Why can't I get a curl cast?

DanielleMcC

I'm using Devacurl products...low poo, one condition delight, and ultra defining gel and I cant seem to get a curl cast. In fact I don't think I ever have with devacurl or any other product for that matter. I'm doing things just as directed...applying to soaking wet hair...like really sopping wet as they suggest but no cast at all. Most of the time it's like I didnt put product in my hair at all...so when its wet it looks good and curly but when it dries I have little curl definition. Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions? I'm using plenty of product so it's not that. Any suggestions?  I have fine to medium strands, 2b (used to be more 2c until the past 2 years), low porosity hair. 

Guide 65

Maybe try putting on your gel after towel drying.  I think putting it into very wet hair makes the cast really soft, and putting it into damp hair makes it harder.  I always put my gel in really wet hair, but sometimes I squish with my towel and then add a little bit more. 

tinksaysboo

You're probably not using enough gel. How much are you currently using?  I don't get a cast (or a very good one) when I don't put in enough gel.    

BrittanyM

When I first started, I didnt get a cast every time. Not sure why but you might get one as you go on.

DanielleMcC

tinksaysboo said:

You're probably not using enough gel. How much are you currently using?  I don't get a cast (or a very good one) when I don't put in enough gel.    

I'm using a lot...like a palm full. 

Love your bouncy curls btw. 

DanielleMcC

BrittanyM said:

When I first started, I didnt get a cast every time. Not sure why but you might get one as you go on.

That's interesting. Maybe as my hair gets healthier it will curl cast. My hair is not healthy right now. I started CG a few years ago but didn't stick with it for more than 2 weeks. I'm trying to stick with it this time, but modified as I need to clarify sometimes, so hopefully my hair will get healthier with time. 

tinksaysboo

DanielleMcC said:

tinksaysboo said:

You're probably not using enough gel. How much are you currently using?  I don't get a cast (or a very good one) when I don't put in enough gel.    

I'm using a lot...like a palm full. 

Love your bouncy curls btw. 

Thanks!  What gel are you using?  Some gels & mouses just don't cast well.  I've also heard quite a few curlies echo @BrittanyM about not getting a cast when they started CG.

Another thing to explore is how you are drying your hair.  Again, based on personal experience, I get a better cast when I air dry opposed to diffusing.  

AlmaPetra

What's your hair type? I'm type 4 and I tried Deva Curl Ultra defining gel before and found it to have very weak hold in my hair. You might need a real hard hold gel depending on your hair type and the condition of your hair. 

DanielleMcC

Guide 65 said:

Maybe try putting on your gel after towel drying.  I think putting it into very wet hair makes the cast really soft, and putting it into damp hair makes it harder.  I always put my gel in really wet hair, but sometimes I squish with my towel and then add a little bit more. 

So I tried putting the gel in my hair after having wrung out a lot of water so it wasn't as wet and while I still dont have much of a cast there is a little bit of one and my curls are bouncy, and seem to be staying. I'll keep experimenting. Thanks so much 🙂  My hair is low porosity so perhaps when it's soaking wet it just can't absorb anything else. 

hmr1016

Sometimes I have this issue too and solve it by diffusing my hair on low heat for about a minute so the gel dries.