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| The recipe for curl poppage... |
You ever feel like some naturals have all the luck when it comes to hair? I mean, they've got length, volume, popping curls, crazy density.... and you've got a half curly, half wavy, all frizzy mess?
You're not alone.
Although I get a lot of compliments about my curls (online and IRL), the truth is, they're a piece of work. My back half hangs longer and looser, and even there - one side is more wavy and the other is more ringlet-y. The front-center area of my hair shrinks disproportionately to the rest and has a deep wave, and underneath that is a mixture of wavy-curls that also shrink and behave differently. And my crown? Let's not even go there. Here's just a little snippet of what I'm working with:
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| Who invited my crown to the party? Seriously...lol |
Yes, I'm hung up on curl definition - but not for the reasons you may think.
I'm not some curl-loving, texture struck blogger who idolizes babysmoove curls. What I am is a real live person who has a full-time job, two blogs (the other one is www.30daysofdope.com if you care), a fiance, and a burgeoning fitness journey (which means I spend a lot of time cooking meal prep and in the gym). I seek styles that work well from date night to the gym (and date night at the gym lol), look presentable enough for Google Hangout and Skype meetings, but also don't take an eternity to style.
The answer there for me is the wash and go.
And the reason why curl definition matters is twofold. One, curls that are well defined and enveloped in a gel cast on day 1 will last for 4-6 (and even longer) days without me needing to meddle in them much. This saves me time from having to "do something" to my hair every day, or several times a day. Two, for me wash and go's are a protective style - and you can read about why I feel that way here.
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| Wonder Curl Products |
Enter: Wonder Curl.
Keep reading below to find out why!
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| Detoxifying Clay Cleanser |
Cost
$24 for 8oz
Where to Buy
www.wondercurl.com
Active Ingredients
- Deionized Water
- Kaolin Clay: Incredibly gentle non-drying clay known as an excellent exfoliant and cleanser that won't rob the hair or scalp of natural oils. Kaolin clay is rich in silica, a naturally occurring element that absorbs toxins on the hair and scalp, increases strength and elasticity, and can help slow the aging process of hair.
- Cetearyl & Cetyl Alcohol: Considered "fatty alcohol" -- NOT to be confused with drying alcohols such as ethyl. Acts as a lubricant, thickener, and emollient. Also gives conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. Is additionally used to keep product ingredients from separating.
- Polysorbate 60: Vegetable-based fatty acid surfactant used as a thickener and stabilizer to aid in mixing ingredients that would normally separate.
- Dicetyldimonium Chloride: Cationic surfactant and conditioning ingredient used to provide smoothness, shine, and ease of combing.
- Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine: A derivative of stearic fatty acid that is used to keep ingredients from separating, as well as provide "slip" (useful for easy detangling).
Protein Free?
Yes!
Curly Girl Friendly?
Yes!
The Good
The foundation to a great wash and go will always and forever be a great wash day. You can't use janky products to cleanse and condition, and then expect great results. This is where the Detoxifying Clay Cleanser shines - I mean, really shines. When I first received the cleanser, I wasn't sure what to expect. I assumed it would be more clay and oils than anything - and lawdamercy I was WRONG! Not only is the Detoxifying Clay Cleanser excellent at cleansing and removing buildup from the hair and scalp, it has ah-MAY-zing slip. Like, I hopped in the shower with dirty, tangled hair and used it to detangle and cleanse levels of slippage. And super creamy to boot! Detoxifying Clay Cleanser also helped get that curl clumping party started early. Definitely rocked my world and changed how I look at clay cleansers!
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| Cleansing with Detoxifying Clay Cleanser |
The only down side which isn't really a down side is that it cleansed my hair more than I expected. My hair wasn't dried out or tacky - it just didn't feel like a co-wash - which to be fair, Detoxifying Clay Cleanser isn't. The second ingredient is clay. It's a clay - and is going to do what a clay does - which is cleanse and remove build up.
The Bottom Line
I was thoroughly impressed with Detoxifying Clay Cleanser. If you're looking for something stronger than a co-wash, but less intense than a shampoo, Wonder Curl Detoxifying Clay Cleanser is an excellent mid-month option - which is exactly how I plan to use it. Even though it's a bit pricey, a little truly goes a long way. I'll easily get 6-7 uses out of the 8oz jar, which is unheard of for a cleansing product (in my hands lol).
