I started the Curly Girl Method in September 2018. I didn't stop using Sulfates and Silicones right away, I just started using more conditioner and using better techniques. I have been using Sulfate and Silicone free products for several months now and my scalp never feels clean. My hair has improved a lot, I have went from a 2a, 2b to a 2c with a few 3a's. My hair used to be super dry and damaged from coloring and not getting trims. I used to not be able to go more than 1 or 2 days without washing my hair because my hair would get so oily that my hair just looked greasy and wet. But I don't think the benefits have been from going Sulfate and Silicone free. I started using more conditioner, detangling before I got in the shower and during my shower, instead of ripping my hair out after my shower. I did the big chop because I wanted a change and I wanted to get rid of a lot of the damage. I now know better techniques to apply products. I don't have to wash my hair as much because I have been making sure my hair gets what it needs. My hair health has improved because I now know what it's trying to tell me and I know now how to take care of it. I started using silicones again this week after having such a hard time looking for an inexpensive deep conditioner. I did my research and Silicones don't build up as fast as we've been told. So I had decided I would just clarify once a month to remove build up. But after watching this video I think I am going to start using a Sulfate shampoo every other wash. My scalp never feels clean even though I use a very well known CG Approved shampoo. Thanks Mell, and no matter what people say, I know your doing the right thing by telling us your honest opinion! I have started using hot water again after your last video and my hair loves it! It isn't any different from cold and I think it is actually less frizzy :) Go Melthbusters ;) You are making Curly Life easier for me!
Hey beautiful!! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I appreciate reading how my subscribers have adapted and learned to manage their own hair. When you say, "My hair health has improved because I now know what it's trying to tell me and I know now how to take care of it" I'm especially excited to read that. No one knows their own hairs needs better than themselves. I'm just here to share with you guys with the facts, techniques etc. to help you get there. My goal with Melthbusters is to share with everyone both sides of the story. I think all us Curly girls know the harmful effects of sulphates, that's why instead of sharing a video on that, I decided to shed light on the more beneficial side to sulphates- for those of us who do need them in our routines. The differences in opinion are not to be little others opinions on sulphates or whatever the topic may be, but to share more insight. Thank you for your support, you know I'm always hair for you xo
me too i feel my hair not clean with free sulfate shampoo but how do u do the refresh by silicon products or by free silicon products and ur condectionrs free silicon or not if u dont mind help me🌷
I even used a sulfate free shampoo this past week and noticed a great clean feeling to my hair that I haven't felt in months! My hair is slowly starting to look better.
Youhave incompletely typed your hair. That is the only reason for failure. Additionally, the reason the market creates sulfates is to provide a full cleanse. It means the leather strips oils and bacteria and rinses. If you do the work with your hands, the sulfates are unnecessary. It’s repetitive sulfate use that is the problem, not occasional use. Period.
First Mell tells us we can rinse with hot water. Now she tells us we can use sulfates?! I don’t think we’re prepared for the silicone video. The curly community is shaking.
I did the curly girl method "correctly" for 5 years. My results were knotted hair, massive hair loss(including two baseball sized patches) Bright back in sulfates and silicones and my scalp and hair are thriving.
hi, are you using a shampoo with sulfates? if so, witch one? i had a similar experience with the CGM, i followed it for like 2 months 'correctly' and at first it looked really good, but then i noticed lost of volume, my scalp felt itchy and irritated, so i just couldn't handle it any longer!
Girl, same here! Smh Wasted years with a dirty clogged scalp and tons of buildup following this sulfate free crowd. Never again. I lost WAY too much hair.
its almost like a marketing scheme. All brands are jumping on this bandwagon, but going sulfate free is just not for everyone. Just like some of your followers said in the comment section, my hair didn't benefit at all from going sulfate free either. My scalp did not feel clean and like you said Mell, the styling products I was using were not working 100%. These brands just want us to screw up our hair so we have to go to salons to get our hair back into shape, or just spend more money jumping from one product to another. But Mell, you are awesome and give so much helpful information on your channel and I wish that more hair stylist put similar information out there instead of massive amounts of TH-camrs promoting this sulfate free thing. I mean c'mon back in the day when we used sulfate shampoo, nobody was complaining, right? It is OK to use sulfate free shampoo. Or even if you wash your hair two times for the week, the first time wash it with a sulfate free shampoo and the second time wash it with a sulfate to make sure everything is out and you have a clean slate. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Mell. and I love your Seester too!
Honestly, these video are so needed. I started my “natural” hair care about 2 years ago and starting following the curly hair method, no sulfates no silicones etc. While initially my hair looked great, eventually I ended up basically ruining scalp which in turn starting ruining my hair. I changed from product to product, from brand to brand. Thinking i just haven’t found the right product. But then Last month I ran out of my shampoo and conditioner and started using tressume, that my family uses (their hair is much healthier than mine... I wonder why?). Tressume is full of sulphates and silicons, but it’s the best my hair and scalp has felt and looked in 2 years. Honestly I won’t be using tressume consistently but I now realise that this misinformation about sulfates and silicons Is not normal. And I realise that I do my research beyond youtube. And I’m sure a lot of people have had similar experiences to me
Hello:) me too i use hair products with sulfate and silicone free a year ago and my hair looks not like my hair before starting now im using elvive and schwarzkopf with silicones and sulfates and my hair changed and looks good 😌
I don't know who you are but you have a set of skills that makes this channel very entertaining. A set of skills that requires curly hair. I will find your videos...... and I will hit the like button!
I literally figured this out on my own and I’m so proud of myself lol. 3 or 4 years ago there was this “non sulfate movement” & everybody thought they had to stop using sulfates just from hearing it from someone else, but they had no proof. I’m guilty of this lol. But if you stop using sulfates you will have build up & your hair will look dull & weighed down. We need sulfates at lease once a month, to clean our hair.... depending on the thickness of the hair.
I actually did a little home experiment and found that most of my sulfate free shampoos left soap on my skin no matter how well I rinsed! I literally had to strip my hands with borax to get the soapy film off. Now imagine that being deposited on the scalp every wash day. I believe this is why my hair falls out so easily and my scalp is always irritated. I have soap residue on my scalp continuously! Sulfate shampoos rinse clean. I'm sticking with that.
I went shampoo free years ago and couldn’t figure out why my hair was never bouncy and curly like it used to be. Went back to sulfates and my hair has never looked better. Bottom line, curly hair looks like it feels. If it looks good then the hair is probably in decent condition.
"Major build up leads to itch, flakes, and hair loss due to clogged pores." It all makes sense now! I thought I was just doing curly girl wrong. I use a monthly sulfate wash, and a mild shampoo other times. I am losing a lot less hair on wash days now.
Can you do a video on waxes and the CGM? The CGM know-it-alls get really upset about waxes. Thanks! P.S. The CGM was originally introduced so that we embrace and love our hair without having to do so much to it, without having to have complicated routines. The CGM community has turned into exactly what the author of CGM did not want it to be - a complicated mess with a million rules.
My original reason for stopping sulfates had nothing to do with hair at all. I developed a rash on my face called perioral dermatitis, and when I looked into it, I found that it is commonly caused by SLS. So I checked all my ingredient labels and realised it is in almost everything I put on my face and hair. I thought if that's what it's doing to my face, I wonder what it's doing to my scalp. I actually had a lot of issues with a flaky, red and irritated scalp, so I decided to cut all the sulfates just to see what would happen. I managed to get the perioral dermatitis under control, and my scalp is vastly improved. It still gets a bit dry and flaky, but they are not huge chunky flakes like before, and it's not red or angry anymore. So for that reason, I will continue to avoid sulfates. At first, I felt that my scalp and hair never felt properly clean, but since then I have gotten very good results using a scalp massager. My hair is now less oily than before. Just leaving this here in case it helps someone!
When I learned about sulfates and silicones I assumed my hair was “damaged” because other TH-camrs said so🤦♀️ even though I never used heat on my hair or colored/bleached my hair. Que pendeja! Two years later I can’t go two days without washing my hair because by the end of the 2nd day my scalp is soooo damn itchy. I have insane breakage all over my hair and my hair is extremely frizzy when wet. Also a lot of these curly sulphate free shampoos contain protein for damaged hair which I thought I had. I haven’t been able to grow out my hair past my shoulders in the last two years because I have to cut a lot off when I get haircuts because it’s so dry and I think part of it has to do with the protein. Looking back I realized that my hair was way healthier when I was using sulfates and silicones than it is now.
I bought a sulfate free shampoo and my curls stretched from silicone buildup. So I swapped to TRESemmé temporarily and after a week of daily washing, my curls returned without drying my scalp. I was so grateful because I bought the shampoo and conditioner after watching this video. Thank you so much. I was missing my 3a curls, man.
Generally as someone with oily hair I use shampoos with C14-16 Olefin Sulphonate. I believe it is a cleanser _related_ to sulfates. I co-wash extremely rarely. Not everyone uses co-wash, which I think is important to remember.
Finally! I’ve got quite an oily scalp and would get loads of dandruff without sulfates. I definitely think people need to do what works for them. 🤷🏽♀️
Well what I do is I use a sulfate combined with an organic scalp scrub once a week, but I normally wash my hair twice a week if possible. The second time I will use a co-wash. I can’t go longer than a week without a good scalp scrub and sulfate shampoo, otherwise I get flakes and itchiness.
