STRONG hold, MEDIUM, or LIGHT, what type of gel do you prefer? I summarized all this info about each gel for you on a chart over on my blog: genamarie.co/2021/04/best-gels-for-curls-cgm-drugstore-high-end/ Don't forget to take advantage of my codes! ★ 10% off Curlsmith (new customers only) with code GENAMARIE10: bit.ly/ShopCurlsmith ★ 15% off TreLuxe with code GENAMARIE15: discovertreluxe.com/?rl=36 ★ 10% off Bounce Curl with code GENAMARIE: www.bouncecurl.com?aff=6
I rarely use gel but I prefer light. Tge blueberry bliss is one that works for me. Would you recommend using noth kinky curly products( leave in and custard) on porous 2 c hair??
@@arianareyes8001 what do you use? I am new but find leave-ins & curl creams make hair weighed down. Mousse looks great. Not long tho. The Aussie instant freeze leaves a cast that even when scrunched out looks like.. wet. W the weird halos frizz. I am searching for a one & done product just for a little definition. I feel like Aussie makes my hair look stringy.
Kinky Curl Gel is my favorite as well! Great slip, forms really nice curls clumps, nice scent. But we pay about 30$ here in Germany for it. Ouch! Btw, thank you. This video comes across like an honest review vs all the sales shows I generally see with most of the curly hair girls‘ videos, where they ‚absolutely love and obsess‘ over every single product. 😏
As someone living in Canada, it’s so hard to find popular curly hair products. But hearing that Dippity-do was a Canadian brand, I immediately ran out to find it. Found it at my local grocery store and have been using it since. Absolutely love it!
What a wonderful and interesting comparison of the various gels. I learn so much from you. It can get overwhelming with so many products on the market. Thank you 🦋
I actually just tried the Ouidad advanced humidity gel because of the sales on it... I seriously swear to God I don't think I'm going to go back to anything else. This gel literally made my hair look amazing right now.
I have a few questions for u: Do u use the gel alone or with a cream? If u use a cream, do u just scrunch ur hair with the product or do you twist ur curls while applying? How often do you think ur hair lasts without washing? In other words, how long do u think ur curls last without having to refresh them, asking cause I only wash mine once a week and don’t want to wash it more just to apply products
@@randomthings1927 I use a leave in conditioner and then the gel. I like the hold I will refresh day 2 but I wash my hair every 3 to 4 days but that's due to my eczema on my scalp.
Enjoyed seeing the reason how the the gels work. The gel that works best in my hair lasts the longest, keeps my curls shiney, and well defined in Houston's horrible high humidity year round is Ouidad Vital Curl Tress Effects Gel. Even much better than Advanced Heat and Humidity Gel. Just wish I could find a more affordable duplicate. Any suggestions? My curl type is similar to yours.
Such a helpful video! It’s amazing how people get different results from the same product. I got a light hold from Dippity Doo. I got a hard hold from Tre Luxe, a FAVE 💗
Gena! Try Orange Marmalade with a TINY bit of Bouncecurl Gel, it will give you the best hold of your life. I can do three days without refreshing. I agree on your thoughts on the Bouncecurl gel alone.
I’ve tried the Orange Marmalade and it was awful on my hair 😔 I’m not sure why but I think it was too strong of humectants. It disappeared from my hair when I stepped outside and I was left with frizz, a wet feeling in my hair and the curls fell limp. So odd because I know so many people love it!
@@GenaMarie Aw man 😔. Opposite experience for me, I actually was surprised how good it was as a gel. I had low expectations, but I just found out about that cocktail and it makes such a difference in a good way!
I hope my hair likes the Orange Marmalade bc I already ordered it. I’m not as far south as you ladies (KY) but our humidity is bad and I just bleach damaged my hair in a moment of post-Covid brain fog 🤯🤯. My porosity = Swiss cheese 🧀 😬
I actually cocktailed the Innersense I Create Hold and Uncle Funky's Curl Stimulator today for a day 2 refresh on my hair and the cast was crazy! Really crunchy, but I know my hair's going to hold all week! I've got fine low density hair, and I didn't emulsify the I Create Hold with any water, though I did dampen my hair first.
U make the besttttttt helpful and informative videos, PERIOD. 💝 Whenever i get ur notification, I'm just like now I'll get some good video or content to watch, that's the way u make us feel... U always put in the best stuff... Really appreciate ur efforts hun... Keep going!!!! 💙✨ Have a nice day 🌈
Low density, fine hair. I use Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk and Melaleuca’s Affinity hair gels. Affordable and works. Need the crunch to go away, for soft curls.
I really love all your videos. I have 100% coarse low porosity hair from root to tip and so I struggle finding products that dont build up on my low porosity hair but also allow for slip and manageability with my coarse hair! I still havent found a good combination. Would love to see videos on specific types of hair and what products you might recommend!!
Yess! Any of these liquidy gels I mentioned that don’t have strong proteins would be best for you as protein can make coarse hair feel more brittle and tangle
@@GenaMarie thank you so much for the recommendation! I will try to get the quidad first as I know I can get it in Canada. Do you think for my hair type I should be layering with a leave in conditioner too? I just dont want too much sitting on my low po hair but I'm not sure.
