Personally Im not such a big fan of the Tangle Teezer. This nourishing gel (made with organic flaxseeds) keeps your natural hair strong, but it also delivers amazing hold. Im a lot less confused now Look at the difference in volume and texture after I SOTC. Read our, Best Overall: Mielle Organics Honey & Ginger Styling Gel, The 13 Deep Conditioners That Add Serious Moisture to Natural Hair, Best Budget: Ecoco ECO Styler Olive Oil Styling Gel, Best Lightweight Hold: Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel, The 13 Best Nourishing Shampoos for Natural Hair, Best Strong Hold: Tailiah Waajid Tight Hold Loc It Up For Natural Hair, The 16 Best Hair Gels for a Flexible Hold, Best Strengthening: NaturAll Club Curl Defining Flaxseed Gel, Best Defining: The Doux Big Poppa Curl Defining Gel, Best Edge Control: Design Essentials Sleek Edge Control, Best for Thinning Edges: NaturAll Club Flaxseed Gel Edge Control, Best for Wash-and-Go Styles: Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly, Best Multi-Purpose: Pattern Beauty Strong Hold Gel, Best for Sensitive Scalps: Curlsmith Hydro-Style Flexi Jelly, Best Anti-Frizz: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel, The 15 Best Anti-Frizz Products for Every Hair Type, Best for Styling: tgin Rose Water Defining Styling Gel, Best for Fine Hair: Aveda Confixor Liquid Gel, Plump Your Strands With the Best Conditioners for Fine Hair, Best Elongating: Aunt Jackies Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel, Best for Coily Curls: As I Am Smoothing Gel, Best For Loose Curls: Mixed Chicks Styling Gel. Morning time my curls are on point, by bedtime Im having to fully wet and wide tooth comb my hair because it is so snarled and awful. A co-wash is a conditioning wash (shampoo). Hi Elizabeth, Ive got a post about how I protect my curls at night which I think you might find very helpful. For those with low-porosity hair (your hair doesnt allow in moisture easily), youll want to reach for a lighter gel to prevent product build-up. Once cooled, the consistency of the flaxseed gel is like a hair gel. Wet your hair again with the shower head, tap or spray bottle. Its also great for low porosity hair where the cuticles tend to lay flat. Ive got medium porosity hair, which is very fine and gets easily weighed down too. Pineapple at night and silk pillowcase is giving me second day curls that I never had before! Your hair needs to be 100% dry before you SOTC otherwise youll just create lots of frizz. What I didnt realise was that youre supposed to break that cast, to reveal your soft, bouncy curls underneath. I saw a post about it probably a year ago and it seemed like more effort than I was willing to put in but with how much I liked the Aveda flax seed gel I might be willing to put forth the effort. Im glad my content has been able to help you though! Flaxseed gel also speeds up overall drying time, so make sure to add it in your winter routine , Depending on the weather, if its summer use your flaxseed gel in the end since it will fight humidity! I just recently started cgm and bought like four different gels before getting bored one day and making the flax seed gel. It looks like you're new here. Ive ordered some curly girl friendly products, such as Boucleme low poo cleanser, light conditioner, curl cream and of course Pantene curl mousse! As it tends to over moisturize and weigh down those hair types. I have low porosity hair so it takes hours and hours to dry if I let it hair dry. You may come across some stuff in the curly community about modified Denman brushes, and I dont find those as good, they arent as gentle on the hair as the padded one. The all-natural formula is alcohol-free, which also makes it a great option for those with sensitive scalps. Should I start with lighter products and then go from there or do you have another recommendation? Hey! Then I let air dry and I have almost zero Friz. But, if you prefer a microfibre towel to the ones mentioned above. I actually use the pantene mousse and the gel you use. Reviewers also love that this lightweight formula doesnt cause any stiff or sticky after-effects. Then tilt my head dramatically to one side and use another nickel sized puddle, on the side hanging down. Thanks! Fold over the remaining towel or t-shirt over the back of your head. But if your hair is low porosity, you'll want a lighter gel so that you don't experience buildup quickly. If you want to get the most moisture and hydration from your conditioner, deep conditioner or hair mask, you need to learn the squish to condish technique. Thanks for such an amazing website. I am guessing after reading your blog, that my hair is experiencing protein overload. Click here for more information on my Curl Clinics. I