Best hair gel for curlies!

[AleenaGenise]

Hey curlies! What is the best hair gel for beautiful frizz-free curls?

I hate crunchy curls and I like to keep my hair soft...so I stayed away from gel for a while and just did ACV or lemon rinse with Olive oil and honey to define my curls and moisturized A LOT but I just recently started using Aloe Vera gel for my curls and I like it! Sometimes I mix it with hibiscus, grapeseed and vitamin e which makes my hair really soft :) Next I'm planning to make my own gel with flaxseeds.

My sister just told me about Eco Styler's Olive Oil gel it's supposed to keep the hair's moisture while it holds. I just bought it today and can't wait to try it.

I also bought Softee's Olive oil gel. It says it keeps the curls bouncy and soft.

I'm hoping for NO crunchyness! lol

Questions:
Have you ever tried any of these gels?
What hair gels do you suggest for curly hair?
Have you ever tried to make your own hair gel....if so, what do you use?

[Kaijah]

I've heard lots of good stuff about the EcoStyler Olive Oil gel, but I never tried it because my hair rebels violently at the mere thought of protein. :p I can't remember ever hearing about the Softee one...

My favorite store bought product is Biotera gel (http://www.sallybeauty.com/Styling-Gel/NATURL21,default,pd.html?cm_vc=SEARCH). I'm a lot like you - I REALLY dislike that crunchy feel that hard hold gels give, even after trying to scrunch-out-the-crunch when dry. I usually use a mix of aloe gel, flaxseed gel, and a dab of the Biotera. Soft hold that tones down the frizzies. ^w^

Adding agave nectar can help with moisture/frizz as well. It's a little hard to find, though.

I make my flaxseed gel at home, and my biggest tip for that would be to try soaking the seeds before you boil them (a few hours to overnight does the trick). I found I got a lot more gel from the seeds, and it was a little thicker and easier to work with.

[AleenaGenise]

I've heard lots of good stuff about the EcoStyler Olive Oil gel, but I never tried it because my hair rebels violently at the mere thought of protein. :p I can't remember ever hearing about the Softee one...

My favorite store bought product is Biotera gel (http://www.sallybeauty.com/Styling-Gel/NATURL21,default,pd.html?cm_vc=SEARCH). I'm a lot like you - I REALLY dislike that crunchy feel that hard hold gels give, even after trying to scrunch-out-the-crunch when dry. I usually use a mix of aloe gel, flaxseed gel, and a dab of the Biotera. Soft hold that tones down the frizzies. ^w^

Adding agave nectar can help with moisture/frizz as well. It's a little hard to find, though.

I make my flaxseed gel at home, and my biggest tip for that would be to try soaking the seeds before you boil them (a few hours to overnight does the trick). I found I got a lot more gel from the seeds, and it was a little thicker and easier to work with.

Thx! Glad to know you heard good things about EcoStyler and I'll look into the Biotera...I'm excited to make the flaxseed gel! Hopefully I can find some agave nectar. Thx again ;)

[virgo75]

Hey curlies! What is the best hair gel for beautiful frizz-free curls?

I hate crunchy curls and I like to keep my hair soft...so I stayed away from gel for a while and just did ACV or lemon rinse with Olive oil and honey to define my curls and moisturized A LOT but I just recently started using Aloe Vera gel for my curls and I like it! Sometimes I mix it with hibiscus, grapeseed and vitamin e which makes my hair really soft :) Next I'm planning to make my own gel with flaxseeds.

My sister just told me about Eco Styler's Olive Oil gel it's supposed to keep the hair's moisture while it holds. I just bought it today and can't wait to try it.

I also bought Softee's Olive oil gel. It says it keeps the curls bouncy and soft.

I'm hoping for NO crunchyness! lol

Questions:
Have you ever tried any of these gels?
What hair gels do you suggest for curly hair?
Have you ever tried to make your own hair gel....if so, what do you use?