Excited to try KKCC! I tend to like hard holds like harry's, but I need a more moisturizing gel, yet I can't handle any leave in. So I thought a more moisturizing gel might be something to try. Thanks for this. :)
As always, great videos with great tips!!! I would love to see more on medium, thick hair products. I am supposed to use film forming humectants and these confuse me on products with humectants. Should Aloe, honey, glycerin be in my products or not? I enjoy your detailed videos you share and any advice you give.
yes! i should have clarified which humectants are film-forming. Aloe, honey, and plant gels like flaxseed are all film-forming. Glycerin and sorbitol are not so they simply bring water in aka hydrate the hair. The film-formers keep the hydration in!
My favorite gel used to be the DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel, but I preferred it more when it had the Polyquaternium 7. It’’s still good and a miracle and the only thing that really depoofed my hair on the 3rd day. I have to be careful how much gel I use, my individual hairs are very fine and tangle very easily, and if I use too much they stick together, so I can’t use a gel that doesn’t have protein.
Once again a very helpful video and chart. I have no idea how the Ouidad gel works so well when it has glycerin in it. I have been using it for over a year and it still befuddles me. I have sworn off most styling products that have glycerin (my hair is not a fan unless used in ideal dew points), except that gel. I may have to try the Dove, my wallet will thank me.
Hi i absolutely love your videos they’ve helped my hair so much!!! I just would love if you added timestamps for the things you’re talking about in your videos bc some of your videos can be long and it’s hard for me to get through them all 😭❤️
I’m sure not CGM approved but I used to use Biolage gelee it has a good hold, used it for years and loved it. I’m definitely going to try the Ouidad! I think most important it starts with a good cut, I’d love to know how your beautician cuts your hair? My girl is ok but I don’t feel very CG knowledgeable. I’ve yet to try Curlsmith & am looking forward to trying all of their products woohoo💖✌🏽 a discount! Also I’d love to see different ways to wear curly hair using maybe clips, barrettes, scarves...
I have fine, low density hair. Interestingly, the Innersense I Create Hold works really well for me, even layered with lighter hold gels. I would really like to try KCCC, but I am hesitant to purchase it because of past product regrets. 😕
I really have been enjoying UFD curl stimulator, but just recently found out that I am highly allergic to the chamomile in it, so I had to quit using it. A lot of curly hair products contain chamomile, so I had to throw out a bunch of stuff. Chamomile is in the ragweed family, so if you have ragweed issues, you may have a reaction to UFD. Once I stopped using it and all the other chamomile containing products, my scalp felt so much better!
Just found this video and I love the detailed information on these. I was actually out of gel so I went to buy one right after seeing this and decided to buy the Dove one. I like the texture of it, the pump, my hair feels really soft afterwards but HOLY MOLY I can't stand that fragrance! I'm not sensitive to fragrances but this permufe-y scent is too strong! Kinda hope they change that because it's a decent product
Yess, girl. It stinks, right? I bought it from Gena's recommendation & liked the gel. Just not the smell, kinda reminds me of an older lady behind you in the checkout line. 😬
I get sooo much flash drying with the bounce curl gel and the I create hold from innersense. Could that be an aloe-reaction? But when I use the bounce curl when refreshing on damp hair, it works perfect for me! I find it so hard to find the right gel for me, I need a moisturizing strong hold gell without me getting flash drying when applying it, also one that won't get flaky. But I have not found it yet :( Now I only use leave in and styling creams. But I think that is because my hair reacts so different on gells that I don't know what it exactly needs. It is thick and high porosity, 2c when it was damaged now it it more 3a-3b, it loves protein but I get flash drying with gells (even tho I put leave in AND a cream before applying the gell). Protein free Jelly's like the scrunching gelly of umberto giannini does not work on my hair. It is soooo frustrating 😭😭 Been 2 years in with the CGM and 100 bottles of products in, but still no match :c
My favorite hands down is Ecoslay Orange Marmalade - I've tried KCCC, Camille Rose Curl Maker, Bioterra Alcohol Free and a few others but I just end up using OM and give the others away LOL!
I adore the Innersense gel on my fine, thin curls but it does need to be applied with lots of water. I also like their I Create Volume, which acts more like a hard hold gel for me too. I tried the KCCC but it started to change my hair color. I don't color my ash-blonde hair but after several uses my hair took on a gray cast. It was bizarre!! Too bad because my hair looked awesome with that custard.
Have you tried curl maker by camille rose? I only ask because it's popular and maybe you'd like it too :) I love your content!! Congratulations on the wonderful job your doing
I need to try the strong-hold version of the Ouidad sometime. I have the other version and it's the weirdest gel. It's like it disappears in my hair and it gives me basically no cast. Even when I try layering a stronger hold gel on top, it doesn't really do much to help. Its so strange LOL I do like it for a one and done especially since I always get little to no frizz using it
Hmmm I can't really find anyone that has similar hair as mine. It's cut in a curly bob, it's very thick and course , my curls do not separate like yours Gena. Stronghold gel works best, right now I'm using Kantu cream first and then Kantu gel sticky at first but softens once I recrunch
Just started my curly hair journey. Thank you for all your content. Very easy to follow and educational. Have you tried the Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Gel? What are your thoughts on this product?
