Cream for 3A hair- good hold that leaves hair soft?

nocal0023 · 07-12-2012, 10:14 PM

I'm a guy with thick, 3A hair that I've been growing out for a few months and I've been searching forever for a product that works well with my hair. Gels leaves it too crunchy and pomade is too shiny for my taste. I think a cream would work well for what I want- do you guys have any suggestions of a cream that has a medium-strong hold and leaves hair soft? I hate any crunch in my hair and I hate the greasy/overly shiny look. Also, I want something without silicones and preferably natural ingredients. And keeping me frizz free would be great. Below are a couple pics of how I want my hair to look to get a feel for what I'm going for:

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...yHairstyle.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1pmTx5taA...adden-robb.jpg

jsuzkelley · 07-12-2012, 10:44 PM

I haven't tried this yet, but I've been hearing good things about the Curls (for Target) Creme brûlée. There is also Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie. Have you tried Kinky Curly curling custard? It's more of a jelly than a traditional gel. These are all available at Target and are silicone free. A lot of curlies like L'Oreal out of bed (although I hear this has been hard to find - discontinued?).

Sent from my iPhone using CurlTalk

nocal0023 · 07-12-2012, 11:07 PM

I've heard a lot about the KCCC but a lot of people says it leaves a crunch which I hate...I've heard good things about the shea moisture smoothie I have the water retention shampoo I may look into that one. And the l'oreal out of bed has polyquat 11 so I think I'll avoid that. Thanks for the input! I like how in that top picture I posted the hair is not shiny or wet looking but looks smooth and frizz free- I really want to find a type of hair product that will give me that look because I have very similar hair to his and I just can't seem to get my hair to look like that with the hair products I use

dresdendoll · 07-13-2012, 12:15 AM

I heard AG Re:Coil Curl Activator is a great curl cream(:

Boots Essentials Curling Cream gets great reviews!

My stylist uses MoroccanOil Intense Curl Cream on me, and (personally) I thought it was a little greasy, but my hair isn't quite all 3a--mostly just 2c. My friend, who has curlier hair than me, loves it!

MOP C Curl Enhancing Cream is another favorite, but it might be hard to find.

Alba Botanica Soft Hold Style Cream is a good choice. I've seen it at Whole Foods for a nice price.

SaraNoH · 07-13-2012, 09:12 AM

I put Mixed Silks Curly Gel under any other gel I use and it takes away the crunch almost completely. I've even used it under LALSG and BRHG with very little to no crunch afterwards. It's more of a jelly product, medium-ish hold I'd say. $6 at Sally's for 8oz! I imagine it's work best for shorter hair as a stand-alone product.

nocal0023 · 07-13-2012, 10:40 AM

I guess I'm looking for something more pliable than gel- even if I don't get the crunch with gel, a girl can't exactly run her hands through my hair when I put gel in it. What products do you guys think were used in those pics posted above? The hair just looks so soft it doesn't look to me like gel was used.

dresdendoll · 07-13-2012, 10:45 AM

The Best Hairstyling Products - AskMen
Says here that Franco probably uses mousse. I'm guessing it'd be something like Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam. That was one of the best of the best a few years ago on NC.com...

Bookworm5 · 07-13-2012, 10:46 AM

Maybe Curl Junkie Coffee Coco Curl Creme Lite?

nocal0023 · 07-13-2012, 12:42 PM

Does mousse leave the hair soft? That is probably the only hair product I have never used but I was under the impression mousse kept your hair somewhat hard and in place

dresdendoll · 07-13-2012, 01:25 PM

Depends on what kind. I use Suave Professionals Captivating Curls Whipped Cream Mousse (about $3) and it's great! The trick is to put it on damp hair, not soaking wet, for best definition. It leaves my hair a lot softer than other mousses I've tried. For instance, Herbal Essences Totally Twisted made it really crunchy :/

nocal0023 · 07-13-2012, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dresdendoll

Depends on what kind. I use Suave Professionals Captivating Curls Whipped Cream Mousse (about $3) and it's great! The trick is to put it on damp hair, not soaking wet, for best definition. It leaves my hair a lot softer than other mousses I've tried. For instance, Herbal Essences Totally Twisted made it really crunchy :/

Wow that whipped cream has great reviews its too bad it has dimethicone and amodimethicone. I only co-wash so there would definitely be too much buildup. Anybody know of a product with similar results that is cone free?

frizzinfla · 07-13-2012, 04:15 PM

You could try Aussie Instant Freeze. It's a gel but no crunch. I can't use it because it makes my hair too soft. Also try Garnier Pure Clean Gel. That's another one with soft hold.

nocal0023 · 07-13-2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frizzinfla

You could try Aussie Instant Freeze. It's a gel but no crunch. I can't use it because it makes my hair too soft. Also try Garnier Pure Clean Gel. That's another one with soft hold.

