The best results can be obtained by using hair gel either to wet or dry hair, which is one of the most crucial considerations. When a gel is applied incorrectly, it may give your hair too much or too little hold, which is not what you want. With the following guide, we have you covered no matter what your problems are.
Wet hair
For the greatest results, moist hair should be used to apply each Curlsmith style gel. When applied to wet hair, the product can easily slide through your strands and highlight each curl. The gel will lock in the hydration and moisture once all of the strands have been covered. You'll benefit from the following for your curls.
- Moisture
- Definition
- Hold
- Frizz control
- Long-lasting curls
Dry Hair
If you use gel on dry hair, you run the chance of getting the following problems:
- flaking
- stickiness
- Unwanted residue
- Crispy curls
Nobody wants to go through any of the aforementioned experiences, so let's make a commitment to applying gel properly to get the benefits of bouncy, flexible curls. Let's get started applying our gels now that we are clear on utilizing them on damp hair.
Application of Gel
There are a few easy steps you may take when applying your gel to get defined curls.
Applying to Wet Curls
You should perform the following after washing your hair and using your preferred leave-in conditioner to detangle, hydrate, and prime:
- Section your hair.
- Disperse a reasonable amount of gel into the palm of your hands and rub it together.
- Using the raking method, apply the gel to the section.
- Proceed with Praying hands to smooth the hair and reduce frizz.
- Choose your preferred styling method, such as scrunching, finger curling, or shingling.
- Repeat the process on each section of hair.
- Air dry or diffuse.
Applying to Dry Curls
Using gels to dry hair has a number of drawbacks, as was already discussed. But, if you apply the product to dry hair, you might see a buildup of gel.
The water that would normally be present in your damp hair to dilute the gel and aid it gliding through your tresses is absent.
What to Avoid When Using gels
Read on to learn what you should not do after learning the advantages of utilizing gels properly.
- Using a gel without first using a leave-in conditioner can cause your hair to feel dry since the leave-in conditioner's moisture has not been absorbed.
- Without sectioning your hair before using the gel, the effect will be inconsistent coverage.
- As your hair dries, touching it will make it frizzy.
- If the cast is not broken, your curls will feel stiff and rigid.
Together with the points on the list above, picking the appropriate gel is equally crucial. Otherwise, you risk getting unfavorable holds and definition.
What Is a Gel Cast and How Is It Applied?
1. Start with wet hair
A gel cast is quite simple to understand; in essence, it begins with applying gel to your dripping-wet hair. Fresh out of the shower is the greatest spot to start; dry locks and hair gel nearly always fail. You might think about taking a spray bottle with you to spritz your hair with if you're constantly on the go or if your hair dries very quickly.
What is achieved by putting gel to wet hair, you may wonder.
The gel and water combine to cover your curls in a "cast," a sort of crystalline layer that develops around each individual curl to keep your hair defined as it dries and get rid of unwelcome frizz.
2. Test any additional products you use alongside your gel
Gel doesn't always go well with products like leave-in conditioners or hair creams. Test different moisturizers, oils, and styling products by combining a tiny bit with the gel in your palm before using them all. They ought to blend uniformly, without clumping or having an odd consistency.
3. Use the prayer hands technique
Starting with a suitable amount of gel based on the length of your hair, apply gel to the wet areas of your hair with "prayer hands" to lock in texture. To equally distribute it between your palms and onto both of your hands, do so.
Beginning on one side, work your way toward the middle, smoothing the gel down one piece of hair at a time. Maintain flat palms and refrain from raking your fingers. After that, gel the opposing side of your hair and once more work your way toward the center.
If you have extra gel on your hands, try coating your roots and the back of your head with it. But keep in mind, no raking! Be kind to one another.
Once the gel has been evenly distributed, scrunch your hair vigorously while it is still damp. This guarantees a homogeneous gel cast and the best possible mixing of the water and hair gel.
4. T-shirt for ten to fifteen minutes
When you're done scrunching, you should grab a T-shirt, that's right, a T-shirt. Turn your hair over into your shirt and knot it up so that it is completely out of sight. Depending on the length, thickness, and average drying time of your hair, let it on for ten to fifteen minutes.
This T-shirt will effectively absorb most of the water and extra gel from your hair. As you take it off, you should already see how the gel cast has changed the way your curls look. It's time to dry now.
5. Let your hair air dry or diffuse it
If diffusing, be sure to use a low setting and diffuse softly. You might even think about putting your hair right on the diffuser. But, air drying frequently yields the best results for luscious, stunning curls.
You've probably noticed the gel cast is gone now that your hair is dried. It could feel a touch crusty or hard in your hair. That's precisely how it's supposed to be at this moment, so let's scrunch some more!
6. Scrunch out the crunch
Scrunching can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the type of your hair, to remove the gel covering from your curls and reveal the softer, curlier layers underneath. You might like to use just your hands, possibly with some conditioner. To ease the stiffness, some people use a thin T-shirt, a microfiber towel, or a diffuser. To give even more bounce and contrast, you might even want to think about using a thin oil or serum.
Using Too Much Or Not Enough Gel
Frequently, the reason gel isn't working in your favor is that you're either using too little or too much of it.
This is a simple error to make, and as with everything involving curly hair, it will require some trial and error on your part. The amount of gel you apply completely depends on the type and texture of your hair as well as the gel you are using.
Using a dime-sized dollop of gel to every 2-3 inch area of your hair can help you gauge how much gel to use. The product can be distributed equally using this method.
When your curls are 30% dry, check on them again. Don't be hesitant to apply a little extra gel if they appear to require additional definition or weight. If your hair still needs extra product, go ahead and add more to your curls when it is 60%, then 90%, dry.
Note: If more product is necessary, I always dilute it somewhat with water to lighten it before adding it each time I check again at 30%, 60%, and 90% dry.
Keep a thorough record of the gel you use, including the brand, quantity, and application method. You can then decide just what your hair needs.
It's crucial to keep a thorough journal of your progress with curls, especially in the first six months.
Knowing exactly what your curls enjoy and dislike is crucial to having beautiful curls.
NEVER EVER apply gel to curly hair that is damp or dry.
The best technique to apply gel is on drenched hair because that will help it adhere to your hair's curl pattern and lock in moisture.
Just consider that for a second...
Because the moisture and weight of the water have a tendency of gathering your natural curl clusters together, your hair is smoothest when it is really wet.
It is therefore safe to assume that the sooner you apply gel to your curls after getting out of the shower, the more probable it is that you will retain moisture and lessen frizz.
Because every curl is unique and every gel is unique, experimenting is necessary when dealing with curly hair.
Although you can sometimes get away with putting gel to damp hair, very wet hair is often the best option.
The product is something else to think about.
Because every product line is unique, it's crucial to read the label and follow the directions. It's not just a suggestion when it advises to "use on wet" hair.
Apply substantial amounts of gel to damp hair as a general rule, then check back as your hair dries to see if you need to add a little more.
In Conclusion:
The adage that "gel makes your curls stringy and crunchy" is out of date and untrue when applied to gel used on curly hair.
The application of the gel, not the gel itself, is what causes stringy and crunchy curls.
You are well on your way to having fantastic curls if you take the time to create healthy hair habits and find the ideal protein/moisture balance.
Make a commitment to testing out different types and amounts of gel on wet hair to see what works best for your curls.
Keep a thorough journal of your curling adventure as well.
And always, always, always wait until your curls are completely dry before creating that lovely crunch.