I am always on a curly hair journey… trying to find the perfect products to get that perfect cast on my hair so that it looks fab all day long. So far in my journey I have found products that both work – and some don’t work as well. Most recently, I have been trying out this duo from Cantu and I have to say – this combination has perhaps been working the best so far in getting my curls close to perfection. I have been loving the Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream and the Define and Shine Custard.
I style my hair using a diffuser – so this is the way I work with these products to achieve my desired effect. If you’re looking for volume – I’d recommend adding a little bit of mousse to your roots.
What’s great about the Cantu range as it contains no Sulfates, silicones, parabens or Mineral Oil.
Apply these products to wet hair for the best results, scrunching the products in to encourage the curl.
Cantu Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
This has a nice texture and I apply this after my leave on conditioner or primer. The cream helps to smooth the curls, give initial hold and hydrate the curls. Although if too much is used, it could weigh down the hair as it’s not a light product due to the addition of shea butter and other oils. It also has a nice slip to it and absorbs into the hair easily and quickly without leaving any residue.
Key ingredients:
- Glycerin: this is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the environment around it to itself, so it could help to draw moisture into the hair.
- Shea Butter: a great source of moisture for dry hair, although it can weigh down thinner hair types.
- Soyabean Oil: full of fatty acids and the lipids mean that it helps other products absorb better into the hair.
- It also has Hydrolyzed Silk which is a protein – so if your hair needs protein, this will help to boost that.
Cantu Define and Shine Custard
If you’re looking for that crunchy cast that you will then scrunch out – the curly girl method way – then this product is the one for you! Even though it’s called a custard, I would say it’s very much like a gel.
The gel gives excellent hold and definition to the hair without making it feel sticky or too hard, but it does give you enough crunch that you get great definition. It also smells delicious!
Although, and perhaps this is something about my application, I do not find that the style holds for more than that day. I do have to reapply some product the following morning, even when I wrap my hair at night. In fact – I find that the gel actually seems more effective on the second day when I apply a little more to my slightly damped hair to refresh the curls.
Some people have said that it flakes in their hair – but this has never been the case for me.
Key ingredients:
- Glycerin: this product also contains glycerine, which is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the environment around it to itself, so it could help to draw moisture into the hair.
- Nettle Extract: rich in protein and amino acids
- Aloe Vera Leaf Juice: acts as a good conditioner to leave your hair smooth and shiny.
- Shea Butter: also in the cream, it’s a great source of moisture for dry hair, although it can weigh down thinner hair types.
It also contains other oils including canola oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, jojoba seed oil, olive fruit oil, sweet almond oil and more… a great cocktail of ingredients
After applying the gel, I diffuse and I am left with a beautifully defined look with great hold to it… been loving them. It also has a great price point so they’re definitely worth a try if you’re looking for something new to manage your curls.
Jessica xx
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