Help - what gel should I try?

Aqua_Lily · 11-11-2012, 08:00 AM

Hi everyone!

I use a gel I really like; l'Oreal Studioline Invisifix MineralFX strong.

Recently I moved to Japan and I will go back to Europe in about 4 months from now. So, I brought a stash of gel with me. But I'm gonna run out soon. So I'm looking for a new gel.

The l'Oreal gel I'm using now has 'strenth rate' of 3 out of 5. I also tried the super strong version which has a 4 out of 5 strength rating, but that one was way too heavy for my hair. It made my hair more wavy than curly.

So I need a gel with light or medium hold I'm guessing? My hair is very heavy. I'm not really sure which one to try. I looked at the gels in curlmart but it kinda overwhelmed me.

This may be a stupid question but can anyone here recommend a gel for me? My hair profile is in my signature. Which gel do you particularly like, gives you good results? And does not have a very strong hold?

Many thanks in advance!

jsuzkelley · 11-12-2012, 09:41 AM

Hmmm...since your hair is course, I would stay away from gels that contain protein. Also, are you looking for products you can find on the ground in Japan? Or are you planning to order online? Not sure what the product availability is like over there. I read on another post that you said the climate is very humid, so I would also stay away from stylers that contain glycerin.

That being said, I too prefer more of a soft hold than hard hold, and I like more natural jelly products over traditional gels. My favorites so far are Kinky Curly Curling Custard, Uncle Funky's Daughter Curly Magic, Curly Kinks Coil Jam, Shea Moisture Curling Souffle, and As I Am Curling Jelly. The Curly Kinks, Shea Moisture and As I Am all contain glycerin, so I'm not sure these would work for your hair type. Curl Junkie makes Pattern Pusha gel that is glycerin and protien free that I believe is a light hold gel - or there is Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle (more of a serum/gel). I've never tried either of these, but they might work.

If you're looking for grocery store/drugstore stuff that is more readily available on the ground, Aussie Instant Freeze and Biosilk Rock hard gelee are both glycerin free, but I think they may contain protein. They also may be more hold than you want (although the Biosilk does not seem heavy to me - just dries super crunchy).

Hopefully more gel users will chime in with some good suggestions

Amos · 11-12-2012, 11:36 AM

Traditional gels do not work in my hair as it is very thick and heavy too! I like the spray gels and have found some to be better than others, but all of them allow for more precise application. I love ION spray gel and you can get it at Sally's Beauty Supply online and in the stores. It REALLY helps curl formation - I spray and scrunch, spray and scrunch. Then, I just let it dry and then SOTC....what little crunch there is. Not real stiff, but holds really well!

Aqua_Lily · 11-12-2012, 04:39 PM

Hi!

Thanks a lot

Yeah I was planning to order online

, though not from curlmart, the shipping costs are just too expensive :/ I use ebay and iherb.com so far. I'll take a look at Sally's Beauty Supply online!

Does Kinky Curly Curling Custard have a light hold? That one I can easily order!

I'll try to look for glycerin free gels!

I could buy gels in the stores here, but trying to decipher Japanese ingredients lists is such a pain (I can read it, but I'm very very slow lol) and so far a lot of products here contain mineral oil...

Knotty_Maddy · 11-12-2012, 04:56 PM

I've gotten good results from Kenra's Firm Hold gel - it helps keep curl formation while drying, and it is pretty soft after it is scrunched out. It isn't very crunchy, and it is very liquid-y... It is not a strong enough hold for me, but I like it in second day hair. So if you prefer curl control with light gel hold, it's a good one to try.

I just tried Aussie Instant Freeze gel today, it's pretty strong for holding curl, but once crunched out (it is really crunchy), hair still feels soft but is holding shape nicely...I have also heard good things about Aubrey Natural's Mandarin Magic (I think that's what it is called) and Biolage gellee is very, very soft. Hth!

asianrunner · 11-12-2012, 05:32 PM

My absolute favorite medium hold gel is Curl Junkie Curl Queen. It has protein, but I think it's in the middle of the ingredient list and no glycerin!

My hair doesn't always tolerate protein but it likes whatever's in this gel!

Aqua_Lily · 11-25-2012, 05:28 AM

Thanks a lot for the replies so far

Shea Moisture coconut & hibiscus curling souffle, and Curl Junkie Curl Queen sound promising. But for the first one I'm still worried about the glycerin and I can't get the 2nd one on ebay or iherb...

Any other suggestions for medium/light hold gels? ^^

asianrunner · 11-25-2012, 09:46 AM

Since you mentioned Sallys, I think they have a gel, Bioterra something that's liquidy and lighter hold.

Kiss My Face Upper Management gel is light hold.

Aqua_Lily · 11-25-2012, 07:28 PM

^Thanks!!

I found the kiss my face gel on iherb, it sounds interesting, will buy it ^^