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.

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.