Products
A list of/some mini-reviews for a variety of products I’ve tried since September 2022.
For reference, my hair is low porosity, likes protein, and isn’t particular about glycerin (or other humectants), aloe, or silicones. It can’t handle too much oil without getting stringy & weighed down.
I do not follow the Curly Girl method so some of these products likely do not meet those standards.
I use this stuff all the time
Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Mousse
A fabulous drug store mousse with good hold and a lovely finish.
Kenra Nitro Memory Crème 18
This mousse is great, and it holds longer than Herbal Essences’, but it’s also more expensive. It’s got a funny consistency—it’s much looser/runnier than regular mousse, but dang does it work.
My own shampoo bars
I usually wash my hair with shampoo bars I make and formulate.
Aussie Miracle Curls Refresher Mist
My go-to mist for more hold when I’m refreshing. I’m on my second bottle, which means I really like it!
Kenra Styling Gel 17
My current go-to hard-hold gel. This stuff lasts with the sort of hold that—when properly protected overnight—requires little to no refreshing for days. I also find my hair dries a bit faster with this gel than many other gels I’ve tried.
I use this stuff occasionally / I used to use it all the time
COLOR WOW Dream Coat for Curly Hair
The only reason I don’t use this stuff more often is because it’s expensive. I really like it—great results, fast drying time, chef’s kiss.
Aussie Instant Freeze Sculpting Hair Gel
My first hard-hold gel love. I moved away from it because my hair just took so dang long to dry when I used it, but I still think it’s a great gel and I can see myself using it again in the future.
LA Looks Styling Hair Gel
A really inexpensive drugstore hair gel with hard hold. Works well, I just don’t reach for it terribly often because I have so many other products.
Nizoral Shampoo
This is a sulfate-powered anti-dandruff shampoo. It’s not very exciting, but it works—both as a clarifying wash and to knock dandruff out. I’ll use this if I notice any dandruff cropping up.
K18 Molecular Hair Mask
I do a K18 treatment every 4–6 weeks and notice an immediate improvement in my hair every time. This stuff is magic.
Kinky-Curly Curling Custard
This is one of the first curly products I purchased. It didn’t do much for me in 2022, but I’ve started reaching for it again, layering it under harder hold gels or mousses. I think it adds some nice shine and softness.
Verb Ghost Shampoo & Conditioner
These are nice and light and work well. I love the lather of the shampoo and neither weigh my waves down. I probably use them every 2–4 washes.
I haven’t made up my mind about this stuff
DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel
I purchased this because Tish (my hairstylist) used it and I really liked the results she got. I don’t use it often, but do I mean to use it more as the results have generally been good.
Verb Curl Foaming Gel
This product is perfectly lovely, it just hasn’t risen to the top of all the other lovely products I have.
I finished this stuff and haven’t re-purchased it
Moremo – Water Treatment Miracle 10
I purchased this protein-rich hair rinse/treatment at an Asian grocery store in Vancouver. You’re supposed to leave it in your hair for 10 seconds before rinsing out. It worked really well for me as my hair loves protein—I’d probably buy it again if I found it in a local store.
BioSilk Rock Hard Gellee
I loved this hard-hold gel and only stopped using it because I ran out and it’s been discontinued (sob).
PATTERN Beauty Curl Gel
I got this as part of a Sephora curly/wavy starter set of products. I consider it more of a leave-in conditioner than a gel as it has no hold ingredients. I used it as a leave-in to use it up but have no plans to re-purchase it.
I wouldn’t re-purchase this stuff (but I’m still trying to use it up)
AG Re:Coil Curl Activator
This is one of the first curly products I purchased; I’d call it a “curl cream” (rather than a leave-in) as it is really rich. Since my hair can’t handle a lot of richness I can only use a tiny amount of this product and usually have to pair it with the bowl method to get good distribution. So… I don’t use this very often and wouldn’t recommend it to fellow wavy people.
VERB Curl Cream
Another early purchase, before I learned that my hair doesn’t really need a full-on curl cream. I can only use the smallest amount of this.
Olaplex No. 3
K18 is my preferred hair repair product, but I’ve still got some Olaplex so I use it occasionally—perhaps every two or three months?
DevaCurl CurlBond Re-Coiling Treatment Mask
K18 is my preferred hair repair product, so I haven’t used this very much. I’ve had good experiences when I have used it, though!
This stuff did not work for me
CURLSMITH In-Shower Style Fixer
A hard hold gel that uses polyquaternium 69 as the primary hold ingredient. This has too much oil in it for my hair, leaving my waves stringy. I gave it to a friend with drier 3a/3b hair and she loves it!