My hair sucks, and I'm depressed.

Krazy_Kat

I have horrible hair, I want to shave it off. No matter how much or how little I wash it, it looks oily. Like an oil slick. If a penguin gets too close they're in peril.

I was doing errands today and one of them was updating an ID, I forgot I needed a photo taken. I was like "waaaa do I have to"...The lady there was nice and said I didn't have to. But, I thought I was there and I may as well get it over with. So I hummed and harred and asked if I looked ok, and she was like "Errrrrrr" and hesitated, so I knew I looked like crap. So I said I'll come back in a few days, as I hadn't had much sleep and she said yeah, come back when you've dried your hair. DRIED MY HAIR? WTF It wasn't wet! I washed it the day before. My hair is so stupid, in one day it gets so oily it looks like it's wet?!!!!??? I hate my hair. I can't seem to fix it.

Also she showed me my ID picture I got taken in 1998, I was so slim and pretty, and my hair was nice. So now I feel old, fat with disgusting hair.

7funnygirl7

Do you have fine/thin hair? This happens to me because of these issues :sad:

letsgetskinny88

I'm sure you are fine.
But for thinning hair try taking some biotin, it truly helps! Also a good diet and loads of water help too.

beccyleigh

Dry shampoo. Without it my hair looks greasy after 1 day, with it, my hair looks amazing plus it gives it extra body.

One other thing you can do is when you wash it, don't shampoo the roots, start by rubbing the shampoo in the ends then work up to your scalp only gently massaging it in, more of a skim over really, then when you condition, never ever let it go within 3 inches of your scalp.

But invest in some dry shampoo, it's the bolloxs.

Krazy_Kat

Yeah, fine hair, hormones and genes. My mother had the same hair, but it got dry when she went through menopause, now she hardly ever washes it! Grrrrrr

L00py_T0ucan

But invest in some dry shampoo, it's the bolloxs.

What color hair do you have? I was just curious b/c my hair is black and I'm always worried that the dry shampoo will just make me look like I've gone grey. I heard there were some dark pigmented dry shampoos, but that they are 'a mess' - lolz.

jenniferleigh30

I absolutely have to wash my hair every day or it looks greasy. I've been known to wash it twice in one day if I'm going out at night and haven't washed it since early morning!

I have baby fine hair so it gets greasy really fast, especially in the summer!

scarlettgeorgia4

just put some talc/dry shampoo on it, does wonders

Mamasota

I have the opposite problem - dry hair but some guys at MIT came up with a new shampoo that works for me and they have one for all types of hair. The products bind something to your hair shaft to keep them separated. Maybe that would make yours look less like an oil slick. The products are called "Living Proof" and are available at ULTA, Nordstrom's, QVC, online and other places. They aren't cheap but you can buy small sizes to try. Good luck.

JPal5

I have fine oily hair and went through the exact same. Found out its the silicone in shampoo and conditioner that weighs it down and just makes it an oily mess. Swapped my shampoo and conditioner for a paraben and silicone free range and my hair looks and feels amazing!

paint_it_black

I have dyed black hair and use a white dry shampoo, a quick spray and brush through makes it invisible and it really is the bomb. I have really long thick hair and its so heavy it never has any volume at the roots, thats where the dry shampoo comes in ;-)

Oh and ignore the profile pic, its a wig

L00py_T0ucan

I have horrible hair, I want to shave it off. No matter how much or how little I wash it, it looks oily. Like an oil slick. If a penguin gets too close they're in peril.

OP - that sound frustrating. I know this is a bizarro question, but is it possible that your water supply has something to do with it?
'Soft' water might leave a residue...

shamr0ck

Supplement with biotin, and make sure you are getting plenty of protein in your diet. It did wonders for my hair. Also, how's your thyroid? It can cause hair issues.

