by Philip |
Last Updated: December 9, 2017 When you buy something using the links on our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
We asked our writer Ashley if he or his wife wanted to review anything and they asked to try out Aunt Jackie’s Don’t Shrink Curling Gel.
If you have naturally curly hair, finding the right product so that your hair looks healthy and feels good can be a real struggle. You don’t want to damage your hair by straightening it too frequently, and you definitely don’t want to just accept that you’ll have to have a pony tail every day for the rest of your life!
This product was tested and discussed by my wife, Morgana, who has a full head of long and naturally curly hair. She likes having long hair, and she likes the fact that her hair is curly. What she doesn’t like is, as she says: “the fact that my hair will flouff all over the place at the least provocation, and usually ends up looking drab and frazzled by the end of the day.”
Morgana’s review of Aunt Jackie’s Don’t Shrink Curling Gel:
I will start by saying that I have very thick, low-porosity hair. This means that my hair has a lot of protein, which is great when you need to heal damaged hair, but that moisture struggles to get into and through the hair follicles – not so good.
I have previously worn my hair short – just above jaw length – but found that it frayed too readily at the ends and would end up looking like a boyish mop of frizz at the end of the day. Now, there’s nothing wrong with boyish mops, but a lot wrong with frizz. And, being rather on the straight-up-and-down side in terms of body shape, I kind of need my hair to help boost the feminine a little!
The product came neatly packaged in a securely fastened padded envelope. My first thought on opening the package was that it looked to be of a good consistency. The label was attractive without being cluttered. The overall impression was of a simple and straightforward product that was happy to let its effect speak for it, rather than rely on fancy branding. So, far, a good start.
I was also impressed with the size of the jar. As I usually only do a full wash of my hair twice a week with product, this should last me at least three to four months. This makes it excellent value at the price.
Opening the jar itself, which was neatly secured around the lid with tape, I was pleased with the smell. It was very fresh and clean without any overpowering chemical aroma. That inspired confidence. I tend to find, as do many people with naturally curly hair, that my hair doesn’t react well to the chemicals that are frequently used in common brands of hair products. As soon as I saw the actual product fully, I knew it was the good stuff.
One of the first things I do with any product is to read the ingredients. With Aunt Jackie’s Don’t Shrink, the ingredients list bore out my initial impression that there were very few chemicals added. The chemicals listed were preservatives, and they are the reason Aunt Jackie’s Don’t Shrink will last just over a year, rather than the just under a month that all-natural flaxseed gel will keep.
When I used this product for the first time, I used it alongside conditioner. In retrospect, I think that may have been a slight mistake, purely because my hair felt a little heavy after it was washed and dried, suggesting that I’d used more product than was necessary. In future, I will treat Aunt Jackie’s Don’t Shrink as a form of conditioner in its own right, and just use it on its own.
Using the product, however, I liked the feel of it going onto and into my hair. This gel has a very high water content, which is good, as curly hair tends to dry out more quickly than straight hair leading to the dry, frazzled look that people frequently criticise as “untidy” or “unsuitable”; both criticisms which can be upsetting to individuals with naturally curly hair.
The day after I washed my hair, I spent about two hours in our local town centre. Normally, my hair would be frizzy and dry by the time I got back from an encounter with the outside world. However, having used the Aunt Jackie product, I found that my hair was still full of bounce, and well defined.
In the normal course of things, my hair starts to look limp and somewhat bedraggled around the third day following a wash. At the time of writing this review, it is three days since I used the product, and my hair is still sleek, with plenty of length and bounce – no signs of curling up and fraying at the ends, no dryness, and good, strong definition. Obviously, first thing in the morning it’s still all over the place, but everyone has to tidy their hair first thing. I am highly suspicious of the kinds of women who claim they can just “get up and go”.
Overall, I am very impressed with Aunt Jackie’s Don’t Shrink, and would happily use it again. The one slight drawback, for me, is that it does have a lot of added proteins, which aren’t good for my hair, although people whose hair is finer may find them beneficial.
Pros:
- Scent – good, clean, natural scent, not overpowering.
- Feel – easy to run through hair using fingers. Not greasy.
- Look – a natural, sleek, shiny and well-defined curl pattern. Not wet-looking, and doesn’t clump.
- Ingredients – plenty of water, very few chemicals. A good option if you don’t want the hassle of making completely natural flaxseed gel.
Cons:
- A little too much protein for people with thick hair.
- Doesn’t feel quite right if used with conditioner – best used as a standalone product. (Less a drawback than an observation, really.)
Value For Money?
This is a very good-quality product, and there’s plenty of it. Definitely good value for money, and should be a part of every naturally curly-haired person’s hair care regime. I will certainly be adding Aunt Jackie to mine!
- 15 oz of Aunt Jackie's Don't Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel
- Adds nourishment to your hair, while giving bounce and stretch to withering curls, twists, and coils
- Promotes hair health from the inside out and helps to prevent dryness and flaking
Last update on 2023-09-29 at 10:47 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Final Thoughts
My overwhelming thought is “Where have you been all my life, Aunt Jackie?!” I’m very pleased to have found this product, and, while I will also be experimenting with making my own, completely natural, flaxseed gel, more from curiosity than any pressing need to have something “better”, this Aunt Jackie hair product will definitely be a mainstay of my haircare regime, and a welcome resident of my small, but growing, collection of products.
The Opinion of Him Indoors (for what it’s worth)
While Morgana felt that her hair was somewhat heavy and a little dry after using Aunt Jackie’s Don’t Shrink with her usual conditioner, I would disagree.
Morgana’s hair, for the four days between using the product and doing another complete hair wash, felt glossy and smooth. The curls looked neater and better-defined, and, from the fact that she took a little less time to get ready in the morning, I can only presume her hair was more manageable after using this gel. It’s effective without being pricey, which is always a good combination in my book!
- 15 oz of Aunt Jackie's Don't Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel
- Adds nourishment to your hair, while giving bounce and stretch to withering curls, twists, and coils
- Promotes hair health from the inside out and helps to prevent dryness and flaking
Last update on 2023-09-29 at 10:47 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Author: Philip Andrew
A writer and teacher who enjoys lazing around and building winter nests out of duvets. “Most are too itchy. You’ve got to be picky.” His goal is to create a complete home spa for 24/7 access to rest and relaxation. Next on the agenda: a barrel sauna for the garden. Connect with Philip on Twitter @completehomespa.