I feel like I’ve been talking a lot lately about my hair, so I figured I’d cap it off with my sixth Conventional Confession: today I’m going to write about my love for Kiehl’s Creme with Silk Groom. After all, I have a driving desire to be completely honest about my quest for sustainability, so I’d be dishonest if I let you all think that the only things I use to tame my mop are minty-fresh organic shampoo, with some cider vinegar and coconut oil thrown in for good measure.
Those things are good, even excellent. But I have always struggled with what to do with my hair after I shower. In the summer, I’m more prone to use a little coconut oil mixed with palm oil, and work it through my hair. It works perfectly for the summer months, but in the winter the extra oil makes my hair stringy. So what’s a sustainably-minded girl to do?
Kiehl’s store in Boston on Newbury St
I discovered this styling product from Kiehl’s by accident while on vacation in Boston, when I ran out of the coconut oil I was using in my hair. While strolling on Newbury Street, I spied the storefront, and went in and bought the Creme with Silk Groom out of sheer necessity. The next time I showered at our hotel, I used the product afterwards. It tamed my frizzy locks with ease and style, and it smelled lightly of lotion. I was in love.
I just wish it had better ingredients. The product isn’t on Skin Deep, and neither is the company for that matter, but it doesn’t need to be. I already know it’s bad. The list of chemicals on the back was bad enough the first time I read it that I just don’t turn it around any more. There’s an element of shame every time I reach into my gym bag for the magic potion, and rub a little between my palms. But, it smells so good, and it just works so darn well.
I’ll keep trying out the styling products on the shelves at my local organic markets in the hope that, one day, one of them will work. If one of them could be just half the product my Kiehl’s is, I’d give it up, albeit sadly. So, to all you organic hair care companies out there, keep trying! And so will I.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Tammi 12.04.06 at 12:43 pm
I agree. In my last speech for my public speaking class which was meant to prompt my fellow students to take action, I did a speech on “Dangerous Cosmetics”. I was so excited to collect samples of healthy products and give them to the folks in the class. I’d received several Kiehl’s samples a few months earlier and was going to throw them in until I read the ingredients and realized that there were several chemicals in the product that I was telling the class to stay away from. Proof that just because natural ingredients are included, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for you. BTW, thanks for the “Scoop”. I really love it!
Erin 12.04.06 at 6:09 pm
I discovered a leave-in “conditioner” that works well and tames frizziness: Suki Velvet hand and body lotion. It’s totally clean and smells wonderful. I put a little in my palms and work through my damp hair from the ends up. Don’t use too much! Also, you might want to switch up your shampoo. Burt’s Bees Super Shiny shampoo is good. I also really like Wild Oats’ shampoos- they’re gentle (no SLS) and cheap, too. Lamas Soy conditioner is good. It keeps my ends from getting crunchy.
anni 12.21.06 at 12:31 pm
try this:
http://www.sante.de/Sante_E/Hair/index.html (Hair Conditioner Brilliant Care).
its not like the silicon conditioners, but a little bit.
Gina 12.30.06 at 5:22 pm
I’m not familiar with your site. I just signed up for the email.
Please tell me you are talking about all the ways that corporate “farms,” (which make cows stand in their own shit while eating genetically modified grains that give them gas), are trying to squeeze small farmers out of business, (who graze their cows naturally on pasture that doesn’t give them gas).
Please tell me you have talked about how small family farms in Canada and the US have been raided and held hostage by government agents with guns making false claims.
Most of all, please tell me there are enough people in the world willing to stand up and speak the truth when it comes to their health and their freedom–instead of being run around like cattle by fat cats who are not far off from any other dictators in history who didn’t mind who lived or died.
Kerry Robb 01.06.07 at 11:21 pm
Please tell me you have your OWN blog.