You've heard it time and time again...follow the directions. It's been drilled into out heads since the womb and in most cases is the correct approach. If my natural hair has taught me anything (and it has), it's taught me that sometimes following the directions to the letter can be disastrous. You know how your parents eventually added the do what you're told unless you'll die as a result clause (funny how I never got to use that clause with their instructions). With your hair, that clause can sometimes apply. Only your hair won't die...it'll just give you the side-eye and a bad hair day to boot. I remember when I first started using Shea Moisture. There weren't any directions to speak of on the container and I was lost. What did I do? I'm glad you asked :)
I winged it mostly. I listened to "The Hair" and acted accordingly. Eventually, I got the hang of it. I've since graduated to other products such as Giovanni's Direct Leave-In (marvelous stuff). While it doesn't irritate my skin, it did test my sensibilities at first. How? It told me to apply the product to damp hair. Now, I don't know about you but contrary to the advice usually given to low porosity curlies like myself, I Cannot apply product to damp hair with good results. The Hair just ain't having it. It's got to be fresh out the shower wet, so I learned from my mistake and I only style it when wet. There's also a new cleansing conditioner in my life, As I Am's Coconut Co-wash cleansing conditioner. The smell is alright, but the directions and I had a difference of opinion. For one thing I found it best to apply it to my scalp first before massaging it into my hair (opposite of what the directions say). When I do it my way, my hair detangles better and I don't end up ripping my hair apart. The moral of this story? Once you know you're using the best product for your hair/skin and you're still dissatisfied, check your application method. You may need to listen to the instructions from your hair instead of the instructions on the product.