topic Re: New to Wen in WEN

New to Wen

TKeys — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 03:26:35 GMT

I'm fairly new to Wen. My hair is baby fine (most people say they have baby fine hair, but mine is about as fine as hair can be), and it is pin straight and I do not have much of it. My hair is always shiny, it does not get dry. I usually have issues with shampoo making my hair greasy or weighing it down. I've never liked having product in my hair - it always weighs it down. Anything that is "volumizing" is usually awful for my hair. I occasionally used a touch of mousse right at the front of my head at the roots, but even hair spray is usually too heavy for my hair. My hair is often oily within a day of washing - if I go longer than a day, I always wear my hair up. I tried Wen a few years ago, and I thought it was awful - my hair was like an oil slick, and I broke out in a rash. I have some allergies, so I assumed I was allergic to something in the formulation. I also suspect that I did not properly follow the directions for use (I did not use enough pumps or rinse thoroughly).

Recently, I tried Wen again - I got the WWC and a SAM in a deal through GR. My intent was to use for my daughter who has long curly thick hair that never seems to have enough moisture, tangles easily, and is quite thick. It has worked great for her hair, although I still feel like she could use more moisture. Her tangles have been MUCH less. I once used the styling cream on her hair...I feel like it dried it it out, and we had a lot of issues with tangles over the next day or two. She is little, so I do not see any need for styling products - we had received free ones, and I thought I would see what they did.

She liked WWC but hated the SAM smell (we are going to try the Wen Kids next for her), so I figured I'd give it a try - especially since my favorite shampoo is getting extremely hard to find. I have only used Wen maybe 3 times so far. The first 2 times, I used the styling cream and mousse, and blow dried my hair, and it actually was pretty decent - I was surprised it was not too greasy, and I was able to go about 2 days in between washings (rare for me). But, I thought it actually dulled my hair. There was just less shine than is usual for me, but otherwise, my hair looked good. The third time I used it, I just used the cleansing cream, no styling cream or mousse. My hair was definitely shinier and softer, but it ended up very greasy in less than 24 hours.

Does anyone else feel like the styling cream/mousse dulls the shine/dries hair out? Is it really necessary to use all of these together? I'm trying to decide if I like Wen enough to continue for me (we will definitely keep using for my daughter), and whether or not to use the styling cream/mousse or go without. I prefer my hair to feel product free, in general.

Just curious!

Re: New to Wen

Kjelle — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 05:01:56 GMT

@TKeys Welcome to the WEN forum!

When you try WEN kids-Watermelon is most popular, I think. In addition, the rice-based kids formula is great for many, but some find it not moisturizing enough. Send it back if that's the case for your daughter. One thing for sure, if she is prone to tangles, order the kids de tangling spray. It is basically like the adult Replenishing Mist but better for tangles. You spray it on, rub the tangle between your fingers and the tangle falls out.

As for you, I don't have experience with just your hair type, but there are some things that are true across the board. The more you use WEN the longer you will most likely be able to go between cleanses. Also, since you get oily so fast, it means your scalp isn't normalized. The best way to get you scalp to stop pumping oil is to give it oil. The Tea Tree oil is the best for this. You put it on your scalp at night and cleanse it out in the morning. A couple drops on your face is good for excess oil too.

Personally, I do use the products as leave in. But some don't. Just remember if you use heat, to use a protectant. (The styling creme is a heat protectant.)

Good luck, I know you will get lots of replies and info from those with baby fine hair.

Re: New to Wen

vermint — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 14:26:07 GMT

@TKeys I agree with everything @Kjelle said...she gave you very good advice! If you blow dry or heat style in any way, do use the Styling Creme. Other than that, it's totally up to you what to use.

Re: New to Wen

sonechko — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 20:40:46 GMT

It seems, you have a few issues going with your hair, @TKeys. The fact it's "pin straight" and you "do not have much of it", is something Wen may or may not address. With my hair that is just straight, with a help of correct Wen formulas I able to achieve a lot more body. Having baby fine, and not so much of it hair, I noticed my hair shaft is getting thicker and stronger, plus I see new growth.

Your oily scalp problem also is something that needs and can be addressed. Chaz himself said many times, he had extremely oily scalp and his hair was very greasy in just hours. He says, he does not have this problem any more! He says, he can go days without cleansing his hair.

One of our board members, @bebe777, may chime in on the oily scalp issue, and tell how she was able to address this problem.

What I know, that Wen Tea Tree oil treatments helped to stabilize oil production for many of boardees, as I've read. Also, using the Tea Tree Cleansing Conditioner. With Wen you may need more than one Cleansing Conditioner to address a few issues. Scalp is a Tea Tree, for volume and body, it's a different story, and it varies for many, because we all are different.

Hope you'll find the solution for all your needs, and good luck with everything! Wen is great product, and helped many, but it does have some learning curve.

