Is Gel ruining your edges?
Slicked baby hairs, laid edges and super-sleek up dos, and defined curls look nice. And flyaway and fluffy curls have historically been considered unkempt. I get it. But gel is extremely drying due to alcohol, perfume and chemicals like formaldehyde and acrylics - the same family of hardening ingredients in gel nails. I don’t want that in my hair, especially when there are easy alternatives.
Linseed gel and Aloe Vera gel are excellent at creating hold without the nasties. *Scroll down to the next point if DIY isn’t your thing*
Linseed requires heating and straining. You simply boil 1 part linseed to 5 parts water. Once it is cool place in the fridge for 3 days. This is a fresh product, so please do not use it after 3 days because bacteria will have formed.
Aloe Vera is another favourite of mine, and it doesn’t require heating. Buy a leaf at your local international grocery. Chop the spikes off, split it in half, scoop the gel into a blender and keep in the fridge. Note, only make enough for 3 days use because it will deteriorate. But just make enough and you’ve got a natural gel.
Alternatively forgo all of that and use enough leave-in conditioner, to get a cast - it is a hard layer that forms on your curls when you use just enough leave-in conditioner. Your curls will feel ‘crunchy’, and they’re usually super-defined. This is the same effect as gel but with clean, natural plant ingredients.
Our leave-in conditioners provide enough hold for curls, Afro hair and waves. Controversial? I’m ok with it.
I’ve had so many conversations with salon owners who have told me that when you use just enough leave-in the hold is exceptional and you don’t need anything else.
As demonstrated here - images below, but click the link for the how-to guide for this look.
I only used Ten pro leave-in conditioner to create these looks. Applied to dry (not wet) hair.
Unsure which product to use on your curls? Here’s our guide
You can create gel-like hold with our leave-in conditioners. It’s no myth. And it’s beautiful.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387693/
https://www.safecosmetics.org/chemicals/acrylates/