Throughout my curl journey, I have experimented with many different kinds of styling products.While a lot of them have given my curls great definition, I still have not found one that I can truly call my holy grail. Due to that fact, I have been on the hunt for a new and improved styling product for quite some time.
In my previous video on co-washing I had been using the Curly Twirls Custard Styling Gel and while I got ok curl definition from that product, it was definitely not my favorite. In the past, I’ve mostly just used gels and styling lotions to style my curls. Realizing this fact, I wanted to change up my curl routine and try mousse. I used to use mousse when my hair was much shorter and I remember how great it was. I wanted to see if I would still like it now that my hair is longer. I love Shea Moisture’s products and especially the Coconut & Hibiscus line. I noticed their mousse and their misting spray when I was out shopping for products. I bought the two of them together to try a whole new approach to curl definition. Here is what I discovered:
This mousse is about $10 and is available at your local Target, and online in Curlmart. While the product is $10 it does last a long time. I like mousse simply because a few pumps go a long way. I have been using this product for a couple of months and have fully incorporated it into my styling routine. I ended up being quite pleased with this product because it is light and it does not weigh my curls down. It is easy to apply and I absolutely love the organic ingredients and the fact that it is cruelty free. It has a very nice light coconut scent to it, which I find to be quite refreshing. This product is moisturizing and also gives my curls great definition. Because this product is so moisturizing, it has really helped my curls fight dryness. I can happily say that I didn’t really have any complaints about this product.
Overall
All in all, I give this product 4 out of 5 stars. I would highly recommend this product to other curlies who share my curl texture. This is a really nice mousse and while it might not be my holy grail, this is a product that I will definitely be going back to for sure.
While I enjoyed the mousse, I unfortunately did not share the same enthusiasm for the Hold & Shine Moisture Mist.
Hold & Shine Moisture Mist
Pros
it is cruelty free
it has great organic ingredients
it is moisturizing to my curls
Cons
it did not give me any noticeable shine
it did not provide hold for my texture
This spray is also $10 and is available at your local Target and online in Curlmart. Like the mousse, a few spritz of this spray goes a long way and therefore it lasts a good long time. I have been using this product for the same amount of time and as frequently as I have been using the mousse. I have to say I was a bit disappointed with this product. While it has the same great organic ingredients, is cruelty free, and has a similar coconut scent to it, I did not get much enhancement to my curls from the spray. It did not give my hair any noticeable additional shine and I also faced the problem of not experiencing much hold from using this product. This could possibly be due to me having a thicker curl texture. Either way, I was very unimpressed. However, the one thing I did like about this product is that it is really moisturizing. I liked that aspect of it because my curls tend to be quite dry especially now that winter is approaching. However, additional moisture was the only thing I noticed and liked from using this product.
All in all, I give this product 3 out 5 stars. I probably would not recommend this product to other curlies who share my curl texture. I was not crazy about it–what do you think?
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Have you tried these products? Do you like them? Let me know in the comment section below!
There is never a shortage of styling products you can use for wavy hair, whether your texture is thick, medium, or fine. The best products for wavy hair can help keep your waves smooth, frizz-free, and full of bounce. Type 2 waves can have a loose, S-shaped pattern, beach waves, or loose spirals with a thicker and coarser texture.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CqbQK2PoIP6
While formulas that promise beach waves for straight hair or perfect spirals for tighter curl patterns usually garner a lot of buzz, there aren’t many headline-making products out there for naturally wavy hair. People often assume waves don’t even need product assistance. As someone with Type 2 hair, I’ll often hear, “You’re so lucky your hair just dries like that!”– as if I didn’t spend 20 minutes in front of the mirror that morning trying to get my hair to lay just so!”
“It’s another common misconception that wavy hair is thick, but plenty wavy girls are on the finer side,” says celebrity stylist Justine Marjan, who–besides being the go-to girl for the Kardashians–counts Type 2s like Chrissy Teigen, Ashley Tisdale, and Shay Mitchell among her clients. Her must-haves include light jellies and creams that won’t weigh down fine waves.
“Curly and wavy hair types are naturally more dry, so hydration and moisture are essential,” she adds. But what elusive miracle products will give Type 2 hair the definition, hold, and hydration it needs, without compromising on volume? We’re glad you asked. Here’s a list of the top styling products for type 2 waves.
