Product Review: TIGI Catwalk Curlesque Curls Rock Amplifier


Whew, that's a long name. Admittedly, when I first picked up the product, I didn't know what the heck it was. Is a gel? A cream? Mousse, maybe a spray? A leave-in conditioner? I decided to take it to the NaturallyCurly.com community review section and see what folks were saying. I saw tons of favorable reviews, but I wasn't quite won over. While I'm not one to hop on the hair typing bandwagon, I will say that it is *sometimes* useful in helping me decide whether a product may be worth my time and money. Many of the favorable reviews came from type 3 naturals, so I felt somewhat confident that this product would be at least decent. If all else failed, I could promptly return to Ulta and get my money back. Luckily, I won't be needing to. But before I get too far ahead of myself, let's get on with this review.

Ingredient List: Water, VP/DMAPA Acrylates Copolymer, Cyclomethicone, Polyquaternium-11, Polyqauternium-37, Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer, Parfum (Fragrance), Polysorbate 60, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG 1 Trideceth 6, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Helianthus Annuus (Hybrid Sunflower) Oil, Panthenol (provitamin B5), Bacopa Monniera Extract, PVP/Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate Copolymer, Cinnamidopropyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride, Chitosan, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Acid, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylcholoroisothiazolinone

Ingredient Analysis:
  • VP/DMAPA Acrylates Copolymer: Light film forming hair fixative
  • Cyclomethicone: Silicone with antistatic, hair conditioning, and emollient properties. Also makes hair easier to comb/manipulate without breakage.
  • Polyquaternium 11 and 37: Quaternary amonnium polymers with film forming, antistatic, and fixative properties used to provide hold as well as promote ease of combing, elasticity, and shine.
  • Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer: Opacifying Agent (makes products white)
  • Parfum: Fragrance. Sorce not disclosed, likely artificial/synthetic.

Availability: This product is pretty widely available. Although I purchased mine at Ulta, it is also available at Target. If all else fails, you can find it on Amazon.

Affordability: Ehhh...here's where things get a little sticky. Deep sigh. This product is not one I'd file under affordable. It is definitely expensive, considering the amount of product you get. The container (with the cute snazzy pump) is 5.04oz, and the product is at least $14 depending upon where you purchase it. I bought mine at Ulta during their buy 2, get 1 free sale (which is still going on now, by the way). The products were $16.95 each ( of course I was going to do what was necessary to get that 3rd one free just in case I liked it, lol), and my only saving grace from paying nearly $40 for some curl definer was the fact that I was able to use the credit from that darn Paul Mitchell conditioner toward this stuff, plus my $3.50-off coupon. In totality, I ended up paying around $16 for 3 containers of Curls Rock Amplifier. In that context, not bad at all. In the grand scheme of things, I don't know if I can bring myself to stock up on this product at regular retail price.

Product Claim/Description: Enhance your natural texture. Give hold and control for defined curls and streamlined waves. Essential oils combined with thermal and environmental protectants nurture curls for a touchable, radiant finish.

Performance/Delivery: Oh me, oh my. Oh me again. Remember all that rambling I did earlier about how much this stuff costs? I just might have to change my tune a tad and suggest that it is absolutely worth it. As much as it pains me to say, this product is damn good. Now, I don't know what essential oils they're talking about in the description, but this product is more synthetic than natural. That doesn't bother me in the slightest, I don't mind a good laboratory concoction to help hold and define my wash and go hair. But as far as hold, control, curl enhancing, and protection? Absolutely. As you all may/may not know, I am incredibly heavy-handed with everything in terms of product application. I don't know the meaning of sparingly, dime-sized, quarter-sized, none of that. So when I applied this product, needless to say I went to town.

I always start my wash and go's on freshly washed hair. I followed my normal post-wash and condition routine: I separated my hair into 5 sections, and worked my ACV/Aloe Spritz (really easy ACV spritz spinoff...recipe coming soon) into my hair, and followed that up with Paul Mitchell The Conditioner Leave-In, and locked everything in with tgin Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer. After that, I went to town. In small sections, I applied a generous amount of Curls Rock Amplifier. Like, completely coating my hair. My hair was immediately defined, shiny, and my curls were definitely popping.

