I have always been a big fan of twist-outs and braid-outs. I think they look gorgeous. However, in my four years of being completely natural, I only achieved a proper braid-out last year. I had been advised to try out a curl definer but then again being a minimalist I convinced myself that I could achieve the same results with just water and oil, and that did work out in the end. However the first time I achieved a proper braid-out, the success was 100% because of the ApHogee curl definer.
Sometimes when you’ve been in this natural hair game for so long, you get super bored and want to try out new things. For me, it was more of a coincidence that I landed on this product. Yes, I had reached a point where I was down to try something new, but I hadn’t exactly pinpointed what that thing was.
My cousin woke up one day and decided that she was cutting all her hair off and handed me all of her products. It was a win-win situation. We both got to try out new things. Among these products was the ApHogee brand, and I was extremely excited to try it out. I had heard good reviews about it but now I got to try it out on my own hair. I didn’t really think it would make that much of a difference on my hair but I was still excited to try it.
Now when I think about it, I think I really wasted this product for the first few uses. So that’s the first lesson for today. Always follow the directions given for the product or you might end up wasting it. But we’ll get to that.
Manufacturer’s claims
The product claims to separate and define your mane, adding bounce, definition, and control that lasts. It utilizes proteins for strength, emollients for shine and humectants for softness. Curlific is serious care for textured hair.
Price
The product goes for about Ksh 900-1000 in a regular retail store. This particular one was from Super Cosmetics and it cost Ksh 995. I think it’s pretty affordable because you don’t use that much product, so it ends up lasting a while. Another thing is that using the product once will keep the curls for at least a week. You won’t need to keep styling your hair. So yes, it is worth it.
Directions
Use on damp hair. Dispense a small amount between palms and disperse, scrunch through hair and either air dry or use a diffuser drier.
The first time I used this product on dry hair, I ended up wasting a huge chunk of it. The results were terrible and I just combed my hair back to a boring ponytail. So always follow the directions.
I don’t think scrunching can be done on 4c hair, and even if it’s possible it may not be that effective. Because I use this product to define my hair texture, I usually wash my hair and then when it’s dried up a little (but still damp) I part it into sections, use some product and then add oil and plait the braids. Again as a naturalista you are advised to keep away from heat, so I would advise you to air dry your hair. Once it is completely dry you unravel the braids and then style as you desire.
Ingredients
When looking out for the ingredients you should ensure that the first ingredient is aqua (water) because this means that it has moisturizing power, and that’s very important. This was a plus when it comes to this particular product.
It contains stearyl alcohol which is an oily additive that softens your hair allowing the product to more easily spread throughout your hair.
It has Polyquaternium 55 which is a multifunctional and hydrophobically modified polymer to provide a smooth, moisturized feel.
It has Keratin and amino acids which adds rigidity to the style and helps in maintaining the curls for a longer period of time.
It also has Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate which is a naturally- lightweight, plant-based sugar used in cosmetics because it stabilizes emulsions at any temperature, gives formulas immediate viscosity, reduces the greasiness of products and delivers a smooth, thick feeling.
It has glycerin that is heavy in humectants, which are made to pull moisture into the hair and retain it.
Another thing to look out for in these products is those that have few and simple ingredients. That was my main dispute with this product. It contains very many chemicals.
Final Verdict
I will definitely be purchasing this product again. It’s not a product for everyday use but is very helpful now and then in achieving a perfect braid-out, twist-out or even a wash-n-go. It is affordable and it works perfectly to achieve the desired results.
Pros
- It is affordable
- It works perfectly in defining the curls
- It is readily available in many retail stores
Cons
- The product contains too many ingredients
Read this product review for the Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner
