To style curls with gel, rake the gel through your hair starting at the mid-lengths and ends, then work a little bit up to the top of your hair after it's completely raked through.
Here's a breakdown of how to effectively use gel for curly hair styling:
- Start with Clean, Conditioned Hair: Begin with freshly washed and conditioned hair. This provides a good base for the gel to adhere to.
- Apply to Damp Hair: Gel works best when applied to damp, not soaking wet, hair. Gently squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel or t-shirt.
- Section Your Hair: Divide your hair into sections to ensure even distribution of the gel. This is especially important for thick or long hair.
- Emulsify the Gel: Take a small amount of gel and rub it between your palms to emulsify it. This helps to distribute the product evenly.
- Apply Using the "Raking" Method: Rake the gel through each section, starting from the mid-lengths to the ends, ensuring every strand is coated.
- Optional: Apply to Roots (Lightly): After raking through the length, lightly apply some gel to the roots for added hold, avoiding build-up.
- Encourage Curl Formation: After applying the gel, use techniques like scrunching or praying hands to encourage curl formation. Scrunching involves gently squeezing the hair upwards towards the scalp. Praying hands involves smoothing the hair between your palms as if praying.
- Air Dry or Diffuse: Allow your hair to air dry or use a diffuser on a low heat setting. Diffusing helps to speed up the drying process without disrupting the curl pattern. Avoid touching your hair while it's drying to prevent frizz.
- "Scrunch Out the Crunch" (SOTC): Once your hair is completely dry, it may feel crunchy due to the gel cast. Gently scrunch your hair to break the cast and reveal soft, defined curls. You can use a small amount of oil on your hands while scrunching to add shine and reduce frizz.
By following these steps, you can use gel effectively to define, hold, and enhance your natural curls.