am so glad that I found out about these techniques now and it will help to preserve her curls. If your flaxseeds gelor the flaxseeds have a sharp rancid smell, throw it. Do you recommend using it as well? A month of gel costs $2. Watch her video below. Conditioner- Pacifica Salty Waves Texturing Conditioner, scrunching it in and letting it sit for 3-5 minutes. Is the LOC method CG method friendly? Im going to buy the co wash you recommend and probably the mousse but I need a couple things cleared up! Been styling with Aveda Flaxseed and Aloe Gel for the past week. What do I need? Works very nice for a refreshbtoo. And yes, my hair is super thick! But when done correctly the definition is worth it! Your blog posts about curls are so helpful! Righteousness and peace have kissed! Althoughmy recipe uses a LOT of flaxseeds, I think Sannes recipe is brilliant. So I like fairly wild look to my hair but no one likes frizz and especially when trying to stretch the time between wash days. Ive just started the CG method myself. Whichever your texture or your curl goals, there's a gel out there for youand we've rounded up the best of them. Hey there! I apply conditioner from the ends upwards to about two or three inches from my root. If youre struggling to get curly clumps, try squeezing sections of your hair together, vertically, with your hands. In your post on plopping you mention diffusing first till about 70% dry then scrunching like crazy before plopping for 20 min. I use my hands, some people use a light oil like jojoba or grape seed. To 1) distribute the product evenly throughout my hair. That protective cast is forming as the hair dries to prevent it from getting frizzy and losing definition. Overall my hair will curl, but after day 1 of washing/styling it will get very frizzy. Make sure you use a cotton t-shirt or microfibre towel to plop. My favourite curl towel for plopping is either theBouclme100% cotton jersey towel or the Aquis Lisse Luxe Towel. When I first found this edge control on my mothers bathroom sink, lets just say that it didnt stay there for longit remains one of the best edge controls Ive ever used. I have absolutely no doubts about your advice but I just want to make an informed choice that is all, to either https://curlmaven.ie/how-i-protect-my-curly-hair-at-night/ xoxo. I am just about to start the CG method, but the thought of leaving conditioner in my hair scares me!! Mousse, gels and custards are the culprits, as they create a cast on the hair. So it sits at the nape of your neck. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes. I use a normal channi to strain but most people use a pantyhose to the most gel out. I washed and applied using prayer hands and scrunching, then diffues for 6 mins and plopped for 20 mins. Im confused why you feel they are so bad. Or Miribel Naturals Creamy Hair Cleanser is another favourite. Thus, clumping occurs! you absolutely need to use a conditioner. Leaving it on for no longer than 20-30 minutes before taking my hair out of the plop to fully air dry. If your hair is highly absorbent, you'll need a stronger, more moisturizing product in order to prevent frizz. If you have very sensitive skin or scalp, then be extra careful and check the ingredients list before purchasing or using on your skin, scalp or hair. Then tie with the sides of the towel, or the sleeves of the t-shirt to secure. No really, curly hairproductsmaybe not be as affordable for many. Im working my way to eliminating unnecessary plastic waste, but there arent really any bars specifically for curly hair that I can find at least. You dont need to brush in between, youll do so much damage brushing dry hair! While I was looking at Aveda store the employee told me I had 30 days to return it as long as there was at least half of the product remaining so that was what pushed me over the edge to try it. Flakes do not damage hair but having white residue in your hair can makeanybodyuncomfortable. Dont expect to crack it first time. ! I thought the exact same thing. Leave for a few mins before diffusing, dont move your hair around too much until the cast has formed and its fully dry. If so, Ive got a new post dedicated to how I protect my curls at night and my hair is just to my shoulders so you should find it helpful. I have type 2b, maybe 2c waves if Im being generous. I've read on sciency blog that Aloe is better than glycerin but does the same. Heres how to do it, and youre only going to loop the hair tie once or twice at most it shouldnt be tight. I used Pantene Defined Curls Mousse, and Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly CURLMAVEN for 20% off. When searching for the best gel for you, it's important to consider your hairs texture and porosity, as well as