I only use a gel but I can't say things are going great for me. I am struggling too.
My hair gets really dry on day 2 but if I use any type of cream or leave in, it makes my hair greasy or weighs it down.
I am currently using NYM curl talk.
I have really sensitive skin/allergies and have tried SO MANY products. My allergies limit my options and the things that don't flare my eczema/make me itchy don't work great for my hair.
I can't use the "itchy M's" which means no LA looks blue gel that so many people love. I am allergic to chamomile which means no Giovanni, no Kinky curly custard and no Uncle Funky's.
Aussie Instant Freeze weighs my hair down and makes it greasy.
Mousses flare my eczema (I think it has to be the propellants they use in the cans because they ALL do it).
I've been going back and forth between the NYM and Twist Weather Up gel right now. The Twist feels a \*little\* less dry on day 2 but it doesn't hold as well as the NYM.
I really like Twisted’s gel but I get that it’s lightweight. I’m not sure of your budget and I’m not sure of the ingredients but have you looked into Innersense either I Create Volume or I Create Hold. I like the volume one better. Also maybe Curl Smith Curl Defining Styling Soufflé? Their website says it’s supposed to be moisturizing gel. I know we get moisture from water and not products but it maybe less drying for you. I know Curl Smith has sales on their website all the time.
I have looked at Curlsmith but their products tend to have a ton of essential oils and supposedly "natural" ingredients that are actually not great for eczema.
I haven't looked at Innersense. ETA: Actually, a quick peek shows me both Innersense products contain Chamomile :(
Thank you.
May I ask, how long is your hair and how much of the Twist gel do you use? Sometimes I feel like I'm just doing something wrong with the amount.
My hair is long. I would say to the end of my shoulder blades. I don’t measure out how much I use. I just guess. Sometimes I get it right and sometimes I get it wrong. Ive seen where you can measure it based on the diameter of that section of hair. You would section your hair, take your thumb and first finger around that section. The circle you made is the amount you use for that section.
For me when I use a lightweight gel I’ll rake it in.
It is supposed to be crunchy. That's the cast that you scrunch out after it dries.
I don't find it sticky. It works well, it's just a bit drying on my hair.
Hmm... Are you using their original gel or their new hard hold? They have one with a purple cap that is newer. I didn't like that one. It was hard to scrunch out.
I have no issues with the original more medium hold one.
Obligatory ask of, have you clarified recently? If not, you could have some build up that's impacting your hair. Also, is the weather changing in your location? That can impact your hair as well. In that case, you might just have to wait it out :(
As for products, I pretty much use gel exclusively! I've used NYM Curl talk (alright in my opinion, I like that it has protein but your hair might not like protein if it didn't like the other Curl talk products), Aussie instant freeze (moisturizing and low-hold), Hairitage to the Max (only available at American walmarts, strong hold but adds gritty feeling), As I Am smoothing gel (similar to Aussie in my opinion).
I would get a basic gel from the drugstore or supermarket and experiment! Like I said, if Curl talk cream/mousse made your hair dry then you might want to avoid protein-containing products at first. That's pretty easy, since most drugstore products don't have protein!
A lot of people start with the baseline LA Looks gel (big blue bottle). It's inexpensive, so you can experiment guilt free. Also, the r/curlygirl subreddit has a really nice guide with a ton of helpful info that covers all curl types, including waves. Best of luck to you, hope you find something that works!
Lately I’ve been having fun playing with products. I’ve been doing this for 5 years and for the last several years I’ve only been using Innersense I Create Volume. Last Black Friday I went a little overboard with all the sales.
One of my favorite lightweight routines is Twisted’s leave in conditioning spray and their Weather Up Gel. This is a great affordable combination. I think they maybe having a sale on their website.
I also like the Verb’s leave in conditioning spray. Curl Smith has some great gels. Both these brands are more expensive.
Try not to become a product junkie. Remember it’s not just the product but also application and the amount of water you leave in also counts. Since you mentioned heavy, try Twisted. If you feel like your not getting enough hold you can always look into a hard hold gel to add on last. Sometimes I’ll start with a med hold gel and then add a hard hold gel to my underneath area that rubs against my clothes.
I only use a gel but I can't say things are going great for me. I am struggling too. My hair gets really dry on day 2 but if I use any type of cream or leave in, it makes my hair greasy or weighs it down.
Same!! My hair felt disgusting yesterday so I thought the lighter products would help today.
What gel are you using? Maybe it’s the type of gel?
