Is there any curl creme that defines your hair as well as a gel?

curlypearl · 10-02-2012, 05:21 PM

I love CJCCCL but I can't use it without a gel because the curls pouf out and lose definition.

Is there any curl creme that you can use instead of a gel? Or a gel that leaves the curls very soft and doesn't need to be scrunched out to form the curls?

KinkyRN · 10-02-2012, 05:28 PM

At CVS I found Not Your Mothers.... A product that worked excellently to my surprise. I too am a hard core CJ fan but this product along with AG recoil (cream/gel?) excellent products!!

curlypearl · 10-02-2012, 05:32 PM

Very interesting! I never heard of that. I'll look into it.

I have very inconsistent results with AG: Recoil. I can't figure out what I'm doing right/wrong. Sometimes it gives me terrific curls (mixed with other things) other times not. More experimenting....

tenapaige · 10-03-2012, 05:20 AM

@curlypearl thanks for putting this post up ive been trying to find a similar product... What type of hair do u have?

curlypearl · 10-03-2012, 05:30 AM

Hi Tena.

My hair is 3a but much stronger curl pattern in back than in front. I'm highly porous (because I dye it) and my hair is not as thick as it used to be.

I wear my hair in a bob.

What are your hair properties? Hopefully some other curlies will chime in with suggestions.

rbb · 10-03-2012, 06:05 AM

curlypearl, have you tried cccc? i get mixed results with it,but i think in the early fall is when i get the best results.
cj honey butta works very well in my hair! i put it onto dripping wet hair, work it through, then scrunch it. marsha had recommended it to me as a styler and i just recently tried it full force! sometimes i use a leave in like beauticurls leave in, then the honey butta. and other times i just use the honey butta, no leave in. never anything over it.

last winter i used cj deep fix as my leave in and lalsg over it -- not perfect, but pretty good in those very low dews. this winter i will see how honey butta works.

another decent combo is curl rehab as leave in, ciab over it.

i have been also experimenting with a leave in, curl rehab or deep fix, and then jane carter n&s to seal it in. i guess i am determined to find what it is my hair likes in low dews. (mid to high dews never a problem! cj aloe fix)

MirCurls · 10-03-2012, 06:43 AM

Hey, curlypearl. Your hair properties are like mine, seems like.

I have found the only cream that defines for me is AG Re:coil, and I've used it with and without gel. I always have to use a good amount of leave-in condish under, or it's very drying.

As far as gel that's touchable...the only ones I've used that served as being touchable have been flaxseed gelee (but I don't necessarily love the hold) and Spiral Solutions Curling Jelly. I do use gel over SS CJ usually, but I've used it without gel with touchable results. And I've used it as a refresher, too.

For a spell, the Botticelli Botanicals brulee served really well to define and hold, then my hair stopped liking it. Don't know if it just deteriorated (the BB products have to be refrigerated and don't last long, shelf-wise) or if it was seasonal, but it went from being amazing to being crap. I keep thinking of trying it again, but, well, I don't use a whole lotta product and I always ended up having to throw out the BB stuff before I'd used even HALF, cause the shelf-life issues.

HTH,
Mir

curlypearl · 10-03-2012, 08:09 AM

Hi MirCurl, I've had exactly the same experiences as you! AG: Recoil is very drying but if I use a lot of condish underneath I can get great curls. I worry about the drying though so I don't use it often.

SSCEJ is nice for shine and for defining but doesn't hold for me. It is nice as a glaze though, as a refresher.

I've never tried flaxseed gel. Today I tried Deva Volumizing Foam and nothing else. I'm going to try one product at a time and note the results and try to be "scientific" about it to discover what works best for me.

I think you are my hair twin. Yippee

tenapaige · 10-03-2012, 06:28 PM

@mircurls and curlypearl

I think i have really similar hair to you both maybe just a little more coarser... My curl pattern is more tight at the nape (the back of my hair in general)... Can u tell me what all these acronyms for products are

please... Im unfamiliar with this and Im really interested in what both of you have to say since I feel our hair types are similar .. Btw can u explain to me what porosity is and how i can figure my hair's porosity out

yossarian · 10-03-2012, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenapaige

Can u tell me what all these acronyms for products are

please... Im unfamiliar with this and Im really interested in what both of you have to say since I feel our hair types are similar .. Btw can u explain to me what porosity is and how i can figure my hair's porosity out

Here's a link to help you understand our lingo:

Acronyms/Abbreviations/Definitions!

This link is great for figuring out hair types, product ingredients etc.:

Curly Hair Tips, Styles & Products - NaturallyCurly

HTH!

Ms. Naturally Coily · 10-03-2012, 07:18 PM

Shea Moisture Organic Curl & Style Hair Milk moisturizes and defines my curls.

tenapaige · 10-03-2012, 08:41 PM

@yossarian
THANKS!

tenapaige · 10-03-2012, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yossarian

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenapaige

Can u tell me what all these acronyms for products are

please... Im unfamiliar with this and Im really interested in what both of you have to say since I feel our hair types are similar .. Btw can u explain to me what porosity is and how i can figure my hair's porosity out

Here's a link to help you understand our lingo:

Acronyms/Abbreviations/Definitions!

This link is great for figuring out hair types, product ingredients etc.:

Curly Hair Tips, Styles & Products - NaturallyCurly

HTH!

Thankyou

dresdendoll · 10-03-2012, 09:13 PM

Darcy's Botanicals Curling Cream-Gel is actually a very thin, runny creme, not gelly at all. However, it does define curls well and without crunch

barcemadis · 10-05-2012, 05:35 PM

I've recently switched from gel to using Alba Botanical Soft Hold Curl Cream. It seems to provide more hold than CCCCL for me without weighing down my fine hair. It gives me soft, touchable hair for 2 or 3 days.

curlypearl · 10-05-2012, 05:51 PM

RBB, I actually have CCCC but I found it too rich in warmer weather. It might be good in winter, but since Marsha recommended the honey butta - that's a great recommendation! She knows her stuff.

Tena, my hair is also a little coarser and considerably curlier in the back. Another hair twin - you, me and MirCurls - we are curly triplets!

Ms. Naturally Coily - thanks for the suggestion! I've never tried a "milk" Also, never tried anything with Shea Moisture, but it gets so many good reviews.

Dresdendoll, another tempting product! Darcy's Botanicals also gets great reviews. Sigh - I want everything.

Kinky RN - are you really an RN? Slight guano - but terrific to have an RN on our board (if you are one). I haven't ever seen the Not your Mother's - have to check that out also.

Barcemadis - another terrific suggestion. If I could get soft touchable curls for more than one day, I'd be in heaven.

Yossarian, thanks for the links! Everyone - I am like a kid with a box of new candies - so many great products to try. One by one....until I hit the jackpot.

dresdendoll · 10-09-2012, 12:04 PM

Bump! Any more word on the Alba Soft Style Creme? I want to try it really badly, haha, saw in in Whole Foods recently...

seamelody14 · 10-09-2012, 02:10 PM

I've just tried CCCC and so far I really like it, I have the same problem with CCCCL, I like it but it tends to not control the poof that my hair can have. The Honey Butta was a little to heavy for me.

Curlsnswirls · 10-13-2012, 12:51 AM

How's this working for you in cooler temps?
I received mine and will try it out tomorrow. I also have a Sample of he styling cream to try out.

dresdendoll · 10-13-2012, 04:23 PM

Ok...I caved and bought the Alba Botanica Soft Styling Cream! Haha
It's drying right now, and I'll comment as soon as I get results(: