8 Reasons You Aren't Getting a Gel Cast + How to Get Stronger Hold

Do your curls struggle to form a gel cast and end up frizzy after wash day? I'm sharing 8 common causes of not getting a gel cast with solutions for each. Watch for a step-by-step routine for strong hold and humidity-proof curls that aren't crunchy.
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• Curlsmith Defrizzion Hair Dryer & XXL Diffuser: tidd.ly/3cuopwB
➜TIMESTAMPS
0:55 Buildup
2:18 Too much water
3:44 Too much moisture
4:38 Gel isn't strong enough hold
7:05 Not enough gel
8:24 Plopping
9:17 Air drying
10:33 Damaged hair
11:24 Results after humidity
12:09 Outro
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[@GenaMarie]

Do your curls struggle to hold a gel cast? If you try any of these methods, please let me know! Here is a summary of all of the tips mentioned in this video: genamarie.co/2023/05/8-reasons-you-arent-getting-a-gel-cast-how-to-get-stronger-hold/ Visit my shop page on my blog and filter by your needs: genamarie.co/shop/

[@HonesTeaBeauTea]

I took a screenshot of each of your products so that I never lose them and I'm going to try each of them. I will go through your links and use your codes on the ones that have them. ♡ I am always looking for new gel for a cast.

[@bonniekiersh787]

Same. My curls usually last for 3-4 days by sleeping in the cast.

[@Olala-76]

I re watch this video every few months because I stop getting my gel cast and need to troubleshoot lol. Thank you for this!

[@SuperBabybear7]

Your videos are great! Finally at 65 learned how to work with my curls thanks to you!

[@bethab2]

Oh my gosh, this was so helpful. The pictures of what your hair looks like when the gel isn’t strong enough is EXACTLY what mine looks like. THANK YOU!!

[@joelyisdoingherbest]

Mine too!!

[@jessg.829]

I wash and style my hair at night, diffuse and sleep with my hair in the cast, then scrunch out the cast in the morning and my curls last for days!!

[@irmaradinson2320]

I do the same 😊 and my cast last 3-4 days

[@toughmom7597]

Im jealous, when I sleep in the cast in the bonnet I look like a crazy person who got lost in the woods

[@jessg.829]

@@toughmom7597 OH, no! 😆

[@gordi02]

​@@toughmom7597 😅oh

[@SarahSmith-iy6tk]

I tend to do this also but they never last more than a day and I wish it did. I have such a horrible time getting my hair to hold my curls. 😢

[@excel04]

Tip for problem areas: spray hairspray on a finger, not your hair. Make sure the spray covers the length of the finger and goes between the finger. Finger coil the problem curl around the finger. Because the spray is all the way around the finger it will be evenly and lightly coated rather than the curl becoming crunchy from blasting it. You could also spray a hairbrush but it's easier to clean the stickiness off fingers.

[@belindachappell9875]

All your tips have helped me so much. I regularly get a good cast, minimal frizz and refreshing is so much easier. It really just took time getting my hair healthy and getting better at these techniques ❤🎉

[@ChereeLS]

This has been so helpful! Also, wow! The search engine on your site is going to save me from having to add to my graveyard of failed products!! Thank you for what you do Gena!!🙌😊

[@annaburns5382]

If I use any curl cream or leave in my hair will be limp and have no cast, no matter how much gel I use. A good conditioner is enough for my hair, then the gel on slightly wet hair, not damp and not dripping.

[@irmaradinson2320]

My go to is Ouidad and CurlSmith. Haven’t tried the hair spray technique . On my next wash ❤.

[@mandyratliff6285]

I've been using a hair spray made by Honey Bee Gardens as my last step and I'm really liking it. It has a water soluble silicone in it, but it's free of drying alcohols. Sometimes on especially humid days I even use a regular hair spray with alcohol 😮. I don't find it drying if I only use a little and I've used good, moisturizing products underneath.