I'm subscribing after seeing this video :) I love when people aren't afraid to share the facts. Certain "methods" have become more like religions, where there are a million rules that can never be broken or even questioned. I have fine, medium-thin hair and know without even trying it that co-wash only would be a DISASTER for me. I've cut out silicones, and switched to a sulfate-free shampoo that has several milder natural detergents, but I'll be using a sulfate shampoo periodically because we have really hard water that causes major buildup (I still needed a clarifying shampoo even when I was using SLS every wash). That's basically a cardinal sin according to some, but I'm confident that's the best starting point for my situation and it's not like my hair will all shrivel up and fall out the moment I try it!
Sulfates make my hair really dry and tangly. I use a sulfate-free Shampoo, it cleans well, foams well, my hair looks great and grows very fast. I noticed Shea Butter gave me build-up I needed to wash out with sulfates so I cut down my Shea Moisture products a lot, problem solved.
Amen sis! Sulphates are need in my routine because I tried just co washing and I disliked it a lot. My hair felt coated and my scalp still had a lot of build up.
@@preetidas9511 Nope those will leave soap residue on your scalp. I did an experiment washing my hand with sulfate and sulfate free shampoos and the sulfate free ones still suds up after rinsing for a long time and rubbing my hands together!😲 The sulfate ones didn't, they rinsed clean. Sulfate free shampoos do NOT rinse clean that's why so many people have irritated scalps using them but they think it's something else or that they just have dandruff.
I've just started my curly hair journey and I stopped using sulfates and silicones completely but my hair hated me and got extremely oily so I went back to sulfates and silicones and my hair looks amazing and feels amazing
I started my natural hair journey a week ago and i went to look for sulfate free shampoo but they were so expensive and to be honest I wasn't ready to spend that huge amount of money on shampoos especially because I'm broke lol so I decided to quit taking care of my natural hair but I am so happy now that I found your video! It gave me hope again. You are the best 😘
I'll bet the Curly Girl group will not be happy with this info about sulphates. I stopped using their shampoo a while ago because my hair did not feel clean. I also only wash it once per week (unless something weird happens) because it is so dry and chemically treated. In addition to the important information, you are quite entertaining and I enjoy your videos.
THANK YOU. This REALLY eased my anxiety! So great to see someone talking about doing what works for the individual, not just adhering to these blanket rules + regulations
i have oily hair and sweat alot and i wash my hair every 4 days witha sulfate shampoo and my hair is now thriving. i used to use sulfate free and my hair was lifeless and drying out so badly. thanks for sharing this video.
I think sulfate free products are better for me. I have used many products (before I started the cgm) that contained sulfates and my hair didn't look great, it was dull, frizzy, less wavy/curly.
I had long curly hair get I chopped it off and got a buzz cut…. My scalped was covered with acne and skin irritation And I’ve been using very moisturizing shampoos sulfate free all the time…. 😬 I’m growing my hair back and updated my hair care routine.. I use shampoos with sulfate now
Yesss my fave curltuber uploaded! Was just binging all your vids (should be studying but oh well), also I’m “only here for mell” jsksk, can’t help it these vids are so entertaining
Please read. I stumbled upon something tonight by mistake. I needed to remove vaseline from my hands so I grabbed my Giovanni 50:50 clarifying shampoo (sulfate free) figuring it would remove it better than my foam hand soap. I washed and rinsed well and rubbed my hands to see if there was any Vaseline residue left and to my amazement there were suds! I rinsed and rubbed vigorously again, more suds. Again, again, and again. It wouldn't stop. I grabbed a sulfate shampoo to try to strip the Giovanni but still got suds when I rubbed. Believe me I rinsed the hell out of my hands I thought maybe it was reacting to the Vaseline but that was long stripped. At this point I'm thinking what the hell is in this shampoo that even the sulfate shampoo isn't stripping it. Finally I rubbed borax (very stripping) on my hands and that took a majority of the soap away. This really got me thinking. I told my husband to wash his hands with the Giovanni and same exact thing happened to him! He did not have any oils or Vaseline on his hands prior. After I got my hands normal again I put more Vaseline on my hands but this time used my Mane and Tail shampoo (sulfate) to wash and rinsed and rubbed vigorously, no sudsing. I then tested 2 other sulfate free shampoos I have and one did the same thing the Giovanni one did but not as much but was still there. I remember when both my husband and myself both used Giovanni we had really bad flakes and itchy scalps that we just chalked up to winter time. My husband switched back to sulfates months before I did and his scalp was immediately better. I recently did and my scalp feels like it's breathing for the first time in years! I really believe these sulfate free shampoos are not rinsing clean. I have had more scalp problems since using them years ago that I blamed on everything but the shampoos. I just tossed out a bunch of shampoo tonight. So if you find yourself with sore, itchy, dry, flakey scalp try going back to sulfate shampoo for a month to see if it resolves. The film left by the sulfate free ones are causing a lot of people issues I believe. I didn't switch to sulfate free because I had issues with sulfates but just following the crowd.
I'm so glad that u made this video. Here I am freaking out about using sulfates thinking that it's going to ruin my hair. Now I can clean my hair without worrying that the little monster "sulfate" will kill my hair. THANKS! 😊😊😊😊
This was so helpful-thanks for doing the summary analysis on sulfates; as a triathlete who is either in the pool or sweating at least once a day, with a LOT of curly hair (under two swim caps when in chlorine), this was especially useful information for me. I tend to cleanse once per week because my hair gets dry very easily, so conditioning and leave-in conditioning is really important to maintaining the health of my curls, but cleansing from sweat, product buildup and sebum was a question I had, so thank you!
We all just gotta stop being judgemental. Everyone's hair has different needs! Some people need sulphates and/or silicones in their hair, no matter what the majority experiences. For example, I have to dry brush my hair to refresh it. Its just the only way my hair won't look stringy. When it comes to hair care, there are no rules. Just general guidelines. Thanks for sharing some facts, Mell!!
I love your videos. I appreciate that you don't push products at us and you give us the facts. I had straight hair for the first 20+ years of my life then somewhere in my 20s it started to curl. I then spent the next 15 years straightening it because I could never get my hair to stay curly. Now I'm a mom and I don't have time for that. But everytime I try to do things the CGM, my hair gets weighed down and the curls end up looking so flat. Or it'll look great wet but once it dries it's meh.
Started the curly hair method, my hair started to fall a looott , I stopped using it and my scalp was very very oily , I began using sulfate again and guess what ? My hair is better now ! I use minimal products ( shampoo , conditioner , oil for the ends of the hair and sometimes cream if i feel like my hair needs it ) and i love it !
I remember I stopped using sulfate and my scalp was killing me. It was flaking and I got a scab. My mother said what are you using because you never had scalp problems. I used a cheap shampoo I had under my sink and my scalp became 80 percent better. After a couple washes all the problems was gone.
Dude!!! I have always been so confused by the sulfate thing!! You broke it down so well and keep me encouraged to keeping my curls healthy! I love your channel and LOVE YOU! You’re AWESOME!!!
I started using a Laureth sulfate shampoo once a week after watching this! I picked one that claimed it was also “moisturizing.” It doesn’t strip my hair at all, and I will use a little extra conditioner just to be sure! I do plan to use a sulfate-free shampoo or co-wash on the other days I wash my hair. And yes, my hair does better and stays softer when I wash every couple days! I love that your busting all these curly hair myths!
Now that I watched the video I actually learned a lot. I use a sulfate shampoo and I have a oily scalp . I didn’t know all that but now I know thank you mells( the s is for all the versions in the video of mell )😂😂❤️❤️❤️❤️
You make my life so much easier!! The curly girl methode is really bad when you have thin, frizzy en weightless curls type 2. My scalp has never been so itchy, when I stopped using sulfates. I had enormous build up & my hair looked dull & weighed down. I started to use the sulfates shampoo every two days, and I even do a deep conditioner for the moister and care. My curls look so amazing and I am sooooo happy with your video's. Don't ever stop making them and ignore people who don't agree with you😘
thank u for giving us permission to sulfate again! Ur a lone voice of reason in a "bad sulfate" climate...my curls never bounce as good as when i use sulfate shampoo! Ur curly personality went from a 2a to a 4b in this video
Very interesting video. Since I've begun learning how to better treat my dry curly hair, the first lesson I was taught was to STAY AWAY from sulfates. This definitely has me re-thinking that.
I can really appreciate this since i have hair just like yours. I think we curly hair folks get caught up with a product being sulfate free, paraben, etc.. when there there are also other ingredients you don't want in your hair like petroletum liquidum🤢 for example. Not sure i spelled correct off the top of my head.
Girl, I'm not even halfway through this, but you are cracking the shit out of me on this extremely frigid day in Chicago!! Thanks for the laughs and smiles :-)
I started following the curly hair method early October, 2018 and was only using the Shea moisture line to shampoo and condition my hair. I was going back and forth between the coconut and hibiscus line and the low porosity line because I learned that I have protein sensitive hair. By the middle of December, my scalp was irritated and hair started falling near the temple. I went back to using sulfate shampoo at least once a week because I learned that it was the only thing getting the job done. My scalp looks healthy again. Now, I’m just waiting for my hair to regrow. Everyone’s scalp/hair is different. Do what works best for your hair.
