Leave Ins that are "Gel Friendly" to use w/ Eco Styler

Hi Everyone,

I am brand spankin new to this forum and LOVE what I have read and learned. I am transitioning and I think (not sure) I have 3c/4a hair. I had my last relaxer a bit before Oct. 1st 2009. Let me just say the transition SUCKS but here is where I am now.

Length of hair is about APL w/ about 4 inches new growth. I heard so many good things about Eco Styler I just bought some today. I tried to mix in my hand the Leave in by Cantu w/ a curl activator (because it had glycerine for moisture - my hair is so try and just snapping at the ends). The curl activator works great in the mix HOWEVER, when I mixed just the Cantu w/ the Eco Styler. Clumpy city into small white beads! I have tried this once with another gel and I looked like I had dandruff all over my hair! These tiny beads just never dried and when they did, it was horrible. I am glad I didn't put it in my hair.

PLEASE can anyone recommend a GREAT thick leave in that is gel friendly and where do you find it, and cost? THANKS!

I have used Shea moisture leave in with eco-styler gel. Its thick and does not leave a white residue. I mixed it with castor oil and it takes out the crunch and leaves the hair soft.

Thanks Krazy coils. Can I get it a store or only online? Also, I saw one video that said for KCC (so I assume also for Eco Styler) to use a conditioner w/o the silicones so maybe that is causing the tiny beading as silicones are supposed to be a water resistant to a point.

Thanks ChrsLvsBks! I will check those out also. Do you use these conditioners as leave ins even though they may not say leave in on the bottle?

Perfect! I will check out those any if anyone else has any suggestions, I am all ears! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Right now, I'm using Suave Naturals Coconut Conditioner (.98 cents/ bottle) and the Eco Styler w/ Olive Oil. My hair is in small individual braids with the ends left out. To curl the ends I Co-wash with the conditioner and then apply Coconut Oil on my wet hair. I immediately apply the Suave Coconut Conditioner. I finish by adding Eco Styler to hold the curl. I learned this method on YouTube from kinkycurlyqueen (sp?). The conditioner does not react with the gel. In the morning I just re-wet it with a water/leave-in spray and the curls come right back. No flakes..just soft curls.

I had the same problem with the eco styler gel, it holds good, but i had the flakes and the next day it just got worse. I went on a search for a different gel and came across Lock, Twist & Hold by Royal Roots ($4.99/6oz jar at local bss), the directions said to spray on some of their conditioning spray before using, for extra softness, so i took it as "this might work well with my own leave in". It works great, no flakes!!! It dries soft and really defines my curls. It lasted about 4 days without ever flaking and i used a few different products before applying it. I only use the eco for my edges and baby hair now or if i want to slick the front down. Just a suggestion, hth. Happy hair growth!!

I use trader joe nourish spa and I have no problem with the flakies

pardigm wrote:Thanks Krazy coils. Can I get it a store or only online? Also, I saw one video that said for KCC (so I assume also for Eco Styler) to use a conditioner w/o the silicones so maybe that is causing the tiny beading as silicones are supposed to be a water resistant to a point.

I also use sheamoisture Leave-in and it works great with gels. I have only found it at 1 BSS that is about 20miles from my home but they sell it online with Amazon, and treasuredlocs.com.

Ok, I will try that one also b/c I am turning into a PJ!!!! Oils for some reason just make my hair frizzier! I must have more 4 type hair.

hey pardigm my hair is the same thing with your and im having the same issue as you trust me. i just wrote a blog asking every one for help. thank GOd i read this. I use the cantu shea butter leave in an di have the same issue. it just sits on my head, my hair doesnt absorb it, while i was transitioning i ust it as twisout with just shea butter and it works then but now, when i apply it to the gel it makes more mess for me. so maybe u will be my communication buddy. i have 3c/4a hair also but im experiencing dryness. like they saID I think its the cantu that doesnt mix with anythin not even with oil. i use suave natural, Vo5, shea butter mix and eco styler gel but they dont work with my hair for some reason. so try diferent leave in with the gel. so i just stop geling my hair for now till i fugure out what works for my hair.

I sooo feel you darkbearutytt. I love the Cantu by itself but once you mix that stuff, forget it.

i was wondering has anyone try essentious shampoo and condiitoner before? is it good?.

Pardigm why dont u try herbal essence totally hydration, i heard its good, i went ot grab a bottle today from walmart so hopefully its good.

Does it "play well" w/ Eco? If so, I will get it at the store for sure!!!

pardigm wrote:Thanks Krazy coils. Can I get it a store or only online? Also, I saw one video that said for KCC (so I assume also for Eco Styler) to use a conditioner w/o the silicones so maybe that is causing the tiny beading as silicones are supposed to be a water resistant to a point.

Sorry I'm late answering this. You can sometimes find it at local beauty supply stores but I order it online from beauty of newyork.

krazy coils wrote:I have used Shea moisture leave in with eco-styler gel. Its thick and does not leave a white residue. I mixed it with castor oil and it takes out the crunch and leaves the hair soft.

Ooo, that's a great idea!

Yeah, when I first used ecostyler I also mixed it with cantu and the results were awful! I almost gave away my ecostyler but I found that it works well with my giovanni direct leave-in conditioner. I co-wash, apply oil in small sections then my leave-in and the ecostyler on top.

Are you all mixing the eco with your leave in before applying? And do you just rub it into your hair or are you scrunching it using small sections?

I like using the eco and the results once it dries but sometimes I think my rubbing it into my hair doesn't give me the best results.

Also, I co-wash, apply leave-in, oil, then eco. Does it matter if the oil goes on first before leave in and gel?

Sorry for all the questions. I am just trying to master my routine to get the best look and result with my TWA.

TIA!

I've had a similar but not the exact same experience. I started out using a mix of 1/3 Cantu Leave in, and 2/3 water in a spray bottle as a "setting lotion" for flexi rod sets, but then decided to add some Eco styler for my last twist out. I immediately thought it was a huge mistake because when I shook it all up the little balls/grains popped up right away. But, I didn't want to waste it (even though its a small amount), so I sprayed it on for my damp hair anyway and then flat twisted it. When I took the twist down there were no flakes or grains/beads on my hair. So maybe it could be your method of application.

PS- I have 4bish hair, and I'm only two months into my transition, so that could also be why my experience was a little different

why dont u try sheamoisture leave in conditioner, that same one that curlynikki uses. i heard its really good. or u can try giovanni direct leave in.