Have you noticed that SheaMoisture products can be hit or miss?
For example, I love their skincare products, which I recently shared, but when it comes to their hair products, some are good, and some need to be discarded.
One of SheaMoisture's popular haircare lines is Coconut & Hibiscus, its original product line that includes shampoos, conditioners, treatments, and stylers.
Every so often, SheaMoisture adds new products to the Coconut & Hibiscus haircare line.
The latest I discovered was their Coconut & Hibiscus + Flaxseed Defining Styling Gel.
I was in Target looking for another hair product when I saw the Defining Styling Gel and decided to try it.
When it comes to my curly, natural hair, I usually use foam wrap only, but I use gels when I want my curls to be more defined.
I couldn't wait to try out the non-alcohol-based Defining Styling Gel when I got home after my purchase.
I washed, conditioned, and detangled my hair as usual. Then, I sectioned it off and applied the Defining Gel from root to tip.
After applying gel to my hair, my curls looked shiny and defined—wonderful! But only for a day.
This gel is not recommended for second-day hair; it flakes so severely that it resembles snowing dandruff.
Maybe it's just my hair, so I let my daughter Lauren try it on hers.
Yet again, her hair flaked so badly on her second day at school that when she was lying down on one of the beds getting waxed by one of her classmates, she got up, and her classmates were shocked about all the white stuff left on the bed, thinking it was left-over wax residue.
Let's just say Lauren was in complete embarrassment.
Such a shame that SheaMoisture would create such a terrible product!
But there are other gels that I swear by and won't leave your hair a white, flaky mess. Use these instead of SheaMoisure's Defining Styling Gel:
ECO Styling Gel: The ECO brand has been my holy grail for years. I used it when I started my natural hair journey years ago. ECO has a variety of gels to choose from, so if you like a firmer hold or soft curls, they have gels that fit your needs.
Aunt Jackie's Gels: Aunt Jackie's has been a go-to for several years for their gels, from Curl Boss Coconut Curling Gelee to Don't Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel. Their gels give my hair great shine, definition, and softness. Plus, the style lasts for days. Just refresh and go!
Miss Jessie's Jelly Soft Curls Gel: If you don't want super-defined curls but still want a curly, soft style, Miss Jessie's Jelly Soft Curls Gel is excellent. It won't make your hair look frizzy by the end of the day. It is a bit of a pricier gel but worth it.
In conclusion, while SheaMoisture has some standout products, the Coconut & Hibiscus + Flaxseed Defining Styling Gel unfortunately missed the mark for my daughter and me.
The flakiness on the second day was disappointing and led to an embarrassing situation that could have easily been avoided.
Thankfully, plenty of other gels on the market provide excellent definition and hold without the unwelcome mess.
If you're looking for reliable options, I recommend ECO Styling Gel, Aunt Jackie's gels, or Miss Jessie's Jelly Soft Curls Gel.
These alternatives have consistently delivered great results for my curls, ensuring I enjoy smooth, defined styles without the hassle.
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