I might not be the best person to answer because my hair dries out and rebels at most gels. :o

I have mixed aloe vera gel(Fruit of the Earth) with a bit of EVOO and it was great in my hair for moisture, softness, and definition. aloe vera gel alone makes my hair poof for some reason. lol But mixed with EVOO it's good. However, I also get buildup really easy and got buildup from it. So I only use it some times.

I've used plain and brown Eco Styler gels but the clear one made my hair hard and crunchy while the brown one dried it out.

The best drugstore gel I've ever used is Herbal Essences Set Me Up Gel in the tube(not the spray gel). I could actually use this and often would mix it with a dab of conditioner in my palm to make it like a cream and it held well with little frizz.

My daughter has curlier hair than mine and she liked the Fantasia IC for I think color treated hair? It has the blue lid rather than the white one. I can use it sometimes too, but it weighs my hair down and takes forever to dry.

I've read Kinky Curly Curling Custard is super amazing but I've never tried it.

Hope that helps. :flower:

Editing to add some things:
I also liked the Queen Helen Cholesterol Gel in the tub. lol
I got it at the pharmacy(Rite Aid) for like $2 and it worked pretty good without drying my hair horribly.

Cantu Shea Butter Cream in the jar actually had quite a bit of hold even though it's not a styling gel.
It contains cones though(just in case you're avoiding them).

[AleenaGenise]

I might not be the best person to answer because my hair dries out and rebels at most gels. :o

I have mixed aloe vera gel(Fruit of the Earth) with a bit of EVOO and it was great in my hair for moisture, softness, and definition. aloe vera gel alone makes my hair poof for some reason. lol But mixed with EVOO it's good. However, I also get buildup really easy and got buildup from it. So I only use it some times.

I've used plain and brown Eco Styler gels but the clear one made my hair hard and crunchy while the brown one dried it out.

The best drugstore gel I've ever used is Herbal Essences Set Me Up Gel in the tube(not the spray gel). I could actually use this and often would mix it with a dab of conditioner in my palm to make it like a cream and it held well with little frizz.

My daughter has curlier hair than mine and she liked the Fantasia IC for I think color treated hair? It has the blue lid rather than the white one. I can use it sometimes too, but it weighs my hair down and takes forever to dry.

I've read Kinky Curly Curling Custard is super amazing but I've never tried it.

Hope that helps. :flower:

Editing to add some things:
I also liked the Queen Helen Cholesterol Gel in the tub. lol
I got it at the pharmacy(Rite Aid) for like $2 and it worked pretty good without drying my hair horribly.

Cantu Shea Butter Cream in the jar actually had quite a bit of hold even though it's not a styling gel.
It contains cones though(just in case you're avoiding them).

Thx you gave a lot of information. Yea I heard that Kinky Curly Curling Custard is pretty amazing too. I've never tried it though. I use Aloe Vera gel right now and I usually mix it with hibiscus, grapeseed oil and vitamin e. I've used the fruit of the earth Aloe vera also and I like it. :)

[Snow White]

Like the pp, lots of gels dried my hair out. I cannot use any gels with alcohol or PVP in them. I really like Volumax gel from Sally's. If it happens to get crunchy I just scrunch it a bit.

[redcelticcurls]

I haven't tried the EcoStyler. I believe it has glycerin and/or protein, and I don't use those in my sytlers.

I've been using Kinky Curly Curling Custard for years, and it has consistently worked well for me, though I do tend to use a cream in the winter.

It does dry with a crunch since crunch can give a gel better holding power. but, after my hair is dry, the crunch is pretty easily scrunched out.

[EtherealOde]

I like the Kinky Curly Curling Custard, and it smells great as a bonus. The crunch can be diminished with their leave-in conditioner, apply it before you apply the gel. And the wetter your hair is, the more evenly the gel is dispersed. I apply small amounts at a time, about 1/2 teaspoon, worked well over my hands and then applied starting from the root ends then working my way down the length. Less really is more, and key to getting good curl formation with less crunch.

