newbie with gel/mousse question

blondie_75 · 01-07-2013, 09:38 PM

Hi,

I've been lurking for awhile. I convinced myself to start CG this week, I think I'm almost prepared.

My problem is with a styling product, I need a gel/mousse or something to control frizz and add a bit of definition. (preferrably drugstore) What I'm currently using now is apparently horrible for my curls. It's very dry here in winter and the humity is 20-30. I need something w/o cones obviously, but also any kind of protein(I know my hair is not a fan), no humectants, glycerin, propylene glycol probably isn't a thing either.

I did the tests and my hair properties are fine texture, normal porosity and maybe 2c's.

I know, could I be any more difficult.

I have attached a pic with nothing in my hair. (hopefully I did it right)
Any help or suggestions would be great.

Thanks in advance

flippacious · 01-08-2013, 08:39 AM

I have been looking for a humectant-free, drugstore (or relatively cheap) gel as well!

You could try searching "winter gels" or "winter mousse" etc. and looking for threads that discuss this. I did that yesterday, and then went through people's recommendations checking prices & ingredients. Of course I made a mini list for myself, but I don't have it with me, otherwise I would share my findings!

Another option would be to find a product with humectants lower on the ingredients list, and seal with an oil before applying. Hopefully this will prevent overdrying. I have been doing this with argan oil until I can find a better gel for low dews.

HairObsessed · 01-08-2013, 05:16 PM

I don't use mousse, but I did search through a lot of drug store brands gels that I know of, and sadly, all I can come up with is a list of why they don't meet your criteria. Hopefully this will at least save you some time!

Aussie Instant Freeze Gel: Laureth-23 (humectant, according to What are Humectants?)

Biosilk Rock Hard Gelee (BRHG): Propylene Glycol and Hydrolyzed Silk (protein)

LA Looks Mega Mega Hold Gel: Keratin Amino Acid (protein), Propylene Glycol, Glycerin

^Most of the other LA Looks gels have similar ingredients

Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel: Laureth 23 (humectant), PEG 12 Dimethicone (water soluble 'cone)

Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Styling Gel: Glycerin

Garnier Fructis Curl Shaping Spray Gel: Propylene Glycol

Yikes...Have you considered Flaxseed gel?

blondie_75 · 01-08-2013, 06:41 PM

Thank you so much for the replies.

I do have argon oil and I will try that, I was kind of wondering if that was an option.

I did see the flax seed recipe and I was thinking that might be an option also. I have seen quite a few posts raving about it.

I thought maybe there was something out there that I was overlooking being new. Thanks for giving me some great ideas to try. Maybe the CG method will make my hair so "controllable I won't even need anything

dusalocks · 01-08-2013, 08:17 PM

Hi blondie. Maybe you could try Kinky Curly Curling Custard. It's super moisturizing and paired with the Knot Today leave in it really protects and defines my hair. It also leaves it very soft. I love these products and I will always repurchase them. I know they're not exactly drugstore (found at Target or Whole Foods) and can be a little on the pricey side but consider I've had them 4 weeks and they're 25% used up. I have long hair and it is thick. I don't know my properties yet but I'm guessing they're normal all around. I feel for you. I was on the hunt for a good CG approved mousse for my mom and couldn't find one. I know deva makes a mousse but I doubt it's protein free or glycerin free. Good luck.

Almost forgot, here are kinky curly's ingredients:

botanical infusion of water, horsetail, chamomile, nettle and marshmallow, organic aloe vera juice, agave nectar extract, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin e), pectic, citric acid, potassium sorbate and natural fragrance

You probably won't need a lot of it to define your curls and if you don't want them to get long and stringy try scrunching out water before you apply. I always do this because even though my hair is 3A on top/3B underneath I find with those products it helps to apply on damper less drenched hair. Also you probably won't need the leave in if your hair is already well hydrated like mine. (Now that my hair has adjusted to CG I tend to use very little leave in and I apply that to wet hair, scrunch out moisture, then do gel.)

blondie_75 · 01-08-2013, 09:08 PM

Thanks for the ideas, target and whole foods are close enough also. Now what to try first, because I want to try them all

Thanks for your replies, I finally did my last sulfate shampoo tonight. I did however leave a little condish in and tried a bit of argon oil on top. (All I had in the house that was CG approved) I'm going with it was a huge success. Not that I notice a difference, but that it's not a big puff. I've learned that with this wavy/curly hair to celebrate the small stuff

Thought I would share with ya all seeing you were so kind to reply. The back has some flat spots, which isn't uncommon with my hair from time to time.

Oh, and if you have a guess on if I fall in the 2c's category I would be curious to know.

Thanks again.

Hootenanny · 01-08-2013, 09:30 PM

Looks like you're in the 2C-3A range, at least to me. Your hair looks very healthy! Since you are just starting CG, your curls may tighten up a bit in time. I wouldn't be surprised if you turned out to be completely 3A after a couple of months. And I second Dusalocks's recommendation of Kinky Curly Curling Custard. It's an awesome product and seems to work well for almost all hair types! Good luck!

jakrussel3 · 01-09-2013, 08:34 PM

It's super dry here in the winter too. Dews were in the single digits last week! My winter routine is cowash, devacare one condition for rinse out, regis olive oil leave in conditioner as a leave in and to "seal" my hair, ag recoil curl activator, and aussie instant freeze gel. Other gels do not seem to work well for me in the winter and it's glycerin/protein free. It's also pretty cheap at around $3 per tube at drugstores.