I'm one of those people that have to change shampoo and conditioners every few years because it stops working. I use to use Pantene now I use Garnier Fructose, Head and Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoo, and a professional deep conditioner. I've just been using that on my hair all year, with no perms. I find that it makes my hair softer to just blow dry it after putting a leave in conditioner in and then flat ironing it. Silk is what gives it the shine. If I want my hair wavy I don't blow dry it. #blackpersonhair

EDIT: and to answer your question, I haven't cut my hair because I'm growing it out to get curls and growing out my highlights because I don't want them. I want to color my entire hair now.