We have all been there. You have finally decide to purchase that new leave-in conditioner everyone has been raving about and decide to use it to create your signature wash and go or twist out.
You apply the leave-in and then grab your favorite gel making sure every curl is covered because you cannot have any mistakes today, it’s late and you have to get to the office.
As you apply the gel, you notice little white balls appearing all over your hair, on every strand in every area. Uh Oh! You try to fix it by rubbing in the white balls but you notice that they are firm and are not melting into your strands.
It’s that new leave-in conditioner you think, how is everyone raving about it when it clearly doesn’t work on your hair? What’s going on? And more importantly, what do you do now? It’s not like you can even cover it up, your hair is officially a mess.
We totally feel your pain, many of us have been through this once or twice, and let me tell you, picking out the balls is not an option because there are just too many. A puff or bun won’t work either because they’ll still be visible.
Honestly, the best thing you can do is go ahead and make the call, tell your boss the dog ate your homework because unfortunately, work will not be an option today. Alternatively, slap on a wig* and deal with the situation when you get back home from work.
I know I am not alone when I say, that I really had no clue what caused the white balls. When I got them with a new product, more than likely it would end up in the trash with me declaring that it does not work for MY hair when the truth is actually a little more nuanced than that.
The thing is, it’s all about chemistry. When it comes to a leave-in conditioner*, or in fact any conditioner and gel, sometimes the two products just don’t well, gel… pun intended. This situation can happen between a gel you have been using for years and a new leave-in conditioner or a new gel and an old leave-in conditioner.
It can also happen between your normal deep conditioner* that you didn’t rinse out well enough and the gel you decide to use that day. And twist-outs are not safe either, especially if like me, you favor the use of gel in your twist-outs instead of twisting creams. You may not notice straight away but once your hair is dry, you will be met with what looks like large flakes of dandruff while you unravel the twists. Argh.
Essentially, it is caused by ingredients in the two products you used that just don’t mix well together allowing for some of the properties of the product that would typically behave one way to behave in an entirely different and unexpected way.
For example, gel flaking is caused by polymer molecules that are found in gels that are responsible for clumping our hair and giving us that hold we all know and love. In some cases, if you even attempt to scrunch or touch your hair when it is dry, the molecules will shatter leaving you with literal flakes of gel all over your head.
This isn’t a chemistry class however so I won’t bore you with any more details however there is a foolproof way of making sure you figure out what products work well together before you add them to your hair and create an unholy mess.
The test is simple; just place a little of your leave-in conditioner* in the palm of your hand along with a little of your gel. Rub them together and see how they behave. You will see one of 3 results:
1. You get a creamy consistency with no clumps, that’s great and you have a winning product combo. Carry on with your styling session as usual.
2. If you get cream plus a few clumps that disappear with more rubbing then your products are having a hard time combining but they may do so if you really work them into your hair, proceed with caution but allow enough time to back out if things get hairy.
3. If you get just plain old clumps, abort mission and run for the hills. Make a mental note to NEVER mix those products in your hair and give yourself a pat on the back for sidestepping that particular disaster.
That’s it, I hope you find this tip helpful for avoiding disaster in your next wash & go or twist out.
Do you test new product combos before using them in your hair or do you just chance it? Let us know in the comments and as always, all the best in your hair journey
The lovely NaturalMe4C tested a few of her own products doing the same thing we just described. Check out her video below!
Do you ladies test your product combos before trying them on your hair?
Thanks for this info. I used the eco style gel and had flakes the next day. Now I know.
If all else fails…use OIL! It works WONDERS at removing the white balls. I’m in the Army and had a bad case when trying to slick back my bun and thats an employer you can’t call in late to lol! I went backwards in my sealing regimen and hair oil works (I’ve tried coconut and olive but any should do). Try it!
Thanks so much!!
I learned the hard way! Test first
Hmmm
The olive oil ecostyler didn’t leave me with flakes though. :
it left me with white balls
I was just going to say if you use the olive oil ECO jell it does not flake at all.
The Olive Oil ECO is the worst for me. I look like I had a fight with Olaf after using it!
Ok I see
The original ecostyler didn’t leave flakes in my daughter’s hair but the Argan oil one did. It was terrible.
Has anyone tried the curling souffle on 4c hair, if so tell me how it worked for you? Thanks : )
it works but dries up fast if you use it on dry hair. Use when wet you will be fine
I have 4c hair as well & it’s basically my go to. I haven’t even attempted to find another product when I do my bantu knots because it’s perfect, no flakes at all. Also, I use it on wet hair, I take small sections & apply it individually to eat section as I twist it so I never have a drying out issue.
Im not 4c, but I will say the suffle has a soft hold. But if u mix it with shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie it, works better. Its a great gel, but ONLY if u are wanting soft hold styles.
yes the eco styler gel is not good ..i had flakes and White ball
I always test
No gel works on my hair!i want to make a try of the curling souffle
I don’t use a lot of products… but when I add a new one YES
Yes I too learned the hard way. I had issues with the argan oil eco style gel leaving flakes but the clear eco style and olive oil gels didn’t leave any flakes and I pair them with my leave in and no gooey white balls or flakes.
Picking white balls off strands as I read this!
The Real Person!
I feel your pain Angela. That was me 2 days ago because I didn’t bother testing.
Thank you for posting this; I swear I thought I was going crazy
No, but i will in the future. I used the Eco gel with olive oil and my hair was a flakey mess. Thanks for sharing!!!
