Vananners asks… Hi! A while back I read an article about an “innovative” new hair product called “No Frizz” by Living Proof. The article stated that this product was an amazing new anti-frizz product for hair, silicone-free, that works better than anything else before. They use something called “PolyfluoroEster.” I was wondering, from an ingredients standpoint, what the brains think of this product? It’s so expensive and I want to be sure nothing else exists like this on the market (for cheaper) before I spend the big bucks. Thanks!
The Right Brain responds:
Living Proof has generated quite a buzz since it’s launch late in 2008. For example, here’s an article from Xconomy.com that describes the secrecy around the brand’s initial roll out. The basic idea is that an MIT professor and a capital venture company teamed up to create the first new anti-frizz technology in 30 years. It was all very hush-hush until the last few months. Since this article was written, we’ve learned a lot more about Living Proof’s frizz fighters.
How Living Proof Works
The quick story is this: instead of conventional conditioning agents like silicones, Living Proof uses a type of chemical known as a PolyfluoroEster (or PFE for short) to smooth the hair shaft and prevent moisture from being absorbed. Is this a breakthrough? Well, there have been dozens of new silicone compounds created over the last few decades that serve a similar function so we think the claim of this being the “first new anti-frizz technology in 30 years” is a bit of an exaggeration. But PFEs (which are Teflon-like compounds) are VERY good at lowering surface tension, and so in theory they could provide the three main benefits that Living Proof claims on their website:
Frizz prevention
Living Proof products are formated to leave “a smooth, perfect layer” on your hair that “adheres tightly to the hair, which allows for long-lasting moisture resistance and rebalancing of the hair fiber’s interaction with the atmosphere, even after extreme humidity.” This layer reduces swelling of the hair shaft due to moisture absorption which in turn prevents the cuticles from lifting up and causing frizz.
Dirt repellancy
PFE’s repel materials like water and oils, “translating into a non-greasy coating that doesn’t attract dirt and other particulates.” They claim that Living Proof makes hair “more repellent to dirt and particles than natural hair.”
Shine and color enhancement
The PFE coating has a very low refractive index that produces a “unique, long-lasting shine and “pop” in the color of the hair.”
The Beauty Brains bottom line
We haven’t tested these products but we have worked with similar chemistry in the past so we know that PFEs are highly functional. Based on looking at the ingredient list of the products, the formulas contain a relatively high percentage of PFEs instead of more typical frizz fighters. Therefore we’d expect these products would leave a very different feel on the hair. We’re not aware of any other products on the market that are formulated quite like this. Are they worth the price ($24)? We don’t know, but they do appear to have a scientific basis for their claims and we’re anxious to give them a try.
Has anyone used Living Proof? Leave a comment and share your experience with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
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I’ve seen this in action – it’s not impressive. Nothing like the Brazillian method or similar…
Hey Soapy: I didn’t really think it made sense to compare this to chemical treatments since PFE doesn’t alter the structure. I just thought of it as a souped up conditioner. How did you like it in that regard?
i’ve been using this for a few months and i think it works really great. its true that it doesn’t leave my hair as greasy and heavy as silicones, it makes my hair look healthy and smooth.
ps: i don’t think of it as a souped up conditioner, it does nothing as far as conditioning the hair. it just smoothes, doesn’t moisturize.
I googled it and checked out the forum at thepurseforum. A few members ordered different product and one posted before and after pics as well as pics of her hair using different Living Proof products. They all really liked it.
Personally, friz doesn’t bother me, having had curly hair all my life. Now, if someone would come out with a souped up, rinse off cellulite remover…
I wanna try this! It intrigues me that this product is more of a coating agent, and moreso the fact that it claims to ‘repel’ dirt since I find silicones tend to attract dust when I use them frequently.
I really like Phyto’s phytodefisant since it coats my hair nicely with the mucilage, giving me frizz free hair that’s still bouncy and volumized! So I wonder how that would compare to Living Proof.
I first saw this on QVC about 3 days ago. 2 bottles for about $39(free S&H). Still a bit much for me. I want to see more results posted before I take the plunge. Like Lauri I would be willing to shell out money for a souped up, rinse off cellulite remover!
Nessa, I also saw it on QVC on Saturday and bought it. Got it yesterday, tried it today and for me it’s worth every penny. I have long curly hair so keeping it friz-free is a constant battle. The product has a nice citrus fragrance and a light consistency. You don’t have to use too much and when you think about it, it is not that expensive compared to other products for curly hair. Give it a try, you won’t regret it. I’m telling all my curly haired friends that this is the answer to our prayers.