I am so happy I stumbled upon this video. Just the other day, I binged almost your entire channel. Several months ago, I started using better products/techniques that kind of aligned with the CGM. I never really wanted to go completely CGM because the thought of reaching a point of only washing my hair once a week freaked me out. I never thought my hair was dry and I would easily get product buildup if I went too crazy. After watching lots of successful CG hair journeys, I finally decided to commit completely. My scalp has been SO itchy as early as day 2. By day 3, I have to wash. And it was never like that before completely switching to the CGM. I didn't want to give up the CGM because I've heard it can just take time. However, after finding your very well informed video on sulfates and the rest of your channel, I'm going to switch things up and I'm excited to see how it goes. Can't wait for the video on silicones!!!
Hey Stephanie! Thank u so much for watching and for your comment. I’m so glad u shared your experiences with your curls. I hope my channel helps u in every way u need during your Curly journey! See you tomorrow with a new video 😍❤️
For people that say they cannot get the scalp/hair clean without sulfates: Sulfate free shampoos should be used slightly differently as they don't distribute trough hair in the same way. Instead of taking a big blob and trying to foam it trough the hair, take smaller amounts add a tad bit of water, emulsify in your hands and apply to the scalp on top of the head and work up the later then take another small bit and repeat on the sides and back of the head. If it doesn't foam well than add a bit of water as you go. then just massage the scalp all over. This way will give you good lather. Make sure your hair is thoroughly wet before adding shampoo. This method is more tricky and a learning curve compared to sulfates but it get's your scalp really clean and not stripped.
I’m not exactly sure how I feel about this video. Especially for curly girls just starting their journey, deciding to use sulfates, and then ending up drying out their hair. I definitely agree with the whole build up thing, but twice a week of sulfates if you have an oily scalp? Wouldn’t that just make your scalp even more oily by over doing it? I’m glad it works for you and for other people that I’ve read in the comments, but I just use a clarifying shampoo at least once a month that REALLY makes my hair squeaky clean but really dries out my hair and it doesn’t even have sulfates. Not saying that this information was wrong, but it just sounded pretty biased since you do use sulfates. I still love watching all your videos and support you!
Hen Mediavilla Washing your hair everyday with sulphates might cause over production of oil, but twice a week definitely won’t (and I say this as someone with an oily scalp). And honestly, I think it’s good for those starting the CG journey to hear all sides. There’s plenty of videos that talk against sulphates, this one saying there is a time and place for them won’t undo that 🤷♀️
Take a look at her hair. It's obviously working for her! There isn't one way to do the curly girl method. The number of times a month you deep cleanse/clarify really depends on how often you wash your per week regularly and the kinds of products you use. CG approved products still contain oils and other ingredients that do build up particularly if you're on the wavy/less curly spectrum and have a lower porosity/thinner hair. Again, this is something you personally need to experiment with and see what works. It's not something anyone can really tell you about since we're all different. It sounds like your clarifying shampoo isn't working for you and you should look into other alternatives cause they definitely exist! I really like to add several drops of the Neutrogena clarifying shampoo to my regular cleanser. Redken Curvaceous Hi Foam which is meant as a regular shampoo also cleans out gunk decently if used every so often as a clarifying shampoo. Also, follow-up with 30 minutes of deep conditioning and that really helps for me.
Alyx Davidson I said in my comment that I’m glad it works for her and everyone else that uses sulfates and likes it. I clearly see that it works for her. I was just saying that since she uses sulfates, it sounded biased as she was explaining in the video; she said we should use sulfates if we have an oily scalp, etc. The video just didn’t sound like she would ever suggest a non-sulfate shampoo. That’s what I was trying to say. Also, I have been deep conditioning for about a year and a half already for 30 minutes every week, so my hair is moisturized after I use my clarifying shampoo. My point in mentioning that was the fact that it doesn’t even have sulfates in it but it REALLY CLEANSES my hair and dry it if I don’t use proper precautions. So I cannot even imagine what a sulfate shampoo would do to my hair. Therefore, my purpose was to show that non-sulfate shampoos (the RIGHT ones) can throughly, deeply cleanse your hair. Sorry this was so long, I just hope you understand.
@@HennyBaybiix3 Hey beautiful!! The video is not meant to be biased at all. My goal with Melthbusters is just to share with everyone both sides of the story. I think all us Curly girls are ALREADY aware of the harmful effects of sulphates, that's why I decided to share the other more beneficial side to sulphates. Most of us do need some form of sulphate incorporated into our routines for many different reasons. My goal for this video was to help those who do need them understand which sulphates are recommended for their hair types and how to use them in their routines. The differences in opinion are not to belittle others opinions on sulphates or whatever the topic may be, but to share more insight. Thank you for your support, you know I'm always hair for you xo
Thank you for the information 😊 one of the things that I don't follow of the CGM is the use of sulfates because I workout 5 to 6 times a week and without sulfates my hair starts to fall out 😥 (I think is because the dirt in my scalp) once I start using sulfates once a week my hair stop fall out. And additionally I wash it with a non sulfate shampoo between week 😊
Please do more videos proving/disproving curly girl method stuff!!! I personally follow the curly girl method but I’m always looking for ways to improve my hair routine! I use sulfate and silicone free shampoos and conditioners twice a week and I use a sulfate shampoo once a month and that works pretty well for me.
Honestly just use what works for your hair. I used the curly girl method for years and my hair improved and my scalp didn't feel bad or dirty but I did make sure to cleanse my scalp once a week. I can't use sulfates because my hair dries out easily when I use products with them. No matter how much conditioner I use. That said, i now use products with silicones because I found they are better at taming my frizz. Mel's right if a product dont work for you dont use it. It's a journey, this whole finding what works for you.
Thank you. I so agree. Your right cuz in my Preference i hate hate sulfates thats like a cussword to me. But i dont fear parabens anymore cuz i research its just a preservative kills bacteria to keep product's in shelves longer i used to fear tho. I now new to this but i now use silicones in a hair product i use hairtage i like the slip and detangling easier and feel. I wash out with scalp scrubs, cleanse oils, co wash and sulfate free shampoos of course on wash hair day.
Honestly, I think sulfates are good to an extent. I personally believe it isn’t something you should use on a regular, but instead be used once in a blue moon to remove build-up. Over-doing it may be damaging, but not using it at all can simply lead to damage as well due to no cleanse.
There are a ton of dermatologists saying that cowashing doesn’t lead to hair loss I cannot wait till these devacurl lawsuits fail in court. If you use the scalp scrubs or the scalp washes especially with tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar really are cleansing the sebum. Itchy scalp can definitely be caused by diffusing I diffuse but it kills my scalp and gross but dust mites that are killed with tea tree oils I’m not judgmental though at all this is just for me but it does work
i try not to use sulfates often as they can be drying but they’re good for clarifying. i’d say use a sulfate free shampoo for your main shampoo and use sulfate shampoos once a month or so for deep cleansing (use a mask after!)
I feel like with anything; it just depends on your lifestyle and your hair; no two people are the same. It's all opinion, and whether you're pro or anti sulfates, at the end of the day it's your hair and you do you.
“Because it was not from here...”. LMAO!!! You rock, Mell! Always educating us in a very entertaining way. I love that you explain what, why and how. You explain everything, THANK YOU!!!
Dr. Ben Johnson, a dermatologist, spent years doing clinical trials on skin treatments. He said that sulfites are commonly used to damage the skin before the medicine is applied. He strongly suggests people stop using them on their skin and hair because of the damage they cause. There are alternative cleansing agents that are safer and effective. I've used alternative cleansers on my skin and hair for years and I don't have any issues with build up.
I would love to know more about sulfate free shampoos and how they may or may not fit into all of this! I've been following the CG method since November 2018 and the build up in my hair gets bad so I introduced a sulfate free shampoo this past week. I don't have time to scrub with conditioner and don't want apple cider vinegar in my hair all the time. My son's little curls have been happier since the switch. Thank you Mell for making curly hair less stressful and restrictive!
I always had issues with traditional drug store shampoos and conditioners making my hair and scalp feel dry, itchy, and flakey (I’ve struggled with dandruff for years). After finding the Curly Girl Method, I still struggled with the itchy and dandruff part. The way I’ve learned to cope and deal with it is a when using a shampoo or cowash with mild cleansing ingredients I have to scrub my scalp a little bit longer than I would with sulfate shampoo and that ensures my scalp feels clean and I don’t have any buildup. I also now make sure to clarify at least once a month with a proper clarifying shampoo. I also no longer do the popular “plopping” technique as it’s known in the CG community because having wet hair plastered to my scalp for any period of time makes my scalp itchy because it stays wet. I’m team #dowhatworksforyou when it comes to the curly girl method. I don’t claim to follow it strictly and I’m not gonna shame anybody that does it differently from me because everybody’s circumstances and needs are different.
I should add that my hair is currently the healthiest it’s ever been and it grows so fast. My dandruff and scalp itch issues have also decreased significantly.
For curly girls & guys who still want to clarify yet not strip hair look for sulfate free shampoos with cocobetaine or any gently sulfate free varieties work. Trader Joe’s tea tree shampoo is amazingggg for those with super oily or super dry scalps that flake, helps so much with itchiness & leaves your scalp minty fresh. Plus it’s like $4. Also add tea tree your fave shampoos
Wow, I am so glad I watched this. I just started the curly girl method with no sulfates but I keep thinking my hair looked better when I was washing with them. I have fine hair and never used to use any products, so I definitely think my hair is experiencing a lot of product build-up. I do wash every 2-3 days with a low-poo but I’m just not sure it’s doing the job. I think I’m going to do a sulfate once a week from now on.