I bought the Hi! Definition gel because everybody said it was strong hold 🙈 It gave med medium and I used a lot, never gotten flakes... UFD Curly Magic has no hold for me som I pair it with Orange Marmalade 🥰 Wanted to try the KCCC since last summer but we can’t get it here yet 😢
I think because I can only use a small amount or else I get flakes. If I use a lot I get strong hold but I end up with flakes. A little goes a long way so I find I get lighter hold.
I tried the curlsmith souffle and I had no hold whatsoever. It was like I didn't even put products in my hair. I had no curl clumps or definition and tons of frizz.
Thank you Gena, great video! Do you recommend a universal cream that can be used with any of the gels that you covered? My hair tangles extremely easy so I always need to apply a cream before any gel.
Same here! I previously did a video in this series on my fav creams and leave-ins. However I can't say that there is one that will pair perfectly with all because you have to test them first in your hand to see if the cream and gel combine well together. Some gels only pair well with certain creams depending on the formula.
Happy Monday 🦋 Gena Marie...... Thank you for showing as well telling of products... Iv been searching for a gel for some time..Now you've shown me..Time to go shopping 🛍️🛍️... Sincerely Tee Jay
Do you have any tips for nape shrinkage? I’ve tried everything but since having my daughter, my nape hair has become much more curly and springy than the rest of my hair and it makes me look like I have an uneven haircut. Wondering if there’s a way to stretch out the curls.
My hair is the same way! I get my hair cut dry and styled first so my stylist can even things out. You can also control the shrinkage with diffusing. Areas you want to shrink up, you can scrunch with the diffuser and hold it. Areas you want to stretch you can just hover, and even sometimes pull those down.
I'm trying to sort out my frizz. I follow the methods prescribed: clarify, deep condition, avoid glycerine in low dew points... Maybe it's an acceptable amount of frizz? Maybe it's any humectant? I'm trying to sort out if it's aloe causing it. The other thing you're making me curious about is if maybe I should try damp styling. I style on very wet hair. Maybe the frizz is because I'm not getting enough hold from having too much water in my hair? Maybe it's not frizz, it's regrowth? Good thing for FB where I can post pictures in curly hair communities and ask for opinions.
Yes! Have you seen my video about wet frizz?! I share some tips for dealing with this. Soaking wet styling really dilutes products and is the main reason why gels turn out too soft. If you love wet styling though, you can still apply your products to wet hair, then microplop with a towel (scrunch out excess water) then apply another layer of gel to damp hair.
@@GenaMarie definitely watched that video a couple of times. it got me so curious! I also really dig Afope Atoyebi's explanation of ingredients and I think I've pieced together a routine that could work outside of soaking wet hair. I wonder how it comes about, how we're told, how we believe that hair has to be soaking wet to apply product or else frizz? I get a pretty good result from micro plopping and also from your tip to blot the roots, too.
@@SioLazer I think the CGM advice about applying products to soaking wet hair was never to reduce frizz but to promote a hard gel cast, which is supposed to prevent frizz entirely. The gel is supposed to crystallize around each curl clump and prevent any loose, stray strands from frizzing out. But if we're not experiencing success with that method, why bother? Try damp styling 🤷♀️.
Gena Marie, Just a Correction on some of the information on one of your Gels there. I don't know if Uncle Funkys Daughter Curly Magic Curl Stimulator had a different formula when you did this video but you listed the Humectants in the product & NOW it has Glycerin in it as well. Under the Protein you have listed NONE, but now the product has Hydrolyzed Wheat protein. Just thought I would let you know. Thanks Curly guy fan here !!!
@@GenaMarie Just curious, do you have any issues with the newer version since Glycerin is the 2nd ingredient on the list without anything like a polyquaternium 69 in it to protect from too much moisture??Curious cause I live in Virginia in the humid summertime
I love to use gel to hold my fine-hair curls. However I occasionally feel like Linus from Charlie Brown, when he walks around with a cloud of dust around him. If I touch my hair or turn my head and my hair moves, it has all these dust particles that release into the air (or gel flakes, I guess). I don't use that much and I definitely can't put it around my face perimeter or the flakes show up. What gel do you recommend that does NOT flake. :-D P.S. I'm a Gena Marie as well, spelled the same, but don't use the middle. Not many Ge's
Ok. Just went to tsrget & spent a small fortune on silicone free. I never even use products really for my straight hair so this is new. I use a spray from salon & I’m guessing it has silicone.. how do you keep from frizzing up in humidity?????
Whenever I use a gel on top of my leave-in it messes up everything and seems to make my hair more frizzy, I'll try those gels and hope for the best lol. Do you think mousse can replace gel ?
I personally love mousse so much. The herbal essences one is really cheap, cg approved, and makes my wash days longer. I dislike using gel so much hahaha. I don't need to refresh either. Also, my hair is wavy with some curls underneath.
@Chaymae Ouahidi it is possible that your leave in doesn't cooperate with your gel and they don't make a good combo. Try mixing a bit of both products in your hands first, to see how they gonna react to each other. If they start crumbling, pilling and all kind of strange stuff, they don't work well together. But if they "become one" then go for it ☺️ Same principle applies to any products one wants to layer.