your styling needs. Repeat for other side. Therese1, I forgot to mention that we're still in low humidity here. The formulamade with flaxseed, shea butter, and extra-virgin olive oilconditions your hair while nourishing the scalp and promoting hair growth. And, while theres no miracle product that'll completely change the texture of the hair that frames your face, this will definitely help you style your baby hair to perfection. Co-washing doesnt really suit type 2 wavy or type 3 curly hair for very long. You can also use a brush to do this, like the modified Denman brush (just pull out every other row of bristles). Which gel is best for natural hair edges? Going CG for me seems to be more about changing to CG friendly products and tweaking my current Haircare methods as I do most of them anyway (phew!). Leave your cast in for as long as possible before SOTC. Yes its entirely possible for your natural curl pattern to become more curly from following the basic principles of the curly girl method, and focusing on healthy hair. 2015;7(1):2-15. However, if you use the thicker version, emulsify it on wet palms before application. Hi Stephanie, Ive got a few posts on reviews of brands and products I love, as well as My Favourite Products of 2019, and previous years if you want to take a look at those posts as they are all products that I love, use and recommend and they dont weigh the hair down. Dont forget to subscribe to this blog so you dont miss a post or announcement. Then I'll be able to see what my hair does in really high humidity. Almost every curly girl has experienced that wet look, with crunchy or crispy curls. Hope that helps, Gabriella xoxo, You have great information and beautiful hair!! Right now I apply all my products in the shower after washing, then plop, then diffuse. This lightweight gel is ideal for those with low-porosity hair, providing curl definition that is flexible and soft to the touch. Aveda Flax Seed Aloe Gel $22/ 8.5 oz. Naturecat uses IN products too; you could PM her as well for her source. Made with over 70-percent organic ingredients. Normally I'll also use some hairspray but for this test I did not use any on day 1 when the pictures were taken. Your site is great and your hair lovely. 82% of 700+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above. I compared the Indian Arata with USA Ecoslay flaxseed gels check out the results here! But I dont recommend Shea Moisture. Scrunch out the crunch and break that gel cast to reveal the soft, bouncy waves and frizz-free defined curls underneath. Will that one work or do I need something stronger before moving to a different co-wash? Your email address will not be published. If you haven't liked the gels you've tried, you could consider making your own so that you have full ingredient control. I am using all jessicurl products but feel it leaves my curls more stringy and not enough hold. This in no way affects you, the price you pay or the way in which I write about products featured on this site. Hi Allison. Hair Type: Color-Treated, Locs | Scent: Rosemary and Nettle | Size: 6.0 oz. Please help! Does the Aveda have glycerin in it? Use your discretion its probably why this gel or any commercial gels with flaxseed did not work for you. If youre hair is shorter, you might not be able to gather all the pieces of your hair at the back of your head into your pineapple thats okay. I guess it would be the same for anyone on holiday who wants to keep their hair up off their neck and shoulders. Well, thats just a dry, crunchy mess. It has a silicone in it, plus denatured alcohol (drying) high on the list. Thanks for any help! Now that I layer my hair care products though, I use less of each product if that makes sense. You can count on this product to tame your flyaways and provide a firm hold to unruly hair. CURLMAVEN for 20% off all those towels mentioned at Look Fantastic, who ship worldwide. Then no towel, but apply gel or mousse after out of shower and hair still wet? Its strong enough to maintain loc stylesit's ideal for retouching or even creating new locs. For all natural curlies, coilies, and wavies! I bounce the Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo. Wow, that was a really long post! THEN I plop! | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No. I just felt like my hair looked a bit flat the whole time though, I was constantly wanting to fluff it or get some hairspray because it looked sad. One more question when i apply my products upside down in the shower often the hair at the back of my head gets tangled after i apply my products and the curls dont fall nice maybe i have to concentrate on moving my head side to side more when apply the products. Reviewers also rave that it adds body