FhoShplunk

My hair is the same way - If I don't wash it EVERY DAY I look like an oily mess. So it's my habit to shower every morning and I'm good to go. That's the only way I know how to deal with it. I think I'll try conditioning only the ends though, like someone else suggested.

marie_cressman

i definitely agree with the dry shampoo. try looking up some specific shampoos for your hair type and that won't weigh it down.. i only wash my hair every couple of days so i don't know what type to recommend. :ohwell: do you use any products in your hair?

phillieschic

Definitely go with a sulfate and paraben free product...these are the ingredients that make your hair lather when you're actually washing. They aren't necessary to get clean hair.

I use Wen products. They're amazing...

MysticMaiden22

I have fine oily hair and went through the exact same. Found out its the silicone in shampoo and conditioner that weighs it down and just makes it an oily mess. Swapped my shampoo and conditioner for a paraben and silicone free range and my hair looks and feels amazing!

Couldn't agree more with this! I use silicone and paraben-free shampoo and conditioner that I buy from a natural market and it significantly changed how oily my hair gets. Also, I only condition the ends.

Ayirela

I don't know if this will help or not, but make sure you're using something for normal to oily hair. You might be using all the wrong products.

When you put product in your hair start at the tips work up avoid putting too close to your roots.

Do you use an iron of any type on your hair? I love to put my hair through my chi then if I want my curls back I'll go from there...now that my hair is long it's so much for fun to play with!!

I have naturally horrible hair it's really thick and so curly that if I don't take time with it or have a proper cut it looks like a witches hair!! So I feel you on hating my hair.

With having a thinning issue some times volume products work from what I've heard. I worked with a lady who had thinning problems and she would use volume products and curling wands to boost the hair.

Good luck! Best thing you can do also is go to a proper salon and get advice and ideas on hair!!

deadbeatsummer

I wash my hair everyday because it is oily otherwise. Use a normal/oily shampoo and just use a tiny bit of volumnising conditioner only on the ends and wash it away straight away. Buy a can of Batiste Dry Shampoo and after you have blow dryed your hair, spray a bit into your roots and rub it in. Bring a small can in your handbag to touch it up throughout the day. There is no way you cna get oily hair if you follow this routine

Krazy_Kat

I tried dry shampoo once. It was expensive and hard to find, and I wasn't wowed. I could try another brand. (what brands do you use?)

I like the washing advice. I have limited hot water. Maybe I can join the Y just so I can use their showers! haha

My hair is worse with town water....I have no hope I have to wear a bag on my head. I now have rain water to wash in and it's better, but apparently still bloody obvious,

My thyroid is probably a bit iffy.

iiiEllie

I have curly, frizzy, wavy hair. It's worse. So very much worse. - I straighten it twice a day typically.. And my hair is long as hell.

poesch77

I have the same issue only I just have an oily scalp...the rest is dry. After having kids....my hair is now frizzy, dry and wavy,,,great but scalp is still an oil slick. Sometimes even after washing it at the end of the day I am greasy! I MUST wash everyday and it sucks for styling! Dry shampoo.....to afraid to buy it in fear it won't work as I tried baby powder and it is basically the same and no go. Here are some things I do.....

Dont buy any shampoo for moisture...clarifying works great.
when washing her, massage scalp REALLY good
product only on the ends
try putting up in a high bun after shower for a bit...this gives volume and helps with the oiliness
If you aren't afraid to dye your hair this gives body and makes hair drier too!

We can't all be blessed with model-like hair...it is what it is hun!

beccyleigh

Over washing, like every day will actually make it worse, thats why I suggested not massaging the roots when you wash as it stimulates the oil secreation. I'm currently blonde but was very dark brown before & like anotehr poster said, after you spray it on, brush through your hair as it not only gets rid of the residue from the spray but also helps coat the hair all the way through. I carry dry shampoo with me all day in my handbag, it saves so many bad hair days.

