Curl Enhancing Products

shanadair · 09-07-2005, 09:14 AM

Hi all,
I'm wondering which products you find most curl enhancing. I'd like to post some pictures soon to prove what I am about to tell you, but for now, please believe me! My hair used to be quite a bit curlier until about 2 years ago--I was a 3B with tight ringlets and coarse hair that I wore both long (to my waist) and short (to earlobes). Now my hair is layered, almost shoulder length and seems to be much more relaxed, especially the layers around my face. I am not nor have I ever been pregnant, I'm not on any meds except for allergy meds (which I've taken for years), so I have no idea what prompted this change in my hair. One stylist wondered if perhaps, because women's hormones change every 7 years, a hormonal change affected my hair! Who knows...

Anyway, my biggest issue used to be frizz, and now my hair is rarely frizzy, but needs help in the curl enhancement/boosting arena. I've read reviews for many products but I'm not sure which boost curl as opposed to hold curl, but I need both! I do the CG routine, so I'm looking for something that has no cones or SLS etc. I get the best results when I use some sort of curl enhancer under a stronger hold gel. Right now I am using Jessicurl Gelebration under Biosilk RHG. (I prefer Jessicurl RR but I am out of that right now!) Here are the options I'm considering to boost curl, and I'd appreciate any help/advice from y'all!

1. Leave in some conditioner like Aloeba or Suave M&H (though I'm scared this will make curls droopy)

2. Add a honey rinse to my regime

3. Add a few drops of honey to my gel

4. Purchase Curl Keeper

5. Purchase some other curl enhancing product that someone recommends to me! (I would love some cheaper drugstore options)

Thanks for any help you can provide!

lcaste1 · 09-07-2005, 10:23 AM

The most curl enhancing products for me are AG Re:coil, RR, and Alterna Hemp Glaze. If you take a look at my pics, the first few pics are from when I tried Alterna. Re:coil is great for me as well and it is very moisturizing so it may help with some dryness or frizz. Curl Keeper did nothing for me on wet hair, but was good for canopy frizz on dry hair and RR is very curl enhancing, but it dries out my hair a little bit.

I know a lot of curlies like RHG which gives very strong hold but I prefer Angell because I don't need too much hold.

Your idea about adding honey is great. It is also curl enhancing for me and it helps with shine. I either do a honey rinse or mix some with my conditioner. I'm scared to mix it with my gel because I think it would make my hair sticky.

Sorry so long......................HTH

ETA: I always leave One C or Elucence in and my curls don't get too droopy. (and I leave a lot in)

lushaholic · 09-07-2005, 03:38 PM

Besides Gelebration which you've already tried, my favorites for curl-enhancement are Recoil, Boots, and Qhemet Karite Nut Curl Milk, with Recoil being the most curl-enhancing. It sounds like you already have the gel with the most hold, or are you wanting one with more hold?? I've been doing a final cold honeyrinse everytime after conditioning for some months now, and can really tell a difference.

shanadair · 09-09-2005, 06:41 AM

Thanks for the tips, fellow curlies. I tried adding honey to my routine (the cheapest suggestion listed!) and was amazed! Honey is my new best friend.

Here's what I did: I added honey and oil to Suave M&H conditioner COwashed with it and then put some more on and left it in...then I proceeded with my usual routine: Jessicurl Gelebration/RR mixture with BRHG over top. Well now that I think about it, I did something else different this morning--I plopped for about 10 minutes before diffusing--it really cut down on the drying time. My hair is much curlier than usual and clumped very well. It's also quite shiny.

I'm thinking I may have added too many variables this morning because now I'm not sure if my good hair is due to honey added in, oil added in, leaving in conditioner, plopping, or all of it! I guess I will just have to repeat this exact routine to see if I get consistent results.

At any rate, I owe my good hair day to everyone on these boards--I appreciate the advice, positive attitudes, and encouragement!

lushaholic · 09-09-2005, 03:40 PM

Great!! Glad you had such a good hair day!

modegrrl · 09-29-2005, 10:33 PM

I used to want to be a 3B, but I've learned to appreciate my curls because of the wonderful curlies on these boards. I do like to strive for defined spirals, and it does need help some days. Here are my favorites:

*Garnier Fructis Surf Spray or my homemade salt spray
*Got2Be defining Curl Cream
*Garnier Fructis Curl Shaping Spray Gel on dry hair: good shine and definition, but mega crunch--good for ponytail days

veronica · 09-30-2005, 03:30 PM

I know this is off-topic, but...

Women's hormones change every 7 years?!??!

SuZen · 09-30-2005, 05:08 PM

I would say that's not strictly true. I think it came from the saying that by the end of 7 years, every cell in your body has turned over and been replaced. (I don't think that's true either. I believe bone cells for instance, don't replace themselves.)

Certainly there are times in our lives when we go through hormonal changes that affect our hair. Puberty, childbirth, menopause, all change our hair. But every 7 years, I don't buy that myself.

CurlEEEE · 10-09-2005, 04:49 AM

I say Biolage Gel is curl enhancing. I scrunch on before diffusing and after to kill the frizz. honey is amazing too!!!

jersey8 · 10-10-2005, 08:45 PM

I'm not 3a---just browsing in here, but...
My hair changed like that too. I've never been pregnant either. It used to be in ringlets but slowly got wavy. Now it's more or less just 3a wavy...even almost, if not, straight in a lot of areas. It must be hormones or something.
But then again, I always wore my hair up or attempted to straighten it. I wonder if that had some affect?!