[@cland1232]

of course, my gel isn't strong hold! Thanks, GM! and your code still works! double deal🌻

[@HonesTeaBeauTea]

Gel cast is everything. Funny thing I did this before anyone I know. People used to pick on me because my hair was so crunchy. I didn't scrunch the crunch out but I knew that it got rid of my frizz doing it that way. I had a whole curly girl routine before it was a thing or before I ever heard of it at least. I put my argan oil in my hair when it's dripping wet and I get dressed before I start my gel so that it's perfect for my gel. I love biolage gelee styler. I would love to find something less expensive from the drugstore that works just as well. It's the only thing that works for me.

[@paulah4476]

Hi Gena I just purchased the advanced climate control quidad gel and want to thank you for the 20 percent off code ❤

[@joelyisdoingherbest]

I’m totally the before pics!! Still waiting for all my products to arrive. I can’t wait to try these techniques. This video helped so much! Thank you!

[@imajenn3006]

I figured a trick for Low porosity. dry plopping pulls off all the product. I started to apply my products & then steam for a 2-3 min to open the cuticle & then wet plop while I do my face products & put in clothes. This has helped my hair get a cast & last 3-4 days. It NEVER did before. Wet plopping took time to get right, but Root Volume!! I use a connaire garment steamer but there is QRedew that made for hair. I use the steamer to fix a wonky break and also refresh.

[@jcandfive]

I need to try this. Is wet plopping using a wet tshirt instead of dry? Do you diffuse after?

[@simplycurlyde]

Very good tips, much appreciated. I find that I didn't use enough gel, still, after starting this journey over 2 1/2 years, for some reason. I have a lot, long, medium to high-density hair. On my last wash day, I did wet styling (in between damp & soaking wet styling) & brushed styled in sections. I just didn't do any kind of plopping, because it seems like it didn't feel all that wet, therefore I didn't apply the last layer of gel. This seemed to be my best wash day so far.

[@laylaaron6335]

I love your channel thank you. I just started 5 months ago taking extra care of my curly hair after years of blow drying and straightening. I had a cut to remove all the split ends and damaged hair. I am still experimenting though to find the best technique. I bought "only curls" products and they are perfect but only holding the curls for a day or so. The thing I noticed you said don't apply the product on soaking wet hair but only curls products said the opposite. Have you done a review about them products, I would like to see if I am doing something wrong. Thanks again 😊

[@victoriab123154]

So many wonderful tips. Can’t wait to check out your website

[@michelesews]

Your videos have helped me so much - thank you thank you! I'm not quite where I want to be, especially with the root lift and larger curl clumps. Would love to see you demonstrate the Innersense product.

[@nadinemusich3017]

Great advice and I do love that brand ❤I have frizzy frizzy dry THICK wavy course hair the pattern is like crimped looking. This hair is hard to style and keep manageable, as far as keeping the integrity of the natural pattern its not appealing at all! I will try this method I need to be patient. Ouidad is great I have the original gel formula maybe I need to explore more products to a achieve my goal to stay with my natural curl pattern.😊

[@kathyo9420]

Wow this is right on time, lol. I bought a new gel last night in hopes of a better cast.

[@betht2187]

I've got high porosity low density wavy/curly hair that is fine & extremely soft yet it snaps everytime i do the elasticity test & when I try to get moisture in it the softness doubles. I can get a slight cast even with the Quidad Strong Hold in the red label. I'm at a loss as to what to do. My curls just fall out within hours. I was wondering if any of you curly ladies had any advice. Thank you❤

[@meh9455]

Would you be able to create a video about how to increase hair density and hair growth? 💗

[@GenaMarie]

Yes, I’ve done both. Check my page! ❤️

[@marissawilliams339]

Wow! I just found your channel. You did such an excellent job of explaining all your tips. I love that you took time too help us understand different products and that you gave us a guide. It is such a pain to understand new products and how they will react. I think this will help me tremendously. I am going to share these tips and your channel with my niece who is not a curly girly but a fairly new hairdresser. Thanks so much! I am happy to be a new subscriber!

