Curl Chemistry - CurlyNikki

Sep 21

Are “Gentle” Surfactancts Also Damaging?- Cleansing Natural Hair

By CURLYNIKKI Curly Nikki 4 Comments

By Tonya McKay Dear Tonya: Why is it that some products formulated with “gentle” surfactants and marketed as natural or sulfate-free actually seem to be more drying and damaging to my hair? I thought these products were supposed to be more gentle and kind to my fragile curls. Read On>>> A: This question pops up frequently, and I have asked…

Jan 27

Castor Oil and Its Derivatives

By CURLYNIKKI Curly Nikki 4 Comments

Tonya McKay of NaturallyCurly writes;We get a lot of questions about whether or not castor oil is okay for curly hair. Another related question is what PEG-30 castor oil is (or any other PEG-#), and whether it is compatible with curly hair, especially for those on shampoo-free or shampoo-minimal routines. Castor oil is a plant-derived oil obtained from the seeds…

Jan 27

Cyclomethicones: A Different Category of Silicones

By CURLYNIKKI Curly Nikki No Comments

Tonya McKay of NaturallyCurly writes; Because of the high interest in silicones, we periodically take a closer look at some of the many silicones found in hair-care products. This month we’ll be looking at Cyclomethicone.Cyclomethicone is the INCI (International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients) name for a category of silicones used in many personal-care products. Cyclopentsiloxane, cyclotetrasiloxane, and cyclohexasiloxane are also…

Jan 27

Amodimethicone and other Amine Silicones

By CURLYNIKKI Curly Nikki No Comments

Tonya McKay of NaturallyCurly writes; For people with curly hair, silicones elicit many emotions. For some, they are a holy grail ingredient, while others shy away from them for fear they will dry out their hair. It is evident that there exists a considerable amount of confusion in the curly community in regard to whether silicones are good for curly…

Jan 27

The Real Scoop on Silicones

By CURLYNIKKI Curly Nikki 2 Comments

source: le coilTonya McKay of NaturallCurly writes;Silicones have been a very popular ingredient in hair care products for several decades. One notable product was called “Sudden Date”, which was touted for its ability to add shimmer to the hair and to revive a tired hairstyle in the event that there was no time for a proper washing. Their popularity has…