This $15 Gel Was All I Needed for Shiny, Defined Curls

Scarlett Rocourt is the founder and CEO of Wonder Curl products, a vegan line of natural hair products designed to help elongate and hydrate your curls. After experiencing the Floridian humidity and being unable to find a gel that would stand up to the elements, Rocurt took matters into her own hands.

She created a line of products that would combat humidity while being cruelty, paraben, and sulfate-free. Rocourt’s first products were developed in her kitchen and became the core of her collection. In 2015 she became a full-time entrepreneur and had been growing the Wonder Curl brand ever since. This year, Wonder Curl was announced as part of the 2022 Sephora Accelerate Program, allowing Rocourt to continue to grow her beloved natural hair care brand.

As someone with curly hair, I always look for new styling products to keep my curls moisturized, defined, and intact for days. I tried Wonder Curl’s Defining Gel, one of the brand’s best-selling products, to see how it stacked up during wash day. Read ahead for my honest review.

About My Hair: Color treated and multi-textured

My hair has been on the mend from dyeing it blond for the past few years, so I am constantly looking for moisturizing products. The bottom of my hair tends to be dry, while the top holds a lot of moisture. I like using products that give me definition and hydration throughout my hair. I also look for style longevity, so a styling product must provide results that can last multiple days in the Texas climate. My hair is a blend of type 3 and 4 curls, so the pattern varies. I am typically wary of hair gels that leave curls crunchy or flaky. Still, given the popularity of this formula, I was eager to give it a shot.

The Feel: Thick and hydrating

This product felt very hydrating and had gel consistency minus stickiness and flakiness. It has a floral fragrance that was slightly off-putting, but it still applied smoothly and seamlessly through my curls. The gel was thick and coated my coils evenly, and I only needed one layer per section for maximum coverage and definition. It’s an interesting formula that isn’t thin or watery, making it ideal for thicker curls. 

The Results: Defined curls

I was very impressed with this gel's elongation, definition, and overall hydration. It dried beautifully, left no flakes, cast, or residue, and held up most of the week. My hair felt the heaviest on the first day, but my curls softened as the days passed. I only had to apply some of the gel towards the end of the week and was happy to see my curls revived instantly. Despite the product's powerful scent during the application, it did not linger throughout the week.

The Value: Worth it

The Get Set Hair Jelly is a mid-range option compared to similar products. Most gels can range from $5-$30 depending on the brand, so Wonder Curl's sits in the middle as an affordable option. For $15, you get a generous eight ounces of product that should last a while since the formula is thick, and a little goes a long way. For people looking for a vegan product with rich ingredients, it's worth trying this out. 

Similar Products: You've got options

Pattern Beauty Curl Gel ($25): Pattern's gel formula is creamy and designed to help with bounce and hold. It's packed with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera and coconut oil.

Curls Sea Moss Curl Slime ($15): This formula costs the same as Wonder Curl's gel and is formulated with sea moss and red algae to restore shine to dry hair.

Maui Moisture Frizz-Free Shea Butter Elongating Gel ($10): This option is slightly cheaper than the Wonder Curl formula and still offers excellent hold and definition for various curl types.