[@24deb24]

I'm still experimenting with what products work with my hair. I've found a few I like. I think one of my problems is that I scrunch out all the cast. And, I get a frizz spot in back. Maybe I didn't apply enough gel. It's taken a few weeks but my hair looks better...probably because I haven't used a blow dryer at all. I'm in CA and, right now, it's been in the triple digits with weather so my hair air dries very fast. I'll keep trying to find what is the right amount of the right product for me.

[@VickieDunn-v4u]

Hello. I just watched this video and this is the exact problem that I have. I just did my hair yesterday and it was totally flat in a few hours. So I am going to look at the products that you use and go from there. Any tips would be great.

[@okinawaBallerina]

I use a regular spray bottle and my daughter's hair seems to get very drippy but I feel like the hair is not actually getting wet- at least on the back of her head. I was thinking it was a problem with dryness and it needs a leave in everyday. However! Would this be due to putting the product in when the hair is too wet? Should i just get the misting bottle? I have the straightest hair and the learning curve is real 😅

[@crochayyy290]

For low porosity hair, is it better to have a lightweight gel or one with a strong hold because I'm using Aunt Jackie's, and my curls still come out stringy 🙁

[@SusanSvoboda]

I really like your videos alas i have wavy hair 2ab fine low density. I dont know if these products are for me. My waves start down from my scalp as well. Any product suggestions?

[@mickjaeger7573]

Would like to see an answer to this question too.

[@betht2187]

Me too. ❤

[@charlieseverson3534]

I damp styled this morning for the first time instead of soaking wet, and diffused to about 75% dry. I think the damp styling helped. I have hold, but my hair feels really light and bouncy with very little frizz.

[@Nikki-xd5hc]

This video was super helpful. What are your thoughts on dippity do sport gel extra hold? A friend recommend that one to me as a “budget” friendly gel since I need a lot to get a cast. I struggle with frizz and keeping defined curls, which is why this video is just what I need. Thank you for giving us all this great information!

[@GenaMarie]

I haven't tried it! I like the regular Dippity Do.

[@Nikki-xd5hc]

Great, I’ll try that one instead. Thank you!

[@karma_kush]

I liked their girls with curls line (Dippity Do)

[@sharonlombard4638]

I live in the desert southwest. Please recommend products & styling tips for dry climates. TIA

[@GenaMarie]

Check back next Sunday for my next video which is perfect for dry weather

[@Italianqueen1966]

Great tutorial Gena💯. I’m in the California desert heat for now, my is super dry, my curls become limp and dry…hmm? ❤😊

[@GenaMarie]

Check back next Sunday for my next video which will be perfect for dry climates

[@Italianqueen1966]

Yeah!!!!

[@WVJewels]

I love your videos and all the info you provide! I was wondering what hairspray you used? I didn't see a link for it. Thank you!!

[@GenaMarie]

Ah I forgot to link it! bit.ly/3HmyDf5

[@WVJewels]

@@GenaMarie Thank you sooo much!

[@Legal.Knievel]

My curls are very finickey; the only gel that actually holds my curls is the Not Your Mother's Curl Talk. For everything else (detangler, leave-in, curl cream, etc) my hair does well with Aunt Jackie's products.

[@WildNaturebyElizabeth]

Hi Gena! Thank you for your helpful videos. I have a question…I let my hair go gray, and my hair went from pin-straight to wavy/curly. I am still struggling to understand my new curly hair, but can you recommend a good shampoo/conditioner for gray hair that is good for curls? Sometimes my hair looks dull, but I am not sure the purple shampoos are good for curls. I know you are not gray, but maybe you have some advice? Thank you for helping me out. 💕

[@mariasimoes9816]

Hi. I’m not Gena, but I’ve been letting my wavy-curly hair go grey for a few years now and really like the Innersense Hairbath purple shampoo to help brighten my greys.

[@WildNaturebyElizabeth]

@@mariasimoes9816 thank you so much! I will check it out!

[@any8574]

I used to get a cast with just a cream. Now even with gel my hair is soft. It feels nice to the touch but my hair doesn’t last even when I use more product

[@MyriamDiJi]

Thanks Gena, after watching your video, I think that my problem is that I scrunched out too much product by microplopping and then I don't add an extra coat of gel. I will try your tips.