@@GenaMarie I'm from India, we don't have many options when it comes CG approved products by international brands. But as I am is still quite accessible here so will be waiting for your review ❤️
Regardless of what gel or other products I use or what styling techniques I try there are always so many single hairs doing there own thing (frizz) and some of them are completely straight! I’ve been at this for a year and watched all the videos and I don’t know what else to do. My hair is thin, fine, 2c. Any suggestions are appreciated. I’m trying to grow out my natural gray so I feel like I need a lot of moisture but I need protein or it just doesn’t curl. Not sure about my porosity, probably high on the bottom half that still has the color. The only time they stay in clumps is when soaking wet. As soon as drying starts to happen the hairs rebel. What is happening?
Do you think some of it may be breakage? Sometimes if you have shorter hairs all over that poke through and cause frizz. Aside from that, a good strong hold gel should help hold them in place. If you still cant get enough hold, try the layering method (apply gel to wet hair, scrunch with a towel/tshirt, then apply another layer of gel). Another option is to use a water-based hairspray overtop to tame frizz.
Y'all just be aware, any butters or heavier oils also cause build up and can be harder to remove than polyquats and other unduly demonized ingredients. If you use products with lots of heavy oils, a co-wash probably won't remove them as readily as a co-wash could remove a polyquat. Just be aware that CGM isn't correct all the time. We need to leave the chemistry to the chemists formulating the products most of the time. How an ingredient performs has a lot to do with the overall formula, which is why cherry picking ingredients isn't the best strategy in many cases.
I have heard some ladies say that. Did you use a leave-in or cream under it? Along similar lines of flash-drying: I did have a weird experience yesterday when putting in my styling products. I mix and match brands. (I have too many products 🙄.) So, I started with Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave in conditioner. Then I used the Cake Beauty mousse. Something about that leave-in did NOT mix well with that mousse. It was like the mousse couldn’t absorb. I’ve used the Cake mousse before without this problem.
@@Star-dj1kw I always use leave-in + cream. I have flash drying with almost every product that has aloe. Some of them work if my hair is extremely moisturized. But the KCCC is by far the worst.
STRONG hold, MEDIUM, or LIGHT, what type of gel do you prefer?
I summarized all this info about each gel for you on a chart over on my blog: genamarie.co/2021/04/best-gels-for-curls-cgm-drugstore-high-end/
Don't forget to take advantage of my codes!
★ 10% off Curlsmith (new customers only) with code GENAMARIE10: bit.ly/ShopCurlsmith
★ 15% off TreLuxe with code GENAMARIE15: discovertreluxe.com/?rl=36
★ 10% off Bounce Curl with code GENAMARIE: www.bouncecurl.com?aff=6
i love a strong hold gel with a lightweight formula! i usually don’t scrunch out my cast so my curls can last longer
@@arianareyes8001 Same here!
This is so helpful, I really like your table makes choosing a product(s) much easier. Thanks for doing all the research!!!!
I rarely use gel but I prefer light. Tge blueberry bliss is one that works for me. Would you recommend using noth kinky curly products( leave in and custard) on porous 2 c hair??
@@arianareyes8001 what do you use? I am new but find leave-ins & curl creams make hair weighed down. Mousse looks great. Not long tho. The Aussie instant freeze leaves a cast that even when scrunched out looks like.. wet. W the weird halos frizz.
I am searching for a one & done product just for a little definition. I feel like Aussie makes my hair look stringy.
Your research and details are truly 👏🏼 unmatched 👏🏼thank you!!
Thank you! 🥰🥰
I cant believe I’ve never seen ur channel before. You’re amazing?? the research and organization are everythingggg
Thank you!!!
Wow I feel like I just learned more about curly hair ingredients in this video than I have over the last few years! Thanks 😊
Glad it was helpful!
Kinky Curl Gel is my favorite as well! Great slip, forms really nice curls clumps, nice scent. But we pay about 30$ here in Germany for it. Ouch!
Btw, thank you. This video comes across like an honest review vs all the sales shows I generally see with most of the curly hair girls‘ videos, where they ‚absolutely love and obsess‘ over every single product. 😏
As someone living in Canada, it’s so hard to find popular curly hair products. But hearing that Dippity-do was a Canadian brand, I immediately ran out to find it. Found it at my local grocery store and have been using it since. Absolutely love it!
AG hair is a much loved canadian brand, especially AG recoil, research how to use it
Imagine in Europe💀 super hard to find
I'm in Canada with curly hair!!! Amazon!!!! Has everything!
Do you know if the kinky curly custard works with Canadian weather?
Thank you for so many details.
Glad it was helpful!
Could you do mousse’s one day? :) I have trouble finding mousses that work for curly hair
Yes! That one will be next! Although I don’t have 10 so may combine it with hairsprays
@@GenaMarie that would also be perfect!
@@GenaMarie thank you!
Yes, and foams too
What a wonderful and interesting comparison of the various gels. I learn so much from you. It can get overwhelming with so many products on the market. Thank you 🦋
I actually just tried the Ouidad advanced humidity gel because of the sales on it... I seriously swear to God I don't think I'm going to go back to anything else. This gel literally made my hair look amazing right now.
I have a few questions for u:
Do u use the gel alone or with a cream?
If u use a cream, do u just scrunch ur hair with the product or do you twist ur curls while applying?