In terms of feel, it is similar to Jane Carter Solution Incredible Curls, but with more goop (if that makes sense). If you place a little bit between two fingers and pull them apart slowly, it will stretch in a slime-esque fashion, but it is by no means gross. It went on really easily and had great slip. I love defining products that have great slip, because it allows me to rake through my hair and then smooth for full coverage. It has a fresh fragrance which I like, and it did linger but not in an overbearing sense. Be sure to wash your hands afterwards, because it will dry on your hands sticky (although oddly enough, my hair wasn't sticky). As far as results go, this is probably one of my favorite curl defining products to date. It lasted 6 DAYS without reapplication, so maybe, just maaaaaybe it's worth that $17 price tag.

Just a side note: Most curl defining products, even though they promise not to, will make your hair hard or crunchy to some degree. For me, this is just a part of the longevity process. If a product does not harden my curls, I don't want it because it won't last past day 1. With Curls Rock Amplifier, I had a little crunchiness, but overall my hair was ridiculously soft. And by day 2, there was no crunchiness whatsoever, and the product did not dry my hair out in the slightest!

Drawbacks: Most of the elements of this product don't bother me. The only thing I do wish is that for the price, I got more product...at least 8oz. Help a heavy-handed, thick-haired sista out, TIGI!

Bonuses: Did I mention that this product made my wash and go 6 days without reapplying? 6 days, including golfing, working out, sleeping, and everything else inbetween. 6. Frickin'. Days. I've NEVER had a 6 day wash and go before! Don't believe it lasted 6 days? Check the grid below (via my Instagram):

Coming soon to the blog! I'll share my favorite wash and go products, tips for applying/deciding what & how much product to use, and of course, how to make a wash and go last multiple days without reapplying holding product! #naturalhair #staytuned #blog #ManeObjective #tribecalledcurl #teamnatural_ #trialsntresses #naturalhairdaily #naturalhairuniverse #tressesandtreats #curlkitchen #curlbox #ilnh


Bottom Line: 137%, I say go for it. If you are in search of a curl definer that really, really works, use this one. I was honestly shocked by how well it works. Every once in a while, a gal has to spring for something a little more expensive. I mean, it's not like this is a $30 bottle of product (I'm looking at you, Miss Jessie and AG), but it is quite measly for the price. But at the same time, if I can use a product ONCE A WEEK and have amazing hair days, it just might balance out. Dangit, I'm going back to Ulta.

Best Practices: Start with wet hair. It doesn't have to be dripping wet, but at least very damp to get the best results. And by no means, should you reapply this product at night, or the next day, or the day after that, or the day after that. It will lead to sticky buildup and hard hair. This product has plenty of film forming and fixative agents, so there is no need to continuously reapply.

Overall Product Rating: 4.5 stars (I had to take away half a star for the price point...but everything else about this product was FAB)!

If you're planning to purchase some Curls Rock Amplifier, do yourself a favor and click here to get at least $3.50 off your purchase at Ulta. Or, click here to get 20% off!

6 Comments

  1. Thanks for this review and I will give the curl amplifier a try- gels have not been working well. Please post your ACV/Aloe mix as I'd love to give it a try too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. @askportland no problem! I've been trying to see if these cream stylers are worth the hype, and this by far is a new staple for me. I will post the ACV aloe mix soon!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Most of the elements of this product don't bother me. The only thing I do wish is that for the price, I got more product...at least 8oz. Help a heavy-handed, thick-haired sista out, TIGI! gold necklace germany , gold necklace usa

    ReplyDelete
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  5. I, an older white lady with very curly wash-and-wear hair, have been using Tigi Curls Rock for years but it's getting harder to find in my area. The substitute I'm using now is very drying, including my hair drying very quickly. With the Tigi it drys more slowly. In between washes, I just dampen my hair in the morning without adding any product. After spending much mula to find a substitute I'm going to find and stock up on the Tigi.

    ReplyDelete