I just purchased No Frizz and tried it for the first time. I have very curly hair and two things that don’t mix are blowing out my hair and the humid weather of South Florida. It hasn’t been very humid this week so I haven’t been able to test the frizz control but my hair looks great. Since the product is so light, my hair doesn’t look greasy and today is day three without washing. Even my DH asked me what I have done differently.
Hi, I tried this product at a friend’s house and loved it so much I bought it the next day! My hair is thin and limp but wavy/curly (depending on the day. So I need something that can hold my curl without weighing it down or frizzing it. This product made my hair feel thick and defined my curls incredibly. I recommended it
I’m a type 2C curly-haired girl who just tried the straight cream for medium to thick hair.
I love it! I think it beats similar silicone based products hands down.
My hair is soft,shiny,smooth and never looked better. Also my hair doesn’t get frizzy during workouts. I have yet to test it in high-humidity.
Finally a solution to my bad hair days.
The only thing I dislike is the price.
I’ve been using this product for about a week now… and I love it! My typically overprocessed/ over straightened hair is smooth, shiny, and fly away and frizz free! My hair is soft, shiny, and split end free! I’m off to Virginia this weekend so I hope this product works as well in high humidity as it is does in my dry home state!
We are tried and true believers in No Frizz. Check out our recent post: http://www.beautylabny.com/blog/2009/03/30/best-face-forward/
Did anyone read the ingredients? Did you notice that one of them is VINYL?
Yikes!
One of the ingredients is vinyl?
Vinyl is just another plastic, like combs, toothbrushes, straws. But unlike other plastics, it’s recyclable.
Best poroduct I have used EVER for my curly, frizzy hair.I live in Texas, hot humid summers.
It left my hair smooth,not oily and got me through the rain!!Perfect for use with straightening iron.
I am totally impressed, just wish it was a bit less expensive.
Coupons anywhere?
I’ve never seen this product in the UK but my sister is ordering it online.
My concern is permanently damaging my curly hair. I have in the past used a product (by Lee Stafford – British hair dresser) and it PERMANENTLY straightened my curly hair. I ended up chopping off ALL my hair as nothing could reverse the damage. This product advertises that the more you use it, the better it works. And after what I went through, that genuinely worries me.
Any comments?
Dying to try this. For those who used this product..What shampoo did you use? Did you blow dry and still have to flat iron? I have used KMS products. They tame the frizz. But not in the humid weather. I hope this is the answer to my frizz problem.
i tried this product for the first time last week. i have very thick curly african american hair. i washed my hair, used a leave in conditioner with no silicone(as instructed) then applied a good amount to my hair combed it through, and blew it dry. then i used my flat iron, and from the start i could see that this thing really worked, because instead of pulling the flat iron three times through my hair, it went completely straight with one pull through. i did apply some oil to the hair as i usually do, and it lasted!!! usually after two days, my hair will curl up at the root, but not this time. it works. but you have to follow those instructions.
I bought “straight-making” medium cream from QVC and have used 3 times. I have thick, very curly short hair that I have been wearing straight using other salon products for 3 years until this summer when the humidity in D.C. drove me nuts. It took 3 uses to work, but it really is great. I don’t find it heavy and I doubt that it permanently changes hair structure. I use shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair, and this product actually restored some of the color that had faded w/ humidty.
I just read about this in my email from Sephora. As I will be visiting NYC in a week I plan to drop into the store in Times Square and purchase this product (hubby will faint at the price LOL). One of my biggest bugaboos I have is with my frizzy, curly hair. I have been flat-ironing it for the past couple of years and love it like that (even tho’ some friends and family members like my curly hair; which can look ok, sometimes, if the cut is right and I purposely let it curl with some smoothing product in it). What drives me batty is when I have my hair all flat-ironed and smooth and within a 1/2 hour out in humid (or rainy) weather it curls up and I look like a complete doofus – especially my bangs!! I have been trying to decide whether or not to have the Japanese Thermal-reconditioning done; but am shy about spending the $300-500 it costs in my area. I am going to try Living Proof, first, and hope that will be a much lesser price to pay for ‘nice hair’!!
another glowing review from one of our beautycall strategists – she says No Frizz is perfect for both curly and straight looks: http://bit.ly/18a0Np
I have baby-fine, fried-by-color hair,mostly straight, but that frizzes up like cotton balls in humidity. Used the fine-to-medium for straight styles today, and even wore a hat, and my hair looks great!
I have thick, curly hair and this stuff works great! I live in Colorado where it is really dry and no matter what I use whether it be me or a client, I have never gotten these kind of results. I am happy to find a product that actually lasts throughout the day instead of “wearing off” after an hour or two.
Best product I have EVER used! Cannot live without it (I have VERY curly hair and it comes out frizz free). Better than sliced bread!!!
I have VERY intensely thick hair, i have tryed soooo many products and none do anything, do you think this will work for me, and i live in Canada, where can i buy it?