How often do you think ur hair lasts without washing? In other words, how long do u think ur curls last without having to refresh them, asking cause I only wash mine once a week and don’t want to wash it more just to apply products
@@randomthings1927 I use a leave in conditioner and then the gel. I like the hold I will refresh day 2 but I wash my hair every 3 to 4 days but that's due to my eczema on my scalp.
I can’t find the video but you told about conditioner before you shampoo and I just want to say thank you so much. It works really well
Enjoyed seeing the reason how the the gels work. The gel that works best in my hair lasts the longest, keeps my curls shiney, and well defined in Houston's horrible high humidity year round is Ouidad Vital Curl Tress Effects Gel. Even much better than Advanced Heat and Humidity Gel. Just wish I could find a more affordable duplicate. Any suggestions? My curl type is similar to yours.
OMG curlsmith just added a gel to their strength line - plus a shampoo a conditioner!! I just ordered them today and CANNOT WAIT!
Just posted a review on them!!
Love this info! Could you do a video about what creams pair best with these specific gels? Thanks!
Yayyyy finally!!! I was patiently waiting cause I knew it’s going to be epic!! Thank you for your hard work creating this video ;)
Aw thank you!!
Such a helpful video!
It’s amazing how people get different results from the same product.
I got a light hold from Dippity Doo.
I got a hard hold from Tre Luxe, a FAVE 💗
Gena! Try Orange Marmalade with a TINY bit of Bouncecurl Gel, it will give you the best hold of your life. I can do three days without refreshing. I agree on your thoughts on the Bouncecurl gel alone.
I’ve tried the Orange Marmalade and it was awful on my hair 😔 I’m not sure why but I think it was too strong of humectants. It disappeared from my hair when I stepped outside and I was left with frizz, a wet feeling in my hair and the curls fell limp. So odd because I know so many people love it!
@@GenaMarie Aw man 😔. Opposite experience for me, I actually was surprised how good it was as a gel. I had low expectations, but I just found out about that cocktail and it makes such a difference in a good way!
I hope my hair likes the Orange Marmalade bc I already ordered it. I’m not as far south as you ladies (KY) but our humidity is bad and I just bleach damaged my hair in a moment of post-Covid brain fog 🤯🤯. My porosity = Swiss cheese 🧀 😬
I actually cocktailed the Innersense I Create Hold and Uncle Funky's Curl Stimulator today for a day 2 refresh on my hair and the cast was crazy! Really crunchy, but I know my hair's going to hold all week! I've got fine low density hair, and I didn't emulsify the I Create Hold with any water, though I did dampen my hair first.
that's a great idea!
@@GenaMarie 😘😘😘
U make the besttttttt helpful and informative videos, PERIOD. 💝
Whenever i get ur notification, I'm just like now I'll get some good video or content to watch, that's the way u make us feel... U always put in the best stuff... Really appreciate ur efforts hun... Keep going!!!! 💙✨
Have a nice day 🌈
Aw thanks so much!!! I appreciate you!
Hi can I ask you something
Low density, fine hair. I use Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk and Melaleuca’s Affinity hair gels. Affordable and works.
Need the crunch to go away, for soft curls.
and thank you, Gena! Love your videos, you're so thorough! I really appreciate you! xxoo
I really love all your videos. I have 100% coarse low porosity hair from root to tip and so I struggle finding products that dont build up on my low porosity hair but also allow for slip and manageability with my coarse hair! I still havent found a good combination. Would love to see videos on specific types of hair and what products you might recommend!!
Yess! Any of these liquidy gels I mentioned that don’t have strong proteins would be best for you as protein can make coarse hair feel more brittle and tangle
@@GenaMarie thank you so much for the recommendation! I will try to get the quidad first as I know I can get it in Canada. Do you think for my hair type I should be layering with a leave in conditioner too? I just dont want too much sitting on my low po hair but I'm not sure.
Gena, please make an affordable curly hair line! I will purchase!
I never thought to try the dove gel but it seems perfect for my needs!
Same omg
But I don't think it's available where I live so hopefully I'll get it on Amazon
Are any of these unfragranced? I'm super sensitive to fragrances which makes finding hair products for thin curly hair really challenging 😅
7:14 I finally found my dippty doo after looking for a year. Used it to refresh and immediately went to buy another one 😂😂😂
Thank you so much for listing what each product smells like!
Excited to try KKCC! I tend to like hard holds like harry's, but I need a more moisturizing gel, yet I can't handle any leave in. So I thought a more moisturizing gel might be something to try. Thanks for this. :)
As always, great videos with great tips!!! I would love to see more on medium, thick hair products. I am supposed to use film forming humectants and these confuse me on products with humectants. Should Aloe, honey, glycerin be in my products or not? I enjoy your detailed videos you share and any advice you give.
yes! i should have clarified which humectants are film-forming. Aloe, honey, and plant gels like flaxseed are all film-forming. Glycerin and sorbitol are not so they simply bring water in aka hydrate the hair. The film-formers keep the hydration in!
Great tips! I love the light hold gels. I just ordered the treluxe one.
This is a great vid.. I need this for my curls for my BRUNO outfit 😉
Thank you very much for the information very helpful for people with fine hair
Thank you for this information! It’s very helpful! 👏🏼👌🏼
My favorite gel used to be the DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel, but I preferred it more when it had the Polyquaternium 7. It’’s still good and a miracle and the only thing that really depoofed my hair on the 3rd day. I have to be careful how much gel I use, my individual hairs are very fine and tangle very easily, and if I use too much they stick together, so I can’t use a gel that doesn’t have protein.
