As the name suggests, this curl-friendly formula helps define, strengthen, and moisturize coils so they look and feel their best. I am obsessed with getting as much volume as possible out of my low-density, 3c hair, and I am always trying new techniques and products that promise not to weigh my hair down. A combination of water and glycerin bring curls back to life, reshaping and rehydrating them as soon as you spritz it on. We also love that it has lots of slip, making it ideal for detangling. Bonus: This conditioner smells amazing (think tropical breezes and piña coladas). If I'm layering, I always end with gel to lock in the goodness from my leave-in. That look is fine sometimes, but I generally prefer to have springy, well-defined curls that fall nicely into place. Creams, in general, are all moisturizing, smoothing and defining, and are a bit more tailored for curly hair. You can do so much with gel! Further, that difference in shape is largely why curly hair needs more moisture and hydration; it makes it harder for the scalp’s naturally moisturizing oils to travel all the way down the hair shaft. While fatty alcohols or long-chain alcohols help add ⦠Not all alcohols are created equal. With three different formulas to hydrate, repair, or define your curls, you can think of this product like a frozen treat for your tresses. It also delivers major shine and frizz control. I was a mousse gal for a long time, until I cut my hair short and suddenly needed a heavier product to weigh down my suddenly weightless, springy, very frizzy curls. Forms a loose “S” very easily straightened, Forms a definite “S” shaped like a corkscrew, Very tight curl when stretched creates an “S”, Hair intentionally matted to form "ropes", Guides and resources for easy product selection, Learn how to read your hair product labels, Easy-to-make recipes for all your haircare needs, Community member favorites make up this coveted list, Chat with curl friends about your favorite curly topics. It holds curls in place without ever feeling or looking sticky or greasy. It will soften coarse, curly hair while enhancing your natural curls and eliminating frizz. Yes, please! To effectively use a curling gel to get structured, defined ringlets, youâll ⦠The 14 Best Shampoos for Curly Hair That We Know You'll Love, 8 Expert-Approved Home Remedies For Dry, Frizz-Prone Hair, The 18 Deep Conditioners That Add Serious Moisture to Natural Hair, The 17 Curl Creams for Your Bounciest, Shiniest Curls Ever, These Are the Best Gels for Natural Hair—Trust, These Are the Best Leave-In Conditioners for Natural Hair, Hands Down, The Best Black-Owned Hair Products to Stock Up On, ASAP, These Are the 7 Best Conditioners for Curly Hair, Hands Down, The Curly-Hair Community Agrees: These Are the Best Products for Natural Hair, These Experts Explain Exactly How to Identify Your Curl Type, You're probably not the type you thought you were, Thank Us Later: These Leave-In Conditioners Make Curls Come Back to Life. It can be pretty drying for fine hair, and may not offer a good cuticle seal for those of us who are frizz-prone. I also hear good reviews on this gel too. Celia Shatzman is a Brooklyn-based writer who covers beauty, fashion, celebrities, entertainment, and other lifestyle topics. The rice amino acids and avocado oil will help your hair retain moisture, which reduces the risk of frizz and damage. 1) You can mix aloe vera gel into your prepoo oil, shampoo, conditioner or styling products. With gel, I have to diffuse over an hour. From styling creams to smoothing oils to leave-in conditioners, we've got you—and your curls—covered. When it comes down to deciding between mousse or gel for fine, curly hair, I feel like the cute little girl in the Old El Paso taco commercial: why not both? Define and humidity-proof your curls with this leave-in cream. This hair butter will leave your hair nourished and hydrated without weighing it down or leaving it greasy. Wearing your hair au naturel has never been cooler, but those of us with curly or wavy strands know that letting our kinks loose with abandon is easier said than done. Her work has appeared in Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Marie Claire, and more. Celebrity hairstylist Kristin Ess (known for her work with Lauren Conrad, Lucy Hale, and more) has a line of affordable, high-quality hair products that you need to try ASAP. I was (and still am) very picky about the styling products I use, namely because it is so easy for fine-haired people to get products that don't work at all. The difference in not using gel on my curls. Remember that noise your hair would make in high school when you used cheap drugstore gel and it literally sounded like straw after it dried? 1. How to Use Gel to Fix Curly Hair. The featherweight formula is infused with argan oil to calm frizz and refine ringlets, all without ever feeling greasy or sticky. Those with kinky curly hair know that wash day can be a time consuming task, but the slip in this moisturizing product makes detangling a breeze by smoothing the cuticle and removing knots. Second- or third-day curls can be left looking a little flat and tired. Kerastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Sulfate Free Shampoo, Best Detangler: Caring for your curly hair using butter and natural oils means youâll be conditioning and moisturizing. Getting a gel that is too heavy for fine hair can be frustrating when it turns your hair into a semi-greasy, flat triangle shape. Rice amino acids and avocado oil will help your hair retain moisture, which prevents frizz and damage. You should limit how often you shampoo, and use products to keep your hair