Eco Styler Gel UK.
Our full range of eco styler gel, curated for curly, coily and wavy hair. Free 24-hour UK delivery on orders over £25.
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Eco Styler gel, choosing the right formula
What Eco Styler gel actually is
Eco Styler is a firm hold styling gel sold in large tubs, and it has been the default gel for wash and gos, slick buns and braid downs in Black and mixed hair households for decades. It is water based, it holds hard, and it washes out with shampoo. The versions differ mainly by the oil or protein added to the same base.
Sizes run from 8 oz jars up through 16 oz tubs to the 5 lb Krystal Clear pack, which is the one salons and large families buy.
Which version to pick
Olive Oil is the original and the safest starting point, giving hold with a bit of shine. Argan Oil is slightly softer and better on hair that goes dry and dusty. Coconut suits looser curls that want definition without weight. Black Castor Oil and Flax Seed Oil is the moisture leaning option, and the one people in braids and twists tend to prefer.
Protein and Super Protein add strength to the mix, which suits fine or weakened hair but will feel stiff if you are using protein products elsewhere in the same wash. Krystal is the clear, plain version with no added oil, which is the pick if scented gels have irritated your scalp before. Curl And Wave is the lightest hold in the group.
The Colored Hair Styling Gel deposits a temporary tint alongside the hold, so it is bought for a look rather than for everyday styling.
Getting a wash and go right
Apply to soaking wet hair rather than damp. Section it, rake the gel through, then either shake it out or smooth it down depending on the finish you want. Do not touch it again until it is completely dry, then scrunch the cast out with a few drops of oil on your palms.
Layer over a leave in conditioner rather than putting gel on bare hair. Gel on its own gives hold with no moisture underneath, and that is what leaves coils feeling brittle by day two.
Hard water, humidity and flaking
The main complaint about heavy gels is white flaking, and it usually traces back to three things: too much product, hair that was not wet enough on application, and hard water. London and the south east are hard water areas, and the minerals in it react with product residue sitting on the hair.
A clarifying wash once a month clears that. Through a British summer at 75 to 90% humidity, a firmer version such as Super Protein or Krystal will hold a set that Curl And Wave would lose by lunchtime. Through winter at around 30% indoor humidity, a lighter hand with more leave in underneath works better than piling on more gel.