DevaCurl made me go bald 😿
@@Diego-hb3xyreally? I just ordered deva curls online :’(
Once again a very helpful video and chart. I have no idea how the Ouidad gel works so well when it has glycerin in it. I have been using it for over a year and it still befuddles me. I have sworn off most styling products that have glycerin (my hair is not a fan unless used in ideal dew points), except that gel. I may have to try the Dove, my wallet will thank me.
I know right! I think because all the other humidity-proof ingredients counteract it.
The Dove one is similar but just doesn't have proteins.
Hi i absolutely love your videos they’ve helped my hair so much!!! I just would love if you added timestamps for the things you’re talking about in your videos bc some of your videos can be long and it’s hard for me to get through them all 😭❤️
I did include time stamps, they’re in the description box 😊
@@GenaMarie thanks!! I’ll check them out💕
Awesome thanks 😊
Great video I love using gel
I’m sure not CGM approved but I used to use Biolage gelee it has a good hold, used it for years and loved it. I’m definitely going to try the Ouidad! I think most important it starts with a good cut, I’d love to know how your beautician cuts your hair? My girl is ok but I don’t feel very CG knowledgeable. I’ve yet to try Curlsmith & am looking forward to trying all of their products woohoo💖✌🏽 a discount! Also I’d love to see different ways to wear curly hair using maybe clips, barrettes, scarves...
I have fine, low density hair. Interestingly, the Innersense I Create Hold works really well for me, even layered with lighter hold gels. I would really like to try KCCC, but I am hesitant to purchase it because of past product regrets. 😕
I really have been enjoying UFD curl stimulator, but just recently found out that I am highly allergic to the chamomile in it, so I had to quit using it. A lot of curly hair products contain chamomile, so I had to throw out a bunch of stuff. Chamomile is in the ragweed family, so if you have ragweed issues, you may have a reaction to UFD. Once I stopped using it and all the other chamomile containing products, my scalp felt so much better!
Ah good to know! Thanks for sharing
Just found this video and I love the detailed information on these. I was actually out of gel so I went to buy one right after seeing this and decided to buy the Dove one. I like the texture of it, the pump, my hair feels really soft afterwards but HOLY MOLY I can't stand that fragrance! I'm not sensitive to fragrances but this permufe-y scent is too strong! Kinda hope they change that because it's a decent product
Yess, girl. It stinks, right? I bought it from Gena's recommendation & liked the gel. Just not the smell, kinda reminds me of an older lady behind you in the checkout line. 😬
I get sooo much flash drying with the bounce curl gel and the I create hold from innersense. Could that be an aloe-reaction? But when I use the bounce curl when refreshing on damp hair, it works perfect for me! I find it so hard to find the right gel for me, I need a moisturizing strong hold gell without me getting flash drying when applying it, also one that won't get flaky. But I have not found it yet :( Now I only use leave in and styling creams.
But I think that is because my hair reacts so different on gells that I don't know what it exactly needs. It is thick and high porosity, 2c when it was damaged now it it more 3a-3b, it loves protein but I get flash drying with gells (even tho I put leave in AND a cream before applying the gell). Protein free Jelly's like the scrunching gelly of umberto giannini does not work on my hair. It is soooo frustrating 😭😭 Been 2 years in with the CGM and 100 bottles of products in, but still no match :c
Great! Ty for the review & sharing.
Thank you! I feel like I've got some things figured out, but I need gel!
I love curlsmith soufflé!
I cannot figure out Ouidad advanced climate gel. My hair gets frizzy so maybe the proteins are too heavy…🤷🏻♀️
Love, love, love Kinky Curly Custard!
Have you tried jessicurl Spiralicious? It's my favorite. And the citrus lavender scent is so good!
I have tried the samples and shared over on Instagram. It didn’t do well on my hair for some reason!
Thanks for this list! This is the first review I've seen for a product from the Uncle Funky's Daughter line and I've been wanting to try it.
My favorite hands down is Ecoslay Orange Marmalade - I've tried KCCC, Camille Rose Curl Maker, Bioterra Alcohol Free and a few others but I just end up using OM and give the others away LOL!
I want to try the Bioterra one! The Ecoslay one didn’t work for me so I never showed it in a video. So odd because I know many people love it!
@@GenaMarie The Bioterra is okay but not a lot of hold for me cause my hair is fairly fine but OM is just right
I adore the Innersense gel on my fine, thin curls but it does need to be applied with lots of water. I also like their I Create Volume, which acts more like a hard hold gel for me too. I tried the KCCC but it started to change my hair color. I don't color my ash-blonde hair but after several uses my hair took on a gray cast. It was bizarre!! Too bad because my hair looked awesome with that custard.
I bet it's the new Curlsmith gel!! ;)
🙌🏼😘
Have you tried curl maker by camille rose? I only ask because it's popular and maybe you'd like it too :) I love your content!! Congratulations on the wonderful job your doing
Very interesting thank you
Is it true flax seed gel is great? I dont like gels much bit I'm willing to try.
