Silicone and Natural Hair: What's Okay and What to Avoid

December 23, 2024 Mikey Moran

In 2011, I was working in a salon in Orange, NJ, where a stylist used a shampoo and conditioner called the Silicone mix.

Silicone Mix is supposed to be the best product for clients who have naturally curly hair.

I was curious because so many of her clients were transitioning, and I needed to see if this product was worth it.

On a Saturday afternoon, the stylist pulled me to the side and said, " Charlie, I have a client coming in at 1 pm, and I am going to be using the product I told you about." she went on to say, " this client has very coarse hair, and she wants her hair to look as if she has a relaxer."

As the stylist went along, she told me what she'd be doing step by step.

Once she was finished with the entire treating and styling process, I noticed that the client's hair was full of life!

But what I couldn't wrap my mind around was the amount of heat used to achieve it. 🫠

So, I had a client who was transitioning, and I told her about the new product that a stylist used on her client.

She asked if I could use the products that I usually use and declined the Silicone mix!

Instead of asking the client why she didn't want to use the Silicone Mix, I decided to go to a natural source, which is my sister, who has been natural for five years.

She gave me the good, bad, and the not so ugly on the silicone mix.

Convo about the Cones

Before speaking to my sister Sade, I did my research.

I read a couple of articles and made some mental notes. Writing this article is personal because I am a woman who wants to transition and maintain healthy hair.

What I have to understand is that every hair texture is different from wavy hair to loose wave hair, and when you decide to become natural, it's a commitment that you make to yourself.

Sade has been natural for five years, and she said that this was one of the best decisions she has made and seen through.

She was excited that I came to her to get some advice on how being natural can be a task, but one of the rules of being natural is having patience.

I went right into it and asked her about the Silicone mix and if she had ever used it.

She said the first shampoo and conditioner she used was Shea Moisture, which can be found in Walmart or any local beauty supply store. Her hair responds well to the product.

Another product she uses is Mielle Organics. This product is a bit pricey, but she's okay with spending the money if she knows it will work for her hair.

Salon Decision

At the beginning of the article, I mentioned stylists who chose to use the silicone mix, but I wondered if she knew what was in the product.

Some stylists want to get the job done instead of doing the research. I want to get the job done, but hair care is just as necessary.

So, I asked my sister how she chose her salon when she decided to transition. Of course, she read the reviews, but she also said that once she gave them a try, she enjoyed their process.

The salon that she goes to specializes not only in natural hair but also in Kinky African American Hair.

As for the heat, the stylist didn't use the heat at the highest temperature, which she said is a big no-no for her. I asked if the salon used the silicone mix, and her response was no.

Her stylist doesn't use anything sold over the counter. All shampoos and conditioners are sent to the salon by a distributor.

So, let's break this down. Let's talk about the good, bad, and the not so ugly silicones and how we can avoid them!