Confession: I love gel.

Thisssssss is always theeeeeee most difficult, yet straightforward category for me each year. There are a lot of cool, good, and even great curl definers out there - and brands seem to create more and more every year. But when it comes to curl definers, I'm very particular about who gets that HG designation. My holy grail curl definers are typically thick, heavy, gel-gels that form a legit gel cast and have my curls poppin' for days on end. Borrowed from Christina's Choice 2016 is my exact explanation of why (and nothing has changed lol):

1. My hair is a multi-textured beast. I don't have baby smoove 3c curls out the gate like the perfectly positioned selfie would suggest. The back half of my hair is somewhere between 3b and 3c (its wavy and loose when wet, and dries into legit ringlet wavy curls with minimal product and manipulation). The crown of my hair has yet to be captured by any chart I've ever seen -- there might be a curl deep down inside somewhere, but with the amount of frizz and shrinkage, the world will never know. The front/middle section is the most disrespectful of the bunch. Where the crown is absolutely not here for my shenanigans, my front/middle section is that friend who don't never listen. You told them to meet you at Starbucks at 7, and they show up to Coffee Bean at 4. Just all kinds of loud and wrong. When wet, my front/center hair looks all wavy and sleek, very similar to my back half. But let that sucka go 2 seconds without water or product and it's poof city. It frizzes and shrinks like nobody's business, and doesn't even really "curl" except for the ends. The vast majority of it is some deep wave that might have wanted to be a curl in life, but dropped out of school 3 semesters shy of the degree.

2. I'm a gel kind of girl. The thicker and heavier, the better. In particular, I love gels that contain the thickening agent carbomer -- because it tends to make for a heavier gel that laaaaaaaays the frizz. Did I mention that I LOVE gel?!

The perfect curl definer for my hair texture is a delicate dance between science and nature. I've discovered over the years that too much botanical action leaves me with sticky, stringy curls that never expand, while curl definers with too many ingredients that I can't pronounce will leave me with hair that is dull, rough, and dry.

These curl definers have been top performers in 2017 - and in the end, there could only be 4. Trust me, this was a HARD decision to make. Let's dive into the 4 curl definers that stole my heart in 2017:

Best Curl Definers

Some of my best wash & go's of 2017 happened thanks to these 4.

Urban Hydration Naturals Coconut Oil Curl Defining Gel
Has a hair product ever made you really, really emotional? Like, Carl Thomas Emotional? That's how I'm feeling about the Coconut Oil Curl Defining Gel. Now, don't go looking up all the lyrics, because you and I both know that what Emotional ain't got nothing to do with hair gel. 😂

But after watching my hair go from good, to great, to amazing over the course of 7 days, I couldn't help but feel a way about this Coconut Oil Curl Defining Gel. The Coconut Oil Curl Defining Gel has the properties that I love (plays nicely with leave-ins and creams) and has the thickness that I go nuts for. It's not quite as thick as EcoStyler, but it's definitely on par with my beloved tgin Curl Bomb. I can't ask for much more!

Read More: How to get 5+ days of curl poppage with Urban Hydration Naturals

Obia Naturals Curl Enhancing Custard
Obia blew my mind back in 2013 when I did my first review as a transitioner. 4 years later, I'm still strolling into Target (and now Sally's) to pick up a jar or two. Some products just have staying power, and I mean that both ways. Not only is Obia's Curl Enhancing Custard pH balanced for maximum curl poppage, it delivers shine, definition, and softness without leaving curls stringy or dry. Curl Enhancing Custard is honestly responsible for some of my best wash and go's in 2017. Point blank period.

tgin Curl Bomb Moisturizing Styling Gel
Curl Bomb is part of an elite squad known as Gels I Never Wanna Run Out Of. I literally spent 2017 making sure that I had at least one full bottle on my shelf at all time. At minimum. And here's why. First of all, I LOVE the consistency. It's a thick gel's gel. Sliiightly thinner than my beloved red-top Eco, but every bit as spreadable, and curl capturing.

It gives me beautiful definition, long-lasting wear (I can easily get 5 days out of this gel), and isn't flaky or drying. And simply put, Curl Bomb is one gel I continued to use over, and over, and over, and over....


