"I don't have curls... I have high-voltage wires!" If you've ever said this to yourself in front of the mirror, you're not alone. It's one of the most common mistakes when using gel in a curly hair routine... but there's a solution.
Today we're answering one of the most frequently asked questions among those who follow the curly girl method :
Why does gel leave curly hair so stiff, lifeless, and looking artificial? And more importantly… how can you prevent it?
It's not castration... it's dehydration
Many people confuse the famous cast (that temporary, rigid layer that cracks at the end of the drying process) with the dreaded "wire effect." But they are not the same thing.
👉 The cast is normal. The other thing, no.
When your gel leaves your curls stiff, dry, and without any real shape , you're not seeing definition: you're seeing a lack of hydration sealed in by mistake .
Why does this happen?
- The gel is applied without prior moisturizing.
- The hair is dry inside, and the gel just "freezes" it like that.
- Result: curls that look like cardboard, without elasticity or shine.
💡 Imagine putting hairspray on an unwatered plant. The outside remains intact, but inside… it's dry.
The solution: moisturize first, set afterwards
The key to avoiding wire-like curls is not to stop using gel.
It's about using it properly . We'll tell you how:
1. Apply the leave-in first (without rushing)
Leave-in conditioner is the product that truly hydrates. It helps your hair regain its natural elasticity. Without it, gel has nothing to seal in.
We recommend the leave-in My Best Option for its balanced formula and light texture that moisturizes without weighing down.
- It applies by sections.
- Distribute well with a brush or with your hands using the praying hands technique.
- Make sure each strand is flexible, not dry.
2. Gel, in moderation
After moisturizing, use a very small amount of gel and apply it all at once (not strand by strand). Your goal is not to soak your hair, but to seal in the moisture you've already applied.
👉 The g the Curly Hair Curl Gel K89 is ideal if you are looking for definition and duration without excessive stiffness.
3. Scrunch (with love)
This technique activates the curl pattern, defines it, and helps to hold it without weighing it down. There's no need to squeeze hard: simply press gently upwards.
4. Dry with a diffuser or air dry (without touching)
Avoid touching your hair while it dries; this will maintain definition and prevent frizz.
The result: beautiful, not stiff curls
When your routine includes pre-hydration and you apply the gel correctly, the change is radical:
- Defined curls
- Soft to the touch
- With movement
- Without artificial rigidity
- In summary
If you notice that your gel leaves your curly hair stiff as wires, the problem isn't the gel : it's that you're sealing in dryness , not moisture.
The rule is simple: hydrate first, set later…
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