moisturized. As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner, Best Deep Treatment: For starters, when choosing the right product for your strands, it’s important to remember that curly hair is fundamentally different from straight hair. Bad Alcohol. Be careful, read the label and stick to natural ingredients where possible. Brickell Menâs Products Daily Strengthening Shampoo for Men. How To Refresh Curly Hair Using Flaxseed Gel . The name says it all! Grapefruit and ginseng give it a crisp, invigorating fragrance. I find that if I donât use gel, I end up with so much more frizz. Amika Curl Corps Defining Cream. You'll love the lightweight texture that won't leave hair feeling greasy. I'd say that anyone, curly haired or not, CG or not, is better off without harsh sulfates, for both their hair and scalp. Every head of curls is different, so itâs totally personal and down to you which you prefer for you and your hair, but itâs important that you know which to use for certain outcomes! Give your hair some TLC with this all natural deep conditioning treatment. If you're struggling to find a solution to dry, brittle curls, the right co-wash might be just what your routine is missing. It can be frustrating to spend a lot of money on something that you ultimately end up ditching, and seeing your hair still not look the way you want to. If you use store-bought hair gel, you may be coating your hair follicles and scalp with hazardous chemicals. But now there's an entire industry around maintaining healthy curls, resulting in products like this diffuser, which attaches to the end of your hair dryer (try ionic dryers to cut drying time in half) and coaxes the perfect ringlets out of hair. Best Overall: For hair that retains moisture and length, experts recommend deep conditioning at least biweekly. Layer a small amount of gel over foam-based products for extra hold, use a conditioning foam if your hair tends to be dry or ditch the heavy gel for a thin, slippery product that won't weigh down your roots and see what works best for your curl type and density. Which do you like better, and why? They allow your hair to be moisturized from the inside out and wonât leave you with flakes or frizz. From my own experience, I swore off gel for many years after looking back at high school photos and being horrified at how crunchy and stiff my curls were. These masks are meant to be put on the hair overnight and then washed out in ⦠review process here. Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel. Traditional shampoo is one of the most important products to avoid with the Curly Girl Method. Since gel is thicker than mousse or pomade, giving it the strongest holding power for taming curly hair. Foams are very no-fuss. Those with curly hair know what a tangled mess your tresses can be when you first get out of the shower. Start off with clean hair. In doing so, youâll see accentuation in your curls as moisture is sealing and retention occurs. Gel can be great on its own, or it can be layered with a cream or oil when you want more moisture or definition. This non-sticky gel gets extra props for delivering results to those with loose curls and waves to those with thick, kinky hair. Miss Jessie's Curls So Fresh, Best Co-Wash: If you've landed on this story, we likely share something in common: A lifelong struggle with properly managing curly hair, which also means a never-ending search for the right products and hair tools.So when I recently had my hair cut by a stylist who dropped some major knowledge and gave me some of the best curly hair tips I'd ever heard, I couldn't wait to come here and share what I'd learned. Too much heat and you get frizz. Tyla-Lauren Gilmore, 26, New York City. SheaMoisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Styling Mouse, 2. Their Bain Fluidealiste Nutritive Bain Elasto-Curl Shampoo is praised by beauty experts for its intense moisturizing properties. This cream is made with 96% naturally-derived ingredients and contains no dyes or silicones, so it's safe to use on all types of hair. It thrives with the least amount of styling and manipulation,” notes Hardges. 2. Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-In Defining Crème, Best Budget: Instead, your curls will look instantly defined and feel insanely soft. Share your experiences with us in the comments below! Some gels are really thick, or have heavy oils mixed in. Coconut oil is this leave-in conditioner’s secret ingredient, which works to detangle and hydrate. That means things such as alcohol and sulfates are a no-go since the last thing you want to do is strip your curls of the moisture they do have. And Vernon Francois knows natural hair. In order to keep those curls looking ⦠If you’ve embraced your natural texture, this is the product for you. To be clear, people with curly hair donât hate their hair; we just hate the endless search for the right products and the right methods. The bottom line: Look for products that help you embrace your natural texture, and are specially formulated to give your curls what they need. The rice amino acids and avocado oil will help your hair ⦠Gel is awesome for definition, which can be really important for fine-haired folks who tend to be more breakage and frizz-prone or who want well-defined ringlets. Co-washing can make curly, coil-y, and some wavy hair types feel more hydrated, defined, and healthierâyou just need to make sure youâre using the right formula for your hair type. But not this gem from Moroccanoil. Once your curls are damp but no longer soaked, you are ready to use the gel. The water and glycerin combo will rehydrate your hair and bring your curls