Hi ladies! Great article! I am having trouble with gel/product combination and combating frizz once the gel drys…need to know what combinations work. Any suggestions?? Thanks in advance and blessings.
pardon the spelling error… *dries.
I remember the first time this happened to me, I was so lost and wanted to cry! I txt my curly consultant with the quickness. Lol
The Eco gel gave me white flakes a dry scalp and broke out my edges
I have yet to get those products. Everytime i look at the prices i try to go for another product. Guess I’ll just have to get them. 🙂
I love this combo using it now!
Yes Ashley Campfield, I’m in remission from lymphoma cancer. I only use Omni Quik Grow Shampoo & Herbal Conditioners with this combo for maintenance on my new natural hair
I had just bought some eco style gel for the first time today and you saved my life.
Whats 4c???
No. I probably should start though
I test my products first Monique Bella Donna I’ve tried it and it works fine but be careful with what you mix it with and a little goes a long way
Good info!..so dare I try Eco Olive Oil with KKNT anyone?
I think I’m 4b and I have never used the eco style products but have made the flaxseed gel and it works great no flakes and an amazing shine. I also had purchased the Shea moisture curling souffle and didn’t really like how it felt on my hair. (The clear one) it left an oily kind of feel which I can’t tolerate so I gave it away. I’m curious about how the KKNT would work with my hair and pattern.
That’s why I can’t use eco styler gel. Even if you don’t mix product it still flakes in your hair. I stopped using it for those reasons.
Is there another way to test the combination besides actually putting it on the hair only to realize I need to wash it again
The Real Person!
That’s what the post is about Precious Ugbo. Just read it!
I use the pink leave in and the black protein gel together and flat iron my hair it turns out lovely.
that gel doesn’t not work for my hair. it dries it up an doesn’t hold my edges.
This is a good idea!! Rohanna Seville
whats the stuff in the bottle?
Look bottom. It give you a link and explain
Oh! I don’t see it lol Vianca Elias
Great Great Great article and I watched the video of the young lady testing the products….much needed!! 🙂
Precious Ugbo there is a link to the young lady testing the products on YouTube
I love eco styler! works perfectly for me without the flakes.
I was JUST talking about this!!
Nicole it’s a leave-in conditioner.
Merci see I told u it’s all about science!!
Glad to know …..I figured out awhile ago I can’t mix cantu leave in and the Eco olive oil gel but I can use other leave ins with it I love Eco gel
Omg! This happened to me this week and I was like what!? Lol thanks for the post!
Nope don’t have that problem not a fan store bought gels I like pomade consistency way Better
Yes Eco is horrible on our hair flake city !
Why is there no one out here that talks about loosing your hair line or thinning hair line and treatments that could be done at home…like what to use or a combinations of things….come on someone show me what have work for you…and no I never use stick or glue on wigs or gel or have my edge s braided….just have then edges….
Jamaican black castor oil works good and biotin.
This is a LIFE saver. I’ll have to try this now. I always have these combinations in my head of what I thought would work together but I never wanted to put it in my head without knowing the results!
Thanks again!
What is the name of the bottle and what is it?
I must be one of the few who loves Eco styler. I get no flakes or balls. However Shea Moisture is my go to line of hair products. Great advice and I’ll remember this when trying new products and/or combos.
very informative but for some reason i think hair texture has something to do with how well the products mix as well bc several products that mix well in my girls hair turn white and look a hot mess in my hair smh
So glad I found this site. Always learning something new. Thanks.
I had never heard of this testing technique until I saw the You Tube video. I immediately went to check my product collection to see what worked well together. Now I know what was causing the flakes in my hair. This was very helpful and will save me money in knowing what I can and can’t mix.
Yes!
I hate that sm curling stuff. That’s a mess for me
Ecostyler goes well with oil.
To avoid any type of flaking remember that a small bit of gel goes a long way! You don’t need to use a lot when doing styles like twistouts bantu knots etc
Really, a lot of my products do that.
Good stuff
This happens all the time.. And I just use the cream alone.. Smh
It doesn’t matter what kind of gel I use it still does it. Like Rochelle Corilette Liyah Warner said a little goes a long way so true.
I suggest As I Am leave in conditioner followed by Eco styler Argan oil. Plenty of moisture, no flakes:)
Eco Styler mixes horribly with most products, however I will co-sign that As I Am’s leave in is a great product.
As I AM leave in was my staple leave I’m but this summer my scalp and hair did not like it..it was so dry. I am using grainier leave in now which is great but I need something organic/ natural that compares to it.
Can you post a moisturizer that goes with the gorilla snot gel?
Really helpful
Finally! Thank you!!!
Which moisturizers go with eco styled gel?
I learned the hard way that Cantu leave in and Eco Styler do not mix. Thanks for the article!
This post is right on time! Thanks
Do not mix African pride Shea moisture miracle leave-in conditioner with eco styler. It will form those gooey balls unfortunately.
I use raw Shea butter,the Cantu leave in conditioner and the ecostyler gel and it works perfectly as long as you know how much of what to use when.
Yaaa thank you!
Doesn’t happen to me when I mix Eden leave in and Eco, but every hair responds different.
Oh wow I’ve had those white flakes
I don’t think Design Essentials custard can mix with anything
What’s the name of the product in the bottle?
I really want you to know that you have saved my life because I never really understood why the eco gel would not be able to work for me and define my curls and google does not provide as much information about it either. Bless you.
Trisha Fox! This is good one I learned the hard way
Awesome! I’m sure you’ll need to teach me all your tricks
Curling souffler +ecostyler =
Good info