[Rain]

These are my layers:

-leave-in (Biolage Conditioning Balm, Elucence or Jessicurl Aloeba)
-cream styler (Boots Curling Creme, or Curls Creme Brule)
-curl enhancer (Jessicurl Rockin' Ringlets)
-gel (Biosilk Rock Hard Gelee, Jessicurl Confident Coils or Aura Hypo)

AG re:coil combines everything in one. If I use that, I use nothing else. Maybe a little leave-in if it's really dry fall weather.

I only use Confident Coils over Rockin' Ringlets. Otherwise, I mix freely from each grouping. These are the products I've found to work for me consistently over the years other than Curls Creme Brule, which I just started using last week.

Other layers: Possibly a pomade (Oyin Burnt Sugar) if called for. Redken Wool Shake 08 if I want a big, wild mop.

[AleenaGenise]

Thx all. It seems a lot of people suggest Kinky Curly Curling Custard...I haven't tried it yet, but I'm quite interested. I've put off trying it because I've also heard that it's quite expensive

[curlymarcia]

Thanks for posting these, I have been using homemade flaxseed gel with good results. Reading all of you inspired me to try the aloe vera, and is also great!Aloe vera gives more moisture and my hair feels softer and I also believe it looses a little bit my curls, but gives less hold and less shine than the flaxseed (I think I will combine both). I'm so glad for these tip since my hair doesn't like a lot of thinks (the leave-in conditioners, oils, even most of the detanglers, etc., etc.). Aloe vera rocks!

[Buddaphlyy]

I tried the blue EcoStyler and it made my hair super hard and crunchy. It did define my curls though.

My fave gel is Smooth N' Shine Polishing Curl Activator Gel. Great definition without crunch. I have to admit though, I only use it in summer so I don't know how well it will work in the winter (it does have some glycerin in it).

[AleenaGenise]

Thanks for posting these, I have been using homemade flaxseed gel with good results. Reading all of you inspired me to try the aloe vera, and is also great!Aloe vera gives more moisture and my hair feels softer and I also believe it looses a little bit my curls, but gives less hold and less shine than the flaxseed (I think I will combine both). I'm so glad for these tip since my hair doesn't like a lot of thinks (the leave-in conditioners, oils, even most of the detanglers, etc., etc.). Aloe vera rocks!

Great! Yea I love Aloe vera too ;) Have you ever tried boiling the flaxseeds in 100% aloe vera or a tea?

[AleenaGenise]

I tried the blue EcoStyler and it made my hair super hard and crunchy. It did define my curls though.

My fave gel is Smooth N' Shine Polishing Curl Activator Gel. Great definition without crunch. I have to admit though, I only use it in summer so I don't know how well it will work in the winter (it does have some glycerin in it).

Yea I haven't tried the other eco stylers...the only one I heard was good was the one with olive oil in it. I like Smooth N' Shine too :)

[sanfen]

Have you ever checked out Ouidad? She specializes in curly hair and has a salon in NYC. Their products are amazing.

My hair is wavy and I got a haircut there once and I have some of their products - namely Climate Control and a couple of others.

They recommend the products based on your specific hair type and curl.

You should check out the website. http://www.ouidad.com/?sc=ppc_GT2_OUITTR_TRMK

[amaiaisabella]

LUSH King of the Mods for sure :) I love the stuff, and it moisturizes the hair at the same time.

[AleenaGenise]

Have you ever checked out Ouidad? She specializes in curly hair and has a salon in NYC. Their products are amazing.

My hair is wavy and I got a haircut there once and I have some of their products - namely Climate Control and a couple of others.

They recommend the products based on your specific hair type and curl.

You should check out the website. http://www.ouidad.com/?sc=ppc_GT2_OUITTR_TRMK

Thx! That sounds real cool. I'll check them out