This review dives into the Alaffia Curl Defining Cream, exploring whether it lives up to the hype. The author, a long-time user of a specific wash-and-go routine featuring Wet Line Extreme gel and castor oil, decided to try this cream as a potential alternative, despite its higher price point. Known for enjoying Alaffia's other products, their expectations were high for this curl cream. The review details their experience, comparing the Alaffia cream's performance to their established routine, focusing on factors such as hold, shine, longevity, and overall cost-effectiveness.The author's hair type and usual styling methods are clearly outlined to provide context for the review. The comparison allows readers to understand the product's performance relative to a proven method. The review concludes with a definitive verdict on the Alaffia Curl Defining Cream's suitability, including whether the author would recommend it and their plans for future use. The reader will gain valuable insights into this product's performance and its potential for different hair types.
Pros And Cons
- Did not damage hair
- Felt nice while hair was drying
- Lightweight
- Frizzy results
- Not cost-effective (used half a bottle and was unimpressed)
- Didn't provide long-lasting definition (only good for one day)
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Pre-Wash Day Prep and Product Introduction
I decided to try Alaffia's Curl Defining Cream, a product I'd seen at Whole Foods. I'm a big fan of their other products, especially their hand soaps, which are gentle on the skin. This cream gel, however, is a bit pricier than my usual go-to products. I'm excited to see how it performs on my hair.
My Usual Wash and Go Routine
My hair is about two weeks unwashed, usually styled in a wash-and-go with Wet Line Extreme gel and castor oil. I often mix the two for a creamy consistency, easily raking it through my hair. This gives me a defined, shiny look that lasts. I typically use this method to maintain my style for several days.
Sometimes, if my hair starts to lose definition, I pin it up to preserve the style until the next wash day.
Before starting the Alaffia curl cream, my hair was quite long and could use a trim and shape-up.
First Impressions: Wet Hair
After applying the Alaffia Curl Defining Cream, my initial reaction was surprise. My hair felt unusually light, unlike the defined, gelled feel I get with my usual products. It felt almost as if there was nothing in my hair at all. The wet hair lacked the usual defined coils and shine I'm used to.
Dry Hair Results and Overall Assessment
Once dry, my hair was quite frizzy, unlike the defined curls I achieve with my regular routine. The shrinkage was also noticeable. While it felt nice, this would only be suitable for a one-day style; I would need to diffuse it to make the volume more manageable. For a multi-day style, this would end up in a bun fairly quickly.
I used roughly half the bottle for this application; considering the price, it's simply not a cost-effective product. Though it did not damage my hair and caused no flaking, the final result wasn't impressive for my hair type.
Final Verdict and Alternatives
Ultimately, I found the Alaffia Curl Defining Cream to be a disappointing product for my hair type. Its high price and lack of long-lasting definition make it an unsatisfactory purchase for me. It might work better for others, but given the cost and my experience, I wouldn't recommend it. I will try it on my daughters hair in the future to see if it works better for their hair type.
I will stick with my trusted Wet Line Extreme gel and castor oil combination, which provides better hold, shine, and lasts for multiple days.