A lot of people give up on the curly girl method, because eventually their hair gets so dirty and full of product build up. A dash of clarifying shampoo to my sulphate free cleanser works for me. My hair isn’t dry, has volume, plus it’s actually clean.
This really helped, i was curious for a long time i have to admit that I did believe that all sulfates are bad... But after this , it has changed my perspective on on sulfate based shampoos, thank you!
Yaaaassss! I did my own research because a lot of what we hear (not just in the curly hair industry) is simply good marketing. I started using sulfates every now and then (every 2-3 washes) because my scalp wasn’t happy! And my hair is fine so even if I’m not using a lot of product on wash day + during the week, it still gets build up easy. (Which apparently isn’t supposed to happen with high porosity hair, but whatever. My hair has a life of its own). THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE FACTS!
I feel I have lost of hair thanks to cg method...u have surely convinced me to go back to the conventional way of washing ones' hair ! Finally sulphates n silicones r back! Lots of love from India..!❤️❤️😘
If you don’t mind your hair being stripped of excess oils, use sulfate if you want to. But most woman need our natural oils like myself for best hair growth my hair grows and feels it’s healthiest without sulfate and without silicone. Silicone does give the appearance of healthy hair though which is why I really stay away from it but you can get rid of silicone build up with a clarifying shampoo. So that’s me. But it IS, bad for our hair which is why companies make free silicone and sulfate products in the first place, I hate when people or influencers tell people it isn’t bad it is, however it’s up to you it’s your hair and it’s your decision whether you want to use it or not you know your hair, your hair won’t fall out. There’s youtubers that prefer silicone and sulfate free products but they’ll review things with silicone for their viewers, it’s not the end of the world do what you want with your hair just know the facts don’t just listen to youtubers do your OWN research just like they did. :)
Bianca Dennis For me I need sulfates because my scalp and hair needs to be super clean and refreshed every 4 days, Sulfates are not bad at all its just a cleanser. A lot of natural hair women struggle with oily scalp. I find that the ph matters way more. So yah, it really just depends on your hair. Tbh a lot of companies make sulfate free things because its a trend, but they still contain harsh detergents like olefin sulfonate.
I just really don’t agree with this video because she’s saying we need sulfate to clean our hair but that’s untrue. Sulfate makes hair squeaky clean and makes a product lather up a lot, if a product has no sulfate there’s other cleansing agents. Bottom line is you do want to avoid sulfate if you have dry hair, or damaged hair especially if your hair is damaged from being chemically treated.
Bianca Dennis It really depends on the person because a products with sulfates doesn’t necessarily mean that it is going to dry out the hair. And a product without sulfates doesn’t mean that it won’t dry out the hair like I said before, there are really harsh “non-sulfate” cleansers as well. Personally I find that what dries out the hair is un balanced ph or excess heat.
@@biancamartin1606 Hey beautiful!! No one knows their own hairs needs better than yourself. I'm just here to share with you guys with the facts, techniques etc. to help you get there. My goal with Melthbusters is just to share with everyone both sides of the story. I think all us Curly girls are aware of the harmful effects of sulphates, that's why I decided to share the other more beneficial side to sulphates. Most of us do need some form of sulphate incorporated into our routines for many different reasons. My goal for this video was to help those who do need them understand which sulphates are recommended for their hair types and how to use them in their routines. The differences in opinion are not to belittle others opinions on sulphates or whatever the topic may be, but to share more insight. Thank you for your support, you know I'm always hair for you xo
I recently started the CG method about a month and a half ago, and my hair is doing so much better. My scalp is so much less greasy now that I've cut out sulphates. I used to wash my hair with sulphates twice a week, and my hair was dry and frizzy. It only looked nice on day 3, then the next day it was greasy and stringy. I wash my hair 2-3 times a week (every 3 days, or earlier if I need to style it) and my hair hasn't felt greasy since. I'm 15, with 2a-2b hair, so I just assumed it was natural teenage oiliness. I don't co-wash, because that seems like it does no cleaning. I use shea moisture Jamaican black castor oil shampoo and a Tresemme silicone free conditioner. and a shit ton of gel. My hair just feels nicer and is more manageable now. Sulphates work for some people, i guess, but my experience has been so much better since cutting them out.
Like you, I also shampoo once a week using a sulphate shampoo. I am super careful to then replace moisture. After washing with a sulphate shampoo I cowash with conditioner and then use a rinse out conditioner followed by a leave in. I then do the LOC method before adding my styling products. Most of the rest of the week I refresh using steam which also adds moisture. Those of us with naturally dry hair must be sure to replace the moisture when using sulphates.
I've done my own research and trial and error and decided I still want to remain sulfate free in my shampoos, but because of my very specific skin type. I have VERY dry skin (I refer to myself as a desert person) and produce little to no sebum day to day. My skincare routine is all about adding oil to my skin since it doesn't do a good enough job producing it's own. The same goes for my scalp. Because of how little sebum I produce, I need to go easy on shampoo and use very moisturizing products or else my hair starts to dry out. I've personally never experienced any build up on the roots. BUT that is just my very specific routine for my specific head. I have wavy hair, and everything I read tell me wavies need stronger shampoos to remove build up. Only if your scalp produces sebum to begin with! Curly hair care is not a one-size-fits-all problem or solutions. Yes, curl pattern is a factor. But so is porosity, skin type, density... Thank you so much Mell for busting the myths that need busting and empowering us to make our own decisions about what to use in our hair that works for us.
is it just me or have you doubled subscribers in the last month?! Congrats on everything you are your sister are doing I adore your channel and look forward to Tuesdays solely for your videos!!
Yep, oily scalp over here and I sweat A LOT!!! Due to lack of time I only wash once a week with a sulfate but if it's disgusting I will wash twice a week
I wash my hair with horse chestnut milk (just let them soak in hot water for 12 hours, then put in blender whit that water, blend it and strain it through nut milk bag). There is a lot of saponins that is natural cleanser. I had clean hair even if they were oily (I have very oily hair)
I used to have really frizzy wavy hair bc i didnt know how to style It. But once i learned, It is looking great, and now i have 3a. Is just about learning how to style your curls. Products can make a Big difference, but u dont have to feel bad for using sulfates or silicones. Maybe the solution is to use a gentle sulfate shampoo. You Will have your scalp clean and not that dry
This was amazingly detailed! You give over so much valuable information about something I thought I knew all about. I cant wait to see the silicone video!
They are not bad, the new "Clean" marketing bullcrap is what's bad! We are keep the dermatologist in business though! Essential oils, and removing everything else is wreaking havoc on skin and scalp. The only thing we need to do without is fragrance, that's the part that is drying!
Your videos are the best! Love them 💗💗💗😘🥰❤️💕😍💋 I get crazy buildup with non-sulfate shampoos...I also get dandruff when I use them and it’s so gross....the key is to use a shampoo with sulfate to really cleanse your scalp...Like you mention in your video, if you don’t use shampoos with sulfate your scalp will have buildup and when the pores are clogged it prevents hair growth and you can actually lose hair...so true
I started the Curly Girl Method in September 2018. I didn't stop using Sulfates and Silicones right away, I just started using more conditioner and using better techniques. I have been using Sulfate and Silicone free products for several months now and my scalp never feels clean. My hair has improved a lot, I have went from a 2a, 2b to a 2c with a few 3a's. My hair used to be super dry and damaged from coloring and not getting trims. I used to not be able to go more than 1 or 2 days without washing my hair because my hair would get so oily that my hair just looked greasy and wet. But I don't think the benefits have been from going Sulfate and Silicone free. I started using more conditioner, detangling before I got in the shower and during my shower, instead of ripping my hair out after my shower. I did the big chop because I wanted a change and I wanted to get rid of a lot of the damage. I now know better techniques to apply products. I don't have to wash my hair as much because I have been making sure my hair gets what it needs. My hair health has improved because I now know what it's trying to tell me and I know now how to take care of it. I started using silicones again this week after having such a hard time looking for an inexpensive deep conditioner. I did my research and Silicones don't build up as fast as we've been told. So I had decided I would just clarify once a month to remove build up. But after watching this video I think I am going to start using a Sulfate shampoo every other wash. My scalp never feels clean even though I use a very well known CG Approved shampoo. Thanks Mell, and no matter what people say, I know your doing the right thing by telling us your honest opinion! I have started using hot water again after your last video and my hair loves it! It isn't any different from cold and I think it is actually less frizzy :) Go Melthbusters ;) You are making Curly Life easier for me!
Hey beautiful!! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I appreciate reading how my subscribers have adapted and learned to manage their own hair. When you say, "My hair health has improved because I now know what it's trying to tell me and I know now how to take care of it" I'm especially excited to read that. No one knows their own hairs needs better than themselves. I'm just here to share with you guys with the facts, techniques etc. to help you get there. My goal with Melthbusters is to share with everyone both sides of the story. I think all us Curly girls know the harmful effects of sulphates, that's why instead of sharing a video on that, I decided to shed light on the more beneficial side to sulphates- for those of us who do need them in our routines. The differences in opinion are not to be little others opinions on sulphates or whatever the topic may be, but to share more insight. Thank you for your support, you know I'm always hair for you xo
me too i feel my hair not clean with free sulfate shampoo
but how do u do the refresh
by silicon products or by free silicon products
and ur condectionrs free silicon or not if u dont mind help me🌷
I even used a sulfate free shampoo this past week and noticed a great clean feeling to my hair that I haven't felt in months! My hair is slowly starting to look better.
