Product Review: Kinky Curly Knot Today

A while ago, I did a Fresh Feature on Shea Moisture's Deep Treatment Masque. Click here for that post. It has taken me a cool minute, but I am finally getting around to the 2nd part of the Fresh Feature -- Kinky Curly Knot Today. This product caught my eye because it made everyone's top everything list, and has been heralded as the holy grail of detangling products.

After my detangle and co-wash, I set out to see what made this milky mixture such a miracle. I must say, I was impressed at first squeeze. The product was very light on my hair, definitely had mega slip (considering the dime-sized amount I used in each section), and it was scantily scented. Plus, the ingredient list made me curious. Here's the low-down on Kinky Curly Knot Today:

Ingredient List: Organic mango fruit extract, organic slippery elm, organic marshmallow root, organic lemongrass, cetyl alcohol, behentrimonium methosulfate, citric acid, phenoxyethanol, and natural fragrance.

Ingredient Analysis:
  • mango fruit extract: Rich in vitamins A, E, and iron, which nourish and fortify hair. Also contains fatty acids that support absorption of key vitamins and antioxidants into hair.
  • slippery elm: Extraction (when combined with water) that creates a mucous-like substance that can be ingested internally to relieve sore throats, cough, digestion issues; externally to reduce inflammation and heal cuts and abrasions. On the hair, it combats inflammation on the scalp, heals sores, and the slippery texture makes it an ideal detangling agent.
  • marshmallow root: Extraction that creates a slippery, mucous-like substance that adds incredible slip (translation: awesome detangling), and contains high amounts of plant proteins for strengthening and conditioning hair.
  • lemongrass: An essential oil with antibacterial properties. It also helps regulate oily scalp, and can aid in strengthening hair follicles.
  • cetyl alcohol: Lubricant, thickener, and emollient. Gives conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. Also used to keep product ingredients from separating.
  • behentromonium methosulfate: Mild detangling ingredient made from the rapeseed (where your canola oil for cooking comes from). Known for great detangling without leaving product buildup on hair. It is so mild, that it is generally recommended for leave-in baby products.
  • citric acid: Mild preservative to increase shelf-life of product. It is also slightly acidic, which brings the pH of the product down (which in turn, causes hair cuticles to lay flat, producing a sleek look).
  • phenoxyethanol: A glycol ether preservative alternative to parabens. I'll be honest though, according to some sources I've read [See Here], it is a dangerous additive, with the potential to cause immune system, nervous system, and reproductive damage. Click the link above for more info, and make your own decisions.
  • natural fragrance: Their proprietary mixture of natural oils and ingredients to generate an enjoyable product scent.
Availability: Raise your hand if there isn't a Target within 10 miles of your house. If there's no Target near you, that probably means you don't have internet access, either.

Affordability: Tipping the scales at a little over $10 for an 8oz bottle, I can't say this would become an automatic staple. There are products that I use to detangle that work *almost* just as well, that contain 2, 3 or 4 times as much product, and cost less money.

Product Claim/Description: [Taken from the bottle] Can't get that comb to glide through your hair? Well KNOT TODAY! This creamy herbal conditioner is enriched with botanical extracts and is designed to smooth the cuticle and to remove knots, snarls and tangles from thick curly hair.

Performance/Delivery: Many products make lofty claims, but only few can actually follow through. Congratulations, KCNT! You're one of the chosen few. I had my doubts, especially about a product that does not have water listed as an ingredient.

Bonuses: It works incredibly well on freshly shampooed or co-washed damp hair. Even better, a little bit goes a long way. I use smaller than a dime-sized amount on each section of hair. Ok, so that offsets the point I made about the small bottle size in affordability....maybe.

Drawbacks: It does not play nicely with other products. The key to success with this product is detangling post-cleansing. It does no good in a mid-week detangling session where you have reminants of other products on your hair. Trust me, I tried. All it does is make your hair feel awkwardly dry, with a strange filmy feeling. Also, don't depend on this product to do any moisturizing. There is no water, nor any penetrable oils that can moisturize your hair. All the action in this product happens on the surface.

Bottom Line:If you're a post-wash detangler, or considering detangling post-wash, you'll love KCNT. If not, you're better off with whatever you're currently using.

15 Comments

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  2. thank you so much for this thorough article, it is definitely appreciate since I'm trying to avoid any harmful ingredients! just the information I needed

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  4. Christine Higgins-ReidMay 25, 2014 at 8:05 AM

    I find it HARD believe that this product 'does not contain ANY water'. For starters, BTMS AND cetyl alcohol are very hard pellets that become is very thick and waxy when melted/cooled; the marshmallow root would need water to extract the mucilage which gives slip, and the powdered version would need some form of water for it to dissolve and create mucilage. Same for the slippery elm. Is it a thick cream or pourable consistency? Even thick creamy formulas still contain water. Only water based products need a preservative!!! Alarm bells??? I think KCKT have been a bit naughty here by only listed their 'star ingredients'! Has no-one ever challenged them if their product is indeed an anhydrous one? Or waterbased, as I suspect?

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  5. You make EXCELLENT points, Christine! Because I phased this product out due to price//the smell started getting on my nerves, I never thought to revisit the ingredients. But it is definitely worth an email inquiry :)

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  6. What other products do you recommend for detangling? I have read rave reviews for this product but I am hesitant to use it on my daughter's hair because of some of the ingredients. And you mention that it works best for post wash detangling, so what about in between washes? my daughter is only two, so we're still trying to find what works best for her hair.

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  7. Amazing product!!!

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  8. The product caught the eye since it made our top every thing list, and it has been heralded as the ultimate goal of detaining products.

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  9. This performs extremely well upon freshly shampooed or co-washed damp tresses. Even better, slightly goes quite a distance. I use smaller sized than a dime-sized amount upon each portion of hair.

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  10. I cant read the yellow lettering.

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