How to determine the best styling products for your curls

Understanding the differences in gel-ish products and rediscovering how to use them in styling.

Hey Curlies! We know our curls and scalp need a regular dose of cleansing and conditioning (weekly is recommended) to maintain Ph balance, minimize irritation and itch, and improve overall manageability of the hair. But, what do we do from there? There are different gels, serums, and mousses, so which one (or two) do you reach for? You don’t want to make the wrong choice, because that could require a whole rewash! And who has got time for that? Let’s check out the different types of gel-ish styling products and how to use them.

What Makes a Gel a Gel & Why Does it Matter?

So, what makes a hair gel a gel ? It's all about the ingredients and the way it works to give you that hold and definition you need. If you've got curly hair, you know how important it is to have something that keeps your curls in place. Here’s what makes the hair gel stand out:

1. It’s Thick and Clingy (in a good way!)

• Gels are typically thicker than other styling products, which is great for curly hair because it helps define your curls and keeps them in place. The gel’s thickness ensures it won’t just slide off your hair – it clings and holds.

2. Water-Based Formula

• Most gels have a lot of water in them, which means they spread easily and help you style your curls without making them too stiff. And because it’s water-based, it also doesn’t weigh your hair down.

3. Polymers to the Rescue

• Gels use special ingredients, like PVP or carbomers , that form a flexible coating around each curl (aka curl cast). These polymers keep your curls defined, without them feeling crunchy or too stiff.

4. It’s All About the Hold

• The main reason you use gel is for that strong hold. The right gel helps keep your curls in shape throughout the day – whether you're rocking a wash-and-go or setting curls with a diffuser. Depending on the gel, it can give you a light, medium, or super strong hold.

5. Humidity-resistant

• Our curls can tell when a storm is brewing! If you live somewhere humid (or it’s just a super muggy day), a good gel can help keep your curls from frizzing up. Humidity-resistant gels are great for making sure your curls stay defined, even when the weather’s trying to mess with them.

Now that you understand the basics of a gel, we’ve got to share what more than 100k curlies, colies and wavies know for sure: We have The. Best. Gel. The Hi! Definition Curl Enhancer Styling Gel is the one you'll reach for again and again, because it provides a high level of hold and fights frizz for up to 5 days! 

The Hi! Definition Curl Enhancer Styling Gel is part of the The Curly Style & Refresh Set that features two other stylers. We often get questions from curlies on how these products stack up when it comes to some key factors such as hold level, softness / firmness, and volume / body. We’re thrilled to share this chart with you to break down the attributes of these three must-have stylers. Take a peek!

As Cortney mentioned, the Hi! Definition Curl Enhancer Styling Gel is the one that will provide the highest level of hold and the coveted cast that many curlies are seeking. Now, with that desirable curl cast comes a question that we hear very often: Help, my curls are crunchy, what should I do?

Well, have you ever indulged in a delicious crème brûlée? That quick tap of your spoon, breaks the carmelized crunch on top to reveal the soft, ooey gooey goodness within. Crunchy curls work kinda like that too! All you need to do is follow one easy lil’rhyme: scrunch out the crunch! The always handy TréLuxe Curl-ossary spells out what this means for the curly crew.

All right, curlies, you’ve learned a lot today from the basic components of a gel to how the stylers compare and how to get rid of the crunchy look once and for all. Now it’s time for some fun: watching the stylers come together to achieve beautiful results. And here is the thing … the possibilities really are endless when it comes to the way the products can be used on a wide variety of curly crowns! This video featuring the ReFlex Curl Styling Serum and the Hi! Definition Curl Enhancer Styling Gel actually went viral, raking in 12.7 million views! You’ll know why when you see the defined and absolutely gorgeous results!