using Avon's Mirror Shine with some success, but they appear to have rebranded and reformulated it, and I haven't heard anything since.....
Good luck with your quest

Had the same problem after years of highlights even though always used conditioner after shampoo. Now use Philip `Kingsley Elasticizer about once a month. Wet hair, slather on elasticizer, cover with shower cap and leave on for approx 1 hour. Shampoo off afterwards and hair is always much softer and shinier and far less straw like.

I wash my highlighted hair every 3 or 4 days and use a conditioner that matches whatever shampoo I happen to have bought. When dry I use a spot of Argan oil on the ends. I've tried all types of Argan oil and found that Morrocanoil (brown bottle, blue label) is the best but the most expensive at around £30 a bottle. It lasts me ages though.
However, I also like OGX products from Boots or Tesco, much cheaper and good results. Some of the really cheap Argan oil at £2-3 a bottle makes my hair really greasy.

HeatherMH

Mine was the same with highlights despite using conditioner and heat protection spray. Even though I have a lot of greys now, I dye my hair chestnut brown every 5 weeks and my hair is now lovely and shiny. It seems you can’t have blonde and shiny

I do! I can’t reiterate enough, L’Oréal Elvive Low Shampoo and JF Frizz Ease serum.

My hair is bleached blonde but in nice condition. I use Elvive Low Shampoo it cleans and conditions at the same time. I then use John Frieda Frizz Ease serum that you apply to soaking wet hair. I swear by both these products, especially the shampoo. I apply it when I first get in the shower and leave it on while washing myself. I’m amazed more people don’t use it, it’s sls free with a creamy consistency, doesn’t lather but leaves hair clean and soft.

Have you mentioned it to the hairdresser who it your highlights in

I would also advocate the use of oil. In my case, I use Sebastian Dark Oil. My hair is white and has never been so healthy and shiny.
I use it before blow drying and then finish off with a small drop on my fingertips which I then run through my finished style.

Vinegar gets remnants of shampoo out of your hair, it used to be one of those ‘beauty tips’ that was frequently mentioned by girls’ magazines like Jackie.

There was a beer shampoo called Linco Beer which gave my hair body and shine. Not sure if they make it any more, but a beer rinse might give results.

My hair was naturally very dark brown and always had a nice shine, as it greyed I thought having some highlights would help to blend the grey in but this has caused it to dry out & made it prone to brassiness & consequently lose its shine. Straightening hasn’t helped.
I tried several shampoos & conditioners but have found Tigi Bed Head for dry & damaged hair very good, it also smells lovely, it’s the one it deep turquoise bottle.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

You definitely need to use a really good quality shampoo and conditioner with highlights or your hair will become very brittle and straw like.
I have highlights twice a year and have tried many different shampoo and conditioner. My current favourite is Loreal Pro.Longer professional shampoo and conditioner it's not cheap but it's a miracle worker in fine highlighted hair.
Once a month I use an overnight leave in hair tonic like Olaplex which is expensive but have also used coconut from a jar and rub it all over my scalp and through my hair it smells divine and wash it the next day with my shampoo and conditioner.

I’ve got highlights, and my hair is shortish, and quite wavy. I don’t like to use conditioner because it makes the rest of my hair go too flat, and it makes my head itchy. I use Umberto Giannini Curl Friends finishing cream, after I’ve dried my hair I put it on my hands and pass them over my hair, so it goes on the top highlighted layer only.

That might be in your case but not everyone.
John Freida shampoo and conditioner for blondes and coloured hair.plus occasional hair mask.

Always use a conditioner after shampooing on your hair specially if you have bleached highlights.
I have longer hair and highlighted I only use a conditioner about half the way down on my hair but never on the roots as it makes my hair a bit oily.
I am often complimented on my lovely hair, now if I could get some weight off I would be more than happy.

my hair was literally my crowning glory. Always being commented on. Now front going thin, grey brillo sprouting on hair line, depressing. Hey ho. Wondering whether to just have a short bob and to heck with it.

Mine was the same with highlights despite using conditioner and heat protection spray. Even though I have a lot of greys now, I dye my hair chestnut brown every 5 weeks and my hair is now lovely and shiny. It seems you can’t have blonde and shiny

Use argan oil after every wash, and apply a hair mask every other week. Best not to use highlighting solutions, but if you need to cover grey perhaps you can use a hair colourant without ammonia. Trim regularly.

Another vote for Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, I've used it for years - great stuff.

I mix in a cup a tablespoon of any conditioner with half tablespoon of olive oil. Plaster it all over my hair especially down the lengths, and wrap in a hot wrung out damp towel, leave tightly wrapped round head for however long you want from ten minutes to an hour or so.

Shampoo three times, and condition.

This works for me, I have white chin length hair which I straighten.

I have tried other expensive oils, and the only one that works as good as olive oil is almond oil.

I do it maybe once every couple months, would benefit from more often really, but each time I do it it feels soft and lovely and very shiny.

Nannashirlz

I use Philip Kingsley elastic I buy if from qvc you put it on your hair before you shampoo and it works brilliant I’m on Dmards so my hair was in a really bad straw state. I wouldn’t be without it and i also use baby shampoo after I’ve had my hair dyed makes your hair lovely and soft lol

If qvc you can try for a month if it’s not for you you can return and get a refund but I bought it off eBay first to try it. I’ve used it for 5yrs now ppl have asked me what I use on my hair unfortunately like most stuff you have to pay extra money to get the best stuff. But definitely try baby shampoo

Nannashirlz

I use Philip Kingsley elastic I buy if from qvc you put it on your hair before you shampoo and it works brilliant I’m on Dmards so my hair was in a really bad straw state. I wouldn’t be without it and i also use baby shampoo after I’ve had my hair dyed makes your hair lovely and soft lol

One more vote for Philip Kingsley elasticiser - I could see a difference after one use

2 months ago I bought shampoo and conditioner off my hairdresser after reading they don’t use harsh shampoo or conditioner. My hair is not only really shiny but looks healthy and thicker.

I use Philip Kingsley elastic I buy if from qvc you put it on your hair before you shampoo and it works brilliant I’m on Dmards so my hair was in a really bad straw state. I wouldn’t be without it and i also use baby shampoo after I’ve had my hair dyed makes your hair lovely and soft lol

For colour treated hair, I’d recommend either Olaplex or Color Wow. Both expensive but you get what you pay for. Sulphate free products are better and conditioner is a must. And always use heat protector spray.