Would it work for my 2a hair
Youhave incompletely typed your hair. That is the only reason for failure. Additionally, the reason the market creates sulfates is to provide a full cleanse. It means the leather strips oils and bacteria and rinses. If you do the work with your hands, the sulfates are unnecessary. It’s repetitive sulfate use that is the problem, not occasional use. Period.
First Mell tells us we can rinse with hot water. Now she tells us we can use sulfates?! I don’t think we’re prepared for the silicone video. The curly community is shaking.
Right...even tho I still do sometimes. I'm like girrrlllll
*slowly unwinding the cord on my flat iron*
@@therealjoebobsicle not gonna lie I don't wanna give up my flat iron even know I barley straighten it lol cause curly hair is a pain in the butt lol
@@therealjoebobsicle 🤣🤣🤣
She's a professional stylist and does her research! It's all about pH.
th-cam.com/video/nG-dIF_C7wo/w-d-xo.html
I did the curly girl method "correctly" for 5 years. My results were knotted hair, massive hair loss(including two baseball sized patches)
Bright back in sulfates and silicones and my scalp and hair are thriving.
Curly girl method says not to detangle with brushes but girl i have so many knots when i dont
hi, are you using a shampoo with sulfates? if so, witch one? i had a similar experience with the CGM, i followed it for like 2 months 'correctly' and at first it looked really good, but then i noticed lost of volume, my scalp felt itchy and irritated, so i just couldn't handle it any longer!
@@dianareynolds2446 you should finger detangle
Girl, same here! Smh Wasted years with a dirty clogged scalp and tons of buildup following this sulfate free crowd. Never again. I lost WAY too much hair.
She’s just stating facts and y’all really mad she didn’t make this specific to *your* hair? 😂
its almost like a marketing scheme. All brands are jumping on this bandwagon, but going sulfate free is just not for everyone. Just like some of your followers said in the comment section, my hair didn't benefit at all from going sulfate free either. My scalp did not feel clean and like you said Mell, the styling products I was using were not working 100%. These brands just want us to screw up our hair so we have to go to salons to get our hair back into shape, or just spend more money jumping from one product to another. But Mell, you are awesome and give so much helpful information on your channel and I wish that more hair stylist put similar information out there instead of massive amounts of TH-camrs promoting this sulfate free thing. I mean c'mon back in the day when we used sulfate shampoo, nobody was complaining, right? It is OK to use sulfate free shampoo. Or even if you wash your hair two times for the week, the first time wash it with a sulfate free shampoo and the second time wash it with a sulfate to make sure everything is out and you have a clean slate. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Mell. and I love your Seester too!
Honestly, these video are so needed. I started my “natural” hair care about 2 years ago and starting following the curly hair method, no sulfates no silicones etc. While initially my hair looked great, eventually I ended up basically ruining scalp which in turn starting ruining my hair. I changed from product to product, from brand to brand. Thinking i just haven’t found the right product. But then Last month I ran out of my shampoo and conditioner and started using tressume, that my family uses (their hair is much healthier than mine... I wonder why?). Tressume is full of sulphates and silicons, but it’s the best my hair and scalp has felt and looked in 2 years. Honestly I won’t be using tressume consistently but I now realise that this misinformation about sulfates and silicons Is not normal. And I realise that I do my research beyond youtube. And I’m sure a lot of people have had similar experiences to me
Hello:) me too i use hair products with sulfate and silicone free a year ago and my hair looks not like my hair before starting now im using elvive and schwarzkopf with silicones and sulfates and my hair changed and looks good 😌
I don't know who you are but you have a set of skills that makes this channel very entertaining. A set of skills that requires curly hair. I will find your videos...... and I will hit the like button!
Your true calling is to go into acting. You would be terrific.
cap nas yea she would do well I think
I literally figured this out on my own and I’m so proud of myself lol. 3 or 4 years ago there was this “non sulfate movement” & everybody thought they had to stop using sulfates just from hearing it from someone else, but they had no proof. I’m guilty of this lol. But if you stop using sulfates you will have build up & your hair will look dull & weighed down. We need sulfates at lease once a month, to clean our hair.... depending on the thickness of the hair.
I actually did a little home experiment and found that most of my sulfate free shampoos left soap on my skin no matter how well I rinsed! I literally had to strip my hands with borax to get the soapy film off. Now imagine that being deposited on the scalp every wash day. I believe this is why my hair falls out so easily and my scalp is always irritated. I have soap residue on my scalp continuously! Sulfate shampoos rinse clean. I'm sticking with that.
So is it like how thicker your hair is how less often you have to shampoo with sulfates?
I went shampoo free years ago and couldn’t figure out why my hair was never bouncy and curly like it used to be. Went back to sulfates and my hair has never looked better. Bottom line, curly hair looks like it feels. If it looks good then the hair is probably in decent condition.
"Major build up leads to itch, flakes, and hair loss due to clogged pores." It all makes sense now! I thought I was just doing curly girl wrong. I use a monthly sulfate wash, and a mild shampoo other times. I am losing a lot less hair on wash days now.
Can you do a video on waxes and the CGM? The CGM know-it-alls get really upset about waxes. Thanks!
P.S. The CGM was originally introduced so that we embrace and love our hair without having to do so much to it, without having to have complicated routines. The CGM community has turned into exactly what the author of CGM did not want it to be - a complicated mess with a million rules.
My original reason for stopping sulfates had nothing to do with hair at all. I developed a rash on my face called perioral dermatitis, and when I looked into it, I found that it is commonly caused by SLS. So I checked all my ingredient labels and realised it is in almost everything I put on my face and hair. I thought if that's what it's doing to my face, I wonder what it's doing to my scalp. I actually had a lot of issues with a flaky, red and irritated scalp, so I decided to cut all the sulfates just to see what would happen. I managed to get the perioral dermatitis under control, and my scalp is vastly improved. It still gets a bit dry and flaky, but they are not huge chunky flakes like before, and it's not red or angry anymore. So for that reason, I will continue to avoid sulfates. At first, I felt that my scalp and hair never felt properly clean, but since then I have gotten very good results using a scalp massager. My hair is now less oily than before. Just leaving this here in case it helps someone!
When I learned about sulfates and silicones I assumed my hair was “damaged” because other TH-camrs said so🤦♀️ even though I never used heat on my hair or colored/bleached my hair. Que pendeja! Two years later I can’t go two days without washing my hair because by the end of the 2nd day my scalp is soooo damn itchy. I have insane breakage all over my hair and my hair is extremely frizzy when wet. Also a lot of these curly sulphate free shampoos contain protein for damaged hair which I thought I had. I haven’t been able to grow out my hair past my shoulders in the last two years because I have to cut a lot off when I get haircuts because it’s so dry and I think part of it has to do with the protein. Looking back I realized that my hair was way healthier when I was using sulfates and silicones than it is now.
I bought a sulfate free shampoo and my curls stretched from silicone buildup. So I swapped to TRESemmé temporarily and after a week of daily washing, my curls returned without drying my scalp. I was so grateful because I bought the shampoo and conditioner after watching this video. Thank you so much. I was missing my 3a curls, man.
Generally as someone with oily hair I use shampoos with C14-16 Olefin Sulphonate. I believe it is a cleanser _related_ to sulfates. I co-wash extremely rarely. Not everyone uses co-wash, which I think is important to remember.
Finally! I’ve got quite an oily scalp and would get loads of dandruff without sulfates. I definitely think people need to do what works for them. 🤷🏽♀️
TheNomadLens I wash my hair twice a week,how often should I use a Sulfate.I’ve got oily scalp too!
Well what I do is I use a sulfate combined with an organic scalp scrub once a week, but I normally wash my hair twice a week if possible. The second time I will use a co-wash. I can’t go longer than a week without a good scalp scrub and sulfate shampoo, otherwise I get flakes and itchiness.
can you do this for silicones!
Stay tuned for next week 😊
@@ManesByMell I'm waiting ur vedio about this too
I'm subscribing after seeing this video :) I love when people aren't afraid to share the facts. Certain "methods" have become more like religions, where there are a million rules that can never be broken or even questioned. I have fine, medium-thin hair and know without even trying it that co-wash only would be a DISASTER for me. I've cut out silicones, and switched to a sulfate-free shampoo that has several milder natural detergents, but I'll be using a sulfate shampoo periodically because we have really hard water that causes major buildup (I still needed a clarifying shampoo even when I was using SLS every wash). That's basically a cardinal sin according to some, but I'm confident that's the best starting point for my situation and it's not like my hair will all shrivel up and fall out the moment I try it!
Sulfates make my hair really dry and tangly. I use a sulfate-free Shampoo, it cleans well, foams well, my hair looks great and grows very fast. I noticed Shea Butter gave me build-up I needed to wash out with sulfates so I cut down my Shea Moisture products a lot, problem solved.
what do you use instead?
Amen sis! Sulphates are need in my routine because I tried just co washing and I disliked it a lot. My hair felt coated and my scalp still had a lot of build up.
