Why Color Wow Products Are a Bad Fit for LONG TERM USE.
- Admin
- Mar 6
- 6 min read
Why Color Wow Products Are a Bad Fit for Low Porosity Hair
Low porosity hair has a tightly sealed cuticle, which makes it resistant to moisture absorption. This means that products need to penetrate deeply to be effective. Color Wow products, however, are designed to coat the hair rather than nourish it from the inside, making them a poor choice for low porosity strands. Here’s why:
1. Heavy Film-Forming Agents Weigh Down the Hair
Key Ingredients:
• Silicones (Amodimethicone, Polysilicone-29) → Creates a waterproof barrier that repels moisture.
• Polymers (Polyquaternium-59, VP/VA Copolymer) → Forms a film on the hair for smoothness and frizz control.
Why it’s bad for low porosity hair:
• These ingredients sit on top of the hair shaft instead of penetrating.
• Since low porosity hair already has a tight, closed cuticle, these coatings only add weight, leading to buildup, dullness, and stiffness over time.
• The “humidity-proof” effects of products like Dream Coat make it even harder for moisture to enter, leaving the hair dry and brittle underneath the coating.
2. No Deep Repair—Only Temporary Surface Fixes
Key Ingredients:
• Hydrolyzed Keratin & Panthenol → Coats hair to add strength and thickness.
• Iron Oxides & Zinc Stearate (in Root Cover Up) → Sticks to the hair surface to hide regrowth.
Why it’s bad for low porosity hair:
• These ingredients do not penetrate deeply; they only create an outer layer that temporarily makes hair look healthy.
• Once the product wears off or is washed out, the hair is still in the same state—or worse due to buildup and suffocation of the strands.
• Unlike penetrating oils or bond-building treatments, these products don’t actually repair damage at the structural level.
3. Humectants That Can Backfire
Key Ingredients:
• Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Panthenol → Attracts water to the hair.
Why it’s bad for low porosity hair:
• Since the cuticle is already resistant to moisture, humectants can’t penetrate effectively.
• Instead, these ingredients can cause a sticky, coated feel, attracting dust and leading to buildup.
4. Buildup Leads to Dryness & More Breakage Over Time
• Because low porosity hair doesn’t absorb product well, repeated use of Color Wow formulas can cause buildup on the strands and scalp.
• This buildup makes it even harder for moisture and nutrients to get in, leading to brittle, dry, and easily breakable hair.
• The illusion of smoothness fades as the cuticle remains unhealthy and dehydrated beneath the coatings.
What Low Porosity Hair Needs Instead
Instead of heavy, surface-coating products, low porosity hair thrives with:
✔ Lightweight, penetrating oils like argan, grapeseed, or babassu oil.
✔ Water-based hydration that actually absorbs (steam treatments help open the cuticle).
✔ Clarifying shampoos to remove buildup from film-forming agents.
✔ Moisture-balanced, protein-free conditioners to prevent stiffness.
Color Wow products are not designed for long-term hair health—they act as a temporary mask, covering up issues rather than fixing damage from within. Low porosity hair requires lightweight, penetrating hydration, not heavy film-forming agents that block moisture and create buildup.
Best Products for Low Porosity Hair
Low porosity hair needs lightweight hydration, deep nourishment, and regular clarifying to prevent buildup. Here are the best shampoos, conditioners, treatments, and stylers to keep your hair healthy without weighing it down.
1. Best Clarifying Shampoo (Removes Buildup Without Stripping)
Since low porosity hair is prone to buildup, a gentle but effective clarifying shampoo is essential.
✔ Recommended: Scalp Detox List
2. Best Moisturizing Shampoo (For Regular Use)
A gentle, sulfate-free shampoo that hydrates without buildup is key for low porosity hair.
✔ Recommended:
❌ Avoid: Thick, creamy shampoos with heavy oils or butters.
3. Best Conditioner (Moisture Without Buildup)
Low porosity hair needs lightweight moisture that penetrates easily instead of thick, butter-based formulas.
✔ Recommended:
❌ Avoid: Heavy, protein-rich conditioners that can cause stiffness and breakage.
4. Best Deep Conditioner (For Penetrating Moisture)
Choose a lightweight, protein-free deep conditioner that hydrates without coating the hair shaft.
✔ Recommended:
❌ Avoid: Thick, butter-based masks that won’t absorb properly.
5. Best Lightweight Leave-In Conditioners & Moisturizers
Low porosity hair benefits from liquid-based leave-ins instead of thick creams.
✔ Recommended:
❌ Avoid: Heavy creams, shea butter-based leave-ins, or protein-heavy products.
6. Best Styling Products (For Hold Without Buildup)
❌ Avoid: Waxy or petroleum-based stylers that create buildup.
Final Tips for Low Porosity Hair
✅ Use heat or steam when conditioning – Helps lift the cuticle so moisture can absorb.