scarlettgeorgia4

just regular talcum powder and its not expensive either and lasts ages

dorkusmalorkus

depends on what shampoo and conditioner and styling products you have. if you have naturally oily hair, you need a balancing shampoo because a clarifying can dry it too much making your scalp produce more oil. and a LIGHT conditioner if any at all. and dont go to the store getting treseme or garnie or pantene. those things are filled with additives and the main ingredient for floor wax. go to a salon and ask them for advice. styling products should be light too. oil based, mouses, cremes, pastes are out of the picture. waxes too. bed head queen for a day is a root booster that is a light spray you use before blow drying that gives body and thickends the strands. you dont feel it either. that or a boost powder by big sexy hair.the powder sucks up oil. like i said, go to a salon, ask for advice, CHALK UP THE MONEY because its worth it! i have fine thin hair (there is a difference between fine and thin. fine being texture of the strand thin being density) i use nioxin shampoo conditioner and scalp treatment along with queen for a day and boost powder.

majones_orl

I use WEN hair care products, suppose to be good for all types of hair. I love them. I watched the infomercial and thought, that is nto gonna work on my hair.
It does not have all the chemical in it to strip you natrual hair oils. I like it.
I also use biotin becaue my hair was thinking, and it appears to work.

Corryn78

baby powder on the roots can help also.

siliisobel

I have the same problem, I generally use dry shampoo so I dont have to wash every day. I have heard very good reports about coal tar shampoo, I think you can get it in the pharmacy. Give it a go!

Krazy_Kat

I was using a natural organic, PABA and everything free, but I didn't notice much difference.

Everyones responses have cheered me up a bit!

I am sure I overuse the conditioner, I just love the soft feeling and my ends get dry, and my hair gets sooooo knotty.

If find it darn near impossible to find any products for oily hair, they just don't seem to have them, or I am looking in the wrong spot. There are a zillion products for dry hair, frizz ease, deep conditioning masks, hot oil treatment, this and that....but for oily hair, not so much.

I rarely use any product, I am a bit of a farmer. I don't spend much time primping and priming. But damnit I am losing weight, taking care of my health and I'd like to look nice when I brave society and I'd like to get hit on again.

I am going to the hairdresser next week, I will get foils as I can't afford to go on a regular basis.

Corryn78

Maybe you could wash only, then use a spray in conditioner on the ends?

cristaine

I feel your pain, in the humid heat here in the summer I have to shampoo my hair daily without fail, for me not so much because it LOOKS oily but the roots end up looking way darker because of the oil than the ends (I have strawberry blonde hair that decides to try a dark blonde look at the roots when I exercise or it gets dirty) So, an oil problem of a different sort, but still I know the difference it can have on your perception of your hair. My sister has fine AND thin hair so hers looks oilier fast. I have a *lot * of hair, but it is really really fine so when its wet or sweaty, it looks sad and limp and yup.... i hate it. The longer it is the more it is noticeable probably too. My sister cut her hair edgy and short and now I don't even notice the oiliness on her at all. Plus she looks edgy and stylish.... I'd do that if I were thinner.....grrrrr, but I digress.

I recently switched shampoos and was AMAZED at the difference in my hair. If you can, nab yourself something specifically designed for fine thin hair (and oily too, if you have oily hair) You may even want to grab a small clarifying shampoo as I have found a LOT of products use silicone in them now and those build up and weigh fine hair down. Don't use that every day after a few uses though, but alternate it every couple of weeks to take your hair down to basics again.

For fine or thin hair though, I truly believe products DO make a huge difference, so don't just try one and give up. A tendency to have oily hair (which it sounds like you have) coupled with products that don't work for you will just magnify the prob. Use mousse based styling products instead of gel-based etc. The lighter the better.

Also the biotin/protein suggestion won't hurt to try either.

Also, after your daily morning shower - try to limit the amount you brush/touch your hair, as it will distribute those oils also.

Strangely enough, an oily look to the roots of the hair is REALLY popular on the runways coming up for Fall 2012 apparently. I saw the pictures and given how I struggle with my hair in the summer I shook my head and thought I would pass on purposely trying that look come fall.