product review: kinky-curly

KINKY-CURLY Come Clean Shampoo
Ingredients:  Purified Water, Mandarin (Orange Fruit Orange), Marigold (Flower Organic), White Willow (Salix Alba) Bark (Organic), Sea Kelp (Organic), C14 16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidoprophyl Betaine (Coconut Derived), Citric Acid, Sea Salt, Phenoxyethanol, Natural Fragrance

Results: I like the Kinky-Curly system. The ingredients list is short and hasn't changed for as long as I've know about the products. Come Clean has a bad reputation for being drying, but it is a clarifying product. It doesn't contain petrochemicals or other questionable ingredients that supposedly condition hair. When I want my hair and scalp clean, I want it clean. Otherwise, I would just rinse with water and pile more conditioner on it.

I used this when my hair felt dry and my other products didn't seem to be working. It has pretty strong surfactants that remove build-up. My hair is chronically dry; so, I don't use shampoo often.

Will I repurchase this shampoo?  Not likely.  This shampoo does what it says it will do, but it isn't my favorite shampoo.  I haven't found a shampoo to call favorite.

KINKY-CURLY Knot Today Conditioner 
INGREDIENTS:  Mango (Fruit Extract Organic), Slippery Elm (Organic), Marshmallow (Althaea Officinalis) Root (Organic), Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Schoenanthus) (Organic), Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Natural Fragrance

Results:  During the course of my natural hair journey, I've realized that I love glycerin as a humectant that draws moisture into and adds slip to my hair when it's in a rinse-out conditioner (good), but I hate that it sucks moisture from my hair when it's in a leave-in conditioner (bad).

Knot Today doesn't contain glycerin, yet is moisturizing. This is key for my hair during dry winter months. Not to mention, this is a really good de-tangler. If you have tiny curls like me...particularly if you wear wash and wear styles almost exclusively...you know how important a good de-tangler is.

I've also used this as rinse-out conditioner.  It works quickly to add a burst of moisture and detangling capabilities.  Add an oil and heat from a bonnet dryer and it's also sufficient to deep condition.  This is actually my favorite way to use this conditioner.  It leaves my coils juicy and defined.

Will I repurchase?  Yes.  Absolutely.  This is one of my staples.

KINKY-CURLY Curling Custard
INGREDIENTS:  Botanical Infusion of: Water, Horsetail, Chamomila Recuita (Matricaria), Nettle, Marshmallow (Althaea Officinalis), Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) (Juice Organic), Agave Nectar (Extract), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Pectin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Natural Fragrance

first successful wash & go
with KCKT and KCCC

Results:  In the beginning, I wasn't crazy about Kinky-Curly products. I thought the leave-in was lackluster and the custard didn't blend well with other products. The problem is that I didn't use the Kinky-Curly products together as a system.

Now, after cleansing and detangling, I apply the Knot Today leave-in, then finger comb small blobs of this custard through small sections of hair starting in the back.

This custard performs like a styling gel, but with the all-natural ingredients. Actually, it performs better than a gel because it helps keep my hair detangled and keep my tiny curls clumped.

Plus, my hair has medium to high porosity...that means medium to high shrinkage! This product helps to alleviate a tiny bit of that shrinkage while leaving my tiny curls nice and shiny!

The hold is pretty firm, but pliable. I usually emulsify a little shea butter or an oil blend in my hands and squeeze out the crunch on day two. On day three, I wash my hair again...which is not a problem, because a little bit of this custard goes a long way.

Will I repurchase?  Yes.  Absolutely.  This is one of my staples.

KINKY-CURLY Gloss Pomade

INGREDIENTS:  Avocado (Persea Gratissima) Oil, Borage (Borago Officinalis) Seed Oil, Black Currant (Ribes Nigrum) Fruit Oil (Oil), Jojoba Oil, Pomegranate Oil, Soybean Oil, Safflower Oil, Meadowfoam Oil, Lemon (Citrus Medica Limonium) Essential Oil

Results: I like this pomade.  I use it to smooth down my hairline.  Apply a little water to the area, smooth in the pomade, brush lightly, tie with a silk scarf during the commute to work and VOILA!  The only issue is that the container is too small for the price and Kinky-Curly products never go on sale.

Will I repurchase?  Not likely.  I like it, but I don't love it.

KINKY-CURLY Spiral Spritz
INGREDIENTS:  Lavender (Water), Horsetail Extract, Nettle Extract, Sage Extract, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Gel, Vitamin B5, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Grapefruit Seed Extract

Results: If I wash my hair and pull it back or up, I'll apply Kinky-Curly Knot Today as a leave-in, seal with an oil, then use the Kinky-Curly Spiral Spritz for a slick, yet soft hold around my hairline.

When lightly applied to wet hair, my hair dries soft and shiny. When I use too much or apply to dry hair, I experienced flakes and dryness.

I find the spritz to be an excellent, natural alternative to other chemical-based styling gels.  I've also used the spritz as a styler for a roller-set and twists, but I prefer it for smoothing edges.  It's not the most versatile product, but I like that it's mostly natural.

Will I repurchase?  I don't think so.  This spritz is nice, but it isn't awesome.

Kinky-Curly Perfectly Polished Nourishing Hair Oil
Ingredients:  Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Crambe Abysinica (Abyssinian) Seed Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil and Natural Fragrance.

Results: I roller set my hair and used this nourishing oil when sealing and fluffing. My hair was very soft and shiny. I like the oils in the blend, apricot, argan, etc.

The blend is very thick and I think the oils are top notch.  I did the math and it wouldn't be cost effective to purchase these oils separately.  Plus, I have no idea where to find Abyssinian Oil!  The only thing I don't like about this oil is the added pineapple fragrance.

Will I repurchase?  No. Fragrance is a big deal to me.