reubin Wrote:I think what really works wonders is that I attach on Monday and during the week I apply SPF 50 Coppertone sport at least once as a gel. I never get fade (Sorry Ian) and my hair hardly get brittle (Sorry Doc).

So the hair lasts well. The gels I use are waxy and not "gel like" so I think that is why I hardly get dry hair as the alcohol to oil ratio is low in these types of products.

Chances are the gels you use have dimethicone in them.

It isn't so much the fact that a product is alcohol free as it is that the product doesn't soak into the hair too much, and that's where some "waxy" gels have an advantage.....they don't allow the rest of the stuff (even if it isn't alcohol) to penetrate the hair shaft and wick the moisture out.

The best gel I have is a John Frieda product that has "encapsulated silicone" in it. I bought it a long time ago and liked it but it wasn't until I started seeing other silicone products work well that I put 2 and 2 together and realized that the dimethicone was the common denominator.

Incidentally, I have several waxes and gels that dont contain alcohol that STILL dry the hair out unless I add my serum to the mix.

And speaking of my serum- I hope to announce the official opening of my web store next week, along with a last minute addition to the ingredients list (hint-the last minute ingredient starts with an "s".