Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel Review

I came across a new product in the Eco Styler gel line. I was attracted to the product because it stated that it was an Olive Oil product and as most of us know Olive Oil is good for the hair and scalp.  Olive oil helps your scalp naturally regulate its own moisturizing system.

Description for EcoStyler Olive Oil Gel

• Contains 100% pure olive oil
• No flaking, no tack and anti-itch
• For use on any color hair
• Alcohol-free

Eco Styler Olive Oil Styling Gel contains 100% Pure Olive Oil for deep down conditioning while maintaining maximum hold. Contains UV Protection and helps your scalp regulate its' own natural moisture system. For all hair types. Used by professionals.

Natural Hair Wearers

This product is often used for natural hair wearers that do a wash n' go or a co-wash hairstyle. This gel nicely defines curls, dries to a soft hold, and gives hair a beautiful soft sheen to the hair.

I have 3c hair and use this product on wet hair in conjunction with another moisturizer like Luster's Pink Oil or Wet and Wavy creme curl definer. I personally liked the way that the gel further defines my curls but was not heavy and did not make my hair stiff.

Natural hair wearers also finds that this product is excellent when you do a two-strand twist, bantu knots, and/or flat twists.

It has a light fragance and goes on smoothly. However, to speed drying and maintaining this style, a hair dryer may be your best method.

Relaxed Hair Wearers

These wearers find the gel excellent in daily usages as gelling down your edges, flat-twists, and sleeking down you sides for your smooth hair styles.  These wearers found Eco Styler Olive Oil to work well without flaking.  Product holds up well for these users since most of these styles will apply heat that will effectively set your style.

Pros

This product is an economically-based option when compared to products like Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue and/or Curly Pudding that will cost you $38.00 for a 16 oz. jar.

I found the product easy to "refresh" on subsequent days by just spritzing lightly with a water/leave-in conditioner mix.

Usually does not leave hair sticky, greasey, or hard.

This product has been found to help dry, itchy scalp.

Cons

Some 4a through 4c natural wearers may use more of the product to maintain their hairstyle and eventually cause the hair to feel hard.

Can cause hair shrinkage, dryness, flakey if you use too much.

It's very important that you properly moisturize your hair under this product because the gel tends to dry out hair.

I love the stuff! Works well and I have curls for days!

Let me know what your personal experience has been with this product! I'd love to hear from you!

Update: (1/2012)

I no longer use the Eco Styler Gel as my "primary" styler. As my hair grew and I gravitated to more natural/organic hair products, finding a "natural" gel fulfilled my growing hair needs better. I do, however, use Eco Styler under leave-ins for my edges and when I want to "refresh" my style. I substituted the Eco Styler for Kinky Curly Custard but have kept it on hand since the Kinky Curly Custard is pricey at $16.00 for an eight ounce jar making the Eco Styler Gel a great choice for those on a budget.