Would I Buy it Again?
Absolutely - in a heartbeat. It fills the void between co-wash and shampoo perfectly.
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| The shine is real... |
Cost
$13 for 8oz
Where to Buy
www.wondercurl.com
Active Ingredients
- Organic Aloe Vera Juice: Acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair's sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness.
- Castor Oil: Thick, highly viscous oil with antibacterial, antifungal, and humectant properties. It is also a great moisture sealant, and promotes hair thickening and growth.
- Virgin Organic Coconut Oil: Oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid). One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, and prevent breakage.
- Hydroxyethyl Cellulose: Water-soluble polymer used as a thickening agent.
- Acai Gum: Thickening agent
Protein Free?
Yes!
Curly Girl Friendly?
Yes!
The Good
I love, love LOVE that aloe is the first ingredient. My hair loves all things aloe and aloe-based. It's been that way since my transitioning days. Get Slick Hair Smoothie was excellent at providing my hair with shine and helping to combat frizz - which definitely contributed to how amazing my hair looked 3 and 4 days after the initial wash.
The Bad
As much as I loved the aloe, I equally didn't like the castor oil so high up on the list. My hair enjoys castor oil - but only in small doses. Otherwise, it gets tacky and difficult to work with, I found this to be the case for my hair with Get Slick Hair Smoothie - even though it created the perfect de-frizzed foundation for my wash and go (which is a must), I found it a little tricky to work through my hair due to the high castor oil content.
The Bottom Line
If your hair loves castor oil, or you have a coarser texture that takes to thick oils well, then Get Slick Hair Smoothie is for you! I may revisit Get Slick Hair Smoothie again, mixed with a cheapie conditioner or some aloe vera juice and water to thin it out. I'll report back!
Would I Buy it Again?
I'm on the fence. The results were off the chain, but the process wasn't what I typically expected fora leave-in - but to be fair, Get Slick Hair Smoothie isn't marketed as a leave-in...I just used it that way.
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| Bae. |
Cost
$15 for 8oz
Where to Buy
www.wondercurl.com
Active Ingredients
- Organic Aloe Vera Juice: Acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair's sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness.
- Polyquaternium-7: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt used as an antistatic agent and hair fixative (for hold).
- Panthenol: Form of vitamin B that can penetrate the hair, and is known to moisturize and soften.
- Witch Hazel: Natural astringent that provides a light hold, while helping reduce static and flyaways.
- Phenoxyethanol: Preservative and fragrance ingredient.
Yes!
Curly Girl Friendly?
Yes!
The Good
THE STAR OF THE FRIGGIN SHOW!!! Can we clap it up one time for Get Set Hair Jelly? This is what you need rightchea if your curls are being disrespectful. When I tell you Get Set Hair Jelly had every single curl on my hair in CHECK for days on end!
Girl.
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| Wet curls... |
I can't say enough good things about Get Set Hair Jelly.
Truth be told, I've tried and reviewed Get Set Hair Jelly before...but I was transitioning. I hadn't gotten the wash and go down to a science yet, and it's hard to fully appreciate a gel when the ends of your hair are still janky. This time around? I'm singing Wonder Curl's praises. Yes, yes, yes! I'ma just let pictures do the talking...
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| FOUR days later... |
The fragrance is still a lil' strong, but nothing I can't handle. Last time I reviewed Get Set Hair Jelly, I was having allergy issues and the Jelly got to me. But this time? No issues whatsoever. Not even a sniffle.
The Bottom Line
If you have curls that tend to not cooperate, or you're looking for a gel to really - I mean really define and clump your curls, Get Set Hair Jelly is the one. Word on the street is that Wonder Curl is giving some folks their best wash and go ever...
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| Day 4 curls. The switchup. |
Would I Buy it Again?
Absolutely. In a heartbeat. A serious Christina's Choice 2016 contender forreal forreal.Looking for something with a little less power, but still off the chain? Check out my review of Curl Control Styling Lotion
Note: Per the FTC, I have to let y'all know that this post is sponsored by Wonder Curl. But that doesn't mean anything - I'm still keeping it 100 and giving you guys the real.
Got questions about Wonder Curl? Drop em in the comments below!