Try sulfate free shampoos
@@preetidas9511 Nope those will leave soap residue on your scalp. I did an experiment washing my hand with sulfate and sulfate free shampoos and the sulfate free ones still suds up after rinsing for a long time and rubbing my hands together!😲 The sulfate ones didn't, they rinsed clean. Sulfate free shampoos do NOT rinse clean that's why so many people have irritated scalps using them but they think it's something else or that they just have dandruff.
Yes! I never stopped washing. Just reduced the sulphates to once in a while. In between a co wash an mild shampoo's 💜
I've just started my curly hair journey and I stopped using sulfates and silicones completely but my hair hated me and got extremely oily so I went back to sulfates and silicones and my hair looks amazing and feels amazing
You deserve more subscribers. Period. 👏🏼
I started my natural hair journey a week ago and i went to look for sulfate free shampoo but they were so expensive and to be honest I wasn't ready to spend that huge amount of money on shampoos especially because I'm broke lol so I decided to quit taking care of my natural hair but I am so happy now that I found your video! It gave me hope again. You are the best 😘
I'll bet the Curly Girl group will not be happy with this info about sulphates. I stopped using their shampoo a while ago because my hair did not feel clean. I also only wash it once per week (unless something weird happens) because it is so dry and chemically treated.
In addition to the important information, you are quite entertaining and I enjoy your videos.
THANK YOU. This REALLY eased my anxiety! So great to see someone talking about doing what works for the individual, not just adhering to these blanket rules + regulations
i have oily hair and sweat alot and i wash my hair every 4 days witha sulfate shampoo and my hair is now thriving. i used to use sulfate free and my hair was lifeless and drying out so badly. thanks for sharing this video.
I think sulfate free products are better for me. I have used many products (before I started the cgm) that contained sulfates and my hair didn't look great, it was dull, frizzy, less wavy/curly.
I had long curly hair get I chopped it off and got a buzz cut…. My scalped was covered with acne and skin irritation
And I’ve been using very moisturizing shampoos sulfate free all the time…. 😬
I’m growing my hair back and updated my hair care routine.. I use shampoos with sulfate now
Yesss my fave curltuber uploaded! Was just binging all your vids (should be studying but oh well), also I’m “only here for mell” jsksk, can’t help it these vids are so entertaining
Right shes so cute
This reminded me sooo much of a beauty Alton Brown type video and i am HERE for it 🙌🏻
Hey that's spot on! Her personality is exactly like Alton Brown. It makes her videos unique and fun to watch while also being educational.
Please read. I stumbled upon something tonight by mistake. I needed to remove vaseline from my hands so I grabbed my Giovanni 50:50 clarifying shampoo (sulfate free) figuring it would remove it better than my foam hand soap. I washed and rinsed well and rubbed my hands to see if there was any Vaseline residue left and to my amazement there were suds! I rinsed and rubbed vigorously again, more suds. Again, again, and again. It wouldn't stop. I grabbed a sulfate shampoo to try to strip the Giovanni but still got suds when I rubbed. Believe me I rinsed the hell out of my hands I thought maybe it was reacting to the Vaseline but that was long stripped. At this point I'm thinking what the hell is in this shampoo that even the sulfate shampoo isn't stripping it. Finally I rubbed borax (very stripping) on my hands and that took a majority of the soap away.
This really got me thinking. I told my husband to wash his hands with the Giovanni and same exact thing happened to him! He did not have any oils or Vaseline on his hands prior. After I got my hands normal again I put more Vaseline on my hands but this time used my Mane and Tail shampoo (sulfate) to wash and rinsed and rubbed vigorously, no sudsing. I then tested 2 other sulfate free shampoos I have and one did the same thing the Giovanni one did but not as much but was still there. I remember when both my husband and myself both used Giovanni we had really bad flakes and itchy scalps that we just chalked up to winter time. My husband switched back to sulfates months before I did and his scalp was immediately better. I recently did and my scalp feels like it's breathing for the first time in years! I really believe these sulfate free shampoos are not rinsing clean. I have had more scalp problems since using them years ago that I blamed on everything but the shampoos. I just tossed out a bunch of shampoo tonight. So if you find yourself with sore, itchy, dry, flakey scalp try going back to sulfate shampoo for a month to see if it resolves. The film left by the sulfate free ones are causing a lot of people issues I believe. I didn't switch to sulfate free because I had issues with sulfates but just following the crowd.
I'm so glad that u made this video. Here I am freaking out about using sulfates thinking that it's going to ruin my hair. Now I can clean my hair without worrying that the little monster "sulfate" will kill my hair. THANKS! 😊😊😊😊
Ive been researching ways for maintaining healthy curls, but thanks to you my hair looks so much better and healthier with more defined curls !
This was so helpful-thanks for doing the summary analysis on sulfates; as a triathlete who is either in the pool or sweating at least once a day, with a LOT of curly hair (under two swim caps when in chlorine), this was especially useful information for me. I tend to cleanse once per week because my hair gets dry very easily, so conditioning and leave-in conditioning is really important to maintaining the health of my curls, but cleansing from sweat, product buildup and sebum was a question I had, so thank you!
We all just gotta stop being judgemental. Everyone's hair has different needs! Some people need sulphates and/or silicones in their hair, no matter what the majority experiences. For example, I have to dry brush my hair to refresh it. Its just the only way my hair won't look stringy. When it comes to hair care, there are no rules. Just general guidelines. Thanks for sharing some facts, Mell!!
I love your videos. I appreciate that you don't push products at us and you give us the facts. I had straight hair for the first 20+ years of my life then somewhere in my 20s it started to curl. I then spent the next 15 years straightening it because I could never get my hair to stay curly. Now I'm a mom and I don't have time for that. But everytime I try to do things the CGM, my hair gets weighed down and the curls end up looking so flat. Or it'll look great wet but once it dries it's meh.
I love how your videos are so helpful and entertaining😍♥️♥️Thank you so much for educating us curly girls♥️🥰
Started the curly hair method, my hair started to fall a looott , I stopped using it and my scalp was very very oily , I began using sulfate again and guess what ? My hair is better now ! I use minimal products ( shampoo , conditioner , oil for the ends of the hair and sometimes cream if i feel like my hair needs it ) and i love it !
I remember I stopped using sulfate and my scalp was killing me. It was flaking and I got a scab. My mother said what are you using because you never had scalp problems. I used a cheap shampoo I had under my sink and my scalp became 80 percent better. After a couple washes all the problems was gone.
Dude!!! I have always been so confused by the sulfate thing!! You broke it down so well and keep me encouraged to keeping my curls healthy! I love your channel and LOVE YOU! You’re AWESOME!!!
I started using a Laureth sulfate shampoo once a week after watching this! I picked one that claimed it was also “moisturizing.” It doesn’t strip my hair at all, and I will use a little extra conditioner just to be sure! I do plan to use a sulfate-free shampoo or co-wash on the other days I wash my hair. And yes, my hair does better and stays softer when I wash every couple days! I love that your busting all these curly hair myths!
Now that I watched the video I actually learned a lot. I use a sulfate shampoo and I have a oily scalp . I didn’t know all that but now I know thank you mells( the s is for all the versions in the video of mell )😂😂❤️❤️❤️❤️
You make my life so much easier!! The curly girl methode is really bad when you have thin, frizzy en weightless curls type 2.
My scalp has never been so itchy, when I stopped using sulfates. I had enormous build up & my hair looked dull & weighed down.
I started to use the sulfates shampoo every two days, and I even do a deep conditioner for the moister and care.
My curls look so amazing and I am sooooo happy with your video's. Don't ever stop making them and ignore people who don't agree with you😘
U should try clarifying
Yes Mell...the stress of checking for sulfates at the back of products are stressful, plus finding the right one...now we know what to look for
thank u for giving us permission to sulfate again! Ur a lone voice of reason in a "bad sulfate" climate...my curls never bounce as good as when i use sulfate shampoo! Ur curly personality went from a 2a to a 4b in this video
Love the curl type reference haha!! Thanks for the love 😊
Holy goodness thank you for both a scientific AND experience based approach! A rare and relevant treat.
Very interesting video. Since I've begun learning how to better treat my dry curly hair, the first lesson I was taught was to STAY AWAY from sulfates. This definitely has me re-thinking that.
I can really appreciate this since i have hair just like yours. I think we curly hair folks get caught up with a product being sulfate free, paraben, etc.. when there there are also other ingredients you don't want in your hair like petroletum liquidum🤢 for example. Not sure i spelled correct off the top of my head.
Girl, I'm not even halfway through this, but you are cracking the shit out of me on this extremely frigid day in Chicago!! Thanks for the laughs and smiles :-)
Science for the win! Every curly girl I talk to gasps because I wash my hair once a week with shampoos. Finally I can explain why, logically!
I started following the curly hair method early October, 2018 and was only using the Shea moisture line to shampoo and condition my hair. I was going back and forth between the coconut and hibiscus line and the low porosity line because I learned that I have protein sensitive hair. By the middle of December, my scalp was irritated and hair started falling near the temple. I went back to using sulfate shampoo at least once a week because I learned that it was the only thing getting the job done. My scalp looks healthy again. Now, I’m just waiting for my hair to regrow. Everyone’s scalp/hair is different. Do what works best for your hair.
