I feel a bit stupid but...what are cones?

Hello Hellfroze,

I'll try to be brief. Yeah, right, KM.

Once you become involved in reading ingredient panels, you know you're hooked on hair. LOL. Just kidding.

Over the years, you've probably tried many shampoos and conditioners. Some seem to work wonders, leaving your hair soft and smooth, some may leave your hair squeaky clean, and yet some products may make your hair feel like straw, even crispy after repeated use.

'Cones' are an abbreviated term for various forms of silicone, an ingredient you've likely seen many of us refer to with 'slip'. Frequently, you will find many posts warning you not to use products with cones, but I must interject on such topics because I, for one, am a hair type who uses, loves, appreciates and desires cones for the better health of my hair. When cones are discussed as a public threat I just want to scream! It is better to provide the information, the facts, then allow each person to determine for themselves if the product is proper.

I will say, however, that some products with cone ingredients are better off left on the store shelf. While your hair's preferences may vary, it is of popular opinion that if you prefer to use cones, a water soluble cone is the best choice. Unfortunately, 'try it before you buy it' isn't part of hair care products.

Knowing when and how to clarify (cleansing the excess product from your hair) when using cone products is very important as well. Let's use Pantene as an example. I can use Pantene without any problems. It's positive effects last on my hair, where other hair types use it a few times and run for the hills. Others may say a certain product such as Pantene ruined their hair. This is why it is important to determine your hair type, and try to stick to products that respond with kind to you hair. Choosing them does not ruin your hair. Using them on the wrong hair type or using them without a clarifying routine will not do your hair any favors.

Of course, none of us is born with this information, it is learned along the way. Just a few years ago I had no idea what a cone was either. Oddly enough, when I learned what they were, I was puzzled because they were presented as "Egads, never use cones in your hair." Oddly enough, all these years I'd been using cone products with great success. Turns out I'm a cone head and never even knew it!

Talking to other members with your hair type will help you to at least minimize the trial-and-error routine when choosing hair products. Let it be said, though, there are no rules carved in stone for your hair type. You may very well break what seems to be tradition in product choice.

So, what is my hair type, you ask?

There are many lists available,  based on the original hair type classification system.

Here is a great one to begin with from the Urban Beauty site:

Type 1: Straight Hair Characteristics: More oilier than dry, shiny, has the tendency to not hold curls. Hard to damage.

• Subtypes: 1A: Very shiny, thin, soft and fine.
• 1B: A lot of body with a medium-texture.
• 1C: Extremely resistant to curling and shaping.
• Notable type 1's: Cher and Joan Chen.

Type 2: Wavy Hair Characteristics: Lies somewhere between straight and curly hair. Has the tendency to be coarse with an "S" pattern. Lays flat against the scalp.

• Subtypes: 2A: Thin easy to handle, quite fine can easily take on curlier or straighter styles.
• 2B: Medium- textured hair that hugs the head. More resistant to styling and has the tendency to frizz.
• 2C: More coarse than 2B, resistant to styling and has the tendency to frizz.
• Notable type 2's: Supermodel Yasmeen Ghauri and Isabella Rosellini.

Type 3: Curly Hair Characteristics: Has a loopy "S" pattern. Curly hair straightens when wet and contracts back to a curly state when the hair absorbs water. Humidity will make this hair type curlier or frizzy. Type 3's have a lot of body and can easily straighten their hair with the use of a blow dryer. Type 3 hair that has been damaged will look dull, frizzy and feel dry and hard when touched. It isn't unusual for type 3's to have several different hair textures in one head with the crown being the curliest.

• Subtypes: 3A: Loosely curled with very large shiny curls. The shorter it is the straighter it will appear to be. The longer it is the more defined the curl.
• 3B: Medium amount of curl that ranges from ringlets to corkscrews.
• Notable type 3's: Susan Sarandon, Cree Summer and Cleo Laine.

Type 4: Kinky Hair Characteristics: Very wiry, very fragile in tight coils. At initial glance it appears to be coarse but in actuality is fine with many strands densely packed together. People think this hair type is durable and tough but it isn't because it has the least amount of cuticle layers out of all the hair types. Type 4's can easily damage their hair especially with all of the abuse it's subjected to. Relaxers are commonly used to make hair more manageable.

• Subtypes: 4A: Tightly coiled. Has an "S" pattern when stretched. Has more moisture than 4B.
• 4B: Wiry and has a less defined "Z" pattern. If your hair is relaxed you will need at least one inch of new growth to determine your subtype. Once you do pull at you roots. If you have a definite curl pattern you're a 4A if not you're a 4B.
• Notable type 4's: Angela Bassett and Oprah Winfrey

Have a gander and let us know what you believe your hair type to be, and we can go from there.

Karen Marie

Heehee, a HAIR DOODLE. Are they specific thingies, or are they just, um.. scrunchies and such? If you start selling Hair Doodles on Marketplace, let us know!

Anais (who just HAD to ask!)

Hi HFO,

"Imagines giant cones eating hair"

You are too funny!  Some people swear by the cone-containing conditioners, other seem to have a problem with them.  Guess you just need to experiment.

I've been working on the whole cone thing, I used Infusium 23 or Pantene conditioners for years, it was the only way I could get a comb through my hair, detangling is always an issue with my very fine hair.  The cones are fantastic for slip and detangling, but my hair has grown quite a bit in the last 2 years and is now very dry on the ends, not a problem when I used to cut my hair regularly, maybe this is a result of the cones, not sure.

So I have been trying non-cone conditioners, have found a few that work as well on my hair as the cone ones for detangling, and I think my hair is looking more hydrated since I gave up on the cones, still working on this. (I have also tried vinegar rinses and clarifying shampoos, which don't seem to make any difference to my hair at all, except using the vinegar seemed to strip the shine off my hair and it looked greasy on top the next day.) 

If you are interested, I am in a kind of "product-junkie" phase right now, these are the non-cone conditioners I have found that work the best on my hair: 

Biolage Conditioning Balm
Lanza Urban Elements Deep Condition
Oyin Honey & Hemp Conditioner
Bed Head Moisture Maniac conditioner
Terax Crema
Nexxus Humectress
Enjoy Hair Mask
and honey mixed with any of these conditioners 

Not suggesting you have to try them all, but my hair is currently longer than it's ever been and my favorite products weren't as effective any more.  Since I'm planning to keep my hair long forever, I decided to experiment till I found what was best for my hair, then go back to a very simple routine using my faves.  Haven't settled on the "best" yet.

By the way, I'm not totally cone-free, I can't get along without Silk Therapy (a shine serum) by BioSilk.  I love shine serums and haven't found a good one yet that doesn't have cones.  I do use a very small amount though.  And I may yet go back to cones, still working on isolating the best way to get detangling, hydration, volume, and shine, with no frizzies.  (Isn't everyone?!!??)

photo June 2005

LOL...Eatgreenjello,

Nice to meet you! I had to laugh when I saw your post because the other day I listed green Jello as a choice in a poll here on the Hair Boutique!

Most polls offer an out, and I happened to choose green Jello that day.

I know how you feel about asking stupid questions I feel the same way especially being new and everything here in this community. :) What I do is I do a search for the topic I want and if I can't find it then I ask so I don't look stupid. lol hehehe

This community has been very friendly and helpful (I LOVE U GUYS!) Thank you.