Photo: @chelsanika on Instagram
Want volume but also want to enjoy the lasting results that gel offers? This article is filled with tips to help you achieve your volume goals without compromising on definition and longevity.
The results you can get from hair products really do vary based on so many factors! Your favourite gel might give you amazing results when paired with a certain styling cream, but then give you shocking results when you use with a different styling cream. The same applies for styling technique. Maybe raking a certain product in works well, but the same raking method used with a different product in gives you frizz.
Many brands recommend using multiple products with their line to give optimal results. This is because brands formulate their products in a way that allows them to work well with other products in their line. In saying this, some miracle products are able to give popping results not only in combination with other products in the line, but also on their own!
@chelsanika shared her results using only Flora & Curl Sweet Hibiscus Curl Defining Gel. She achieved the perfect amount of volume with minimal frizz and maximum definition. This is one of our best selling gels, and for good reason! Many curly girls have found that this gel delivers 3 standout results: 1) volume, 2) definition & 3) longevity.
The science behind this gel’s volume
Gels don’t typically help us achieve our volume goals, but this powerful gel is able to achieve this goal thanks to a unique ingredient it contains.
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein amazingly increases hair volume, since it naturally contains both positively and negatively charged amino acids. Hair is negatively charged. The positively charged amino acids in this protein bond with the negatively charged hair structure and the additional negatively charged amino acids repel each other, creating a volumising effect.
Lightweight essential oils
In addition to Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, this gel contains Sweet Almond Oil. This cost-pressed essential oil helps add to the gel’s lightness.
Sweet Almond Oil helps damaged and dull hair become shinier & stronger. It’s lighter than many other oils, which makes it excellent for leave-in protection. Because of its lightness, it is also excellent for finer hair that gets easily weighed down. It contains proteins and vitamins A, B and E, all of which help add shine to dull, dry hair, working as a sealant.
Applying this gel
To achieve optimal results, flip hair upside down. Put 2-3 pumps worth into your hands. Rub your hands together to create a thin, consistent coating on your palms. Scrunch the gel into your curls, section by section. If needed, apply a couple more pumps. It’s important to start with a small amount and build up as needed in order to avoid product overload.
Less product, extra moisture
If you feel like this gel doesn’t give your curls the moisture they need but you still want to achieve this lightweight, volumised look, you can do so by deep conditioning beforehand.
Apply your deep conditioner as usual and rinse it out thoroughly. You don’t want to leave any residue behind because this can weigh down the curls. Deep conditioners actively penetrate the strands and work from within, so once 15-30 minutes has passed, you can be assured that your strands have received the moisture boost they need.
After rinsing thoroughly, apply the gel and watch your curls transform!
Optional volume tips
These tips are definitely not requirements for volume, but they can help make a difference if you feel like you need a little more:
- You can diffuse if you desire, but this isn’t a make-or-break for volume.
- Once dry, you can go through roots with an afro pick.
- If you don’t have an afro pick, you can massage your roots to create a volume effect. Note that this can leave you with extra frizz.
- Hair sprays are great for turning up the volume, but there aren’t many clean, natural formulas out there. Rizos Curls Alcohol-Free Volumizing Hair Spray is clean, natural and delivers great results.
Thanks for reading! Wishing you all the best on your curl journey ♡ with love,
Sarah xx
Let’s keep in touch! Follow me on Instagram @curlylifeau