Re: New to Wen

Hilary77 — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 03:01:53 GMT

I think you just have to experiment with different amounts to find what is right for you. I am not a huge fan of the styling creme, but I do like it because it gives my hair a little more hold for my style and it protects my hair from the heat of the blow dryer. I have experimented with the styling creme a lot. I find that less is more for me with the styling creme. I have chin length hair. My hair is fine in texture, but I have a lot of it. I use a dime size amount of the cleansing conditioner as a leave in and a dime size amount of the styling creme. I make sure to add it to soaking, dripping wet hair. My hair still keeps the shine, but it adds the smoothness and a touch of hold I want. Also, with the cleansing conditioner, I find that cleansing, rinsing and repeating helps to keep my hair clean longer. You just divide the recommended amount in half. Use the first half of the pumps for the first cleanse and the second half of the pumps as the second cleanse. I also make sure that I add a good splash of water to the cleansing conditioner each time to really get it frothy and creamy in my hair. This helps to distribute the product and get all the strands clean. The first cleanse cleans the oil, dirt, and product from the hair. The second cleanse gives your hair hydration and conditioning while keeping the hair light and soft. My hair is more weighed down when I only do one cleanse. Just keep experimenting with different amount and combinations. Once you get that perfect routine, you will love it!!! Just remember, if you hair is greasy, you need to use more, not less of the cleansing conditioner. You have to remember that it is cleaning your hair. If you don't use enough, your hair won't get clean. It is the opposite of how most people think of conditioner. It won't make your hair greasy if you use more. It actually cleans it better. I wish you the best on your Wen journey. You are doing the right thing by posting on the forum. These ladies are wonderful! They are a wealth of information. Welcome to the Wen family!!

Re: New to Wen

77yangya — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:04:11 GMT

Wow, Sweet Almond Mint is such a lovely smell. The first time I used Wen (seven years ago and still exclusive) it was SAM and the scent is so delicate and pretty. Not over powering and floral. I've quit shampoo. It ruined my hair. I found shampoo to be harsh and extremely drying. That's why I see ladies (caucasion) with frizzy, fuzzy hair at the mid lengths and ends. That's what shampoo does for ya. Mine is like the Wen models' and I'm still blown away by it. It makes shower time FUN time! If every company that made products made them with the same quality well...I think we'd eliminate the national debt.

Re: New to Wen

RipleyGirl — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 16:35:02 GMT

@TKeys wrote:
I'm fairly new to Wen. My hair is baby fine (most people say they have baby fine hair, but mine is about as fine as hair can be), and it is pin straight and I do not have much of it. My hair is always shiny, it does not get dry. I usually have issues with shampoo making my hair greasy or weighing it down. I've never liked having product in my hair - it always weighs it down. Anything that is "volumizing" is usually awful for my hair. I occasionally used a touch of mousse right at the front of my head at the roots, but even hair spray is usually too heavy for my hair. My hair is often oily within a day of washing - if I go longer than a day, I always wear my hair up. I tried Wen a few years ago, and I thought it was awful - my hair was like an oil slick, and I broke out in a rash. I have some allergies, so I assumed I was allergic to something in the formulation. I also suspect that I did not properly follow the directions for use (I did not use enough pumps or rinse thoroughly).

Recently, I tried Wen again - I got the WWC and a SAM in a deal through GR. My intent was to use for my daughter who has long curly thick hair that never seems to have enough moisture, tangles easily, and is quite thick. It has worked great for her hair, although I still feel like she could use more moisture. Her tangles have been MUCH less. I once used the styling cream on her hair...I feel like it dried it it out, and we had a lot of issues with tangles over the next day or two. She is little, so I do not see any need for styling products - we had received free ones, and I thought I would see what they did.

She liked WWC but hated the SAM smell (we are going to try the Wen Kids next for her), so I figured I'd give it a try - especially since my favorite shampoo is getting extremely hard to find. I have only used Wen maybe 3 times so far. The first 2 times, I used the styling cream and mousse, and blow dried my hair, and it actually was pretty decent - I was surprised it was not too greasy, and I was able to go about 2 days in between washings (rare for me). But, I thought it actually dulled my hair. There was just less shine than is usual for me, but otherwise, my hair looked good. The third time I used it, I just used the cleansing cream, no styling cream or mousse. My hair was definitely shinier and softer, but it ended up very greasy in less than 24 hours.

Does anyone else feel like the styling cream/mousse dulls the shine/dries hair out? Is it really necessary to use all of these together? I'm trying to decide if I like Wen enough to continue for me (we will definitely keep using for my daughter), and whether or not to use the styling cream/mousse or go without. I prefer my hair to feel product free, in general.

Just curious!

Hopefully this wasn't covered in other posts, but from my experience with the mousse, if you find your hair is dull, you likely haven't worked the mousse in enough. I have similar hair to you and I use cleansing cream to cleanse and as a leave in + styling cream and lately the mousse on soaking wet hair. I have found though that I need to leave a few minutes between the products so that it can fully absorb. I know Chaz says you can add a crazy amount of the mouse, but I'd suggest experimenting with fewer pumps just to be sure it's absorbed. As Chaz says in one of the videos, you do need to pack it in!

