Is There Any Alternative To Gel?

[Nazaneen]

or mousse?
I need hold for curls but I'm sick of gel or mousse. i just cant stand to even try any new gels at this point.
I don't want to oil heavily either so what can hold my hair?

 

[Nazaneen]

i was thinking of making flaxseed gel. does that act like ordinary gel?

 

[Nazaneen]

anything ?

im really over gel but idk how else to keep my curls down

 

[HaveSomeWine]

Maybe a serum? Aren't they supposed to smooth frizz away? Or you could try wrapping it down with a brush and scarf and removing it before heading out like a doobie. I've come to accept that my hair will always have some sort of frizz simply due to the texture so it doesn't really bother me anymore so long as it isn't too fuzzy.

 

[Nazaneen]

Maybe a serum? Aren't they supposed to smooth frizz away? Or you could try wrapping it down with a brush and scarf and removing it before heading out like a doobie. I've come to accept that my hair will always have some sort of frizz simply due to the texture so it doesn't really bother me anymore so long as it isn't too fuzzy.

my hair will laugh at serum lol

i want to wear it curly!

 

[Guinan]

Maybe try a pomade or a botanical gel. Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie is good for setting curls. Or you could even try a twisting cream.

FSG or curls botanical gel are really good at setting curls. They provide a light hold without the stiffness. @Nazaneen

 

[Nazaneen]

Maybe try a pomade or a botanical gel. Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie is good for setting curls. Or you could even try a twisting cream.

FSG or curls botanical gel are really good at setting curls. They provide a light hold without the stiffness. @Nazaneen

what is FSG?
gonna look up Curls Botanical

 

[Guinan]

what is FSG?
gonna look up Curls Botanical

Flax seed gel. Do you know how to make it? If not, Napturel85 has a good recipe

 

[Nazaneen]

Flax seed gel. Do you know how to make it? If not, Napturel85 has a good recipe

yup i looked at her vid very recently. i have a fresh container of flaxseeds from GNC just taking up space in my cupboard

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

I don't care for gel in my hair either. Just seems unnecessary since I like volume over definition. I tend to either 1) rinse about 50% of my deep conditioner out after washing then put a whipped butter on top or 2) just use straight up deep conditioner as a leave in.

First pic shows half of my hair with gel. Nice and shiny but flat and hard.

2nd pic shows the other half with just deep conditioner as a leave in. Fluffy, voluminous and touchable.

They both give me around 3-4 day hair with no touch ups and no re-wetting. I prefer the no-gel side.

Good luck!

 

[SweetlyCurly]

When I got tired of gel I started using curling creams. They gave me same results with more voluminous hair. Some of the ones I love are: Camille Rose whipped butter gel, Jane Carter curling cream and Eden body works curl defining cream

 

[moneychaser]

Cantu curling cream

 

[HaveSomeWine]

my hair will laugh at serum lol

i want to wear it curly!

Then maybe a curl cream like others are suggesting? They are heavier than gels, mousses and serums so should give you more hold and staying power. The one by Shea Moisture, the curl smoothie seems to be popular among naturals. I've also heard of using aloe vera gel and the people I know who used it had pretty smooth and defined hair.

 

[Honey Bee]

So... last year, I bought some conditioner on sale from the bss. Now, I don't even GO to the bss, I just happened to be there with an acquaintance, but it was on sale, a liter for like $10 and had good ingredients, so you know I had to go 'head and give it a try.

So, I just got around to it today when I realized, hey, this is a pretty thick gel. I plan to use it instead of curl cream. I'll let you know how it works out, but the take-away here should be, gel-like conditioners.

 

[faithVA]

So... last year, I bought some conditioner on sale from the bss. Now, I don't even GO to the bss, I just happened to be there with an acquaintance, but it was on sale, a liter for like $10 and had good ingredients, so you know I had to go 'head and give it a try.

So, I just got around to it today when I realized, hey, this is a pretty thick gel. I plan to use it instead of curl cream. I'll let you know how it works out, but the take-away here should be, gel-like conditioners.

What conditioner is it?

 

[Nightingale]

What conditioner is it?

Exactly. She left out the most important piece of info! Come back @Honey Bee , you know the rules of LHCF. Full product disclosure.

 

[Bibliophile]

I have two suggestions:
Curl Keeper Styling Cream

It is lightweight, has lots of slip, resists humidity and has a strong but flexible hold.

A cheaper option is Elasta QP Feels Like Silk

It's a medium hold gel that looks and feels like a serum. This one is heavier than Curl Keeper Styling Cream.

These are normally for Wash-n-Go styles. I use both to for rollersets, Bantu knots & twist outs.

 

[uofmpanther]

Jane Carter Curl defining cream. I've also used Herbal Essence Conditioner. It was either Long Term Relationship or Totally Twisted.

 

[YaniraNaturally]

Paging @Honey Bee

Inquiring PJ minds would like to know the name

 

[krissyhair]

Sorry, no help here. I love my hard crunchy defined gel curls!

 

[PinkSunshine77]

Girl I hate gel too! It makes my soft hair so darn hard!

 

[Evolving78]

I may try a curling cream in the winter, but I'm a die hard gel fan. I'm all about the shine and hold!