Alright now, let's get down to BUSINESS! In part two of my deep-dive into the Zotos Professional All About Curls collection (and how it compares to DevaCurl), we're going all in on styling products.
Now, I love me some cleansers and conditioners, but styling products are my JAM! My hair was ready to put these products through the ringer, too! On one head, I've got all the bases covered — low porosity, fifty-leven different textures, disrespectful shrinkage, and an area that is perpetually frizzy, no matter what I do.
So yeah, let's get to it... :::Birdman hand rub:::
Note: This blog post contains affiliate links for Sally Beauty. If you decide to purchase any products mentioned in this blog post from Sally Beauty using my links, I earn a small commission. It costs you nothing, but helps me out a great deal. Sis has a wedding to pay for in 2020!
Bouncy Cream
Cost
$9.99 - $10.99 for 5.1oz (I find that online, All About Curls tends to be about $1 cheaper than in-store)
Where to Buy
Sally Beauty (online and in store)
Protein Free?
No. Contains hydrolyzed soy protein.
Curly Girl Friendly?
Yes, but see this note under the Lo-Lather Cleanser for more details.
Active Ingredients
- Water
- Cetearyl Alcohol: Fatty alcohol and emollient conditioner known for giving products a creamy, thick texture and feel.
- Propylene Glycol: Humectant that improves moisture binding activity which results in silky smooth hair.
- Isodecyl Neopentanoate: Alternative to Cyclomethicone with high spreadability that leaves hair and skin feeling soft and smooth.
- PEG-150/Decyl Alcohol/SMDI Copolymer: Film-forming, viscosity (thickness) controlling agent.
- Polyquaternium-55: Styling agent and hair fixative polymer that provides a smooth, moisturized feel to the hair.
The Good
To be quite honest, I've never really "got" styling creams. I just wrote them off as not for me, because of how wildly my hair textures vary. Not once did I ever stop and consider whether a styling cream could really "do" anything for my hair. My default assumption was that styling creams were meant for looser textures and finer hair.
I.
Was.
Wrong.
I fell madly in love with the Bouncy Cream, so much so that I've already re-upped on another tube. It works unlike anything that I've ever used before — locking my curl pattern into place and creating a smooth canvas for the High Definition Gel to swoop in and seal the deal. It does an amazing job at warding off-frizz, and absolutely is the driving force behind why my wash and go's still look amazing several days later.
I bought another tube of Bouncy Cream before I even came close to running out — that's how good this stuff is.
So umm, Zotos... any chances of the Bouncy Cream coming in salon sizes with a pump? 👀 Asking for a friend (that is me).
The Bad
Nothing, nothing, and more nothing. Not a single thing wrong with the Bouncy Cream — except that it doesn't come in salon sizes yet (I'm gonna just put that into the atmosphere). 🙏🏽
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| Left: DevaCurl. Right: All About Curls |
The Bottom Line | DevaCurl Comparison
On the surface, I understand why some people gravitate toward the DevaCurl Styling Cream. It feels nice and silky, and goes on the hair smoothly. But that's honestly where the comparison to the Bouncy Cream ends. The DevaCurl Styling Cream did nothing to my hair except make it feel weird and coated.
I know some of you guys will say that I should try the Supercream for better results, but at this point, I'd rather just stick with what I know works — for a fraction of the price. Plus, I firmly believe that Zotos got Bouncy Cream right on the first try... and if it ain't broke, you shouldn't have to fix it (with a second iteration of the same product).
High Definition Gel
Cost
$9.99 - $10.99 for 15oz (I find that online, All About Curls tends to be about $1 cheaper than in-store)
Where to Buy
Sally Beauty (online and in store)
Protein Free?
Yes!
Curly Girl Friendly?
Yes!
Active Ingredients
- Water
- Propylene Glycol: Humectant that improves moisture binding activity which results in silky smooth hair.
- Acrylates Copolymer: Light film forming hair fixative.
- Aminomethy Propanol: A small molecular weight buffering agent and pH adjuster.
- Glycerin: Generally vegetable-based humectant that absorbs and retains moisture from the air.
- PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil: Polyethylene glycol derivative of castor oil used to help reduce the surface tension of ingredients, while helping ingredients mix that normally would not.
- Carbomer: Chemical composed of acrylic acid monomers that acts as a viscosity controlling agent (thickener).
The Good
Oh.
My.
Goodness.
Yall. LISTEN.
I just found my new favorite hair gel. Like, instant HG status — forreal. I wasn't expecting it. I wasn't even checking for it like that. I definitely wasn't expecting to fall in love. But that's how love works, right? Here you are just living your best life, minding your business and then BAM! 💥 Love.
I have used the High Definition Gel in conjunction with Bouncy Cream and the Daily Cream Conditioner for my last 4-5 wash and go's and I kid you not — my hair looks the better than it does with my WetLine and EcoStyler faves. I just emptied my first bottle of High Definition Gel, and I purchased two more in its place. Yes, it's that good.
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| These curls are about 5 days old and poppin'! |
I have used the High Definition Gel in conjunction with Bouncy Cream and the Daily Cream Conditioner for my last 4-5 wash and go's and I kid you not — my hair looks the better than it does with my WetLine and EcoStyler faves. I just emptied my first bottle of High Definition Gel, and I purchased two more in its place. Yes, it's that good.
For me, the perfect gel is one that tames my multiple textures, brings out my natural definition, and forms a gel cast that fades to reveal supple, plump curls. The All About Curls High Definition Gel hits all those notes and then some. It doesn't flake, doesn't leave my hair feeling dry, and gives me results that last for several days without needing a refresh.
I'm telling you guys now — don't be surprised when you see the High Definition Gel on my Christina's Choice list.
