Gel Talk: EcoStyler

EcoStyler Pink styled wash and go

Talking Gels: No, gels don't actually talk but I like to discuss them from time to time. I like to use gels AND products that are alcohol free. I always noticed that even when I had a relaxer the moment the beautician used some sort of alcohol laden product, my scalp would begin to itch and within days my hair would be dry (unmoisturized). My personal, natural journey and product snobbery led to my discovery of non-alcohol based gels such as EcoStyler. There are others but I just wanted to talk about this one for a moment. It is alcohol free and they have several versions. Some include olive oil, argan oil and other healthy ingredients. One is even meant for those active in sports. They come in a variety of colors- green, crystal, blue... I have previously tried the green, yellow and crystal. They were cool for my twists and wash and gos but I didn't LOVE them because my hair didn't need as much hold or was often too crunchy after use.

Then one day, I discovered that EcoCo (the maker) has a facebook page - find it here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ecoco/216194538402548. And on that page, they note the best use for each gel. Lo and behold I found that the "crystal" I'd been using was for porous hair. My own hair is "low porosity". After reading a bit more on each I suspected that pink was for me as it has less hold (meaning less crunch for me) for my hair which spirals on it's own. I searched high and low for it on the ground here in Columbus and was only able to find green, yellow and crystal at the suggested retailers and beauty supply stores (Sallys, Walgreens, CVS). Then one random day after the recent power outage, I went grocery shopping at Giant Eagle. Something told me to look in the cosmetics section and voila! There it was! I have been using it rather faithfully every since and it really does work for me. And might I add that EcoStyler gel is very affordable at about $3-$4 for a 16-oz jar (there are 8oz sizes too). There's something for everyone in this gel line. I'm really looking forward to trying their NEW Crazy, Sexy, Cool Curls line (partially because it borrows the name from an album title of one of my favorite girl groups- the first curlie who names the group wins a free jar of Eco Gel from me!). Give it a try!