BAlexandria asks… How does Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Define & Hold Creme work? Is this formula less drying/damaging than a holding spray? And what is VA/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer? Is it related to vinyl as we/most consumers know it?
The Beauty Brains respond:
VA/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer is a holding polymer – that’s what makes the product work, for the most part. The formula also contains some silicones and a fatty alcohol derivative that give it some body. Together these ingredients make hair strands clump together and help retain the shape of your style. (See below for complete ingredient list.)
How is hairspray damaging?
When you ask about drying/damage from a holding spray, I assume you’re referring to the alcohol in the hairspray. It’s true that large amounts of alcohol can be drying to hair and skin but only a small amount is delivered from a hairspray and it’s in the form of very small droplets so it evaporates very quickly. Therefore, hairspray doesn’t really do much drying damage to your hair. If you apply an extra-hold spray and you brush your hair afterwards, you may cause some physical damage because the spray makes your hair so hard to comb. A styling cream will be a little bit better in that regard.
Vinyl madness
“Vinyl” is just a chemical term to describe part of the molecule used in the holding resin. VA/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer has the vinyl part part of the molecule and so does the plastic type of “vinyl” you’re thinking of from other applications. It doesn’t mean that this hair cream contains chopped up car seats or anything like that.
Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Creme Ingredients
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, VA/Crotonates/Vinyl Neodecanoate Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Dimethiconol, PEG/PPG 18/18 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Ceteth 20, Fragrance, DMDM Hydantoin, Disodium EDTA, Iodopropynyl, Butylcarbamate, Silk Extract
Image credit: http://fc09.deviantart.net/
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
*imagines breaking a black vinyl off hair that is the exact same of your hair*
I always assumed it was the alcohol in the hairspray that made my hair dry. I stopped using it everyday and started to skip a day and found that my hair was noticeably softer and less dry in a week. I try to only buy brands that are alcohol free now.