Hello my curly girls! Over the past 4 years of following the Curly Girl Method, I’ve tried lots of different gels and mousses. And today I’m sharing my review of a curly girl favourite- the Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel. It won a Best of the Best Award from NaturallyCurly.com in both 2019 and 2020. It’s also very affordable and provides great curl definition and hold!

Read on for my full review of the Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel and my personal results.

What are the ingredients of this gel?

Water (Aqua), Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, PVP, Glycerin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Polysorbate 20, Tetrasodium EDTA, Olive Oil, Fragrance, Blue #1, Yellow #11.

Description from the manufacturer, Ecoco:

“Eco Style Olive Oil styling gel is made with 100% pure olive oil.  Olive oil helps add moisture to the scalp and hair while adding shine and taming split ends. Like all of our styling gels it provides weightless style and will leave your hair with a healthy shine & superior hold.“

If your hair is sensitive to protein or glycerin, please note that it does contain protein as the 3rd ingredient and glycerin as the 5th ingredient.

CG Friendly: Yes

Texture: Thick and sticky

Smell: Neutral with a slight hint of men’s cologne (If you are pairing it with other scented products, you probably won’t notice it at all.)

Packaging: Plastic tub with snap top (easy to use and ensures you can get every last bit out)

What kind of hold does the Eco Styler Olive Oil gel give?

This gel provides medium to strong hold. On day 1, your curls will be tight and bouncy. On days 2 and 3, your curls will be still well defined but look and feel softer and slightly looser. If you prefer a very defined curl, you may want to refresh your curls with water and a little gel. This gel also works well for refreshing alone.

Is Eco Styler Olive Oil gel good for natural hair?

Yes, many curly girls with type 3 and 4 hair say that this is a great gel for natural hair.

Reviews from NaturallyCurly.com:

“I have a 4A/4B textured hair and have been using the Olive Oil Eco-Styling Gel for a few years. The product is great and lays my hair down, but I have to use water to get a desired look…It works best on slick back styles and ponytails!”

“This has been a “go to” product for me since I went natural in 2012. This gel is good for wash n gos, ponytails and speaking the edges of my 4a natural hair type!”

“Amazing!!! This was the first Eco Styler Gel I’ve ever used… And I don’t regret it!! It provides amazing hold and keeps out the frizzies,it also defines my 3b/3c hair and does not leave it with flakes and residue. Plus, it’s CG friendly.”

Is Eco Styler Gel Curly Girl approved?

Yes, the Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel is Curly Girl approved. As noted above, it does contain protein as the 3rd ingredient and glycerin. It also contains Tetrasodium EDTA, which is a chelating agent which can build up on your hair over time. So, it may be best to alternate it with other gels in your regimen. Also, I recommend using a clarifying shampoo regularly (especially for type 2 hair) to avoid buildup.

How to Use This Gel

In my experience, this gel works best when paired with a medium-consistency curl cream or enhancing product. I like pairing it with the SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie best. However, it also works well with a small amount of the Curls Blueberry Bliss Leave-In Conditioner. [affiliate links]

One combination that does NOT work well is Eco Styler Gel + Cantu Shea Butter Curl Activator Cream. The ultra-moisturizing cream and the strong hold gel weigh your hair down and tend to make it look oily.

For best results, ensure that your hair is well moisturized and doesn’t have any tangles. Apply to wet hair after rinsing out conditioner and applying leave in conditioner. Be sure to scrunch upward, and check your face-framing layers. If they look a little messy, just twirl them around your finger and scrunch upward for definition. I usually allow my hair to air-dry, but you can also diffuse for 10 minutes for better volume and definition.

Where to Buy Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel

If you’re in the US, You can purchase it on Amazon.com or NaturallyCurly.com.

For my Canadian readers, the best prices are currently on BSW Beauty (Canadian company) or Hera Beauty (Canadian company).

Another place you can look is the ethnic hair section of your local Walmart. You can try looking for Eco Styler gels there.

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Let’s Chat:

Have you used the Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel before? If so, what did you think? I love this easy to use, budget friendly gel. And it gives me excellent hold and definition. Have you tried any of the other Eco Styler family of gels? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section!

p.s. Some of the items in this post are affiliate links. I only post about products that I love + think you’ll probably love, too! As an Amazon Associate or affiliate for other programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase through my link, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you SO much for your support!