Are you using silicones? Why or why not?
If so, how, and in which products?
How’s the health of your hair?
Were you ever on a CG (Curly Girl, no silicones, no poo) routine? If so, how does your hair compare?
CN Says;
1. Yep. Decided to experiment after avoiding them for a while and never seeing the results I wanted. The first product I introduced into my CG routine was DevaCare One… it had one silicone, Amodimethicone, and my hair loved it!
2. They’re in Salerm 21 (my leave-in), and in my frizz/anti-humidity serum (Philip B or Sabino Moisture Block).
3. My hair feels awesome. Smooth, shiny, and strong. I honestly feel that my fine, highly porous hair is able to hold onto the moisture better with cones than without. For me, the frizz serums do a great job of holding in the moisture from my shower and leave-in, rather than blocking moisture out. Either way, my hair looks good no matter the weather… usually.
4. I was CG for a year or more and my hair revolted. I could never get the cuticle smooth no matter what I did. My hair was dry, dull, rough, and split very easily.
My hair today is smooth, shiny, healthy, and happy!
I have been natural 5 years, used cones for about 3 and a half of them and then stopped using cones and over the period without, my hair split so much, I am still at the length I was when I started. It stayed dry, frizzed and it took forever to detangle no matter what slippery product I used. I recently stopped using poos, I use Aussie moist as my poo and can comb my hair with my finger to detangle and be done in under an hour. Long story short…MY HAIR LOVE CONES…I learned the hard way to listen to my hair and hush what people say. I am so mad at myself for the anguish I put my hair through. I nearly loc'ed it up over the summer bc my hair wash day really took a full day to complete and then another day for hair to be fluff ready to go out cute. I started avoiding washing my hair. It has been frustrating but I can't tell you how relieved I am to have figured out if wasn't broke and I broke it and now it's fixed. Get off youtube and listen to your hair.
I'm currently doing the CG routine and have done for a few months now, and although I know that it is the 'right' thing to do for the health of my hair, I just cannot get rid of the frizz. I've kept a pot of a 'cone laden hair wax which used to keep the frizzies at bay and I'm finding myself looking longingly at it (it's like a demon on your shoulder tempting you 'go on, you know you want to!') I'm really torn at the moment as to what to do, but I have to confess that I never had a problem with 'cones before I read up on the CG method and I'm sorely tempted to go back to them – sorry!
When I began to transition I complete revamped my products and I had left silicones out. As I learn more about them I am becoming more open to incorporating them. In regards to my routine, I'm leaving in pretty simple and I'm trying to be careful about what products I use. I actually shampoo my hair once a week but I cushion this by applying oil and conditioner (Aussie Moist) to my hair prior to shampooing. Then I deep conditioner afterwards. My hair is doing well and it's not extra shiny like many with cones but it's healthy. For the most part, I think that's why I haven't tried many of the new products (besides being broke) is because my current routine works! Why fix it, and spend $$$, if it's not broke?
I've been silicone free for quite some time now. I stopped using shampoos with SLS and the like in them several years ago. (Mine are actually SLS free–been using Chagrin Valley Soaps shampoo bars for a few years now). I've been very happy with my shampoos, and find that I can't use products with silicones (or petroleum, or mineral oil) in conjunction with them. Frizz has never really been much of a concern since I've been a natural (it doesn't bother me, really), but my 2-strand twists do seem much neater now than they did when I did more experimenting with products and din't avoid things like silicones, SLS, etc. This is the first time I've ever tried to grow it out–never cared about length, especially since the then bf now hubby thinks short hair is cute on me–so I haven't the foggiest idea as to how long it will be able to get with my current regimen. I'm not too stressed about it. My hair is moisturized, and my scalp is in great shape :o)
Anyway, I'm all for doing whatever works for you.
Co-signing Anon 5/3 7:24 am re "natural products = short, dry hair." SO not true. People put way too much stock in products and not nearly enough stock in technique and handling.
During this last year of experimenting with WNGs on tightly coily 4b hair, I've found that cones help keep my coils intact. My two main cone products are HE Hello Hydration conditioner (has a cone about halfway down the ingredients list) and GF Sleek and Shine leave-in (has a cone closer to the top of the list).
That said, it's true that not all cones are the same. I'd like to try more cone-based products but I know from past experience that certain ones will leave my hair dry, dry, dry. Ultimately if I have to choose between softness and coil definition, softness is going to win…
I started out with using cones in everything. Then I noticed my hair was soft and shiny, but not healthy. In my experience, silcones did just that. Made my hair shiny and appear healthy because it was soft. But the buildup was something serious and I couldn't mositurize my hair with natural products because the cones were coating my strands. I eliminated mostly all cones and my hair is healthy and thriving and I don't have to clarify as often maybe once every two to three months. And for the anon who stated that the few naturals who use natural products have short, dry hair; they are not properly taking care of their hair. It has nothing to do with using natural products. And just because your hair is long doesn't mean that it's healthy 🙂
I started off using silicone products, now I'm doing the CG method. I like the method because when I use a silicone products I have to shampoo my hair with sulfates and sulfates sucks the moisture from my hair. After doing the CG method for a few months, I have noticed that my hair retains more moisture, so I think it works fine for my hair type. I don't have anything against silicone products, but they cannot be washed out of the hair with conditioner, so I had to stop using them.
