Smooth 'N Shine Curl Activator Gel, For Extra Dry Hair, 10.5 oz Review

Returned it the same day.

"I wish I could tell you this product worked for me...It didnt. After trying about 6 other products that didnt work for my hair, and reading the great reviews of this product, I went to my local [...] to find it. Found out from a Walgreens manager that it was being discontinued and that the nearest Walgreens that had it was 18 miles away. Drove to the Walgreens, thinking it would be worth it. I tried on while my hair was dry and I did notice that it made my curls scrunch a tiny bit/get tighter...but not fireworks. It simply looked like I had a little bit of gel on my hair. It didnt make my curls clump together/become defined. Oh and contrary to the reviews, this product IS greasy...and nope, not if you use a lot of it...just dab a little on your finger and it'll be slick for days. Figured I should wash my hair and apply it while my hair was wet...thought maybe that would give me better results. So I used a clarifying shampoo, Dandruff shampoo, ION Curl Defining shampoo & conditioner, and Paul Mitchell Super-Charged Moisturizer conditioner (since my hair has gotten dry from trying products, washing them out several times within a few days). Fresh and clean hair, I only put some oil on my scalp and like half a teaspoon worth of Royal Roots Detangler/Moisturizer. Then applied 3-4 teaspoons worth of the Curl Activator onto my slightly towel dried (still wet) hair. Rubbed it between my palms, then smoothed it onto my hair and raked it through my curls. I dont know what kind of hair you need to have for this product to work, but you cant have my kind. lol Once it dried, there was a little less frizz, but my curls were still in afro form, no silky, defined curls. Once it dried, it didnt feel oily, but did feel a little "producty"...the "softness" that reviews mentioned, felt like the product not my actual hair being soft. I got a buzz cut about 3 months ago to go natural/no more relaxer/have healthier hair. When my hair grows in, its in very silky, very tiny, spiral curls (except the middle of my head, which grows in loose s-curls/waves)...its not in fuzzy afro form until I wash/scrub my hair, have slept on it, etc...so Im just trying to get it back to it's original look. The other gels that I have tried (not "activators") were too light/did not make my curls clump together if I smoothed the hairs together and twisted...or were too heavy/made my spiral curl slightly straight, asymetrical. So I tried creams, which did a better job that it meant I didnt have the luxury of smoothing it all over my head, I had to do each tiny curl 1 by 1...which took HOURS. I used the yellow and clear bottle of Short Sexy Hair (at Wal-Mart), and at a different time Isoplus' Dread, Locks, Twist Molding Creme, which did a similar job. But today I washed out the twists that I started back up after the activator didnt work and I was like "NO, f-that, Im not sittin' here for hours doing this...No" lol Im laughing right now, but really this is getting frustrating...I was fine until today, but Im finally getting fed up. before I go, let me list a couple of others that didnt work for me: Loreal Studio Perfect Curl Shaping Smooth cream - its very light, yet it weighed down my curls/made them asymetrical. Sunsilk Captivating Curls De-Frizz Leave-in Cream - Did basically Nothing. SAMY Big Curls - this DID smooth/moisturize my hair, but did not help At All with keeping strands side by side so that you can actually See a spiral curl versus bushiness. I guess I'll have to give in and go to a salon that knows how to work with natural hair without using chemicals or curling irons, etc. I'll include some photos of when I used the Curl Activator. Good luck you guys."