The Bad
Absolutely nothing. Just run me my salon size, please! 😬
The Bottom Line | DevaCurl Comparison
Alright you guys, I'll be honest. I get why some people like DevaCurl styling products, namely the Ultra Defining Gel. On the Deva side, 2/3 of my hair looked great. It had a nice shine, felt good (on the first day), and had some nice bounce. But that top 1/3? All the nope. Plus, in the days that followed, my hair felt horribly straw-like and rough.
On the other hand, the All About Curls side gave me brilliant shine, great definition, and a nice feel all over — not just on my looser, normal porosity sections. And for that, All About Curls High Definition Gel is the absolute winner. I don't have time to use different products in different sections, and the High Definition Gel delivered great results across every single type and texture in my head.
Not to mention, my full-sized bottle (15oz) of High Definition Gel cost the same as the 3oz travel-sized bottle of DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel.
Cost
$9.99 - $10.99 for 6.7oz (I find that online, All About Curls tends to be about $1 cheaper than in-store)
Where to Buy
Sally Beauty (online and in store)
Protein Free?
Yes!
Curly Girl Friendly?
Yes!
Active Ingredients
- Water
- PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil: Hydrogenated Castor Oil: Polyethylene glycol derivative of castor oil used to help reduce the surface tension of ingredients, while helping ingredients mix that normally would not.
- Polyquaternium-46: Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt used as an antistatic agent and hair fixative (for hold).
- VP/VA Copolymer: Polymer used as a film forming fixative (to create a cast and hold).
- Lycium Barbarium Fruit Extract: Aka goji berry extract. Works as an anti-oxidant and softening agent.
- Willowbark Extract: Extract containing salicin, known to have soothing properties for the skin.
- Black Currant Fruit Extract: Rich in GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) which is a fatty acid that promotes healthy growth of skin and hair. Nourishes scalp and skin while helping to regulate conditions like eczema and psoriasis that cause flaking.
The Good, the Bad, and the Bottom Line
To be quite honest, I don't have a whole lot to say about the Boosting Foam. I used it for one wash and go, paired with the Soft Definition Gel. It wasn't a bad combination — it just wasn't my Bouncy Cream x High Definition jam, ya know?
The Boosting Foam didn't dry out my hair, or flake. But at the same time, it didn't give me the ping pang pow I was looking for. It's not a bad product, just not my fave, ya know?
I'm curious to see how the Boosting Foam would work on a rod set, so I'll eventually circle back around to update you guys on that. If you have any experience with the Boosting Foam, share with me in the comments below!
Soft Definition Gel
Cost
$9.99 - $10.99 for 15oz (I find that online, All About Curls tends to be about $1 cheaper than in-store)
Where to Buy
Sally Beauty (online and in store)
Protein Free?
No. Contains hydrolyzed keratin.
Curly Girl Friendly?
Yes!
Active Ingredients
- Water
- VP/VA Copolymer: Polymer used as a film forming fixative (to create a cast and hold).
- Triethanolamine: Buffering agent and pH adjuster that assists in emulsion (assisting in the mixture of oil and water ingredients).
- Hydrolyzed Keratin: Protein that keeps hair strong and pliable. Helps to replace the amino acid cysteine (the main amino acid lost in hair handling and chemical processing). When keratin or any protein is hydrolyzed, the molecules are broken down and small enough to go beyond the cuticle and penetrate the hair shaft — strengthening all three layers of the hair.
- Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin: Cationic (positively charged) conditioning agent derived from keratin that adds gloss and shine while providing a silky soft feeling.
- Benzophenone-4: UVB and UVA protectant that filters and blocks out harmful UV rays.
- Oleth-20: Compound used to help reduce surface tension of formulas and get ingredients to dissolve in liquids that normally would not. Oleth-20 helps ingredients better penetrate the hair as well.
The Good, the Bad, and the Bottom Line
Again, my experience with the Soft Definition Gel is limited. I used it three times— once in the above mentioned combo with the Boosting Foam, another time to quickly refresh my hair, and a third time to slick my hair back for a bun.
All in all, it's a solid gel — just not my High Definition jam. Although I will admit, when it came time to call an audible as I got ready to go out to dinner, the Soft Definition Gel came in super clutch. A little water, a little Soft Definition Gel and a handful of bobby pins took me from a dry, bent bun to this:
Will I finish out the bottle, yes! Will it make it a part of my regular rotation? Not as long as Zotos keeps the High Definition Gel in stock!
Well guys, that's it for me and the 411 on the All About Curls collection! As you can see, I've definitely found some new holy grails to add to my collection. And based on the results of my little experiment, I will wholeheartedly recommend All About Curls over DevaCurl all day, EVERY DAY.
From price to performance, All About Curls by Zotos Professional runs circles around DevaCurl. I truly hope that Zotos Professional keeps the All About Curls line around for years to come — and produces their products in SALON SIZE so ya girl can stock up. Pleeeeeeeeeease!!! Team Zotos, if you're reading this, the curly girls need 33.8oz! 🙏🏽
Got any questions about my experiment or All About Curls? Leave 'em in the comments below! And if you missed it, don't forget to check out Part 1 of this review!
From price to performance, All About Curls by Zotos Professional runs circles around DevaCurl. I truly hope that Zotos Professional keeps the All About Curls line around for years to come — and produces their products in SALON SIZE so ya girl can stock up. Pleeeeeeeeeease!!! Team Zotos, if you're reading this, the curly girls need 33.8oz! 🙏🏽
Got any questions about my experiment or All About Curls? Leave 'em in the comments below! And if you missed it, don't forget to check out Part 1 of this review!