Marjan swears by Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream because it’s “great for drier hair types that need extra moisture and definition.” This is one of my personal go-to’s, as well – I love that it’s infused with argan oil and smells amazing, too.
As a reviewer with Type 2c hair says, “I would suggest this to anyone who is in need of a product that doesn’t create frizz and doesn’t make [my] hair sticky or crunchy!”
With a slightly-tacky, creamy texture, ELEVEN AUSTRALIA Keep My Curl Defining Cream is a must-try for any Wavies who want extreme hold and definition. This completely changed my hair when I first started using it in high school, and it’s still on rotation in my product lineup!
You won’t find any sulfates, silicones, phthalates, and parabens in Not Your Mother’s Naturals–but it’s what you will find inside that makes all the difference. Tahitian gardenia flower helps shape waves, while mango butter reduces frizz and adds shine.
AG Hair Re: Coil Curl Activator has five stars from the NaturallyCurly community – so you know it’s good. Need more convincing? One CurlTalk reviewer promises that with Re: Coil, “My hair is consistently and predictably curlier, softer, and relatively frizz-free.”
Marjan always reaches for OUAI Curl Defining Cream (a cross between a cream and an oil) when she works with her celebrity clients. To get Insta-ready waves, she recommends “applying in sections for even distribution. If you are letting the hair air dry, make sure to avoid touching or scrunching the hair, as friction from our hands can cause frizz.”
Miss Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls is a miracle in a tube. It manages to leave waves super-soft (AKA, no crunch whatsoever) while still defining their shape and holding it all in place.
Over on the Type 2 boards on CurlTalk, Bread Beauty Hair Gel gets a lot of love. User Guide 65 says, “It gives my hair definition like I’ve never seen it before! I have to be careful how much I use, because all that definition takes away from the volume. But I get day two hair that needs no refreshing.”
If you prefer your haircare certified organic and all-natural, then you need to check out this alcohol-free styling gel from Curlsmith. It offers medium-to-firm hold, and ingredients that won’t harm your hair, all for under $30.
“My HG wave-defining products are hard-hold gels. I like the Rizos Curls light hold gel the best,” says Therese1, a Wavy who shares her feedback on Type 2 styling products on CurlTalk.
Sometimes, wavies can get away with skipping stylers with the right conditioner – that conditioner is DevaCurl One Condition. “It’s so creamy, but it’s light enough for my fine hair,” says a CurlTalk community member.
Another CurlTalk favorite? Kinky-Curly Knot Today leave-in conditioner. Users love that it keeps waves detangled and smooth, which is the first step towards a good hair day, right?
Even though Love Beauty and Planet’s Leave-In Smoothie isn’t marketed towards waves or curls, I find it to be the best leave-in formula on the market. I don’t have to follow up with other stylers – I love simply smoothing this through my damp waves and going!
LA-based hair stylist Helena Lambert opts for Living proof Style Lab Control Hairspray to lock in shape and shine. “If your hair type is frizzy, this will smooth any frizz,” she says.
Here’s how to get waves with more body and bounce, courtesy of Marjan: “Once the hair is completely dry, finish with TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Hairspray for volume.”
Lambert’s secret for “woke up like this” hair? “I’ll spritz DESIGNME PUFF.ME Volumizing Dry Texture Spray, scrunch the ends a bit, then gently twist it into a top knot. I leave it up for a bit, letting it semi-air dry. Then take it down and air dry it the rest of the way,” he says.
The Gisou Honey Infused Hair Mask is the way to go for hair that needs some extra attention. Marjan says she often uses it on her clients to add moisture and hydration to dry, frizzy waves.
You can deeply quench, nourish, and soften dry, damaged strands to get your hair back to looking healthy with these blends with creamy shea butter, rich coconut milk, and pure macadamia oil.
Wavies love this amazing, nourishing mask because it deeply conditions, hydrates and restores dry hair to its natural vibrancy and health with this replenishing treatment.
DIY TREATMENT
20. DIY Flaxseed Gel
If you’d rather whip up your own styler, try this combination from CurlTalk connoisseur BeinDeb: “I make [my DIY flaxseed gel] using a marshmallow root tea as the base, and add a pinch of honey and oil.”
Of course, you can’t rely on products alone for perfect waves. To get the most out of these stylers, make sure you’re not over-washing your waves or damaging them with your diffuser! What are your top styling products for type 2 waves? Share them with us in the comments below!
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