Yes, I’d love to set up a call–thank you. Thank you, too, for the information on the type of alcohol. I am now completely mystified as the last conditioner I tried contained no silicones. I’d love to be able to avail myself of the products. I look forward to speaking to the team.

Amber

I spoke with you on Sunday, June 21 at Sephora in King of Prussia. I had ordered the spray from QVC and had a few problems. After our discussion you suggest I may have choose the wrong formula and you gave me some samples. I use the cream for straight hair and it seems to be working better. You asked me to contact you on the blog. How do you want me to handle my return to QVC. Thanks for your advise. Carole

In the meantime, I do want to put you – and others – at ease about one thing, and that’s the alcohol content in the Straight Making Styling Treatment:

“Cetyl Alcohol” is listed in the ingredients, but this ingredient name can be confusing (at least it is for me … chemistry wasn’t my strong subject in school). Typically, when most of us see or hear the word “alcohol,” what we think of is Ethanol Alcohol, which can cause drying of some hair when used in large amounts. Unlike Ethanol, however, Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Rather than drying, Cetyl Alcohol actually conditions due to its fatty nature and its non-volatility.

The way that ingredients are listed on product packaging is dictated by INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) standards, which are in place so that consumers can depend on consistency across labeling, making it easier to navigate between different products. This is particularly helpful in reducing the risk of allergic reaction to a specific ingredient that a user has had an allergy to before.

The standardized names of ingredients used on labeling are based on scientific names. For instance, Vitamin E is listed as Tocopherol, and Roman Chamomile Oil is listed as Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil. So as you can see, while we can depend on accurate listing of ingredients on labels, that doesn’t always make it easy for us to understand what those ingredients really are, or what they do!

Cetyl Alcohol is structurally considered an “alcohol” (as are many other ingredients that are used as surfactants, conditioners, and emulsifiers) because of its composition*, and therefore listed with this scientific name on labeling, but Cetyl Alcohol is actually categorized by INCI standards as a “conditioner.”

WHEW! Gosh, I’m longwinded. ☺ Basically, that explanation was just to let you know that there is NO “alcohol” in the formula that will dry your hair out. Rest assured that the Straight Making Styling Treatment contains hydrators to add moisture. That said, let’s work together to figure out what is hindering you from getting the fab results you once experienced!

Very best,
Gwen

*From Wikipedia (my fav source for info!): In chemistry, an alcohol is any organic compound in which a hydroxyl group (-OH) is bound to a carbon atom of an alkyl or substituted alkyl group.

Let me hasten to point out that I have redoubled my conditioning efforts, which were good to begin with, including deep conditioning weekly, using a leave-in, switching to sulfate-free shampoo, and using heat to style. And I follow the site’s instructions in applying No Frizz.

I started out using the cream and didn’t care for it. Methinks there might be a little too much alcohol in this formulation for me; I’m about to give it up.

“PolyfluoroEster does not “build-up” like traditional conditioning agents or silicones. The protective barrier that PolyfluoroEster forms becomes more uniform with multiple applications and therefore is more effective at blocking humidity from entering the hair shaft. Unlike silicones, which leave an oily build-up, PolyfluoroEster is non-oily and creates a weightless shield on the hair. PolyfluoroEster is not water soluble, however surfactants (including sulfate-free shampoos) will remove it from your hair.”

I hope that answers your question, Rachel. Let us know if you’re curious about anything else, and definitely keep your eyes open for Living Proof’s No Frizz Shampoo, Conditioner, and Leave-in Conditioner coming in the Fall.