Prep your hair for the wedding day - going silicone-free

What are silicones?

Silicones are often used in hair products such as shampoos, conditioners and leave-in treatments. They coat hair strands to form a barrier around the hair cuticles to make hair appear sleeker, smoother and healthier.

So, what's the problem?

Silicone hair products do not damage your hair. In fact, it makes your hair more manageable. However, it is a big no-no if you want your hair styled for a special event.  Because of the barrier silicones form around the hair cuticles, heat from our styling equipment cannot penetrate the hair effectively. Moreover, silicones add weight to your hair and long-term use may cause product build-up.  All these mean your hair is heavier, and your hairstyle may look limp, lacking texture and not holding up well in a long day.

How do I know if my products are silicone-free?

You will need to inspect the ingredients list when choosing your hair products. Silicones take many forms - they usually end with "-cone" (but not always). Some of the common ones are:

Amodimethicon

Cyclopentasiloxane

Dimethicone (or -dimethicone)

Dimethiconol

Methicone (or -methicone)

PEG - note that PEG silicones are water soluble so they do not build up like the other insoluble silicones, but it is still best to avoid them if possible.

What are some of the silicone-free shampoos and conditioners?

HIF Cleansing Conditioners by DECIEM

These are 2-in-1 (you do not need a separate shampoo/conditioner). They have a huge range of products to address every hair concern. As an additional bonus, they are sulfates-free too. Available from Myer and DECIEM website.