yarok feed your curls defining creme

Reviewed by Annette on December 24, 2014

0 Comments

Usually when I try anti-frizz defining products for my shoulder-length, color-processed, naturally wavy hair, they do one of a few things. Either my 50-something hair feels crunchy and looks unnatural (it’s almost damp-looking and feels weighed down) or the curls are defined and it’s soft, but it gets frizzy if there’s even a hint of humidity. I’m happy to report that Yarok Feed Your Curls Defining Crème ($36.80) works perfectly. It defines my curls, defrizzes and doesn’t make my hair feel crunchy or product-heavy. I love the way it leaves my hair looking naturally beautiful with better-defined curls and feeling soft to the touch. If you take a bit of the product and just rub it into your hands, they don’t feel sticky, oily or waxy — just softer. I also love this product because it is all natural, cruelty-free and contains no alcohol, parabens or sulfates. They also tout that it’s 100 percent vegan.

The silky white crème is light-weight and has an interesting scent — clean with a hint of floral, herbal and citrus. Ingredients ylang ylang (floral), sweet orange and bitter orange (citrus scents) are noticeable and pleasant. As with most hair care products, I had to play around with Yarok Feed Your Curls to find the right amount of product for my hair. They suggest using three quarter-sized amounts of styling crème worked into the hair and massaged into the scalp after shampooing and conditioning, but this was too much product for me. Using about half the amount they suggest was just right. You can section your hair and blow dry it with a diffuser to lock in the curls, or you can freestyle and dry naturally. I opted for the latter.

On my first try, I fussed too much with my hair after applying the product, defining and redefining curls with my fingers. It didn’t turn out terribly, but it wasn’t great. The second time, I twirled locks around my fingers and then resisted the urge to fool around with it. The results were very good. I want to try using the diffuser technique because I imagine it gives you a bit more control over the end result.

Yarok claims their product locks in moisture, heals split ends, eliminates frizz, nourishes hair, and defines curls. And it certainly does! Packed full of organic and essential oils, herbal extracts and vitamins in an aloe vera gel, it’s easy to understand why Yarok works so well. The main ingredient, aloe vera gel, has emollient and moisturizing properties that smooth the hair’s cuticle. Closing the cuticle makes it less susceptible to frizz. At the same time, aloe vera gel has humectant properties that help hair retain moisture.

Yarok Feed Your Curls also contains an assortment of organic oils. Argan oil is known for hydrating and repairing damaged hair, including split ends. Jojoba oil, which is similar in molecular structure to sebum (a fatty substance secreted from the sebaceous glands that protects and lubricates our skin and hair) conditions and softens. Grapeseed oil moisturizes and conditions and can strengthen hair because it contains vitamin E.  Meadowfoam seed oil has antioxidant properties, helps produce shine and reduces frizz without weighing hair down. Sweet orange oil is said to remove toxins from the hair and heal the scalp. Evening primrose, which contains omega-6 fatty acid, helps control hair loss and has other beneficial properties. Bitter orange and cinnamon are used in Ayurveda for hair and scalp treatments and to stimulate hair growth. Ylang ylang, in addition to providing scent, is also reputed to stimulate hair growth. There's also a host of herbal extracts, too, including rosemary, and horsetail.

In summation, Yarok Feed Your Curls works as advertised, it’s all natural, and it contains a wonderful cocktail of ingredients that are renowned for improving your hair. My 22-year-old daughter loves the product as much as I do!