I received a “sample” and decided to try it on the frizziest person in the house, Bentley, a Bichon Frise. Houston’s weather is extremely humid making it impossible to control hair so if it would work on him it would work for anyone. The area I applied has stayed straight and fluffy–untreated area, curly, frizzy and oily. My opinion–it’s worth the price and works!
I have tried this product and it DOESN’T work for me! It looks great right after I blow dry my hair, but within 5 minutes, my hair gets frizzy. I then use a straightening iron on my hair to smooth all that down and it does look great–as long as it’s not a humid/misty/rainy day–then out pop the frizzies again. DOESN’T WORK FOR ME, I’M VERY DISAPPOINTED!
I did not work for me, I have curly hair, that has been blow dried for years.
I’ve tried this (shampoo, conditioner, leave in conditioner and straightening cream) and I have to say I’m only mildly impressed. The shampoo does nothing for me – I actually threw the rest of it out as I thought it was horrible. Conditioner was okay and I do like the straightening cream. If I use all the products together my hair gets super greasy but if I only use the conditioner or the cream it works pretty well. Still wouldn’t say it’s worth $24 for 4oz though…also it’s winter here so not a lot of humidity going on.
I swim at the beach and the pool several times a week and I used to have foils in my hair every 10 weeks.
Needless to say I had curly, extremely dry, frizzy hair due to this regimen.
Heavy silicones work well but I want to get away from them due to safety concerns.
I bought the No Frizz Shampoo, Conditionner and Leave in styling product when it came out, with lots of hope.
I was NOT impressed with having a Teflon molecule in my hair but vanity won.
IT DIDN’T DO A THING.
Given the good reviews those products have, maybe my hair were beyond anything that No frizz can do.
However, I tried it on my daughter who also has curly hair (hers are healthy and beautiful) and it didn’t do anything at all plus it left a powdery feel to both our hair. She refused to use it again leaving me with all those expensive products to finish.
Bottom Line: it seems to work well for some but not everyone, so you will have to try and see.
Since then, I have read a lot about products and many of them are just coktails of toxic chemicals.
I have stopped bleaching my hair. I don’t shampoo my hair anymore, I just use a conditionner (chemical free). I experiment with Baking Soda wash and Apple cider vinegar rinse.
I have also started to use indian herbs (Cassia Obovata, Amla, Shikakai) with coconut oil on my hair.
There is no miracle happening but my hair are much healthier and less dry. There is still frizz so I am still looking for a product as natural as possible. Will try the Phytodefrisant and review it.
If silicones work on your hair, you should keep on using them. They are made from sand–what could be more natural?
But if you just can’t bring yourself to keep using silicones, I recommend frequent coconut oil treatments. Just take a spoonfuls of coconut oil, melt it between your two hands, and rub it into your dry hair. Put it up in a ponytail and leave it for an hour or more. (Less time might work too.) Then co-wash your hair. See how it looks. I find that coconut oil leaves my hair healthier and curlier. My friends even comment on it. Another form of coconut oil that could be easier or fun to use is a whipped version, sold as a kind of “natural” Crisco in health-food stores. It’s 100% palm oil, but according to the Beauty Brains, palm oil and coconut oil are the same. Both come from palm trees.
More about silicones–They are as natural as plant-based products. They come from the earth–the earth is made of rocks! Rocks turn into sand over time. Silicone is made from sand. Silicones are neutral and safe. They won’t cause an allergic reaction–no fragrance, volatile oils, proteins–none of the “natural” stuff that causes allergic reactions. Since it works for your dry, frizzy, damaged, curly hair, using it will probably benefit your health because it will remove the stress of having bad hair, and it will free up money that you can then spend on a health club or fresh vegetables.
Remember: Nature does not love us!! Nature (which includes humans) is a bubbling stew of species all out for their own survival. Humans included. We use nature to keep ourselves alive, just as the e-coli, mosquitos, poison oak, and rattlesnakes use nature to keep themselves alive–often to the detriment of humans. That’s not even to mention the non-living parts of nature like arsenic springs, volcanoes, and hurricanes. Oh yeah–and then there’s old age. We’re lucky to not have been killed by nature (yet), so let’s enjoy our remaining good hair days however we can.
Good luck!
Hi,
Thank you for your site and your advices.
I’ve just bought this product in Sephora at Paris where I live but I’m very concerned about this molecule “PolyfluoroEster” if I have understood well it is a Teflon compound. So, it has not moisturizing ou caring action but just smoothering the hair in a chemical process ?
Therefor i’m wondering what is the difference with the silicone ?
It’s not a natural product at all…
Thank you in advance for your answer,
A French reader (excuse my English…)