Product junkies on some of the popular curly hair message boards are always nattering on about HG or Holy Grail products. I didn’t quite get the fuss until now. I think I found my HG, and I’m ready to testify! Garnier Fructis Curl & Shine products are the bomb!

My friend Jessica swears by the Soft Curl Cream, and she recommended I try it. The thing is, she’s one of those caramel-latte Jamaican girls and her naturally curly hair falls in large ringlets down her back. She’s more of a 3B/3C. I define myself as a 4A+. While the Soft Curl Cream worked fabulously for her, it didn’t do much for my tighter curl pattern. I was ready to give up on Garnier, then I discovered the Curl & Shine Leave-in Conditioning Cream.

I read all sorts of good things about it on other sites before I made the purchase. I apply it as soon as I get out of the shower, and slick it into my hair in a downward motion while it’s still wet. Then I let it dry naturally. The leave-in smells great, like a citrus flowers. It worked pretty well, but I had no idea of the product’s true capabilities until I bought the Garnier Fructis Fortifying Deep Conditioner 3 Minute Masque. It costs a mere $3.79 at Drugstore.com. Not only is this a miracle product, it’s a hella cheap one too!

After using these two products in succession, I was blown away by how soft, beautiful, and defined my curls were.

It was like Toni Braxton at the end of the “Unbreak My Heart” video, y’all.

Well, not quite.

But I felt so proud and happy with my curls that I’m contemplating getting the rest of the Garnier Curl & Shine system! The products are cheap, they smell divine, and worked really well for me. I’d definitely recommend it to any afrobella.

COMMENTS

Coffy says:

October 10, 2006, 2:09 pm

Garnier is really good. i mix it with Cantu Shea oil for twist and Jamaican Lime And Mango Leave In Cond. also for twist. also for shine i have been using Clairol Natural Instincts Shine Happy. it makes my hair super shiny and so soft. maybe it's just me but i think my hair takes product better with the Shine Happy.

bella says:

October 10, 2006, 2:13 pm

ooh, Coffy! I never heard of Shine Happy. Where'd you buy it? It sounds like a great product.

Coffy says:

October 10, 2006, 2:25 pm

well i'm waiting for drugstore.com to get with it but until then i get it at Walgreens.

Megan says:

October 10, 2006, 2:39 pm

Hmm, I'm gonna have to try this once I take my kinky twists out. Is this product better than the Kinky Curl product? If so, I'm gonna just get this in the store. I need something that gonna hold and control my curl besides the brown protein gel. http://www.fotki.com/meganjerai

Coffy says:

October 10, 2006, 3:03 pm

you know a really good gel to try is Smooth N' Shine Curl Activator Gel, so good, very little flaking, it provides hold and defintion.also Fantasia IC clear gel is good for a stronger hold. S Curl Texturizing Gel is good too.

jerseybred says:

October 10, 2006, 5:52 pm

I use Garnier Fructis long and strong, I likey. Megan, your one of my favorites on Fotki. I seriously lurk on there-looking for ideas. I had to stop myself from Bookmarking Photo albums. Coffy, I use Fantasia IC clear gel. Heard about it from Fotki. I'm waiting for YOUR hair album...

Coffy says:

October 10, 2006, 6:35 pm

oh i'm way too shy, but i love to share things that i try, and actually work on my crazy kinks and coils.

Megan says:

October 10, 2006, 8:29 pm

Aww jerseybred thanks...I'm flattered. But I feel ya girl. I bookmark other people's Fotki's too! lol Make sure you leave me a message or save me as a friend!

Coffy says:

October 11, 2006, 6:28 pm

has anyone heard of Barry Fletcher, he has a site barryfletcher.com. the products look really interesting, but there is no ingredient list. the products that caught my eye were the Thick and Slick and Twist Like This, and they are geared toward permies and naturals.

jb says:

October 18, 2006, 1:35 am

i tried the garnier products this weekend. they do work well except for the curl and shine moisturizing shampoo. it was almost but not quite too drying and i only lathered once. i think i'll use avlon kera care shampoo with the garnier prdoducts. have you tried the spray on gel? shine wise its all about oscar blandi or frederic fekkai's serums from sephora. great but pricy.

Nakia says:

October 27, 2006, 12:06 pm

I love this place! I LOVE being able to come here and find products to try and honest reports on what to not even bother with. I did the Curl and Shine Shampoo with the 3 minute mask. My hair felt sooooo nice after teh mask i hardly wanted to rinse it. But it was still smooth after I did! Then the leave in conditioning cream was just what i was looking for. It's creamy but not gunky and it's been four days and my curls haven't turned into a tangled matted mop like they do with other products. I use some of the sleek and shine gloss to renew and smooth them daily. You have saved me from shaving my head! Thank you! Oh...and I'm still working on my super scarred legs. The Sally Hansen spray on pantyhose doesn't quite cover it. But thanks anyway. Does anybody know a site i can go to, to get some REAL cocoa butter?

Coffy says:

October 31, 2006, 4:25 pm

a woman has got to have the magic butter...go to www.cococare.com they deliver super fast also.

Yandi says:

November 7, 2006, 9:56 pm

I just kind of got to this website by mistake(glad i did). I use Shine gel but i will try these fructis products. I use these products here too www.frizzoff.com there the best for my hair.

Margo says:

November 8, 2006, 7:17 pm

First off I LOVE this site...I check it daily and I can't seem to get enough! I am Middle Eastern with naturaly curly hair and before reading your site I would straighten my hair (almost daily) with a blowdryer AND flat iron. Needless to say it has dried out my hair quick! After reading your site I've decided to go back to my natural curls and i'm so glad I did! My hair feels healthier and cleaner. Thank you bella! P.S. I think the Fructis line is the best (and cheapest)out there for curls!

Sweet Shi says:

August 31, 2007, 3:12 am

Love this site! I am a die-hard fan and believer in the Fructis Curl and Shine Leave-In Conditioner. It leaves the hair sooo soft, smells good, and even has the nerve to add a bit of sheen! One of my FAVES!!!

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January 17, 2011, 5:08 pm

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