Silicones are a no go for me. I tried to use the Wen conditioner even though it had cones in it. It was nice when it was wet but once it dried my hair was dry and crispy. Needless to say I had to seek out a sulfate shampoo to get rid of the 'cones!
I agree anonymous 5:16! You gotta just do what works for you. People of every other nationality use products right out of the drug store and keep VERY low maintenance routines and their hair thrives. Stop the fuss! Just do what works for you and don't overdo it. There is such a thing as "too much of a good thing."
I neither avoid silicones nor do I seek them out. I think there is too much hype over certain ingredients being "bad" for hair when they actually work well for so many and are included in so many products for a reason.
I'm in Philly and know quite a few naturals. And to be honest, the few that only use "natural" products and avoid everything that's supposed to "bad" all have short, often dry hair. They always want to tell me about this "new" thing that is natural and works "great" then complain a month later about how dry their hair still is and that it's still breaking even though they don't dye, blow dry, flat iron, etc. The naturals I know with longer, healthier hair use whatever works for them – including grease, Pantene, etc.
I don't think it's the specific ingredients, but how you use them.
I started the CG method, then went back to the cones and I'm back to the CG routine. That is the best for me: my hair is shiny, soft and manageable. By the way, I'm a lazy girl: no patience for twists, knots, rollers… I only do wash'n go and for that only silicone free stuff works great (for my hair)!
I tried dry sets with silicone free stuff and admit that the hair doesn't look nice! However, when I used cones, the hair was bautiful for few days and soon it became dull and lifeless.
I use Aveeno nourish and moisterize shampoo and conditioner. Amazing slip and it makes my curls pop like no other. I use on Saturday and sometimes I cowash with the conditioner during the middle of the week. Both products have a ton of cones but my hair loves it.
I never understood why Folks Would avoid silicones.. My hair loves them! The more the silicones and alcohols ( smooth slippery ingredients that hep detangle my hair) the better.
Luv luv luv cones! I tried Giovanni Conditioner(I don't remember which one, the one that smells like oranges), because everyone told me it was awesome. I hated it, my hair was soooo poofy, especially my wash-n-go's. I usually use Herbal Essence Total Hydration, and this smooths my cuticle and leaves my hair shiny and gorgeous. I also wash my hair once to twice a week. If I do a wash-n-go I don't put much oil in my hair. If I'm putting it in a bun or braid out I put Olive oil cream, pure coconut oil, and avocado oil in my hair this works great!!!
I use a no-cone conditioner most of the time, but every now and then I pull out a conditioner or deep conditioner with a silicone. Really the only reason I don't use the silicone products all the time is that I used to have a hard time keeping my relaxed hair moisturized when I used cones.
Thanks! I'll have to try out some sort of serum.
Silicones work well for my hair. I don't experience build up at all.
Moni, i'm going to update my regimen. But lately, I've been doing the following:
-Once a month I shampoo, and deep condition. I rinse clean and apply Salerm 21 B5 Leave-in to damp hair.
-apply serum prior to roller setting hair on huge magnetic rollers to stretch hair (I either sleep in them over night or sit under the dryer)
-twist hair with amla pomade or Qhemet Cocoa Ghee
-rock twists for days on end (with a tam over them), and release when I have some where to go.
-I re-moisturize every 2-3 days using a mix of the Qhemet ghee and seal with the serum or pomade
That's it!
I do this for an entire month… no combs or brushes. Just my fingers when re-twisting at night. I sleep in a bonnet every night.
I do use products with silicones in it. Prior to starting a hair journey, I didn't even know that silicones were bad for you and did not experience any bad side effects. When I started my hair journey I threw out all my silicone products only to start regretting throwing away all that money because my hair become dry and very rough. So I started using a leave in with dimethicone in it and my hair felt better so now I do use leave in and conditioners with dimethicone in it, I try to use silicones that can be easily washed out and since I clarify my hair every month with a sulfate shampoo am not worried about buildup.
My hair feels amazing with silicone products and has been growing really well, its so shiny and black. And I like the smoothness I feel when I touch my hair.
I did try the CG method but after a month, I went back to silicones but I still only shampoo once a month and cowash twice a week.
I do not use silicones because they cause buildup in my hair. With silicones I think they do not work with my hair properties. I have low porosity which is more that likely why I get major buildup when I use products containing silicones.
I definitely need some type of frizz/anti-humidity product. I tried gel (eco styler), but that only offered one day humidity protection and I can't reapply gel every night! How/when do you use the frizz serum in your hair care routine? Thanks!