I just sort of don't like the look gels give me...even if they give a soft hold, they still give you the wet/shiny look which I'm not that big on- I want my curls to be moisturized and frizz free but not super wet/shiny

sarahkeeper · 07-13-2012, 06:01 PM

hey I know exactly what you feel like! Then I discovered Pantene's curly hair series. I got the whole set from Ulta including shampoo, leave in condish,curl enhancer, etc! Anyways, I got this deep moisturizing treatment from the curly series. I have fallen in love! Ots a creamy hair product that I ise after a shower and comb it through my hair. Then you leave in in for 5 min. and rinse it. It leave my curl so so soft! And sometimes I even take a really small portion of it and use it as a frizz ease and I have never gotten any cruch or a damp wet look that gel usually gives! I reccommend it to all curly hair types. By the way I am a 3a and in the Winter, a 2c

nocal0023 · 07-13-2012, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsuzkelley

I haven't tried this yet, but I've been hearing good things about the Curls (for Target) Creme brûlée. There is also Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie. Have you tried Kinky Curly curling custard? It's more of a jelly than a traditional gel. These are all available at Target and are silicone free. A lot of curlies like L'Oreal out of bed (although I hear this has been hard to find - discontinued?).

Sent from my iPhone using CurlTalk

Hows the hold on the shea moisture smoothie? The reviews look really good but I definitely need something with a medium-strong hold so that I can move my curls around and place them since I'm a guy with such short hair compared to a woman's hair.

cinimonstk · 07-13-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nocal0023

I've heard a lot about the KCCC but a lot of people says it leaves a crunch which I hate...I've heard good things about the shea moisture smoothie I have the water retention shampoo I may look into that one. And the l'oreal out of bed has polyquat 11 so I think I'll avoid that. Thanks for the input! I like how in that top picture I posted the hair is not shiny or wet looking but looks smooth and frizz free- I really want to find a type of hair product that will give me that look because I have very similar hair to his and I just can't seem to get my hair to look like that with the hair products I use

I hate crunch too! You should try KCCC, it does have crunch at first but it goes away when your hair is dry. I used it alone for the first time today and I like it. I scrunched my hair without oil and it was soft. The curls stayed pretty much all day. I'm 2c/3a and my curls were awesome today lol

jsuzkelley · 07-13-2012, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nocal0023

Hows the hold on the shea moisture smoothie? The reviews look really good but I definitely need something with a medium-strong hold so that I can move my curls around and place them since I'm a guy with such short hair compared to a woman's hair.

Hmmm...I don't use this regularly myself as I'm staying away from glycerin, but based on other reviews I would guess medium hold (more than just a LI but less than a gel). It's supposed to be very moisturizing and give shiny, defined curls. Not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for.

Sent from my iPhone using CurlTalk

nocal0023 · 07-13-2012, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinimonstk

Quote:

Originally Posted by nocal0023

I've heard a lot about the KCCC but a lot of people says it leaves a crunch which I hate...I've heard good things about the shea moisture smoothie I have the water retention shampoo I may look into that one. And the l'oreal out of bed has polyquat 11 so I think I'll avoid that. Thanks for the input! I like how in that top picture I posted the hair is not shiny or wet looking but looks smooth and frizz free- I really want to find a type of hair product that will give me that look because I have very similar hair to his and I just can't seem to get my hair to look like that with the hair products I use

I hate crunch too! You should try KCCC, it does have crunch at first but it goes away when your hair is dry. I used it alone for the first time today and I like it. I scrunched my hair without oil and it was soft. The curls stayed pretty much all day. I'm 2c/3a and my curls were awesome today lol

I think I may try this- I have heard too many good things to not at least give it a shot- I just dont like gels because being a guy, girls like to touch my hair and I want them to be able to run their hands through it without there being crunch or flake

nocal0023 · 07-13-2012, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsuzkelley

Quote:

Originally Posted by nocal0023

Hows the hold on the shea moisture smoothie? The reviews look really good but I definitely need something with a medium-strong hold so that I can move my curls around and place them since I'm a guy with such short hair compared to a woman's hair.

Hmmm...I don't use this regularly myself as I'm staying away from glycerin, but based on other reviews I would guess medium hold (more than just a LI but less than a gel). It's supposed to be very moisturizing and give shiny, defined curls. Not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for.

Sent from my iPhone using CurlTalk

Thanks for the input! I actually heard good things about Paul Mitchell sculpting foam which is cg friendly and I'm thinking about trying out--anybody have any input on it?

medusa28 · 07-13-2012, 11:06 PM

I am a 3A as well and also hate gel! I have been having great results with just leave-in conditioner. No crunch at all, just moisturizing your hair so much it has no choice but to behave! I like Curl Junkie Curl Rehab as a leave-in, also MOP Leave In conditioner. My hair gets hold from even leave in conditioners and I am not going for additional hold, so this might not work for you, but these products are fabulous. Your hair will be touchable and survive humidity.
PS: it's cool having men participate in these forums!