Eliza Approved spotlights those hero products worth the spend. Whether it’s classic favourites or what’s landed on our beauty editor’s desk this week, you can put your trust in our recommendations.
I have a confession to make. Despite having had a halo of 3b spirals tumbling down from my scalp practically since birth, I, Olivia McCrea-Hedley, have never followed the Curly Girl Method. I haven’t splashed out on a Denman brush. I don’t even own a diffuser. And I really, truly, have neither the time nor the energy to follow a multi-step regime every morning (more time in bed wins out, every time). Fortunately for me (and now you) I’ve discovered a miracle formula that gives me defined, shiny curls every time – and it’s never failed me yet. Consider this my ode to Trepadora’s Bamboo Ginseng Curling Glaze.
Since I was a teenager, my approach to styling my curly hair has always been pretty slapdash. Wash and condition it once or twice a week (thankfully, I’ve moved beyond the days of Herbal Essences and into the loving arms of Bouclème, Living Proof, Davines and Dizziak, to name a few great brands), making sure to detangle while the conditioner is on using my fingers or a wide-tooth comb for minimum breakage. Then I rinse, wrap it in a towel for a bit (a quick-drying Aquis one is my go-to) and detangle again, before squirting a few blobs of product into my palm, smothering it all over my hair, then leaving it to air dry.
There’s the odd finger curl on an unruly section, perhaps a little scrunch for definition, and the occasional blast of a hairdryer (clasping my hair in my hand like a makeshift diffuser) if I’m in a rush to leave the house, but that’s actually it.
For the most part, this routine works like a dream. It’s easy, fast and causes minimal heat damage. The one hiccup that’s always gotten in the way, however, is the number of products I’ve had to use. With the aim of keeping things as simple (and cheap) as possible, I try to keep them a minimum. But in the past, when I’ve wanted the holy grail of curly haircare – smoothing, definition and long-lasting hold – I’ve had to use at least three separate products in order to achieve this (and the TikTok-approved cream, oil, gel routine makes me think I’m not alone in this).
Trepadora Bamboo Ginseng Curling Glaze: my verdict
You know how sometimes in life, you meet a special someone and the world turns rosy pink and life just generally falls into place? Well, this discovery is like that, only better, because it has transcended the powers of nature and actually cured all of my haircare woes. Which is why I’m excited to announce that Trepadora and I are now officially together and in it for the long haul.
- Price: RRP £33
- Key ingredients: bamboo, ginseng extract
- Benefits: Adds shine, defines curls, increases volume
- Application: Flip top or optional pump
What’s the formula and what does it do?
As you may have already guessed, this is a product that does it all. It contains bamboo extract to encourage hair growth, add shine and support moisture retention, plus ginseng extract and organic Inca Inchi oil to improve the condition of the scalp and prevent hair loss. It’s also infused with pullulan – an ingredient often found in anti-ageing serums – to ‘tighten’ the look of curls for added spring and increased volume.
How do you use the Trepadora Bamboo Ginseng Curling Glaze?
It’s also a hero for definition, too. All you have to do is spread a few pumps (depending on your hair’s length and texture) of this vegan, nutrient-rich super-gel throughout your lengths using your fingers, a comb or brush, and style as desired (though I tend to leave my curls to form naturally on their own). Then, either let your hair air dry or use gentle heat for speed, and watch the glaze form a hard, shell-like cast encasing each individual curl.
If you’re happy with this effect, you can leave it there and go about your day. But for the real magic, once your hair is completely dry, start scrunching away the cast. If you like, you can use a touch of oil on your palms as you do so, but I honestly haven’t ever found the need to do so with this product.
The scrunching breaks through the hard layer of glaze, leaving nothing but soft, defined curls in its wake. Those curls will last as long as you do, whether that’s until a 10pm bedtime or through the night until the early hours. No frizz, no flyaways, no surprises when you encounter humidity/rain/wind/whatever delights the British weather brings your way. Just genuinely great, defined, glossy curly hair.
It’s not just me who’s on board, either. My hairdresser and textured hair expert Luke Castillo, co-founder of Sixx hair studio in Bristol, curly hair specialist at The Hair Bros in London, agrees: “Trepadora has blown me away with what it has to offer for all my clients with textured hair. The Curling Glaze gives the perfect amount of hold and definition and it’s so easy to scrunch out any cast.” He even had it ready and waiting to use on my hair when I arrived for my last appointment. And when a product makes it into a textured hair expert’s own collection, you know it’s good.
One product, minimal effort, maximum results. Trepadora Bamboo Ginseng Curling Glaze, you’re officially ‘The One.’
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