EcoStyler Argan Oil Gel
Can we all agree that there are no surprises here? Okay, maybe a bit of surprise since EcoStyler was notably absent during the 2016 award season. And I'm sure you might've expected to see the JBCO gel (that fanfare died down quickly, eh?) instead of old faithful red. With my hair back healthy again, I've been able to enjoy my OG fave EcoStyler Gel and bask in the fact that:
1. It's incredibly affordable
2. It makes curls POP
3. You can get a lifetime supply for $10 or less
4. IT WORKS.

Are the ingredients all that? Not really. Is it pH balanced? Maybe. Eco Styler Argan Oil Gel is a super popping curl definer without all the pretentiousness. If you need a little more convincing, read on:

I'm in Love with Ecoco!
The $5 Wash & Go
How to Get the Perfect Wash & Go Curls

Deserted Island Pick

The BEST of 2017.

HAYYYYYYYY CURL BOMB!

I swear, everything Chris-Tia does, she does with excellence. Do you hear me? EXCELLENCE. I haven't met a tgin product that I don't like. I've been rocking with tgin about as long as I've been rocking with Samuel - and both of 'em are keepers for real. Sure, Samuel's been around since 2010. But still. You get my point. In all seriousness, tgin is a brand that moves with intention. And those intentions are always to deliver the absolute best for our hair - and it shows. Curl Bomb 137% deserves this spot - and I'll be rocking with it well into the new year!

Click here for more from Christina's Choice 2017!

Want to see 2016's winners? Click here.

Are you ready for definition that's out of this world?!

I never had super spiraled ends all over until this method.

Day 2 curls

I'm about that wash and go life, and at this stage in the game I've pretty much perfected my wash and go.

I mean dang, it only took me almost 2 years. Seriously, it took me 22 months to nail the wash and go. I had it pretty much down before coloring my hair, but once I took the color plunge in October 2014, I had to learn my curls all over again. Well, mama I made it!

#Perseverance

In all that time learning, I spent a lot of money, tried a lot of products, experimented with a lot of cocktails, and spent many moons in the return line at Sally's, Target, and Ulta.

In my opinion, it was time and money well spent because my hair is super healthy (the healthiest it's been since being color treated), my curls are popping, and there are no "surprises" (flakes, dry hair, breakage, rough-feeling hair, white balls, etc.).

 Oh. and my curls look just as good, if not better, than they did on day 1. What's my secret? Keep reading to find out how I achieve curls like this in a few simple steps!

#WashDay

Step 1: Start With a Good Foundation
Clean hair and a clean scalp are must-have foundations for styling. My co-wash ace in the hole, A1 since we met, hair BFF/bae is none other than Be Kekoa Be Clean Cleansing Conditioner. I'm sure y'all are tired of hearing me talk about it, but this stuff is the TRUTH. My hair and scalp are clean, free of buildup, hydrated, smooth, soft, and de-frizzed flawlessly after each use. Be Clean leaves me with the perfect canvas to begin styling. If your co-wash or cleanser leaves you with tangles, hair that feels rough, frizzy, or otherwise not its best -- you can't expect to achieve your best style results, either.

Be Kekoa Be Clean Review
Video: How I Use Be Kekoa Products on Wash Day

Step 2: Repair/Restore
This step is totally optional, especially if you don't have color treated hair. My hair always lets me know when it's time to re-up on ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor. My curls will look a little limp, and seem a little looser than normal. After a few treatments with the Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor, my curls bounce back to life and have an extra spring in their step. I use the ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor as an intermediate step between cleansing and deep conditioning. It's a 2-5 minute process, and totally foolproof.

ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor Review

Step 3: Deep Condition
I've talked here about the benefits of deep conditioning. And while I have many favorites (hey tgin, Hydratherma Naturals, and Shea Moisture), I ride hard for Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask. My hair loves it. In terms of styling, deep conditioning ensures that your hair remains healthy, hydrated, properly moisturized, de-frizzed, and elastic -- all necessary components for healthy hair and long-lasting style. Deep conditioning helps insure that your hair's internal hydration and exterior lipid barrier remain in tact. In other words, your deep conditioner should help keep your hair from going crispy and dry.

Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask Review
Christina's Choice 2014 Top Deep Conditioners for Natural Hair

The Styling Arsenal

Step 4: Apply Leave-Ins to Soaking Wet Hair
This is nothing new, but I see lots of videos on YouTube and blog instructionals where leave-ins are applied to naked, damp hair outside of the shower or away from the sink. Everyone is most certainly able to do their hair their way, but for me that's the quickest route to frizz city. When our hair is naked, it begins expanding in the search for moisture. This is the primary cause of poofiness and frizz. Don't get me wrong, frizz is good and helps create extra volume. But for curls that are long-lasting and look amazing several days later, it is the enemy on day 1. My fix is two-pronged:

1. While in the shower, I apply Zotos Professional 180PRO Miracle Damage Eliminator to my hair from ends to root. It's a lightweight primer, and lives up to its name and claims. My hair is always instantly stronger, shinier, smoother, and my curls pop even more every time I use it. I notice the most visible change on the ends of my hair. Instead of hanging a little looser, my ends form actual curls when they're dry after I use Miracle Damage Eliminator. It's a super lightweight serum that doesn't dry out my hair, and more importantly, plays nicely with other products. I can't say enough good things about this stuff. I've been in love since first use (the bottle is small but lasts a long time -- a little bit goes a long way). I'm on my third full-size bottle and I don't ever want to run out!

2. After applying my Miracle Damage Eliminator, I take generous amounts of Soultanicals Mango Dip Detangling slip and rake it through my hair. This stuff is botanical magic -- seriously. Not only does it smell amazing, it's an awesome detangler, and super hydrating leave-in. After I thoroughly apply the Mango Dip Detangling Slip, I employ my little trick to get my hair super saturated while eliminating frizz. I quickly (like seriously 1 second quick) run my hair back under the shower water and squeeze the products into my hair. I don't wring out the excess. When I get to the ends of my hair, I squeeze the extra product and water back into the roots of my hair. This serves two purposes for me: one, I'm not sending precious product down the drain. Two, my roots are the most puffy, and putting extra product back on them helps keep them sleek and frizz free.

5. Learn the Oils/Butters Your Hair Loves, and Seal.
Sealing in all that yummy moisture is an integral component of a long-lasting wash and go style. When hair is truly hydrated and moisture is locked in, style-disrupting frizz and poofiness is diminished. For this particular wash and go, I'm holding on tight to Vitamin Shoppe Argan Oil. I alternate between Argan, Coconut, and Jamaican Black Castor Oil for 99.9% of my wash and go styles.

4 Oils to Seal with That Aren't Coconut Oil

 6. Gel It Right
There are tons of methods for applying curl defining gel -- rake and smooth, rake and shake, rake, praying hands, using a Denman...the list goes on. I've learned exactly what methods produce what sort of curl. For a more elongated, stretched-looking curl I opt for the Rake and Shake method. For this particular curl that is long-lasting but still has tons of curl definition, I opt for my OG rake and smooth method. Working in small sections, I take a generous amount of my faaaave EcoStyle Argan Oil Gel, and smooth it on directly at the root. I rake the remaining gel down the length of my curls, adding more if necessary. From there, I alternate between raking and smoothing to ensure that all curls are covered before moving on to the next section. Catch the method in action:

(Jump to 6:53 to see exactly how I apply curl definer)

Yes, I am heavy-handed with product and the reason is twofold. One, more generous product application means a firmer gel cast and a longer lasting wash and go. Two, the weight of the gel helps my hair to dry my hair in a somewhat elongated state, minimizing how disproportionate my shrinkage looks across multiple textures.

My Undying Love for EcoStyler Gel
Christina's Choice 2014 Top Curl Definers for Natural Hair
Don't love EcoStyler Gel? Here are 11 alternatives.

7. Air Dry
Air drying is a pain, and depending on your density and porosity, it can be an all day process. I don't mind it though, because the alternatives are much more labor intensive and yield less favorable results. Diffusing pushes the hair upward toward the scalp and promotes shrinkage. Hooded dryers do the same, while keeping the hair flat to the head and reducing volume and bulk in the hair. I am not against shrinkage per se -- I just have multi-textured hair and each section shrinks differently. To give the appearance of more uniform curls with volume and minimal frizz, air drying is the way to go.

But if you absolutely must diffuse... watch my Diffusing Hacks video here. 

Day 1 wet curls...

Day 4 curls! And y'all know I been working out....

Because I love you guys for continuing to read my blog and be patient with me, I've created a pinnable infographic that summarizes the information here. Pin it to your boards for safe keeping, and don't forget to follow me on pinterest!

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