right back to life. If you are using a gel and a moisturizer, always apply the gel second so that it can lock in the shape created by your moisturizer. Another great way to tame coarse, flyaway hair is to use a relaxing balm. Hair masks for curly hair You can create a DIY hair mask from common household ingredients. Even with high-quality gels, sometimes I can feel the product on my hair or scalp. The natural formula includes ethically-traded ingredients that are also sustainably produced. Waves and curls benefit a lot from scrunching (a bunch-of-scrunching, if you will), and it perfectly facilitates a good scrunch session post-wash. Just squirt some out of the bottle, rub between your palms, and scrunch all over your head in sections. Instead of locking them up in a boring topknot, reach for this spray. Ideal for letting your hair air dry, it’s a major time saver. Vernon Francois Pure For Hold and Shine Serum, Best Shampoo: A little of this serum goes a long way to keep strands moisturized and elastic. The range of Shea Moisture hair care products is possibly the most popular among the curly community, especially those with 3/4abc type, textured curls. Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Aloe really is an all-rounder ingredient suitable for all stages of a curly hair routine. AG Hair Re:Coil Curl Activator, These Are the Best Drugstore Products for Curly Hair, Best Cream: Mousse vs gel what works better for your hair? I can't speak for other curlies, but my curls don't form as tightly when I use foamy products. Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter, Best Gel: I lived in Houston until I was 18, and water-soluble foam was no match for the literal swamp air I dredged myself through on a daily basis. Curly-haired gals and guys have no shortage of products to choose from, but we think the best product for curly hair is Briogeo's Curl Charisma Rice Amino Avocado Leave-In Defining Cream. SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk, Best Butter: In other words, style them and then leave them alone—the less you touch and mess with them, the better. This hydrating curl control jelly eliminates frizz and elongates curls while leaving it soft to the touch — making it the ultimate styler. If you want to go straight on occasion, invest in a great ceramic/ionic ⦠Phyto Botanical Straightening Balm, Best Serum: Kerastase makes some of the best products for curly hair. Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Leave-In Conditioner, Best Natural: Invest in a Ceramic Flat Iron. I think that both products have great benefits and can create awesome looks for different hair types based on what you want out of your hair that day. On that note, there are some specific benefits of using mousse vs. using gel, as well as considerations to weigh when it comes to your hair type, frizz factor, curl density and desired texture: Can you say va-va-volume?! Use a t-shirt or microfiber towel to scrunch excess moisture from your curls. I can definitely see myself using mousse on days when I want my hair to look good but donât have the time required to use gel and diffuse for a full hour. Sulfate breaks down hair internally and also deposits salts, which can accumulate and dull hair. Fine hair will always take a little bit of guesswork when it comes to the balance of hold vs. volume in a product, so try new things! Ouidad Curl Quencher Hydrafusion Intense Curl Cream, Best Curl Refresher: 2C/3A/3B - modified CG - fairly fine now, normal/low porosity/normal elasticity A gel that defines your curls without leaving it dry and flaky? Argan oil is unbeatable when it comes to oils that hydrate your hair, and this serum packs plenty of it along with sunflower, castor, sweet almond, apricot, and shea oils. Kinky Curly Knot Today Detangler, What to Look For in a Product for Curly Hair, Have Curly Hair? We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. CURLS Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly, Best Relaxing Balm: You can scrunch your curls for looser definition, finger coil for tight springy curls, seal ends to fight frizz and so much more. Made specifically for curly hair, PATTERN is a haircare company created by actress Tracee Ellis Ross. “The follicles on the scalp that house the strand as it grows are flat and elliptical, which causes the hair strand to curl as it grows,” explains Leigh Hardges, stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. Use a fine tooth comb to mold your hair into the shape of an S. The gel allows your hair to sit in this shape without moving so itâs totally set! Meaning that If you purchase through clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. For a wash-ânâ-go, I start by leaving the Philip Kingsley ⦠Hardges likes to squeeze in an oil after her gel has dried to get rid of any gel cast (the hard coating some gels ⦠Hydrating ingredients are your curls’ best friend (think glycerin, shea butter, and natural oils). This post may contain affiliate links. Plus, it restores elasticity, making hair more manageable. Back in formation nourishing strands with a mix of six botanical oils after blowdried hair! Ceramic Flat Iron and stronger with this herbal conditioner Iâd love to hear what you.... Where possible gel with homemade flaxseed gel is if you use store-bought hair gel meant for curls Marie Claire and! Plus, it 's like I 'm layering, I have to diffuse over an hour while wet and with... Must by curly hair routine website is made possible by displaying online advertisements our... A gel Fruit Fusion Coconut water Weightless Styling Mouse, 2 scrunch excess moisture your. 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