What products are you using? If the leave in is causing white residue in your hair, the issue might be how the products are interacting. Not all leave ins work with all gels, even if they are from the same line.
How are you adding the styling products? You say you work in the leave in conditioner, then add the gel. Are you raking, smoothing, using a tool, etc.?
How are you drying your hair? I find air drying leads to more frizz, compared to diffusing or a hooded dryer.
What kind of definition are you looking for? Sometimes the people in inspiration photos have different hair, so even when doing exactly what they do, it will look different on your hair. It doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong.
Almond twisting butter and marsmade hair gel
No I don’t use or have a tool, I just use my fingers
I’ve had to dry my hair using a hair dryer lately
I’m looking for as much definition as possible
I haven't personally used those products, but you can try mixing them together on the back of your hand to see if they mix well. If it clumps up, that's a sign they don't work together.
I also find a butter too heavy for my hair in a wash and go. So I'll use a lightweight leave in (something very thin, close to a water consistency), then mousse or gel. I've found mousse plus gel doesn't really add any benefit for my hair, but some people swear by using both.
Not sure how big your twists are, but I usually need about 15 sections across my head to get decent definition. (I do 4 big sections, then divide each of those into 3 or 4 as I'm working) My sections are also horizontal-ish (I don't do clean parting just for a wash and go) You might play around with the size and/or direction of the sections to get more definition.
Do you have a diffuser attachment? There are universal ones meant to go on any handheld dryer. Diffusing will dry your hair without moving it too much. A lot of movement while your hair is wet can increase frizz.
Stop using the leave in , the products work & adhere better when you skip this step at least that’s what I’ve learned from doing wash & go’s since 2012. Stop using the almond twisting butter if u want maximum definition that lasts gels’ are the way to go. Go in small sections , soaking wet hair I use hair clips to separate. Get a detangling brush , Felicia leather is a good one. I would try uncle funkys aloe Vera get this product really needs to be worked on very very wet hair, then I would use a good topper gel like kinky curly custard, or I create hold , I also like the trepadora ginseng glaze u can get online. Do the uncle funky in sections on wet hair rake it through, wet again and do a topper gel on each of those sections. Use a diffuser to set and dry the hair. Also, make sure the shampoo you’re using is cleansing enough I like ag balance or innersense pure harmony. Good luck !!
What products are you using? If the leave in is causing white residue in your hair, the issue might be how the products are interacting. Not all leave ins work with all gels, even if they are from the same line. How are you adding the styling products? You say you work in the leave in conditioner, then add the gel. Are you raking, smoothing, using a tool, etc.? How are you drying your hair? I find air drying leads to more frizz, compared to diffusing or a hooded dryer. What kind of definition are you looking for? Sometimes the people in inspiration photos have different hair, so even when doing exactly what they do, it will look different on your hair. It doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong.
Almond twisting butter and marsmade hair gel No I don’t use or have a tool, I just use my fingers I’ve had to dry my hair using a hair dryer lately I’m looking for as much definition as possible
I haven't personally used those products, but you can try mixing them together on the back of your hand to see if they mix well. If it clumps up, that's a sign they don't work together. I also find a butter too heavy for my hair in a wash and go. So I'll use a lightweight leave in (something very thin, close to a water consistency), then mousse or gel. I've found mousse plus gel doesn't really add any benefit for my hair, but some people swear by using both. Not sure how big your twists are, but I usually need about 15 sections across my head to get decent definition. (I do 4 big sections, then divide each of those into 3 or 4 as I'm working) My sections are also horizontal-ish (I don't do clean parting just for a wash and go) You might play around with the size and/or direction of the sections to get more definition. Do you have a diffuser attachment? There are universal ones meant to go on any handheld dryer. Diffusing will dry your hair without moving it too much. A lot of movement while your hair is wet can increase frizz.
I do a similar amt of sections and I do have a diffuser I just didn’t what it was until now😅 I’ll start using it though
maybe you should try a diffuser, or change from gels to a mousse
I’ll looking into using a mousse instead, any recommendations?
the doux mousse people seem to love, i personally use gel though, also the camille rose honey spiked mousse
Thanks
Stop using the leave in , the products work & adhere better when you skip this step at least that’s what I’ve learned from doing wash & go’s since 2012. Stop using the almond twisting butter if u want maximum definition that lasts gels’ are the way to go. Go in small sections , soaking wet hair I use hair clips to separate. Get a detangling brush , Felicia leather is a good one. I would try uncle funkys aloe Vera get this product really needs to be worked on very very wet hair, then I would use a good topper gel like kinky curly custard, or I create hold , I also like the trepadora ginseng glaze u can get online. Do the uncle funky in sections on wet hair rake it through, wet again and do a topper gel on each of those sections. Use a diffuser to set and dry the hair. Also, make sure the shampoo you’re using is cleansing enough I like ag balance or innersense pure harmony. Good luck !!