[@GenaMarie]

I hope that helps!

[@nightflower5164]

Nice! Random question but do you still use those metal headbands? How do you style with them?

[@KathleenKC1]

Have you ever tried the Malibu C "Hard Water Wellness" Shampoo? I was wondering if you did, how does it compare to the "Un-Doo-Goo" shampoo.

[@GenaMarie]

No, I haven't. They seem very similar in the ingredients. I'm sure they both work fine!

[@Magicwithizz]

I believe hard water wellness is meant to be chelating but not necessarily clarifying and undo goo is both

[@KittyKatPrincesss]

Be careful with the Malibo if you recently got color or toner in your hair. I used it a few days after toning my blonde hair and it striped out all of the toner😂

[@zoecross8426]

Great video. Thank you

[@Donut1animation1]

Oh I was wondering why my gel didn’t work and have a strong hold so now I know I thought it will work with like soaking wet so no I know

[@maryrykert-wolf1725]

How the heck do you do this? I feel like I need six arms? 😂 Gel all over, dripping down my arms, separated areas getting mixed so I don't know what I've already done? I'm thinking you gotta have the talent to begin with. Oh, the frustration! Uou make itblook so easy! That being said, Denman brush is cool 😎 and worked despite my haphazard technique. Can't get rid of those gray curlies at my temple, though 😮. Thank you for the video

[@dawn9451]

I really need some help with this... I get a cast with almost any gel or mousse I use, but after scrunching it out, my hair is just fluffy with frizz. If I don't scrunch it out, then it's just really obviously crunchy and unmoving. If you could give me some advice, I'd really appreciate it. 😭

[@GenaMarie]

You likely are not using the right gel! I discuss that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4fXqquLe7B6aLs

[@patternsandrhythms]

Thank you

[@mohammadangginugrohomcjogja]

As a guy following Curly Guy Method, I just do my short hair everyday. That way, I get fresh wave cast every single day 😂

[@katherinesilva622]

Hi Gena. Products with hold necesarily comes with ingredients to tame humidity?

[@GenaMarie]

Not always! For humidity, look for polyquaternium. There are some gels that are strong hold but don't provide humidity resistance.

[@chrismclean7339]

Brilliant thank you

[@Dramaduck139]

Thank you for the video! How do you know when to water down your product? I have been using water with all my products, including the Ouidad ACC gel, but it hasn't been holding so I'm going to try no water with the gel.

[@GenaMarie]

I only water them down if it’s a super thick gel like the Curlsmith Fixer or Shine Gel

[@missyschlei6845]

Is "cast" the same as the "crunch"? It seems like if I don't fully "scrunch out the crunch" then my hair just looks wet even when it's dry.

[@GenaMarie]

Yes!

[@marijosejimenez7919]

Precioso, muchas gracias

[@len6824]

Just wondering if any of you curly girls have a problem with lots of hair falling out in the shower or when you brush. This has started happening to me, I'm not sure why. 🌷

[@GenaMarie]

I have a video on the causes of shedding!

[@deepaknetam2244]

You are so cute ❤️ I come from India Chattisgarh baster ❤️❤️❤️

[@druidriley3163]

The gel holds, but no amount of oils in the morning will break the gel without it getting flakey.

[@celticqueen1970]

I bought the quidad climate control gel n omg horrible on me it makes my curls stringy n lifeless! For $20 I’m pretty upset, I have tried to use this a ton of ways n it’s performance is just a nightmare

[@dianeespinoza8647]

I am really surprised with your fragile hair you would use a shampoo with such a high pH, you may know this even baby shampoo’s pH is a 7 making it damaging to our hair. It expands the cuticle already weakened cuticle creating cumulative and permanent damage some people with strong healthy low porosity hair appreciates this effect. I think my porosity has something to do with why it is harder for me to get a gel cast. I have naturally high porosity hair that soaks in too much product, so I need to use a lot of product or the hardest heaviest hold available. 😂

[@clairiosity]

So I’m doing everything wrong

[@nikkifeltman8523]

I needed this video exactly🩷