Tips on using Curl Junkie Aloe Fix Hair Styling Gel

Hi Guys! I just thought I'd do a quick post here since I've been getting a lot of questions on how to use the Aloe Fix gel and thought this would be a good place to offer suggestions! These recommendations are inspired by things I've tried, as well as by the way some of my customers are using it (and I have also tried out). I'm sure there are many other combos out there that I haven't tried (and so please feel free to send me comments with your suggestions to post for those who are looking...), but these are the ones that stood out to me...

For the sake of making this as easy as possible, I'll just stick with the 2, 3, 4, a, b, c system which most of my customers are familiar with:

1)2a-b, (basically wavy hair types of all textures): The Aloe Fix gel seems to work best with a small amount of a lightweight leave-in applied/smoothed through and then the gel scrunched into the hair. This helps to create volume in the hair.

2)2c, 3a (very wavy hair and those with bigger, looser curls): The gel seems to work best when applied/scrunched (if you want volume) over the Curl Assurance Leave-in (or similar leave-in of your choice) or the CoffeeCoco Curl Creme (use only a small amount) and followed with a touch of a harder holding gel of your choice if desired.

3)3b (Botticelli curls) and 3c (tighter curls of fine-normal density): This hair type can try out the suggestions above for the 2c, 3a or the following (which I just tested out this morning)...not to plug another product, but it seems to work so well with the CoffeeCoco and Aloe Fix for this hair type that I have to say it...Try using Curl Rehab or Lustrasilk as a leave-in, followed by smoothing in (or brushing in, with a Denman-type brush) the CoffeeCoco and then the Aloe Fix (if you want extra hold and definition...this is optional). This is an awesome combo! I don't know if I'd recommend doing this everyday as you may end up overconditioned using the Lustrasilk everyday with this combo (in which case you could alternate with the Curl Assurance Leave-in or other lightweight leave-in or nothing at all!)...I should also say that I'd only recommend this for folks with dry hair since it may be product overkill otherwise. So if your hair tends to be oily or is very fine, stick with the recs for 2c, 3a hair...I'm sure folks will chime in on this combo...

4)3c (very tight curls, normal-coarse density) and 4a (very tight curls/coils): If you are looking for curl definition and to stretch out your curl pattern, I'd recommend that you apply this directly to the hair without using any other product underneath. You can either smooth it in section by section with your hands or brush it in. Use generous amounts of product and make sure to cover all sections of hair. You can air dry, diffuse or sit under a hooded dryer.

5)4b (z pattern hair): This gel would be best for this type when slicking/pulling back the hair into a ponytail or with a headband. Apply to wet hair and smooth with hands or a brush into the desired style.

BTW-if you cannot find a combo that works for you on wet hair, this product is fabulous to use on dry hair (if I do say so myself :-P ). On dry hair, it smooths surface frizzies and helps to define curls!

Hope this helps!! :-)

Do I need a gel??

This is just a short post to talk about a topic I've been asked about and have been reading a lot of questions about...

So recently, I have been noticing a lot of people getting confused on this topic or wondering why cremes may not be enough for their hair. I've been thinking about this question and I've noticed that there are certain categories of hair that do better with gel. Now, you have to take this with a grain of salt, because again, it depends what your ultimate hair goals are...do you like definition and don't mind some crunch (from the hard hold gel) or do you just want softness and volume?

Let's take a product like our CoffeeCoco Curl Creme...If your hair is in the 2's (wavy) or 3a (loose curls) or 3b (classic curly hair with smaller curls), then you may want to pair up using a little of the Curl Creme with a gel on top (like our Aloe Fix Gel or a hard holding gel of your choice). This will help give you the benefits or enhanced curl definition with the "durability" and hold factor of the gel.

3c (tight curls) and 4a (tight curls/coils) type hair would most likely only need to use the Curl Creme. This is because this type does not really need something to prevent the curl from falling/coming out of their hair. This type is usually more concerned with moisture, shrinkage and then definition. A small amount of Curl Creme usually will do and adding a gel on top can lead to product overkill and not much added benefit. This hair type also tends to suffer more from white balls or flakes forming when they use a creme/leave-in under a gel. I think in order to combat this, you have to be sure that whatever product used under the gel is almost completely absorbed/dispersed through the hair before adding the gel product. A combo I like for my hair is the Hibiscus & Banana Deep Fix Conditioner rinsed out and then followed with the CoffeeCoco curl creme. This usually provides enough moisturization and hold for the day. This is a winning combo for my hair (3c/4a). When I want to combat shrinkage and get definition, then I'll just use the Aloe Fix, rake it through my hair and add more water to disperse the product. Another good combo is the Hibiscus & Banana Honey Butta or Curl Assurance Leave-in Conditioner, followed by our Smoothing Gellie. These combos work very well to provide moisture and definition with a light hold.

Lastly, all hair types should watch out for using too many conditioning products which can lead to frizz and over-conditioning. Using a rinse out conditioner and then a leave-in and then a creme and then a gel and then a pomade, can be a bit much for the hair and using all these products at once can lead to bad interactions as they may not work together chemically. I usually recommend to choose between using a leave-in or a curl creme because using both at the same time can cause frizz.