Denman

Say hello….to my little friend.  Denman D4.  One of many essential discoveries made last year while figuring out the mess of detangling my hair.  Rule #1 of brushing/combing curly/kinky hair is to NEVER do it while under the influence of dry hair, otherwise the end result will be a tumbleweed of sadness. 

To best utilize the Denman, first you should find the correct size for your hair thickness and length. 

• For Medium to long hair there’s the classic D7
• For Short to Medium size hair lengths there’s the D5
• For Thicker/coarser hair there’s the Denman Deluxe
• For Medium/thick to Long/ coarse hair there’s the favorite D4 (this is the most common size carried in most beauty supply stores)

Prices for any of the Denmans mentioned range from as low as $10.00 to $16.00, it all depends on your own frugality and who offers the best deal.  It seems the best deals can often be found online rather than in-store, particularly if you’re buying other items and can opt out of the shipping costs.

After finding the correct size, the Denman is best used as a detangler through the conditioning process while hair is wet.  I find that no matter the length or density of your hair, it’s wiser to section hair before applying and/or detangling.  In hindsight this will save time, but most importantly patience! 

I start by detangling the ends, where the knots seem to form, then slowly work my way up, adding more conditioner if needed.  If you’re a curlyhead who’s not a huge fan of curl shrinkage, I’d say to proceed with caution because the Denaman will not only detangle and smooth out your strands, it will add signficant curl defintion and shrinkage the more you rake it through.  During the summer to cut down on shrinkage,  I’d start with a wide tooth comb, then finish with the brush. 

The only drawback that I do have with my Denman is the inevitable hair loss while detangling, which I’ve resigned myself into accepting.  My hair sheds in riduculous amounts, and when using the brush, while it does make the job easier I still end up losing some strands.  These days to prevent extra shedding and knots, I try to wash/condition my hair while in the shower or with my hair flowing backward rather than forward.  Matching the flow of the water to the way I’d like my hair to fall while styling helps tremendously! Less tugging, pulling and easier detangling;-).

Basic tools for detangling curly/kinky hair:

1. Better than average conditioner
2. Better than average detangling brush/large toothed comb
3. A sea of patience

BioInfusion Deep Conditioner

Oy!

So I planned to start this post raving like a product maniac about one of the BEST deep conditioners I’d found in quite a long time.  I’d used this product several times to repair my hair during the summer when it lacked moisture and needed just a tad more TLC.  Back then I thought it worked like a charm! It was an effecive deep conditioner in that the directions specifically instructed you to let sit in hair for no less than 45 minutes.  For me that’s all the convincing I needed, or assurance rather, to let me know that this company’s intent was to do what the product says it’s going to do. Here’s a list from a merchant’s site about it’s claims:

• A blend of science and nature.
• Ultra hydrating for strength.
• Naturally restores moisture.
• Olive oil has been recognized throughout the ages as a naturally nourishing therapy believed to have rejuvenating power.
• Rich in natural conditioning agents, olive oil infuses moisture to hair and scalp on contact.
• BioInfusion is a blend of science and nature that has combined olive oil and other natural ingredients with new technologies to create the finest quality products for relaxed and natural styles.
• Safe for color treated hair.
• BioInfusion olive oil deep conditioning treatment

 

Basically, all good…right?

 

Well, what I initially loved about his product is of course it’s initial properties.  Olive Oil.  This is it’s absoute main ingredient, but not necessarily it’s most active ingredient.  Nonetheless what it claims to do it absolutely did.  It doesn’t have the best slip for a conditioner, but alas most DEEP conditioners do not, my guess is because of it’s potency…(don’t quote me on that).

But in keeping true with my whole new year, new me, new healthy hair approach, I revisited the ingredient page and was mystified and saddend by what I discovered.

 

“Water – Aqua , Glycerin , Coconut Oil – Cocos Nucifera , Behentrimonium Methosulfate , Soybean Oil – Glycine Soja , Dimethicone”

 

Ahhhh!! The tenth or so ingredient from the top was a cone! How could this be….shame.  I was surprised because…well it worked like a dream! I’d stumbled upon it by accident at a local Walgreens and thought I’d found something special, something that would help rejuvinate my hair when needed. 

So as of now I’m a bit torn:-(.  This was one of my favorite deep conditioners which means the hunt for  a steady and new one is probably in full effect.  I’m determined to stick to my regime of no crap product and won’t purchase this again….but…eh…still sucks.  I found that my hair is annoyingly particular about which conditioners I do put into it, so going forward I might have to either concoct something or mix two seperate conditioners and keep the ‘ol fingers crossed.