Who knew that all this while Glycerine was the culprit? Yes, the humble transparent goopy-fluid that our mothers and grandmothers have used and praised over the years, was the frizz former for our curls. Well, Curlvana, India’s very first Glycerine-Free curl care range has come up with a solution for frizz-free, refined, and defined curls. Their line of CG-approved products in India is what I am going to review today.

So, what’s the science behind it?

Curly and wavy hair is inherently dry because the kink in the hair texture doesn’t allow the natural oils of the scalp to absorb into the strands easily. Owing to its dryness, textured hair absorbs the moisture in its surroundings which swells up the hair shaft leading to the dreaded frizz. Humectants are substances that attract moisture from the air which exacerbates frizz. Glycerine is a humectant commonly found in hair care products and therefore doesn’t suit curly hair.

So, What’s Curlvana all about?

The current market has a significant dearth of good quality CG-approved products in India. Curlvana is a new brand that has vouched to fill that void. Currently, they have 5 products that are crafted for wavy, curly, and coiled hair, across all porosities. The range comprises a shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, hair mask, and hair gel. So, they have all that you need to follow the curly girl routine.

What is the Curly Girl Method?

So here lies the answer to this billion-dollar question. The Curly Girl Method was invented by Lorraine Massey, a curly beauty herself. After having tried every trick in the book, she picked up the correct permutation and combination to create this amazing hair care procedure that millions of women have imbibed. There is no rocket science here, CGM includes using a sulfate-free shampoo, a silicone-free conditioner, a light leave-in product, and a hair gel. Together this curly cocktail, when used correctly can give dull frizzy mane a new life in the form of beautiful, defined curls. CGM is suited for wavy and coiled hair as well; basically, this method is designed for all kinds of textured hair. 

My experience with the products

I wanted to give Curlvana products an honest shot, which is why I tried the entire range for about 2 months so that I could offer my honest, unbiased review. So here it goes:

Curlvana Fortifying Curl Cleanse:

Packaged in a canary yellow tube of 200ml, Curlvana Fortifying Curl Cleanse is a sulfate-free shampoo that is enriched with Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Fermented Rice Extracts, Plant Protein, Aloe Vera, and shea butter. I use this as my primary shampoo, and I think it does a decent job of cleansing my wavy hair. It has a lightweight texture and doesn’t dry out my waves, which is my primary concern. The best part is, that it gets rid of all the build-up in my scalp, leaving it a fresh feeling and super clean.

Curl Shine Gentle Conditioner:

My wavy hair needs instant conditioning every time I shampoo it, so finding a good conditioner is crucial for me. Curlvana’s Gentle Shine Conditioner is lightweight. I am not a fan of heavy conditioners as they tend to make the crown of my hair look flat, so this one worked pretty well for me. I didn’t notice a stark change in my hair during the first few uses, but over time, it made the waves in my hair look defined and smooth. It comes in a 200ml tube which is ergonomically designed.

Also Read: Pre_poo for dry curly hair

Moisture-Lock Curl Styling Leave-In Cream:

An excellent product from this line is the leave-in cream. It works like magic to coat my hair with some much-needed moisture after every wash. Plus, it doesn’t weigh the hair down, giving it an absolute holy-grail status in my book. I use the bowl method every time I use this conditioner, and it keeps my hair frizz-free for a couple of days. The secret is to apply it on 75% wet hair so that it can seal the moisture while amplifying the wave pattern.

Curl Defining Styling Gel:

Curling gels can be very tricky, especially if you have wavy hair, so it’s best to apply them sparingly and see how they work with your hair. Truth be told, I use the gel only when I have to step out as I avoid using multiple products on my hair daily. Flaxseed which is great for Indian curly hair is the star ingredient in this gel. It has a light, silky consistency which glides easily on the hair. The best part is, that it doesn’t leave a crunchy residue behind, which is the biggest problem with most gels. I’ve noticed this product keeps my curls from opening up and helps with curl definition, keeping the ringlets intact for a couple of days. It doesn’t weigh my hair down nor does it feel sticky, which is yet another benefit of this gel.

Deep nourish Double Cream Hair Mask:

I was not one to use hair masks religiously, but ever since I got my hands on Curlvana’s hair mask, I just cannot stop using it! It’s so deliciously hydrating and my tresses just lap away its nourishing goodness. My hair feels so soft and happy after every application of this rich, decadent hair mask. I cannot recommend this product enough, as it happens to be my favorite from the entire range. Jamaican Castor Oil and Shea butter are the prime ingredients in the mask, and they are every bit effective in taming frizzy hair.

My take on Curlvana Products

When I first got my hands on the Curlvana range, I thought it was just another curly hair brand, with big claims, but to my pleasant surprise, this range works! It has amazing products that will bring out the best in your curly, wavy, and coiled hair. It’s a great range for CGM beginners, who don’t know where to start. I’d give this brand 5 stars from my end, as it is godsent for textured hair.

Also Read: About Hair Serum

© Ruchi Verma

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