Source: Cantu / pdcbeauty
If I could only live with three hair products for the rest of my life, they would be edge control, gel, and leave-in conditioner– in that order. I live for smooth, sleek edges when I have a low or high bun and I’ve only come across one curl cream since going natural that provided enough definition or hold for my curls by itself, making gel invaluable. Unfortunately, for too many gels, “hold” means making my hair so hard it has absolutely no movement. Therefore, as of late, my enthusiasm when it comes to these new types of products has been blah to say the least.
To be honest, that was my reaction when I received a package at my office with Cantu’s three new styling gels inside. It’s for that reason I didn’t even actually read the labels. I thought, Oh, EcoStyler has some competition now. And then one random Saturday morning when I was about to run errands, I scooped up a handful of the Strengthening Styling Gel with Jamaican Black Castor Oil (because I’m trying to bring my edges back), plopped it on my hair, attempted to sleek my hair back and was disappointed, i.e. big mad.
That’s when I decided to actually read the package (duh!) and realized, these gels aren’t sleeking gels, they’re exactly the kind of gels I’m always on the hunt for when it comes to my curls– gels that provide definition and hold without the hardness. Well, at least that’s what the label promised. Later that week, I decided to put the same gel to the test for it’s actual purpose, and I must say I was instantly sold.
Source: Brande Victorian / Brande Victorian
For my first run with the product I wanted to give it my “all,” meaning instead of my usual MO of just slapping the product on my strands and going on about my day, I applied the gel using the shingling method. Each of the gels suggest you either mix them with your favorite curl cream or layer them on top of it. I chose the layering method, first taking a small amount of my Deva Curl LEAVE-IN DECADENCE conditioner and applying it to sections and then raking the gel through that same part afterward. It was a tedious process that reminded me of why I don’t normally go this route, but the end result also reminded me why I should. I had actual curls/waves from root to tip and, most important, when my hair air-dried there wasn’t an ounce of crunch. My hair was soft and had movement and could be manipulated without feeling like I was peeling my hair away from my scalp the same way I rip a band-aid off of my skin.
Because I’m exceptionally lazy at heart when it comes to my hair, I wondered if I’d have the same results with less effort so I reverted back to my tried and true process of applying gel less methodically and, honestly, I was still pleased with the outcome. The only caveat is my hair needs to be soaking wet to really absorb the product and allow it to shape my curls accordingly, but that’s the case with pretty much anything I use because I have a looser curl pattern. I’ve also noticed there isn’t much difference when I use a leave-in spray conditioner, like Eden Bodyworks Hibiscus & Honey Hair Tonic, for example, versus a cream, which was a pleasant surprise. Sometimes creams help keep hair soft when using gel, but being that I’m heavy handed I have a tendency to use too much product and then my hair has residue and my curls are just weighed down versus being light and airy. Funny enough, no matter how much gel I use (and I’ve used a lot) the end result doesn’t change much. My hair still retains some softness and pliability– Oh, and did I mention moisturize?
One of the reasons gel-based products tend to make hair hard is because they contain drying ingredients like alcohol — not Cantu’s gels. In fact, my second favorite one in the line is the anti-shedding gel which is infused with honey. As I mentioned before, too much product tends to leave my hair a mess, which is why when I used this gel with a leave-in cream and an oil it was too much. What I realized, though, is I don’t actually need to add avocado oil (my moisturizing oil of choice) to my hair when using any of these gels because they already have the moisturizing agents my strands need right inside. (The third oil has every naturals’ favorites: olive oil and flaxseed.)
I haven’t tried these gels on a twist out — because me and twist outs don’t get along — but if they can define my little waves with little to no manipulation then I’m certain the reward with actual styling will be even greater. And when you consider you’re getting 18.5 ounces of product for less than $10 what do you really have to lose?