My little girl (5) also has a mass of hair (wavy and fine) and I do use the styling cream on her hair (usually a free one in a kit), but also when it's soaking wet. I find it actually keeps it cleaner. It seems to kind of repel dirt. I use WenKids because she has no clue what menthol is and why her scalp feels odd with the adult formulas I also use either the replenishing mist or WenKids detangling on her hair every day, just to make brushing easier.

Re: New to Wen

TKeys — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 17:24:28 GMT

Thanks! For now, I'm keeping the styling cream away from my daughter - it absolutely made it a knotty mess - but will play with the sprays when/if we get any. I've been mixing some CC with water in a spray bottle, & that works nicely for combing out. I.ve been using about 4 pumps of mousse & a dime of styling cream on me. My hair feels too soft with just the wen (yes, there is such a thing!) but I don't love the extra products in my hair. I'll keep playing, thanks!

Re: New to Wen

RipleyGirl — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 18:36:45 GMT

I think you are just making Chaz' homemade replenishing mist before he started bottling it

I have fine hair. I most definitely understand "too soft" and generally also "falling in my eyes, sticking to my face, too soft"!

So far, I've actually had more success with his volumizing mist plus the glossing serum on soaking wet hair (10 pumps + 1 or 2 squirts). The volumizing mist does have some alcohol though (split with witchhazel), so the mousse is likely better for my hair.

Re: New to Wen

sonechko — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 19:10:55 GMT

@TKeys it is essential finding right Wen CC and ancillary products, and especially learning correct tricks and amounts using styling products. Wen has some learning curve.

But what I know for a fact, that with continuous use of Wen Products, your hair CHANGES and stabilizes.

Especially, if you are incorporating in your routine a regular use of Wen Oils to treat you scalp. This is where your hair begin.

Healthy Scalp = Healthy Hair.

And after a while you'll have totally different hair, from what you had before Wen.

Or course, only if you want it. Because, it is only up to you, and only if you have a DESIRE. Because changing hair with Wen is your own personal EXPERIMENT

Finding the correct for you Wen Products. Using tips from Wenners with similar type of hair, and trying it yourself, giving it time and effort, while watching what products and in which proportion work.

After a while, your own hair, and especially new growth changes, and you will be able successfully "take" almost any Wen Products. Your hair will start to accept them, and will become less "tempermental".

Right now I can only suggest instead of hair spray, using Wen Volumizing spray, and specifically for you - Bamboo Green Tea vs. other ones. You may spray some on your hands and rub it into your roots when hair is still wet.

Use the correct number of pumps of Wen Mousse, and not be afraid of leaving some Cleansing Conditioner on the length of your hair.

Use an old soft cotton T-shirt instead of a towel to dry your hair. There are many of little "tricks", important for your hair type.

But what is true - does not matter what type of hair each of us have, still we need to learn to understand it's needs and treat it accordingly.

Good luck!

Re: New to Wen

Ladyzep — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 20:06:05 GMT

Please be very careful using Wen! I'm sure you've heard there is a class-action lawsuit against Wen by hundreds of women who have experienced hair loss from this product.

I have always had thick beautiful hair my entire life - I used Wen for a year and ignored the women complaining of hair loss. Then one day I googled "Wen and Hair Loss" and was astonished at what I read. I took a good look at the crown and temple area of my hair and compared my hairline to older, pre-Wen pictures of me, and realized I did have some thinning there. I pulled up the drain in the shower and was again astonished at the amount of hair and gunky product jammed in the drain. I have chosen personally not to use Wen anymore - I just don't want to take the risk!

Of course, make your own decision, but I for one, am now in the market for products for thinning hair and hair loss - SAD.

Re: New to Wen

yisbuff2 — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 00:03:51 GMT

@TKeys You have already received some great advice, so I won't repeat what has been said. One thing I did which others may have done, but which I'm not sure I've read before, is have a "day off" from styling while getting acclimated to Wen. I would cleanse, let my hair air dry, then assess where I was. By doing this it helped me see what was occuring that wasn't me manipulating through styling. What I found is that over the course of the year my also fine hair (medium amount) got wavier and then curlier, got deeper in color, got shinier, and got fuller (at least appearance - I've never counted hairs). It also helped me when I would actually use styling products the next time because I could see how they were or were not helping me.

My other piece of advice with all the products, but especially styling, is really give it time and multiple tries. Almost everything I've ever gotten I've thought wasn't working at first. I had to try different approaches. I kind of let the products show me what they could do instead of trying to make the products do something if that makes sense. Since I've been more patient I've learned what to use to achieve the results I want, and how to use products more effectively. I've only sent one thing back in the last year and that was just due to smell incompatibility.