and volume to limp hair. If youre looking for serious hold minus the flakes, this gel is the one for you. Hope that helps, Gabriella xoxo, Love this post! However, what suits my skin type and curls might be terrible for yours, so please be sensible and take care when following recommendations. Aww Melissa thats awesome to hear! I have a YouTube video on my full wash day routine where I go through the various different application techniques to encourage and enhance curl definition, volume, clumps and minimize frizz, I recommend you check that out here: https://youtu.be/b3y593StTcA. Any troubleshooting tips?? Hi Marie, twice a week is perfect for washing. She is 5 and I cant believe no one ever asked me if I know how to take care of her curly hair since both my husband and I have straight hair (she got my dads hair). Michelle Regalado is a seasoned editor, fact-checker, and content strategist with expertise in women's lifestyle news. This liquid gel does just that while the Morikue protein-infused formula conditions, fortifies, and creates definition. Make sure you check out the CG Basics tab on the site, and the post on What is the Curly Girl Method? Perfect for wash days AND refreshes on non-wash days. So you can continue on your curly hair journey, feeling more confident and knowledgeable. I did the dry strand test and it takes all day for my hair to dry. Hi, im trying curly girl method for the first time. Hello, I m excited to start the curly girl routine. You can even mix yourDIY Hibiscus Gel or Aloe Vera Gelfor better hold. Finger coil spot pieces to refresh on non-washdays! You can use a low poo or a co wash. Flip your hair over, grabbing it in the same way you would start your pineapple. Also see products with flaxseed at the end of this article. It doesnt break but lately my hair has been feeling very brittle and frizzy. While some products can function in an all-in-one capacity, many will work better specifically for edge control, or protective styles, or loose curls. Are you using enough product? Your website is great just did the rice water rinse and it helped my hair so much! Or 10% off at Kiyo Beauty in the UK who ship worldwide. Once Ive done that, I gently squish to condish for a minute or two, until I can see that my hair has absorbed the conditioner. Ever since the spring weather started it's been looking like crap. I then smooth and scrunch in a mixture of gel (either Boucleme Gel or Aussie Instant Freeze usually) with lube, yes KY Jelly. So she had no clue how to look after my curls. In this post, Im going to help you understand the lingo and get to grips with the techniques. My hair are wavy but in some parts they are also curly. It may be because the gel contained protein. It means Scrunch Out The Crunch. Plus Aveda products are so highly scented. I know this is a bit of an old post but Im gonna start trying some of this stuff to bring back my natural curls! Hair Type: Curly, Kinky, Coily, Textured | Scent: Clean | Size: 2.3 oz. I havent found a good combo for my hair. My favourite budget co-wash is the As I Am Coconut Co-Wash CURLMAVEN for 20% off at Look Fantastic. Too much protein can cause the hair to go stringy. Your email address will not be published. Hi, have you ever used the brand Shea Moisture? If you dont have one, dont worry! At what stage can you brush your hair. It's available in both flexible hold (for defining curly hair) and extreme hold (for defining kinky, coily hair). This is staple part of the curly girl method, but not in my Curl Maven Method. It can be a great option for those who wash their hair frequently (its known to flake after three or four days of buildup), but it really shines as a maximum-hold styler for twisted or braided styles. Twisting your hair up in one big bun is pulling out the natural curl pattern. okay, a couple of things. Caution: Going to bed with wet hair increases the risk of hygral fatigue. Now I do it once my hair is fully dry and I dont have to wait a day to have gorgeous curls. This may sound silly, but would protein treatments be the cause of my hair not curling? Hair Type: Relaxed, Natural | Scent: Clean | Size: 2.3 oz. Thank you for your wonderful posts. I just purchased a Denman brush to try out for the first time, and Im wondering: Do you plop before or after using the Denman brush? Some people are sensitive to protein. Ouidad Advanved Moisture Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel $26/ 8.5 oz (although you can buy the big 75 oz one from Costco for about $40 right now) - I have used this gel on and off for awhile and it gave good definition but by the time I finished my make up and took this photo it was looking a little like helmet head, heavy on top and not much volume. By day 3 with this gel I need a hat or a sad looking pony tail because with the layers on my hair the pony tail is like 15 strands of hair. Which can sometimes pull your hair, disrupting your curl pattern and formation. But conditioners can feel heavy and greasy, especially on fine hair. If so what did you think? | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes. So easy to make and better results than I get with anything else! Honestly I've found combing leave in conditioner on sopping wet hair cuts down on my frizz immensely! I have naturally 2c & 3a curls but right now my hair is looking like a 2a. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes, Available in flexible hold and extreme hold. Hope that helps! Design Control and NaturAll are two that clearly state they work well for that purpose. I just need to be reassured that I understand correctly about the order of applying gel for a cast and plopping. I have a post about that. CURLMAVEN for 10% off Miribel Naturals in the USA, or Kiyo Beauty in the UK. xoxo, I have shorter hair that barely hits my shoulders, so I dont know what to do for the plopping and pineapple method (God these names), will I just let the shorter parts of my hair fall out? I have a blog post all about clarifying if you want to check that out. I think mine is high because it takes so long to dry and it gets so frizzy and gets wet fast. Then I apply a couple dime size amounts of the Aveda through my hair. However, my hair gets weighed down very easily as if it were low porosity. Love your directions but confused about brushing. I think your hair is a bit thicker than mine..thanks again, Lou. Im just at the very start of my CG method journey and am finding it incredibly helpful, especially as Im in Ireland so its great to know which products I can order online etc. Use microfiber cloth to absorb a good bit of water, to the point it still makes squishy sounds when I put more product in but it's not dripping anymore. Since textured hair tends to err on the dryer side already, this can be damaging and can make hair look dull. Hair Type: Curly | Scent: Honey and Ginger | Size: 12.0 oz. Edge control is typically a quick fix, but this product doesnt just lay your edgesit promotes growth, too. Your email address will not be published. Ditch it after the tub is empty. Personally, Im not a fan of this method as it pulls out my curls. Logically speaking you can use that directly on dry hair. Hair Type: Curly, Kinky, Coily | Scent: Clean | Size: 15.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No. Thank you for the information and techniques! All hair is good hair. Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. And build Curl Maven as a brand and all Ive got planned. You have gorgeous hair by the way Thank you! After having a conversation with my sister about wanting to actually like my curls, I came across this year your site! Ive stopped the protein treatments, I cowash and deep condition. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. How do I make a cast? This is 4th day hair with spritzing with water / conditioner mix. Raking will often pull out the curl pattern, especially on fine hair and waves. This in no way affects you, the price you pay, or the way in which I write about products featured on this site. You may notice white powdery residue but you can just fluff it out. Long before I discovered the curly girl method or developed my Curl Maven Method. Flaxseed Gel is a film-forming gel; that means it will coat your hair. So I understand I need to change to the cowash (saw your As I Am coconut recommendation). But please note, its the ONLY Denman brush, or any kind of brush I recommend using for curly hair. I think Ive read almost all of them in the last two days lol. You may also want to avoid styles that pull at the edges of your hair, including tight ponytails and buns. How long doesFSGlast? You have beautiful hair!!!! *This post may containsome gifted items and affiliate links. Or you used too much. I think I pushed it my hair is now in a stringy wave funk that it wont go past it. Hair Type: Curly | Scent: Clean | Size: 8.5 oz. If you want more tips and advice like this post for your washday, check out my Washday Workbook here! I wash hair at night, then put in 2 scrunchies when I go to sleep 1 around the middle of my head the 2nd part is I take the top part of my hair into the other scrunch on top of my head [ like the pineapple. ] It just depends on what works best for your hair and what you prefer. I have fine porous hair, 2c/3a with a few ringlets thrown in. 1. Then the best one, in my opinion, is theDevaCurlmicrofibre towel. For those with high-porosity hair (your hair easily absorbs moisture), it might take a strong moisturizing hold to keep frizz at bay.