An Honest Review of The Doux Big Poppa Defining Gel and Mousse Def Texture Foam for 4C Natural Hair
When I started my natural hair journey, I wanted nothing more than to achieve long, healthy hair. Although it's been a rollercoaster of trial and error and a constant search for products that work for me, I'm glad the natural hair community has grown since then. Back then, access to natural hair products that catered to my 4C hair was limited. Today, we're spoiled for choice: the natural hair market is booming, more stylists are knowledgeable about the different curl patterns, and endless resources that make the journey oh so easier!
Over the years, I’ve experimented with popular brands from Cantu to Camille Rose, and while some worked, others didn't. One of my biggest lessons has been learning not just how to grow hair, but how to retain length. And with all these options, I've recently been leaning into mastering the wash-n-go for 4C natural hair.
So, a wash-n-go is all about achieving defined, frizz-free curls straight out of the shower, yeah, I mean literally like your typical hair washday 😃 (cleansing with a shampoo, a conditioner, a styler and hair moisturisers)
Easy right? Well, the secret is the right styling product on properly washed hair, and I mean very wet hair. But getting the right styling product is easier said than done. So, I went on the hunt for a good styling product that would work on my hair type, mainly on TikTok and discovered The Doux. After seeing rave reviews about it, I decided to try The Doux Big Poppa Defining Gel and The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam.
The Doux Big Poppa Defining Gel
Off the bat, I noticed the thick, slightly sticky texture of the gel. When I applied it to a section of my hair that was damp, it felt a bit heavy, but it glided effortlessly when I used it on the soaking-wet section. According to the product details and seconded by customer reviews, the gel is said to work well for high-density hair, slick buns, can be used on edges, and, of course, wash-n-gos.
I noticed an immediate definition of my curls and bouncy movement at first. I mean, I shook my head side to side, and my hair actually moved. However, as my hair air-dried, shrinkage began to set in, and that bouncy movement, well, disappeared.
Interestingly, the sections where I applied the gel on soaking wet hair held definition, while the damp areas lost it. And after a few days, my hair felt crunchy and a bit flaky. I'm still trying to figure out if this was from using too much product or not applying enough water during styling.
The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam
Before discovering The Doux, I had no idea a styling product could come in a mousse or foam texture. This time, I applied the Big Poppa Defining Gel to soaking wet hair, then used 3-5 pumps of the foam per section. The light, foamy texture felt slippery, unlike the regular custards and creams I'm used to, which made detangling easy for me. I noticed that the mousse, paired with the gel, offered a better definition, less frizz, and a beautiful shine. Unfortunately, the flakiness was still an issue, just like with the gel alone.
If you're looking for a product for your wash-n-go routine for 4C natural hair, The Doux Big Poppa Gel and Mousse Def Foam are worth trying. Together, they provide definition, shine, and frizz control, though you may need to experiment with application techniques to avoid crunch and flakes. For me, the combo works better than either product alone, but I'm still experimenting with ways to achieve a long-lasting, flake-free wash-n-go.
