Hello curly friends! Over the past 4 years of following the Curly Girl Method, I’ve tried lots of different gels and mousses. And today I’m sharing my review of a curly girl favourite- the Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel. It won a Best of the Best Award from NaturallyCurly.com in both 2019 and 2020.
What makes Eco Style Olive Oil Gel unique
Water (Aqua), Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, PVP, Glycerin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Polysorbate 20, Tetrasodium EDTA, Olive Oil, Fragrance, Blue #1, Yellow #11.
Eco Style Olive Oil styling gel is made with 100% pure olive oil. Olive oil helps add moisture to the scalp and hair while adding shine and taming split ends. If your hair is sensitive to protein or glycerin, please note that it does contain protein as the 3rd ingredient and glycerin as the 5th ingredient.
This gel provides medium to strong hold. On day 1, your curls will be tight and bouncy. On days 2 and 3, your curls will be still well defined but look and feel softer and slightly looser. If you prefer a very defined curl, you may want to refresh your curls with water and a little gel.
Yes, many curly girls with type 3 and 4 hair say that this is a great gel for natural hair. “I have a 4A/4B textured hair and have been using the Olive Oil Eco-Styling Gel for a few years. This has been a “go to” product for me since I went natural in 2012. Amazing!!! This was the first Eco Styler Gel I’ve ever used… And I don’t regret it!! It provides amazing hold and keeps out the frizzies, it also defines my 3b/3c hair and does not leave it with flakes and residue. Yes, the Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel is Curly Girl approved.
As noted above, it does contain protein as the 3rd ingredient and glycerin. It also contains Tetrasodium EDTA, which is a chelating agent which can build up on your hair over time. So, it may be best to alternate it with other gels in your regimen.
How to use for best results
In my experience, this gel works best when paired with a medium-consistency curl cream or enhancing product. I like pairing it with the SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie best. However, it also works well with a small amount of the Curls Blueberry Bliss Leave-In Conditioner. One combination that does NOT work well is Eco Styler Gel + Cantu Shea Butter Curl Activator Cream.
For best results, ensure that your hair is well moisturized and doesn’t have any tangles. Apply to wet hair after rinsing out conditioner and applying leave in conditioner. Be sure to scrunch upward, and check your face-framing layers. If they look a little messy, just twirl them around your finger and scrunch upward for definition.
Another place you can look is the ethnic hair section of your local Walmart. Have you used the Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel before? If so, what did you think? I love this easy to use, budget friendly gel. And it gives me excellent hold and definition. Have you tried any of the other Eco Styler family of gels?
p.s. Some of the items in this post are affiliate links. I only post about products that I love + think you’ll probably love, too! As an Amazon Associate or affiliate for other programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase through my link, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.
Who is it best for?
1K+ bought since yesterday, try a subscription. Eco Style Olive Oil Gel is popular among curl types seeking moisture, shine, and a reliable hold without weighing strands down.
Key item features
- Eco Style Olive Oil Styling Gel, 16 oz
- Rich in deeply emollient olive oil to help nurture dry hair
- Locks looks in place without flaking or tackiness
- Alcohol-free, preserving natural moisture
- Works on many hair types and textures
Usage tips and troubleshooting
Apply to wet hair after rinsing out conditioner and applying leave-in conditioner. Scrunch upward and adjust face-framing layers as needed. If you notice stiffness or excessive crunch, it may help to refresh with a small amount of water and a touch more gel. For defined curls with less flake, ensure you’re moisturizing adequately and balancing protein content with other products.
How To Apply Eco styling gel on Natural Hair. Eco styler gel on 4c hair
Accessories and pairings that enhance results
Medium-consistency curl creams or enhancing products pair naturally with this gel. SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie is a common companion, while small amounts of the Curls Blueberry Bliss Leave-In Conditioner also work well. Avoid combinations like Eco Styler Gel with Cantu Shea Butter Curl Activator Cream for some hair types.
While it has many fans, the gel’s chelating agent (Tetrasodium EDTA) may contribute to buildup over time for some users. Alternating with other gels in a regimen can help mitigate this issue.
Practicalities and availability
Current price and availability can vary by region, but Eco Style Olive Oil Gel is widely accessible at drugstores and retailers. It is positioned as a budget-friendly option that delivers strong hold and curl definition without heavy residue.