Re:coil works for me, but not as much as I expected it too. I haven't found my HGs yet, but just thought I'd let you know that you aren't the only one with dramatic hair type change.

musica_al · 11-06-2005, 10:01 PM

Curl enhancing spray (from Recipes board)

This is my version of the spray HalfWavyHalfCurly posted here: http://naturallycurly2.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=42142 I posted it there, too but it seems to apply here.

I use this daily and wanted to share the version that works best for me:

1 C. warm distilled water
2 Tbsp. regular conditioner
1/8 tsp. honey
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 tsp Epsom salt
1 tbsp olive oil

Put in spray bottle, shake well, and refrigerate. I keep a small trial size bottle in the bathroom and the rest in the fridge.

I found the 1/2 tsp salts just didn't enhance my curl much but adding more did. The olive oil keeps it from drying out.

How I use it: After showering, scrunch dry with a microfiber towel then spray this all over generously. I let it air dry while doing the rest of my morning routine, then apply Got2b gel 2 mousse. Makes nice, clumping, defined curls with little frizz. During the day, the spray works for a touch up. Have been using this for a couple weeks now and so far so good. Keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't mysteriously stop working as products do.

Updated: Have been using it for a while now. Go through about a 2 oz travel bottle per week so 1 batch lasts about a month. Tweaked the recipe a bit- am trying just epsom salts instead of some of each. We'll see how it works.

shanadair · 11-07-2005, 07:39 AM

Oooh! This homemade concoction sounds good. Just to clarify: you use this as your ONLY styling product? No gel on top? Does it hold throughout the day?

musica_al · 11-07-2005, 09:53 AM

I use gel first- put on really wet hair then after it is somewhat dry, spray this generously. It does hold throughout the day. Haven't had any bad weather days yet with it, though so can't say about that. The spray doesn't have any hold on its own. Just enhances curl.

Salmagundi · 11-15-2005, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuZen

I would say that's not strictly true. I think it came from the saying that by the end of 7 years, every cell in your body has turned over and been replaced. (I don't think that's true either. I believe bone cells for instance, don't replace themselves.)

Certainly there are times in our lives when we go through hormonal changes that affect our hair. Puberty, childbirth, menopause, all change our hair. But every 7 years, I don't buy that myself.

Yeah, the cell replacement myth is definitely not true. Neurons, muscle cells, and fat cells never divide so they certainly don't replace themselves. Depending on the cycle of your hair's growth, though, I suppose that could all get replaced every 5-7 years.

musica_al · 12-03-2005, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musica_al

How I use it: After showering, scrunch dry with a microfiber towel then spray this all over generously. I let it air dry while doing the rest of my morning routine, then apply Got2b gel 2 mousse. Makes nice, clumping, defined curls with little frizz. During the day, the spray works for a touch up.

Updated: Have been using it for a while now. Go through about a 2 oz travel bottle per week so 1 batch lasts about a month. Tweaked the recipe a bit- am trying just epsom salts instead of some of each. We'll see how it works.

Just wanted to point out I updated/edited my recipe. also the how I use it section- I use mousse now instead of gel and spray on first and mousse second. (see full updated post above)

This combined with my new favorite got2b full of yourself gel 2 mousse is my HG combo!

jeepcurlygurl · 12-05-2005, 12:28 PM

Thanks halfwavy and musica for the spray recipes.

My hair is usually 3b but tends to lose curl and needs extra moisture in the winter. So I gave this spray a try and my hair feels happier today.

My version -

1 C. hot water
2 T. conditioner
2 t. Epsom salt
1 t. lemon juice
1 t. Africa's Best herbal oil (love this stuff)
1/4 t. honey

musica_al · 12-05-2005, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepcurlygurl

1 t. Africa's Best herbal oil (love this stuff)

Funny you should mention this...I just picked up a bottle to try some in my next batch. I had looked at it before and was curious and finally decided to give it a try. So it works well for you? Glad you like the spray.

jeepcurlygurl · 12-06-2005, 08:04 AM

Yep, I love this oil. It smells nice, my hair likes it, and it's also great for dry skin. Soaks in and isn't greasy.

velvet paws · 12-06-2005, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musica_al

Curl enhancing spray (from Recipes board)

This is my version of the spray HalfWavyHalfCurly posted here: http://naturallycurly2.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=42142 I posted it there, too but it seems to apply here.

I use this daily and wanted to share the version that works best for me:

1 C. warm distilled water
2 Tbsp. regular conditioner
1/8 tsp. honey
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 tsp Epsom salt
1 tbsp olive oil

Put in spray bottle, shake well, and refrigerate. I keep a small trial size bottle in the bathroom and the rest in the fridge.

I found the 1/2 tsp salts just didn't enhance my curl much but adding more did. The olive oil keeps it from drying out.

How I use it: After showering, scrunch dry with a microfiber towel then spray this all over generously. I let it air dry while doing the rest of my morning routine, then apply Got2b gel 2 mousse. Makes nice, clumping, defined curls with little frizz. During the day, the spray works for a touch up. Have been using this for a couple weeks now and so far so good. Keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't mysteriously stop working as products do.

Updated: Have been using it for a while now. Go through about a 2 oz travel bottle per week so 1 batch lasts about a month. Tweaked the recipe a bit- am trying just epsom salts instead of some of each. We'll see how it works.

Just tried this one today - am LOVING the results

thanks so much!!

Braziliancurls · 12-20-2005, 10:17 AM

I use CURLS naturally enhanced lotion, it makes my curls pop into ringlets!