CG gone wrong... help :(

lanipsey · 12-02-2012, 04:13 PM

I've been trying and trying with this Curly Girl method. I have the book, I know I'm following the routine as best as I can, but every time I apply gel on top of my leave-in my hair turns white as if I've applied too much product.

I use a Suave conditioner as a cleanser and for my leave-in I use Yes To Carrots Pampering Conditioner. As for gel, I use the Eco-styler olive oil kind. I don't know what to do because my hair is naturally very very dry, and I don't want to cut back too much on how much conditioner to put in my hair because I need all the moisture I can get (as well as the hold!)

Even directly after the process of applying my leave-in and gel, my hair begins looking white and frizzy. Is it too much conditioner? Is it the quality of the gel that makes my hair icky? (I plop my hair and touch it as little as possible during the drying process.)

I'm just in desparate need of tips, advice, and suggestions for products you guys think would benefit me (everyone else's hair on this forum looks fantastic!).

Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate it.

Fifi.G · 12-02-2012, 05:29 PM

This sounds like a reaction between the two products. I had the regular eco styler do the same with a different leave in. Try switching one of the two out.

You might also want to make sure you have all product buildup (due to the reaction) out of your hair first.

Sorry to keep coming back, but I had a phone call to take care of.

As far as product suggestions go... It was trial and error for me. I went through so many gels that made my hair feel horrible, and used a few different mediocre leave in's. Products truly work different on everyone. I am currently having success with As I Am Curling Jelly and LI.

Morgan_Adcock · 12-02-2012, 06:20 PM

Your conditioner has dimethicone in it. This prevents moisture from getting into your hair, which is probably why your hair is frizzy when wet, and the conditioner isn't being absorbed.

Spring water (aqua), dead sea water (maris aqua) silt (maris limus), magnesium chloride, chamomila recutita (chamomile) extract, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil, olea europaea (olive) oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, calendula officinalis oil, daucus carota (carrot) seed oil, daucus carota (carrot) juice, cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) juice, ipomoera batatas (sweet potato) extract, cucumis melo (melon) extract, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) fruit extract, honey (mel) extract, fragrance (parfum), dimethicone, triticum vulgare (wheat germ) oil, imidazolidinyl urea, cetrimonium chloride, punica granatum (pomegranate) peel extract.

You need to do a clarifying poo (J&J baby shampoo or one of the Suave Naturals shampoos or VO5 Herbal Escapes shampoos would work fine for about $1/bottle), and use a different conditioner.

waterlily716 · 12-02-2012, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgan_Adcock

Your conditioner has dimethicone in it. This prevents moisture from getting into your hair, which is probably why your hair is frizzy when wet, and the conditioner isn't being absorbed.

Oh no! When did the YtC get reformulated?

I agree with both posters. It's pretty likely that it's a reaction of that gel and that leave in though.

Fifi.G · 12-02-2012, 08:43 PM

I found this on drugstore.com and dimethicone is not listed.

Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenalkonium Chloride, Cetyl Esters, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Juice, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Dead Sea Water (Maris Aqua), Maris Limus Silt Extract (Dead Sea Silt), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (Sweet Almond), Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Flower Seed Oil, Cucurbita Pepo Fruit Extract (Pumpkin), Ipomoea Batatas Extract (Sweet Potato), Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract (Melon), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat Germ) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Honey Extract, Punica Granatum Extract (Pomegranate), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Fragrance (Parfum), Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate

It is worth checking a few more sites/product info. I have found several discrepancies on different product labels along the way.

Fifi.G · 12-02-2012, 08:46 PM

I have been keeping my eyes open for that brand and know several people here use it. That would be a horrible reformulation.

lanipsey · 12-02-2012, 09:04 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I read labels very carefully, there's no silicone in either of my conditioners so that's ruled out. I guess it really is just a faulty combo.

I always had a feeling that the eco styler olive oil gel was a little heavy so maybe I'll try something a little lighter. Again, thank you so much!

ChicaRizada94 · 12-02-2012, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanipsey

I've been trying and trying with this Curly Girl method. I have the book, I know I'm following the routine as best as I can, but every time I apply gel on top of my leave-in my hair turns white as if I've applied too much product.

I use a Suave conditioner as a cleanser and for my leave-in I use Yes To Carrots Pampering Conditioner. As for gel, I use the Eco-styler olive oil kind. I don't know what to do because my hair is naturally very very dry, and I don't want to cut back too much on how much conditioner to put in my hair because I need all the moisture I can get (as well as the hold!)

Even directly after the process of applying my leave-in and gel, my hair begins looking white and frizzy. Is it too much conditioner? Is it the quality of the gel that makes my hair icky? (I plop my hair and touch it as little as possible during the drying process.)

I'm just in desparate need of tips, advice, and suggestions for products you guys think would benefit me (everyone else's hair on this forum looks fantastic!).

Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate it.

That happens to me sometimes, too. It's likely a reaction between the gel and your leave in conditioner. You can test to see if your leave in condishes and gels are compatible by squeezing a bit of the conditioner and a bit of the gel into the palm of your hand. If the conditioner balls up when you mix them, then you know that you shouldn't use the products together. If they blend well and look nice and smooth and creamy, then you know that you have a good mix. Hth!

lanipsey · 12-02-2012, 09:48 PM

@ChicaRizada94,that is so helpful, thanks!

testimony777 · 12-02-2012, 10:01 PM

I just wanted to add that Eco Styler Gel is notorious for reacting poorly with conditioners. I see that you decided to look for another gel, hopefully that will resolve the problem. Good luck (-:

puppitypup · 12-02-2012, 10:11 PM

Hello! Just out of curiosity, have you looked into adding an oil to your regimen to seal the moisture in your hair? Some great natural oils many use, such as myself are: coconut oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, apricot kernel oil, sweet almond oil and more. It is all according to your preference. Oils are great to use in damp hair as well. They help define my curls. Good luck with the cg method and keep us updated...

lanipsey · 12-03-2012, 05:25 AM

I have been using oils, actually. I used to use Argan oil in my spritz bottle, and I just used coconut oil a few days ago for a scalp massage. I still need to get the hang of incorporating them better into my routine,though lol. I really appreciate the help!

Morgan_Adcock · 12-03-2012, 04:46 PM

Interesting. I found that ingredients list here on NaturallyCurly.com in the products section. I looked because frizz when hair is wet is usually a sign of occlusive buildup.

curlangel0690 · 12-04-2012, 03:21 PM

Ecostyler does not always like to play well with LIs. The best way I have found to check before the white mess ends up in my hair is to mix the 2 products in the palm of my hand. If it starts balling up and gets white and gritty I know they most likely will not mix well on my head. You also might want to try the LOC moisture method. I have been having good results with it and the moisture is actually staying in my hair longer using it.