to think there might be someone here who can answer my Afro hair question?

[NamelessNannar]

I'm taking my braids down today and have just realised I've run out of eco styler 😱 I've got a lot of hair and use this to slick it back in to a bun and keep everything laid down all day. Problem is I live in an area that has no Afro hair stores and am going away tomorrow for 5 days! Any chance anyone can suggest a gel that I can get from a regular store like boots/tesco that will lay my hair down?

Long shot I know, I'm going to join an Afro hair forum but most good ones are American!

Not expecting anyone to be able to help me here so probably BU even asking

You could try curly girls UK? I think they have a link to suitable hair products you can get on the high street.

@finnmcool fab, having a look now! Thank you.

Boots where I live sell the Dark&Lovely range if they have anything that would be suitable?

No problem, I hope you get sorted and have a great time away!

If you have a boots: ORS olive oil products are a good alternative that they sell.

@keepingbees can't get on with D&L (though not used it since I was a teen!) but willing to give it another shot! I don't think the boots near me is likely to do the D&L range (it's a tiny store) but I'll definitely check when I go in! Thanks

This website bglh-marketplace.com/2013/05/6-alternatives-to-ecostyler-gel-for-slicking-and-defining-natural-hair/ suggests amongst other things Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Gel Soufflé which you can get from Boots:
www.boots.com/shea-moisture-coconut-and-hibiscus-curling-gel-souffle-10204135

I should admit that I have actually just got rid of a pot of this that I got from Boots because it didn't work for me, but I don't have Afro hair (just European 2c/3A) so hopefully it might work better for you. Good luck anyway!

This is why I hate living in the middle of bloomin' nowhere! The boots near me is more of a pharmacy style boots so really tiny. Big Tesco though. Got a funny feeling I'm going to be a frizz ball for a few days...

I sound like I'm being ungrateful, but I can't afford Shea Moisture products the amount I get through 🙈 I would need two tubs of that and at £13 a pop I just can't! Why can't I be more organised eh?!

No worries - I get frustrated with the amount I spend on my hair and I know as difficult as it is, it must be a lot harder with Afro hair. The link above has a couple of DIY recipes that might be cheaper if you can track down all the ingredients? Eg you can get flaxseed from most big supermarkets in the health food aisle but I guess it might be difficult to track down shea butter at short notice unless you already have some.

Our large Sainsbury’s has a section which I think is for Afro hair - I’m white so no experience of it but all the models on the packaging are non white.
We are in a multicultural area though so if you aren’t it might not be an option

@AllyMcBeagle it's great once you work out what works for you but are actually organised enough to go and buy it! I swear I had a pot. It's frustrating when you run out as you can't just nip to the shops and buy some hair products. Sadly Tesco/boots don't really cater to Afro hair. Boots pretend they do hit the products they sell aren't great!

Is it eco gel you use?
I'm trying to think of equivalent products if it is!
Sally's stock it if you have one nearby

Tesco value gel is CG friendly, no clue how strong it is as I’ve not used it, might be worth a try though as it’s dead cheap.

L’Oréal invisihold gel is as well, it’s not as strong a hold as eco though. Works well in my non Afro curly hair, but then I have to water down eco, lol.

@Ollivander84 I use eco styler. I swear by it! If boots stocked it I would be in heaven! Tesco etc only seem to sell gels designed more for short hair which has a super tough fixed hold. Think I'm holding my breath a bit here hoping for an equivalent of eco styler in Tesco...

Thanks @tabulahrasa - how do you water down eco out of curiosity? It's so sticky and thick!

I love it - I use the olive oil one!
umberto giannini curl jelly might work?
I have a full tub of the flaxseed one but my hair hates it

Have you ever tried flax seed gel? It's been years since I've made or used it but I think essentially you just boil and cool flax seeds, which you should be able to get from a supermarket, and strain - there are tutorials on YouTube.

The hold isn't as good as eco styler gel but if you tie your hair down for a good period of time after applying (and I'd recommend applying it on damp hair) then you may be ok?

“how do you water down eco out of curiosity?”

Just on my hands, with tap water, lol, I could probably water it down properly but I only use it occasionally.

It’s water soluble - curly girl approved stuff all is or it wouldn’t wash out, so actually it waters down on my hands quite easily.

@PleaseLetItBeNapTime never tried it but willing to give it a shot if nothing else materialises! I am asking for a very long shot...

This is the finish eco styler gives my hair. Flattens down and holds my very curly frizz! Normal gel I have a feeling will make my hair crusty and solid, or won't be strong enough.

@tabulahrasa I say this because I'm due my first born who is likely to have curly but not as Afro hair as mine and would be amazing if we could use same products when they're a bit older! (Planning ahead now, wish I had planned ahead in regards to actually buying the stuff )

Oh and you can get eco on amazon prime if that’s any help to you...

Thanks tabulah... making me feel even more disorganised now

Lol, that’s why I pay for prime, it’s not even the free trial I use to order things next day because I’ve forgotten to get them from anywhere else

This is my actual hair with eco styler in it (previous photo was off Pinterest) in case by any miracle anyone with the same texture as me has any words of wisdom