Prompted by a query from Rachel at my blog post bemoaning the fact that SunSilk Anti-Poof Hair Creme was no longer available, I’ve decided to update you on my research on alternatives to this magical elixir of the anti-poof.

First of all, I did resort to Amazon and bought 12 bottles of the Sunsilk anti-poof Hairapy stuff. But if you live outside of the US, like me, you have a further complication, because whoever distributes it won’t deliver it outside the US. Fortunately, I had a friend in the US who could receive it and then deliver it up to me. I know. I know. It’s just hair creme. But COME ON!! I have signature hair and live in damp climate. I need all the help I can get. Don’t judge me.

Second of all, and with no clinical proof whatsoever, I believe the magic ingredients in the anti-poof formula are jojoba oil and glycerin. This is my conclusion after reading many labels with 6 point fonts (ooh the eye strain!) on the back of many an anti-frizz product. They seem to contain about 95%  of the same ingredients–but jojoba oil and glycerin are not found in most concoctions. You can get glycerin at most drug stores and even some grocery stores. The jojoba oil you can usually find at aromatherapy stores or any store (I found some at PriceSmart) that sells some essential oils.

So, I did buy some glycerin and jojoba oil. It’s tricky though because you really don’t need very much, so I ended up more often than not looking decidedly un-poofy but also a little greasy. My next move would be to go to the dollar store and buy some cheap conditioner as the carrying agent and add some jojoba oil and glycerin into it until I came up with the magic formula (which I would then no doubt have to patent, manufacture and distribute to make my millions). I have yet to try that though.

So, other products I have found that are okay:

1) BioSilk. Some essence of silk seems to be the magic ingredient here. You can read all the ingredients here. I actually now use this in conjunction with the anti-poof creme. It’s a great shine adder and really smooths hair. If you straighten your hair it’s the perfect creme to add before and after you straighten,

2) Marc Anthony Strictly Curls. This has glycerin but no jojoba oil. It’s pretty good, but I find it also a little drying.

3) Alba Botanica Soft Hold Style Cream. Also with the glycerin (vegetable glycerin in this case) but no jojoba oil. It’s also pretty good and gives my hair very soft to the touch curls. It’s very easy to use too much of this product though. Use sparingly.

Maybe I should just add some jojoba oil to these products to see if that would take them to the next level of good. Good grief. Why haven’t I thought of that up to now?

At any rate. I hope someone can benefit from my year of experimenting. Let me know how it goes for you. We sisters of the poofy hair must stick together!

By the way, don’t get your advice from strangers on the internet. Your hair may vary from mine.