Thanks for sharing your experiences 😍
I am so happy I stumbled upon this video. Just the other day, I binged almost your entire channel. Several months ago, I started using better products/techniques that kind of aligned with the CGM. I never really wanted to go completely CGM because the thought of reaching a point of only washing my hair once a week freaked me out. I never thought my hair was dry and I would easily get product buildup if I went too crazy. After watching lots of successful CG hair journeys, I finally decided to commit completely. My scalp has been SO itchy as early as day 2. By day 3, I have to wash. And it was never like that before completely switching to the CGM. I didn't want to give up the CGM because I've heard it can just take time. However, after finding your very well informed video on sulfates and the rest of your channel, I'm going to switch things up and I'm excited to see how it goes. Can't wait for the video on silicones!!!
Hey Stephanie! Thank u so much for watching and for your comment. I’m so glad u shared your experiences with your curls. I hope my channel helps u in every way u need during your Curly journey! See you tomorrow with a new video 😍❤️
I use sulfates in my shampoo and my hair loves it. You just have to do what works for you.
I use deep cleansing sulfates once a month and moisturizing sulfate once a week. My hair and scalp are just fine 💆
For people that say they cannot get the scalp/hair clean without sulfates:
Sulfate free shampoos should be used slightly differently as they don't distribute trough hair in the same way. Instead of taking a big blob and trying to foam it trough the hair, take smaller amounts add a tad bit of water, emulsify in your hands and apply to the scalp on top of the head and work up the later then take another small bit and repeat on the sides and back of the head. If it doesn't foam well than add a bit of water as you go. then just massage the scalp all over. This way will give you good lather. Make sure your hair is thoroughly wet before adding shampoo. This method is more tricky and a learning curve compared to sulfates but it get's your scalp really clean and not stripped.
I’m not exactly sure how I feel about this video. Especially for curly girls just starting their journey, deciding to use sulfates, and then ending up drying out their hair. I definitely agree with the whole build up thing, but twice a week of sulfates if you have an oily scalp? Wouldn’t that just make your scalp even more oily by over doing it? I’m glad it works for you and for other people that I’ve read in the comments, but I just use a clarifying shampoo at least once a month that REALLY makes my hair squeaky clean but really dries out my hair and it doesn’t even have sulfates. Not saying that this information was wrong, but it just sounded pretty biased since you do use sulfates. I still love watching all your videos and support you!
Hen Mediavilla Washing your hair everyday with sulphates might cause over production of oil, but twice a week definitely won’t (and I say this as someone with an oily scalp). And honestly, I think it’s good for those starting the CG journey to hear all sides. There’s plenty of videos that talk against sulphates, this one saying there is a time and place for them won’t undo that 🤷♀️
Take a look at her hair. It's obviously working for her! There isn't one way to do the curly girl method. The number of times a month you deep cleanse/clarify really depends on how often you wash your per week regularly and the kinds of products you use. CG approved products still contain oils and other ingredients that do build up particularly if you're on the wavy/less curly spectrum and have a lower porosity/thinner hair. Again, this is something you personally need to experiment with and see what works. It's not something anyone can really tell you about since we're all different. It sounds like your clarifying shampoo isn't working for you and you should look into other alternatives cause they definitely exist! I really like to add several drops of the Neutrogena clarifying shampoo to my regular cleanser. Redken Curvaceous Hi Foam which is meant as a regular shampoo also cleans out gunk decently if used every so often as a clarifying shampoo. Also, follow-up with 30 minutes of deep conditioning and that really helps for me.
Alyx Davidson I said in my comment that I’m glad it works for her and everyone else that uses sulfates and likes it. I clearly see that it works for her. I was just saying that since she uses sulfates, it sounded biased as she was explaining in the video; she said we should use sulfates if we have an oily scalp, etc. The video just didn’t sound like she would ever suggest a non-sulfate shampoo. That’s what I was trying to say.
Also, I have been deep conditioning for about a year and a half already for 30 minutes every week, so my hair is moisturized after I use my clarifying shampoo. My point in mentioning that was the fact that it doesn’t even have sulfates in it but it REALLY CLEANSES my hair and dry it if I don’t use proper precautions. So I cannot even imagine what a sulfate shampoo would do to my hair. Therefore, my purpose was to show that non-sulfate shampoos (the RIGHT ones) can throughly, deeply cleanse your hair.
Sorry this was so long, I just hope you understand.
@@HennyBaybiix3 Hey beautiful!! The video is not meant to be biased at all. My goal with Melthbusters is just to share with everyone both sides of the story. I think all us Curly girls are ALREADY aware of the harmful effects of sulphates, that's why I decided to share the other more beneficial side to sulphates. Most of us do need some form of sulphate incorporated into our routines for many different reasons. My goal for this video was to help those who do need them understand which sulphates are recommended for their hair types and how to use them in their routines. The differences in opinion are not to belittle others opinions on sulphates or whatever the topic may be, but to share more insight. Thank you for your support, you know I'm always hair for you xo
Thank you for the information 😊 one of the things that I don't follow of the CGM is the use of sulfates because I workout 5 to 6 times a week and without sulfates my hair starts to fall out 😥 (I think is because the dirt in my scalp) once I start using sulfates once a week my hair stop fall out. And additionally I wash it with a non sulfate shampoo between week 😊
Please do more videos proving/disproving curly girl method stuff!!! I personally follow the curly girl method but I’m always looking for ways to improve my hair routine! I use sulfate and silicone free shampoos and conditioners twice a week and I use a sulfate shampoo once a month and that works pretty well for me.
Mell is a such a pleasure to watch. Her personality is life and how she teaches. She's like that favorite teacher you can't wait to go to lmao.
I really appreciate you making this video! I’ve been wanting to take care of my curly hair more. Thanks for all the research you put into this
Honestly just use what works for your hair. I used the curly girl method for years and my hair improved and my scalp didn't feel bad or dirty but I did make sure to cleanse my scalp once a week. I can't use sulfates because my hair dries out easily when I use products with them. No matter how much conditioner I use.
That said, i now use products with silicones because I found they are better at taming my frizz. Mel's right if a product dont work for you dont use it. It's a journey, this whole finding what works for you.
Thank you. I so agree. Your right cuz in my Preference i hate hate sulfates thats like a cussword to me. But i dont fear parabens anymore cuz i research its just a preservative kills bacteria to keep product's in shelves longer i used to fear tho. I now new to this but i now use silicones in a hair product i use hairtage i like the slip and detangling easier and feel. I wash out with scalp scrubs, cleanse oils, co wash and sulfate free shampoos of course on wash hair day.
Honestly, I think sulfates are good to an extent. I personally believe it isn’t something you should use on a regular, but instead be used once in a blue moon to remove build-up. Over-doing it may be damaging, but not using it at all can simply lead to damage as well due to no cleanse.
There are a ton of dermatologists saying that cowashing doesn’t lead to hair loss I cannot wait till these devacurl lawsuits fail in court. If you use the scalp scrubs or the scalp washes especially with tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar really are cleansing the sebum. Itchy scalp can definitely be caused by diffusing I diffuse but it kills my scalp and gross but dust mites that are killed with tea tree oils I’m not judgmental though at all this is just for me but it does work
i try not to use sulfates often as they can be drying but they’re good for clarifying. i’d say use a sulfate free shampoo for your main shampoo and use sulfate shampoos once a month or so for deep cleansing (use a mask after!)
I wanna know how bad silicones really are for your hair
sharing this next week 😊
Manes by Mell yes please !!! I’ve been wondering !
Bianca Renee did a video on silicone. Long story short use silicone if jou're fine without growth and such. 👌👍
@@ricocervante9146 her vid was full of bullshit. Actually she's not very informative in most of her vids lol
@@rnbbh5100 then why do you watch most of them if it's not benefiting you?
I feel like with anything; it just depends on your lifestyle and your hair; no two people are the same. It's all opinion, and whether you're pro or anti sulfates, at the end of the day it's your hair and you do you.
“Because it was not from here...”. LMAO!!! You rock, Mell! Always educating us in a very entertaining way. I love that you explain what, why and how. You explain everything, THANK YOU!!!
Dr. Ben Johnson, a dermatologist, spent years doing clinical trials on skin treatments. He said that sulfites are commonly used to damage the skin before the medicine is applied. He strongly suggests people stop using them on their skin and hair because of the damage they cause. There are alternative cleansing agents that are safer and effective. I've used alternative cleansers on my skin and hair for years and I don't have any issues with build up.
"I'm only here for mell" damn didn't have to call me out like that lol
I work out a lot and sulfate free shampoos didn't worked for me.. my head still felt dirty so I went back to using sulfates
I would love to know more about sulfate free shampoos and how they may or may not fit into all of this! I've been following the CG method since November 2018 and the build up in my hair gets bad so I introduced a sulfate free shampoo this past week. I don't have time to scrub with conditioner and don't want apple cider vinegar in my hair all the time. My son's little curls have been happier since the switch. Thank you Mell for making curly hair less stressful and restrictive!
I always had issues with traditional drug store shampoos and conditioners making my hair and scalp feel dry, itchy, and flakey (I’ve struggled with dandruff for years).
