Disclaimer: I have used it once so far. But from the moment i put it on my wet hair... I knew. I just knew all the times it kept popping up in searches for a proper gel cast... it was actually gonna work.
I have split personality 2C hair - on top where i have had bleach highlights that i am growing out, it is heavily damaged and frizz is off the scale, along with breakage. The underneath part that hasnt had chemical and colour damage is silky and very rarely frizzy.
I started proper looking into doing wavy/curly hair methods about 18 months ago, i have never once got a gel cast, and I feel like I have tried every product under the sun. This sports gel kept coming up in US dominated forums and I saw you could get it from Amazon UK, but I dont like giving those fuckers business, and besides, I was buying so many different brands to try and they're all a pretty penny that I always felt like i had to see them through to empty even if they weren't really doing much.
I had a few curly cuts and was told a gel cast isnt a must do, and i see that on socials too. I also saw it in a few scrunching gels and jellys ive bought where they advertise it as "crunch free" or the like so i think I just wanted to believe it.
But i was still getting lacklustre hair, curls that drop after 12 hours and the dreaded damaged hair frizz.
So i finally thought fuck it, let's get the gel that wouldnt be out of place in the 1990s and have a craic.
I did the same wash routine ive been doing for a couple of months:
*Aveeno apple cider clarifyjng shampoo
* Garnier green brand for curly hair shampoo
* Garnier green brand for curly hair conditoner
Then, i forsaked all other creams and mousses and gels, simply did a little bit of ths same conditoner as a leave in, then went straight to gel and gel only before plopping.
And instantly i knew it felt different. Waves and curls were holding and the top bit wasnt frizzy at all - something that happens every time, instantly.
I went to difuse it, and it came out in what i would call a 70% cast - i defo didnt use enough but i was being cautious on the first go, i have seen people on TikTok using loads more in the application but i was like "Nah, little by little first rather than overload", and I genuinely couldnt be happier.
I have a little of frizz, but I am at peace with that cos the damage is done, it is what it is, but it is way down on how it usually looks. It also way more defined and curly which i am in love with.
I know it's my first go, and next time i am gonna use way more to get that cast, but i am so happy cos it feels like a turning point in finally understanding what works on my hair. I need that cast to stop looking like a birds nest.
Other products I have tried that i have been meh about in the last 18 months:
* UG, all of the pink range
* Aussie curly range, of all it
* Bali Curls cream when it was in TK maxx
* Curl Smith
* Alberto Balsam Ultra Strong Styling Gel (yes the £1 one)
* Bed Head curl cream that is in the roundish shape purple bottle with green spout
* got2b curling mousse, orange bottle
* Pantene curls range including oil
* Cantu wave whip mousse
Products I kept buying cos i actually like them:
* That cheap pink Boots curl cream in the tub
* Frizz Ease dream curls oil
I am basically a sucker for anything on offer and will try anything.
But yeah, I might be sticking with gel for a while!