I need to try the strong-hold version of the Ouidad sometime. I have the other version and it's the weirdest gel. It's like it disappears in my hair and it gives me basically no cast. Even when I try layering a stronger hold gel on top, it doesn't really do much to help. Its so strange LOL I do like it for a one and done especially since I always get little to no frizz using it
That’s how that one did with me too! The stronger hold is the best 🙌🏼
Hmmm I can't really find anyone that has similar hair as mine. It's cut in a curly bob, it's very thick and course , my curls do not separate like yours Gena. Stronghold gel works best, right now I'm using Kantu cream first and then Kantu gel sticky at first but softens once I recrunch
Just started my curly hair journey. Thank you for all your content. Very easy to follow and educational. Have you tried the Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Gel? What are your thoughts on this product?
The Ouidad Advanced Climate Control gel is the strangest gel I've ever used. It was basically water, it was so liquidy.
I think the formula makes it easier to apply when you have damaged hair, coarse hair, etc! It feels different at first but dries in a cast 🙌🏼
Strong hold here baby✌🏽
What is the creme you use underneath?
Finally, thank you hahaha.🎀🤩
Hi can I ask you something
I would like a spray gel that CGM
Any ideas?
I bought the Hi! Definition gel because everybody said it was strong hold 🙈 It gave med medium and I used a lot, never gotten flakes...
UFD Curly Magic has no hold for me som I pair it with Orange Marmalade 🥰
Wanted to try the KCCC since last summer but we can’t get it here yet 😢
thank you! :)
which gel would you say is best to use for when you want to slick your hair down?
It's interesting you call the Treluxe Gel light hold, and others call it strong hold! I find it has pretty light hold myself.
I think because I can only use a small amount or else I get flakes. If I use a lot I get strong hold but I end up with flakes. A little goes a long way so I find I get lighter hold.
I tried the curlsmith souffle and I had no hold whatsoever. It was like I didn't even put products in my hair. I had no curl clumps or definition and tons of frizz.
Have you tried camille rose curl maker?
No I havent but i want to!
Nooooo! You didn't include my GOAT! Jessicurl Spiralicious is the queen of my gels.
Thank you Gena, great video! Do you recommend a universal cream that can be used with any of the gels that you covered? My hair tangles extremely easy so I always need to apply a cream before any gel.
Same here! I previously did a video in this series on my fav creams and leave-ins. However I can't say that there is one that will pair perfectly with all because you have to test them first in your hand to see if the cream and gel combine well together. Some gels only pair well with certain creams depending on the formula.
@@GenaMarie thank you for your wisdom 🙂
Happy Monday 🦋
Gena Marie......
Thank you for showing as well telling of products...
Iv been searching for a gel for some time..Now you've shown me..Time to go shopping 🛍️🛍️...
Sincerely Tee Jay
I’m just curious I noticed you didn’t include not your mothers curl talk gel, is there a specific reason?
Do you still use kinky curly styling custard? How did you apply? I seem to have the same hair as you and I can't get it to work.
Do you have any tips for nape shrinkage? I’ve tried everything but since having my daughter, my nape hair has become much more curly and springy than the rest of my hair and it makes me look like I have an uneven haircut. Wondering if there’s a way to stretch out the curls.
My hair is the same way! I get my hair cut dry and styled first so my stylist can even things out.
You can also control the shrinkage with diffusing. Areas you want to shrink up, you can scrunch with the diffuser and hold it. Areas you want to stretch you can just hover, and even sometimes pull those down.
Thank you so much for replying!! I appreciate it a lot.
Please make a tight sleek low bun without parting your hair after using gel and show your bun from back
I'm trying to sort out my frizz. I follow the methods prescribed: clarify, deep condition, avoid glycerine in low dew points... Maybe it's an acceptable amount of frizz? Maybe it's any humectant? I'm trying to sort out if it's aloe causing it. The other thing you're making me curious about is if maybe I should try damp styling. I style on very wet hair. Maybe the frizz is because I'm not getting enough hold from having too much water in my hair? Maybe it's not frizz, it's regrowth? Good thing for FB where I can post pictures in curly hair communities and ask for opinions.
Yes! Have you seen my video about wet frizz?! I share some tips for dealing with this.
Soaking wet styling really dilutes products and is the main reason why gels turn out too soft. If you love wet styling though, you can still apply your products to wet hair, then microplop with a towel (scrunch out excess water) then apply another layer of gel to damp hair.
@@GenaMarie definitely watched that video a couple of times. it got me so curious! I also really dig Afope Atoyebi's explanation of ingredients and I think I've pieced together a routine that could work outside of soaking wet hair. I wonder how it comes about, how we're told, how we believe that hair has to be soaking wet to apply product or else frizz? I get a pretty good result from micro plopping and also from your tip to blot the roots, too.
@@SioLazer I think the CGM advice about applying products to soaking wet hair was never to reduce frizz but to promote a hard gel cast, which is supposed to prevent frizz entirely. The gel is supposed to crystallize around each curl clump and prevent any loose, stray strands from frizzing out. But if we're not experiencing success with that method, why bother? Try damp styling 🤷♀️.
Gena Marie, Just a Correction on some of the information on one of your Gels there. I don't know if Uncle Funkys Daughter Curly Magic Curl Stimulator had a different formula when you did this video but you listed the Humectants in the product & NOW it has Glycerin in it as well. Under the Protein you have listed NONE, but now the product has Hydrolyzed Wheat protein. Just thought I would let you know. Thanks Curly guy fan here !!!
