DevaCurl Gel — Greasy Looking?

srogge · 01-09-2013, 12:50 PM

Hi all! I am new here and new to my wavy hair. I had wavy hair as a toddler, then it went straight for most of my childhood, and now the past few years (I am 31) it has gotten curlier and curlier!

So I've never known how to style it and therefor pulled it back or straightened it.

I had a Deva Curly Cut last week and loved it, and have been trying to recreate it at home. My stylist was a great teacher, but I cannot get it to look like she did!

In fact, using only the DevaCurl Arc AnGel in the morning, my hair kind of looks greasy. I've tried only using a little, using a lot, and nothing works. It's pretty wavy, it just looks too glossy/greasy. My stylist used the same product and used a ton, and my hair looked perfect. I am also using the same shampoo and conditioner as she did everyday (No-Poo and OneCondition), so the products are identical. I've also tried rinsing more conditioner out vs. keeping a bit in and it's the same.

Anyone have ideas why my hair is not only not as curly as the stylist got it (which doesn't concern me as much) but also looks a bit greasy?? I should add that I put in the gel while my hair is dripping, scrunch, and diffuse for just a minute per section around my head before air drying the rest of the way.

Thanks so much! Glad to be here with the experts.

christina.gr · 01-09-2013, 02:06 PM

I know kind of silly question, but could be your water vs. the salon's. If you have lots of minerals (hard water) it's almost impossible to use Deva products. I had the same issue (about $200 & 6 months waste) till I figured it out.
A great sub for Deva gels (IMO) is flaxseed gel, it's easily and cheaply made at home or Bottecelli Babe makes her own line (which folks rave about) available in Etsy.com.

srogge · 01-09-2013, 02:12 PM

Ah, could totally be the water! I do have hard water and am a renter so can't do anything about it. Thanks!

jakrussel3 · 01-09-2013, 08:28 PM

Another part of the problem could be if you are new to using low poos or no poos. The scalp takes a few weeks to adjust to the lack of sulfates and continues overproducing oil, so some of us look greasy for awhile when we stop using sulfate shampoos. It took about 4 weeks for my scalp to adjust. The first time washing without sulfate shampoo, my hair looked fine. After that was when it got greasy.

sKorpio1190 · 01-11-2013, 11:05 PM

how do u know if u have hard water?

kathymack · 01-12-2013, 05:06 AM

The DVD that comes with the "newer" Curly Girl book is fabulous. Book is under $10 or you might be able to get it from the library. It really shows you how to style your hair. I could never use the copious amount of product that they do, but learned a lot.

Many of us start out with Deva products, think we like them and then move on to things that our hair likes a lot better. My salon has the Deva products, but I won't let them use them on my hair. After the ingredient changes several years ago, I even found the NoPoo too drying.

The best way to choose ingredients/products is by hair properties. Here's a link to help you with yours Live Curly Live Free - Curly Hair Basics Once you determine your properties, look for people with hair like yours and see what they use. It's the best place to start.

srogge · 01-12-2013, 08:43 AM

The book just came in the mail last night!

I had paged through it at the salon, but I wanted to really read through it properly.

I feel like I am following it but maybe it is a matter of trying other products. My hair just looked so amazing with the Deva products after my stylist did it; I'm confused why I can't recreate that when I *think* I'm doing it the same way!

sKorpio1190 · 01-12-2013, 01:01 PM

My salon uses Deva products but I asked them to use my own products last time I went about 2 weeks ago, and they were more than happy to :-) I don't like the Deva products because they weigh down my hair and make it way too heavy. They used my As I Am products instead

christina.gr · 01-12-2013, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sKorpio1190

how do u know if u have hard water?

Basically from my own experience there are 2 main types: rust, or limescale/calcium

1. Rust-red/orange stains on sinks, toliets, clothing.

2. Limescale/calcium (which I currently battle) is a white-ish coating on fixtures that come in contact to water. More insidious is the way that it invisibly attaches itself to hair, contributing to build up, brittleness and drieness.

There are quite a few postings and articles on this site about that are extremely helpful.

srogge · 01-12-2013, 01:28 PM

Yes, I have BOTH of those types of hard water!!

It's a major bummer.

sKorpio1190 · 01-12-2013, 01:33 PM

Thanks Christina. I think I def have the calcium one -___- ugh

tambalina · 01-14-2013, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srogge

Yes, I have BOTH of those types of hard water!!

It's a major bummer.

If you are co-washing, a conditioner containing ETDA will help with the mineral deposits.

I live in a hard water area, and I have found that using V05 Vanilla Mint Tea as a co-wash is a tremendous help. However, it's the Apple Cider Vinegar rinses (1/4 cup ACV to 2 quarts distilled water) as my final rinse that has made the most difference. Also, there is a shower head filter that won't damage your landlord's property AND you can take it with you once you move.

Hard water doesn't have to be a bummer if you know how to counteract the effects.

srogge · 01-15-2013, 03:32 PM

Thank you for those tips, tambalina!! I will try those out.