After finding the Curly Girl Method, I still struggled with the itchy and dandruff part. The way I’ve learned to cope and deal with it is a when using a shampoo or cowash with mild cleansing ingredients I have to scrub my scalp a little bit longer than I would with sulfate shampoo and that ensures my scalp feels clean and I don’t have any buildup. I also now make sure to clarify at least once a month with a proper clarifying shampoo. I also no longer do the popular “plopping” technique as it’s known in the CG community because having wet hair plastered to my scalp for any period of time makes my scalp itchy because it stays wet.
I’m team #dowhatworksforyou when it comes to the curly girl method. I don’t claim to follow it strictly and I’m not gonna shame anybody that does it differently from me because everybody’s circumstances and needs are different.
I should add that my hair is currently the healthiest it’s ever been and it grows so fast. My dandruff and scalp itch issues have also decreased significantly.
This is so needed in these dark post deva damage days. Thank you👏👏👏
For curly girls & guys who still want to clarify yet not strip hair look for sulfate free shampoos with cocobetaine or any gently sulfate free varieties work. Trader Joe’s tea tree shampoo is amazingggg for those with super oily or super dry scalps that flake, helps so much with itchiness & leaves your scalp minty fresh. Plus it’s like $4. Also add tea tree your fave shampoos
Wow, I am so glad I watched this. I just started the curly girl method with no sulfates but I keep thinking my hair looked better when I was washing with them. I have fine hair and never used to use any products, so I definitely think my hair is experiencing a lot of product build-up. I do wash every 2-3 days with a low-poo but I’m just not sure it’s doing the job. I think I’m going to do a sulfate once a week from now on.
A lot of people give up on the curly girl method, because eventually their hair gets so dirty and full of product build up. A dash of clarifying shampoo to my sulphate free cleanser works for me. My hair isn’t dry, has volume, plus it’s actually clean.
This really helped, i was curious for a long time i have to admit that I did believe that all sulfates are bad... But after this , it has changed my perspective on on sulfate based shampoos, thank you!
Yaaaassss! I did my own research because a lot of what we hear (not just in the curly hair industry) is simply good marketing.
I started using sulfates every now and then (every 2-3 washes) because my scalp wasn’t happy! And my hair is fine so even if I’m not using a lot of product on wash day + during the week, it still gets build up easy. (Which apparently isn’t supposed to happen with high porosity hair, but whatever. My hair has a life of its own).
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE FACTS!
Thanks so much for sharing 😍
I feel I have lost of hair thanks to cg method...u have surely convinced me to go back to the conventional way of washing ones' hair ! Finally sulphates n silicones r back! Lots of love from India..!❤️❤️😘
If you don’t mind your hair being stripped of excess oils, use sulfate if you want to. But most woman need our natural oils like myself for best hair growth my hair grows and feels it’s healthiest without sulfate and without silicone. Silicone does give the appearance of healthy hair though which is why I really stay away from it but you can get rid of silicone build up with a clarifying shampoo. So that’s me. But it IS, bad for our hair which is why companies make free silicone and sulfate products in the first place, I hate when people or influencers tell people it isn’t bad it is, however it’s up to you it’s your hair and it’s your decision whether you want to use it or not you know your hair, your hair won’t fall out. There’s youtubers that prefer silicone and sulfate free products but they’ll review things with silicone for their viewers, it’s not the end of the world do what you want with your hair just know the facts don’t just listen to youtubers do your OWN research just like they did. :)
Bianca Dennis For me I need sulfates because my scalp and hair needs to be super clean and refreshed every 4 days, Sulfates are not bad at all its just a cleanser. A lot of natural hair women struggle with oily scalp. I find that the ph matters way more. So yah, it really just depends on your hair. Tbh a lot of companies make sulfate free things because its a trend, but they still contain harsh detergents like olefin sulfonate.
I just really don’t agree with this video because she’s saying we need sulfate to clean our hair but that’s untrue. Sulfate makes hair squeaky clean and makes a product lather up a lot, if a product has no sulfate there’s other cleansing agents. Bottom line is you do want to avoid sulfate if you have dry hair, or damaged hair especially if your hair is damaged from being chemically treated.
Bianca Dennis It really depends on the person because a products with sulfates doesn’t necessarily mean that it is going to dry out the hair. And a product without sulfates doesn’t mean that it won’t dry out the hair like I said before, there are really harsh “non-sulfate” cleansers as well. Personally I find that what dries out the hair is un balanced ph or excess heat.
Kennedy 👍🏾
@@biancamartin1606 Hey beautiful!! No one knows their own hairs needs better than yourself. I'm just here to share with you guys with the facts, techniques etc. to help you get there. My goal with Melthbusters is just to share with everyone both sides of the story. I think all us Curly girls are aware of the harmful effects of sulphates, that's why I decided to share the other more beneficial side to sulphates. Most of us do need some form of sulphate incorporated into our routines for many different reasons. My goal for this video was to help those who do need them understand which sulphates are recommended for their hair types and how to use them in their routines. The differences in opinion are not to belittle others opinions on sulphates or whatever the topic may be, but to share more insight. Thank you for your support, you know I'm always hair for you xo
I recently started the CG method about a month and a half ago, and my hair is doing so much better. My scalp is so much less greasy now that I've cut out sulphates. I used to wash my hair with sulphates twice a week, and my hair was dry and frizzy. It only looked nice on day 3, then the next day it was greasy and stringy. I wash my hair 2-3 times a week (every 3 days, or earlier if I need to style it) and my hair hasn't felt greasy since. I'm 15, with 2a-2b hair, so I just assumed it was natural teenage oiliness. I don't co-wash, because that seems like it does no cleaning. I use shea moisture Jamaican black castor oil shampoo and a Tresemme silicone free conditioner. and a shit ton of gel. My hair just feels nicer and is more manageable now. Sulphates work for some people, i guess, but my experience has been so much better since cutting them out.
Just make sure u Deep Condition after u use the sulfate shampoo!!!!
Right. Simple as that. Sulfates are nothing to be afraid of.
Like you, I also shampoo once a week using a sulphate shampoo. I am super careful to then replace moisture. After washing with a sulphate shampoo I cowash with conditioner and then use a rinse out conditioner followed by a leave in. I then do the LOC method before adding my styling products. Most of the rest of the week I refresh using steam which also adds moisture. Those of us with naturally dry hair must be sure to replace the moisture when using sulphates.
P.S. My husband said that if he had to do all that to his hair he would shave it off. 😂😂😂
I've done my own research and trial and error and decided I still want to remain sulfate free in my shampoos, but because of my very specific skin type. I have VERY dry skin (I refer to myself as a desert person) and produce little to no sebum day to day. My skincare routine is all about adding oil to my skin since it doesn't do a good enough job producing it's own. The same goes for my scalp. Because of how little sebum I produce, I need to go easy on shampoo and use very moisturizing products or else my hair starts to dry out. I've personally never experienced any build up on the roots.
BUT that is just my very specific routine for my specific head. I have wavy hair, and everything I read tell me wavies need stronger shampoos to remove build up. Only if your scalp produces sebum to begin with! Curly hair care is not a one-size-fits-all problem or solutions. Yes, curl pattern is a factor. But so is porosity, skin type, density... Thank you so much Mell for busting the myths that need busting and empowering us to make our own decisions about what to use in our hair that works for us.
Thanks for sharing ❤️❤️😍
is it just me or have you doubled subscribers in the last month?! Congrats on everything you are your sister are doing I adore your channel and look forward to Tuesdays solely for your videos!!
Thanks so much for ur support Susie 😍
Yep, oily scalp over here and I sweat A LOT!!! Due to lack of time I only wash once a week with a sulfate but if it's disgusting I will wash twice a week
I wash my hair with horse chestnut milk (just let them soak in hot water for 12 hours, then put in blender whit that water, blend it and strain it through nut milk bag). There is a lot of saponins that is natural cleanser. I had clean hair even if they were oily (I have very oily hair)
I used to have really frizzy wavy hair bc i didnt know how to style It. But once i learned, It is looking great, and now i have 3a. Is just about learning how to style your curls. Products can make a Big difference, but u dont have to feel bad for using sulfates or silicones. Maybe the solution is to use a gentle sulfate shampoo. You Will have your scalp clean and not that dry
Thanks so much for sharing 😍
This video has changed my life.
I'm from the U.k love the English accent 🤣🤣
After that video I have joined this “I don’t care I am here for Mell” group :-)))
This was amazingly detailed! You give over so much valuable information about something I thought I knew all about. I cant wait to see the silicone video!
They are not bad, the new "Clean" marketing bullcrap is what's bad! We are keep the dermatologist in business though! Essential oils, and removing everything else is wreaking havoc on skin and scalp. The only thing we need to do without is fragrance, that's the part that is drying!
I’m just here for Mell. ❤️
Your videos are the best! Love them 💗💗💗😘🥰❤️💕😍💋 I get crazy buildup with non-sulfate shampoos...I also get dandruff when I use them and it’s so gross....the key is to use a shampoo with sulfate to really cleanse your scalp...Like you mention in your video, if you don’t use shampoos with sulfate your scalp will have buildup and when the pores are clogged it prevents hair growth and you can actually lose hair...so true
How do you feel about the devacurl build up buster instead of a sulfate shampoo??
Great question I'd love to know the answer too!
I would love to know too!!!
Me to!
I also wonder about that. I've only used ACV rinse to remove build up.
This is a great question, I hope she answers it
Oh wow! This is why devacurl is causing so much problem! Great videos👍
The "I love you fan" is so cute!!!