Yes, the label on the new bottles was recently updated! My bottle was the old version
@@GenaMarie Just curious, do you have any issues with the newer version since Glycerin is the 2nd ingredient on the list without anything like a polyquaternium 69 in it to protect from too much moisture??Curious cause I live in Virginia in the humid summertime
Kinky Curly is crazy heavy on my fine hair. Do you think Treluxe would be better?
I don’t think the TreLuxe would weigh it down. A little goes a long way and you can’t use too much of it, so it should work
Is there a way I could send you a pic of my hair and get tips?
I love to use gel to hold my fine-hair curls. However I occasionally feel like Linus from Charlie Brown, when he walks around with a cloud of dust around him. If I touch my hair or turn my head and my hair moves, it has all these dust particles that release into the air (or gel flakes, I guess). I don't use that much and I definitely can't put it around my face perimeter or the flakes show up. What gel do you recommend that does NOT flake. :-D
P.S. I'm a Gena Marie as well, spelled the same, but don't use the middle. Not many Ge's
I have the same problem with the gel I’m using at the moment, which is the Moptop curly hair custard 😕
Ok. Just went to tsrget & spent a small fortune on silicone free. I never even use products really for my straight hair so this is new. I use a spray from salon & I’m guessing it has silicone..
how do you keep from frizzing up in humidity?????
Manes by Mel probably has some good suggestions. Maybe Swavy Curly Courtney too.
Whenever I use a gel on top of my leave-in it messes up everything and seems to make my hair more frizzy, I'll try those gels and hope for the best lol. Do you think mousse can replace gel ?
I personally love mousse so much. The herbal essences one is really cheap, cg approved, and makes my wash days longer. I dislike using gel so much hahaha. I don't need to refresh either. Also, my hair is wavy with some curls underneath.
Yes! I almost included mousses in this video for that reason, but decided to break it out and do mousse in the next video
@Chaymae Ouahidi it is possible that your leave in doesn't cooperate with your gel and they don't make a good combo.
Try mixing a bit of both products in your hands first, to see how they gonna react to each other. If they start crumbling, pilling and all kind of strange stuff, they don't work well together. But if they "become one" then go for it ☺️
Same principle applies to any products one wants to layer.
@@curlycurlbirdygirl thank you, I'll try this !
What are your thoughts on As I Am curling jelly?
Never tried it but will be soon!
@@GenaMarie I'm from India, we don't have many options when it comes CG approved products by international brands. But as I am is still quite accessible here so will be waiting for your review ❤️
Regardless of what gel or other products I use or what styling techniques I try there are always so many single hairs doing there own thing (frizz) and some of them are completely straight! I’ve been at this for a year and watched all the videos and I don’t know what else to do. My hair is thin, fine, 2c. Any suggestions are appreciated. I’m trying to grow out my natural gray so I feel like I need a lot of moisture but I need protein or it just doesn’t curl. Not sure about my porosity, probably high on the bottom half that still has the color. The only time they stay in clumps is when soaking wet. As soon as drying starts to happen the hairs rebel. What is happening?
Do you think some of it may be breakage? Sometimes if you have shorter hairs all over that poke through and cause frizz.
Aside from that, a good strong hold gel should help hold them in place. If you still cant get enough hold, try the layering method (apply gel to wet hair, scrunch with a towel/tshirt, then apply another layer of gel). Another option is to use a water-based hairspray overtop to tame frizz.
@@GenaMarie thank you for your help. I’ll try that.
Bounce Curl doesn’t hold up for me in summer/humid weather.
can i use the ouidad gel in winter?
Yes I use it in the winter too!
Y'all just be aware, any butters or heavier oils also cause build up and can be harder to remove than polyquats and other unduly demonized ingredients. If you use products with lots of heavy oils, a co-wash probably won't remove them as readily as a co-wash could remove a polyquat. Just be aware that CGM isn't correct all the time. We need to leave the chemistry to the chemists formulating the products most of the time. How an ingredient performs has a lot to do with the overall formula, which is why cherry picking ingredients isn't the best strategy in many cases.
Thanks for uploading but please keep it simple
LA LOOKS 4 LIFE lol
KCCC gives me the worst flash drying 😨
I have heard some ladies say that.
Did you use a leave-in or cream under it?
Along similar lines of flash-drying: I did have a weird experience yesterday when putting in my styling products. I mix and match brands. (I have too many products 🙄.)
So, I started with Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave in conditioner. Then I used the Cake Beauty mousse. Something about that leave-in did NOT mix well with that mousse. It was like the mousse couldn’t absorb. I’ve used the Cake mousse before without this problem.
@@Star-dj1kw I always use leave-in + cream. I have flash drying with almost every product that has aloe. Some of them work if my hair is extremely moisturized. But the KCCC is by far the worst.
You don't need gel or anything; you have natural beauty. Enjoy it before you get older like me; it just goes poof.
JESUS IS KING
👑
I would recommend you check out no sulfates fast hair growth shampoo.
I threw away my protein packs and I regret it now because I need protein 😒
It’s safer to get protein from deep conditioners or stylers in my opinion versus protein treatments ☺️
Kinky curly is horrible for high porosity, coarse hair. No hold and lots of frizz.