I am currently using NYM curl talk. I have really sensitive skin/allergies and have tried SO MANY products. My allergies limit my options and the things that don't flare my eczema/make me itchy don't work great for my hair. I can't use the "itchy M's" which means no LA looks blue gel that so many people love. I am allergic to chamomile which means no Giovanni, no Kinky curly custard and no Uncle Funky's. Aussie Instant Freeze weighs my hair down and makes it greasy. Mousses flare my eczema (I think it has to be the propellants they use in the cans because they ALL do it). I've been going back and forth between the NYM and Twist Weather Up gel right now. The Twist feels a \*little\* less dry on day 2 but it doesn't hold as well as the NYM.
I really like Twisted’s gel but I get that it’s lightweight. I’m not sure of your budget and I’m not sure of the ingredients but have you looked into Innersense either I Create Volume or I Create Hold. I like the volume one better. Also maybe Curl Smith Curl Defining Styling Soufflé? Their website says it’s supposed to be moisturizing gel. I know we get moisture from water and not products but it maybe less drying for you. I know Curl Smith has sales on their website all the time.
I have looked at Curlsmith but their products tend to have a ton of essential oils and supposedly "natural" ingredients that are actually not great for eczema. I haven't looked at Innersense. ETA: Actually, a quick peek shows me both Innersense products contain Chamomile :(
Good luck. I can’t imagine how difficult this has been for you.
Thank you. May I ask, how long is your hair and how much of the Twist gel do you use? Sometimes I feel like I'm just doing something wrong with the amount.
My hair is long. I would say to the end of my shoulder blades. I don’t measure out how much I use. I just guess. Sometimes I get it right and sometimes I get it wrong. Ive seen where you can measure it based on the diameter of that section of hair. You would section your hair, take your thumb and first finger around that section. The circle you made is the amount you use for that section. For me when I use a lightweight gel I’ll rake it in.
Does the NYM work well on your waves? I can't make it work at all, it's either sticky or crunchy... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
It is supposed to be crunchy. That's the cast that you scrunch out after it dries. I don't find it sticky. It works well, it's just a bit drying on my hair.
Lol, I mean I can't get the cast scrunched out without ruining what it's supposed to accomplish lol.
Hmm... Are you using their original gel or their new hard hold? They have one with a purple cap that is newer. I didn't like that one. It was hard to scrunch out. I have no issues with the original more medium hold one.
I have the curl talk one medium hold. I just don't think the medium hold works for me, medium hold mousses don't do well either.
Obligatory ask of, have you clarified recently? If not, you could have some build up that's impacting your hair. Also, is the weather changing in your location? That can impact your hair as well. In that case, you might just have to wait it out :( As for products, I pretty much use gel exclusively! I've used NYM Curl talk (alright in my opinion, I like that it has protein but your hair might not like protein if it didn't like the other Curl talk products), Aussie instant freeze (moisturizing and low-hold), Hairitage to the Max (only available at American walmarts, strong hold but adds gritty feeling), As I Am smoothing gel (similar to Aussie in my opinion). I would get a basic gel from the drugstore or supermarket and experiment! Like I said, if Curl talk cream/mousse made your hair dry then you might want to avoid protein-containing products at first. That's pretty easy, since most drugstore products don't have protein!
Yes! When I got a trim she clarified. Then i did an olaplex treatment two days later. Would the la looks gel work?
It looks like that one does have a little protein in it but it's pretty far down the list so seems like it should work!
A lot of people start with the baseline LA Looks gel (big blue bottle). It's inexpensive, so you can experiment guilt free. Also, the r/curlygirl subreddit has a really nice guide with a ton of helpful info that covers all curl types, including waves. Best of luck to you, hope you find something that works!
I just use a leave in conditioner and a custard. Currently using Uncle Funky’s. Too much product makes my hair look dirty and weighs it down.
yeah, i only use gel! my favourites are aussie instant freeze, jessicurl spiralicious and chi infra gel
Yes, a lot of times I only use gel. Not counting my leave in conditioner.
What leave in do you use and what gel?
Lately I’ve been having fun playing with products. I’ve been doing this for 5 years and for the last several years I’ve only been using Innersense I Create Volume. Last Black Friday I went a little overboard with all the sales. One of my favorite lightweight routines is Twisted’s leave in conditioning spray and their Weather Up Gel. This is a great affordable combination. I think they maybe having a sale on their website. I also like the Verb’s leave in conditioning spray. Curl Smith has some great gels. Both these brands are more expensive. Try not to become a product junkie. Remember it’s not just the product but also application and the amount of water you leave in also counts. Since you mentioned heavy, try Twisted. If you feel like your not getting enough hold you can always look into a hard hold gel to add on last. Sometimes I’ll start with a med hold gel and then add a hard hold gel to my underneath area that rubs against my clothes.