Best Curl-Defining Gels, According to a Beauty Editor
4 Curl-Defining Creams and Gels That Made Me Say "What Frizz?"
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Welcome to In My Head, a monthly column where we break down the latest and greatest natural hair products to hit our doorsteps that actually live up to the hype. Up this month: curl-defining gels.
When I first went natural nearly 10 years ago, I had a love-hate relationship with twist-outs. Whether you're a seasoned natural or someone who's just transitioning, twist-outs are among the most popular ways to style your curls, but for some reason in those early days, it was difficult for me to achieve the perfect bouncy and stretched, post-twist curls that I saw all over YouTube and Instagram. Because of the time I spent wearing my hair in protective styles over the past decade, it wasn't until recently while social distancing that I discovered the piece of the puzzle that had been missing from my earlier twist-out attempts: curl gels and creams.
Before trying many of these, I would end my wash day routine with a leave-in conditioner and sealing oil and hope for the best, unraveling my twists the next day to lackluster curls and even a bit of frizz. These days, I've been marrying my hair to curl creams and gels that give me some of the best, most defined, and stretched curls of my life without drying my hair out.
Allow me to take you through a few favourites (new and old) that have landed on my doorstep in the past few months.
Twist Ready, Set, Bounce Soft Curl-Defining Gelée
The Twist Ready, Set, Bounce Soft Curl-Defining Gelée ($10) is one of nearly 20 products that just launched from Ouidad's all-new curl-focussed brand, Twist. What I liked about this gel especially is that a little goes a very long way, and I didn't feel the need to overload my hair with product in order to get a bouncy, frizz-free final result.
Kinky-Curly Original Curling Custard
The Kinky-Curly Original Curling Custard ($18) is a staple in the natural hair-care routines of many, and it's so popular that it was even nominated in our most recent edition of the POPSUGAR Beauty Awards highlighting the best of Black beauty. While the brand's Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner ended up winning the vote this time around, I'll still happily sing the praises of the curling custard for its ability to perfectly define curls minus the crunch and heavy feel.
Miss Jessie's Honey Curls Curl Enhancer
I don't know, maybe it's because of that scene from The Parent Trap, but honey has always been an ingredient that throws me off in hair products. That said, I still managed to give Miss Jessie's Honey Curls Curl Enhancer ($16) a try, and I was happy with how much hold the product gave me without leaving behind any buildup or making my hair feel crunchy the next day.
Creme of Nature Pure Honey Curling Jelly
I'll be honest: Creme of Nature isn't the first brand I reach for when sifting through natural hair products, but I received this Pure Honey Curling Jelly ($16) in a mailer late last year and figured that since I was already on the hunt for products just like it, I couldn't not try it. To my surprise, it really did end up getting the job done with little flaking or shrinkage after the fact.
