Introducing India’s First Glycerine-Free Curl Care Brand- Curlvana review

Good hair care products are imperative when you are blessed with curly locks. The secret to maintaining Indian curly hair is, to use products that are specially formulated for textured hair. Using the wrong shampoo, conditioner, etc will convert your tresses into a poofy mess, forcing you to detest your curls. As a child, I always wished for straight hair as it was conventionally prettier and easy to manage. After giving hair a lot of hate and heat (quite literally from styling products), to my hair, I finally came across the Curly Girl Method. Discovering this routine was an eye-opener.

For years I had been struggling with curly hair and cursing my stars to be born with unruly mane, but the Curly Girl Routine changed my haircare game. It made me realize that subjecting my hair to chemicals and heat was my biggest mistake, and like all things curls needed some extra love and effort to bloom.

So, what is the Curly Girl Method?

First up, let’s understand why is curly hair different. The scalp produces natural oils which enter the hair shaft, keeping it soft and hydrated. However, the structure of curly hair is such that the natural oils cannot penetrate through the hair shaft easily making the length and the ends look and feel dry. Ingredients such as sulfates further aggravate this dryness, because curly hair is porous and strong surfactants act like a dishwasher on the hair. Then comes silicones, which are polymers that create an artificial coating on the hair strands making them feel soft, but it only lasts momentarily. Plus, it doesn’t nourish the hair and has superficial, short-lived benefits. There are other ingredients such as phthalates, parabens, and zinc that can potentially irritate curly hair and make it prone to frizz.

The Curlvana Range

I am beyond happy to report that there is a new curl-friendly Indian hair care line on the block, which offers an A to Z solution for wavy, curly and coiled hair. The brand is here to put an end to the everyday struggle we have with curly hair, by formulating an entire range, replete with ingredients that can banish frizz and dryness. The unique part about Curlvana is that they have come up with a glycerine-free range.

Glycerine attracts environmental moisture/ humidity. Curly hair happens to be very porous and therefore and when humidity enters the pore, it causes the shaft to swell, leading to frizz and unmanageability. I don’t think any brand has put in so much thought, effort, and scientific fervor to come up with a curl-care range like this.

Owing to the glycerine-free claim, Curlvana products are crafted to cut down on the frizz, making Day 2 and Day 3 curls defined and manageable. Plus, they have every product that you need to design an Indian Curly Hair Routine making it easier for CGM novices to select the right hair care.

Let’s discuss the products

Shampoo: Curlvana’s Fortifying Curl Cleanse is a mild shampoo, enriched with ingredients such as Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Fermented Rice Water Extract, Plant Protein, and Shea butter. It has a light texture and doesn’t lather a lot. It’s a fragrance-free product formulated with mild surfactants to cleanse the scalp without over-drying the hair. It works across all hair porosity and strengthens the hair strands. Curly hair is prone to breakage because it gets tangled very easily. I have noticed lesser hair on my brush ever since I started using this shampoo. Plus, I also love the fact that it doesn’t dry my hair out like other shampoos.

Conditioner: The Curl Shine Gentle Conditioner is a light conditioner that moisturizes curly hair without weighing it down. The previous conditioner I used, lead to a lot of product build-up and my hair looked flat at the crown. I’ve noticed improved volume and bounce in my hair every time I’ve started using it. I have used it as a co-wash as well, and it worked very well to define my curls.

Curl-styling Leave-In Cream: Most leave-in creams formulated for curly hair have a thick and goopy texture that always weighs my hair down, however, Curlvana’s leave-in conditioner is different. It has significantly reduced frizz in my hair so much so that my Day 2 and Day 3 curls remain as good as wash-day curls. Moreover, it doesn’t cause a lot of build-up. The soft hold keeps the curl patten intact without leaving any sticky residue behind.

Curl-defining styling gel: I don’t like to gel my hair because it leaves a crunchy cast behind. I thought Curlvana’s defining styling gel would do the same, but this flaxseed-based curling gel is different. It makes my hair soft and fluffy with amazing shine. I was pleasantly surprised by this product because it changed my perception of hair gels. From someone who never used gels, to someone who looks forward to gel styling, my hairstyling preferences have changed a lot ever since I started using this gel.

Deep Nourish Double-Cream Hair Mask: Like all of Curlvana’s products, this mask is silicone-free. I thought it to be a super-rich, heavy mask, but it’s not. People with fine curly hair will certainly enjoy this product as it doesn’t weigh the hair down. I use it on the weekends to spruce up my curls after a long week of styling. I use a generous amount and coat every strand and let it sit for at least 5 to 10 minutes so that my hair can absorb all the nourishment. The mask softens the hair and is great for people like me who don’t have the time to oil their hair. I noticed my hair felt super smooth after using the mask. I feel like touching my curls all the time, every time I use it. It’s enriched with shea butter, aloe vera, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, and other deeply moisturizing ingredients.