Growing up I got in trouble for allowing a friend to use gel to slick my hair up into a ponytail. The hair gels available when I was a kid were filled with alcohol and were extremely drying! Things have changed and the quality of hair gels has improved and can provide the perfect combination of hold and moisture.
Botanical Hair gels are amazing for natural hair. Botanical hair gels contain humectants that draw moisture into your hair helping to define, coils, kinks, and curls. Gels containing alcohols are bad for natural hair because they are extremely drying.
It took some time for me to figure out how to properly use gels on my natural hair. After spending some time learning how gels work and how to use them properly, I’ve learned
My 3 Rules for Natural Hair Gel:
Right now I am using gels recommended by my stylist. If I can’t get my hands on my stylist recommended gels, and have to find something on the ground, I have a few simple rules.
- Alcohol Free is a must
- Be ware of xanthan gum
- Look for Botanicals like Aloe, Marshmallow root and glycerin.
Steer Clear of Drying Alcohols
Xanthan Gum Flakes
Gels form Gel Casts, when those casts are broken you get flakes. Most Gels produce flakes once the cast is broken. With the current gels, I am using from my stylist they are barely noticeable.
I will never purchase a
Expect a Gel Cast. S
How to use Gel on Natural Hair
Botanical Gels are best applied to soaking wet hair. Botanical gels tend to get sticky as they dry, in order to work them through your hair you need lots of water.