✅ Clarify regularly – Prevents product buildup that can block moisture absorption.
✅ Avoid heavy butters & proteins – They sit on top of the hair instead of penetrating.
✅ Opt for lightweight, water-based products – Helps hydration reach the hair shaft.
Why Color Wow Products Can Also Be Problematic for Medium & High Porosity Hair
Color Wow products are designed to coat the hair shaft rather than deeply repair or nourish it. While they may provide a temporary smoothing or frizz-control effect, they can still cause issues for medium and high porosity hair, which have different needs.
1. Issues for Medium Porosity Hair
Medium porosity hair has a moderately open cuticle, meaning it can absorb moisture well but still needs balance. The main issue with Color Wow products is buildup and imbalance, which can disrupt the hair’s natural moisture retention.
Key Problems:
• Film-Forming Agents Cause Over-Coating
• Ingredients like Amodimethicone, Polysilicone-29, and Polyquaternium-59 coat the hair, preventing moisture from entering.
• Over time, this coating can make medium porosity hair feel stiff, greasy, or dry because it can no longer absorb nutrients properly.
• Silicone-Based Products Can Disrupt Moisture Balance
• Since medium porosity hair already has good absorption, heavy silicones can create an unnecessary barrier.
• This leads to a false sense of smoothness, but once the product wears off, hair may feel dry, tangled, or brittle.
• Protein Sensitivity from Repeated Use
• Some Color Wow products contain hydrolyzed proteins that strengthen hair temporarily.
• Since medium porosity hair already has a good structure, too much protein can cause stiffness and breakage.
Bottom Line for Medium Porosity Hair:
Color Wow can give short-term benefits but disrupts moisture balance over time, leading to unpredictable results—sometimes too dry, sometimes too oily depending on buildup.
2. Issues for High Porosity Hair
High porosity hair has an extremely open cuticle, meaning it absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as fast. This hair type needs deep, penetrating hydration and cuticle-repairing ingredients—which Color Wow does not provide.
Key Problems:
• Seals the Hair but Doesn’t Restore Moisture
• High porosity hair needs moisture retention, but Color Wow’s silicones and polymers create an artificial seal without actually hydrating the hair.
• This traps dryness inside instead of helping the hair absorb and hold moisture properly.
• Lack of Internal Repair
• High porosity hair needs bond-repairing treatments (like Olaplex or K18) that rebuild the internal structure.
• Color Wow only smooths the surface, so once the product wears off, the hair is still damaged, frizzy, and weak underneath.
• Overuse Can Make Hair More Fragile
• If high porosity hair relies too much on surface-level fixes, it becomes weaker over time because the cuticle is still damaged.
• This leads to increased breakage, split ends, and worsening porosity over time.
Bottom Line for High Porosity Hair:
Color Wow might make hair look sleek temporarily, but it does not fix internal damage, so hair stays weak, dry, and frizzy once the product wears off.
Final Verdict: Why Color Wow Isn’t Ideal for Any Porosity Type
Porosity Type
Main Issues with Color Wow
Low Porosity
Blocks moisture absorption, causes buildup, leaves hair dry & stiff.
Medium Porosity
Disrupts moisture balance, causes unpredictable results, over-coats hair.
High Porosity
Seals damage without repairing it, increases dryness & breakage.
Better Alternatives for All Porosity Types
Instead of temporary surface treatments, all hair types should focus on:
✅ Bond-repairing treatments (Olaplex, K18, Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab) – Strength
Better Alternatives for All Porosity Types
Instead of temporary surface treatments, all hair types should focus on:
✅ Bond-repairing treatments – Actually rebuilds hair from the inside out.
• Best options: Olaplex No. 3, K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair, Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve
✅ Lightweight, penetrating hydration – Helps restore moisture balance without buildup.
• Best option
✅ Cuticle-sealing leave-ins for high porosity hair – Prevents moisture loss without blocking absorption.
• Best options:
✅ Clarifying & detoxing for low and medium porosity hair – Removes buildup so hair can absorb moisture better.
• Best options: above
✅ Water-based stylers instead of heavy silicones – Gives hold and definition without weighing hair down.
While Color Wow products may create a temporary smooth, shiny effect, they do not repair the hair from within. Instead, they:
❌ Rely on surface coatings (silicones, polymers) rather than internal repair.
❌ Lead to buildup that blocks hydration and proper absorption.
❌ Fail to address the unique needs of low, medium, and high porosity hair.
For truly healthy hair, focus on moisture balance, protein management, and bond-repairing treatments—not just surface-level fixes.
Hey Cyn. Did you take the video down? The latest video for the color wow 101? I wanted to hear you go over this topic. I didn’t get to watch the whole video yesterday
You saved me and hair from going down a path of hair drama I don’t need especially since I’m on a healthy hair journey. I had this in rotation to use next wash day. Thank you Cyn !!