Review: Biotera Styling Gel

Most curly girls realize the importance of a good gel. Gel is what gives the hold we need to combat frizz and just generally unruly hair. The other day I mentioned that I picked up a few things on my most recent Sally’s trip. In addition to the Biotera Volumizing Conditioner that I reviewed, I picked up the Biotera Styling Gel. So of course, it’s review time again!

Sally’s Says:

Biotera Styling Gel create soft, natural looking curls and styles. Compare to Biolage and save!  

• Nettle strengthens and adds luster to over-worked hair
• Arnica soothes scalp
• Restores body and bounce
• Sunscreen protects hair from sun’s harmful rays
• Never sticky or flaky

 The world isn’t always kind to your hair - let Biotera’s restorative botanicals defend your hair’s beauty. This styling gel is specially formulated to strengthen dry, brittle hair and restore natural body and movement. Won't leave hair sticky or flaky but creates healthier looking hair.

Mrs. Blacksten Says:

The Biotera Styling Gel is another affordable product, at $6.79 for 13.5 oz. Like most of the Biotera products, you can also get it in liter size for $10.49.

So first things first, it smells great, just like the Biotera Volumizing Conditioner, and the GVP Conditioning Balm. It’s a sweet smell, but it’s not overpowering. It smells like a high-end salon product. I’ve never used the actual Matrix Biolage line, so I can’t say whether or not it smells like them. Score 1 for Biotera.

 

The consistency of the Biotera Styling Gel is different than most gels I’ve used. It isn’t runny, but it isn’t thick either. It’s almost similar to the consistency of a clear shampoo. Immediately when I saw the consistency I knew it’d be easy to distribute, but I had some concerns about the amount of hold it would have. 

The Biotera Styling Gel is labeled as a firm hold gel, I have to disagree. On a scale of 1-5, I’d rate the hold as a 3. It has more hold than Devacurl Angel or Devacare ArcAngel, but less hold than L.A. Looks Sport or Power Spikes Gels. For me it’s more than enough, but it’s really gonna depend on your personal preference and hair needs. Score 2 for Biotera.

As I said before, it’s really easy to distribute, almost sort of slippery. With that being said, I do use a bit more Biotera Styling Gel than many of my other gels. In all fairness, most of my other gels are true firm hold gels though.

After applying and scrunching to my hearts desire, and of course diffusing, I got really great results. I get an ample amount of body, shine, and hold with Biotera Styling Gel. My hair lasts all day, and is really soft. Score 3 for Biotera. 

 

I should mention if your hair hates glycerin, than this isn’t going to be a good gel for you. Glycerin is pretty high on the ingredients. Awhile back, I thought my hair was disagreeing with glycerin, as it turns out it wasn’t. Maybe it was just a hair slump or something.
 
All in all I’d repurchase this is a second. On a scale of 1-5, I’d rate the Biotera Styling Gel a 3.5-4. 

Have you tried the Biotera Styling Gel or any of the other Biotera products? Leave me a comment about your experiences.

Review: Biotera Volumizing Conditioner

I’m always on the lookout for affordable hair products that I can get on the ground. I hate ordering things if I can avoid it. I don’t have the patience to wait for it to arrive. So on my last trip to Sally’s I picked up a few things, and one of them was the Biotera Volumizing Conditioner. So let’s get straight into the review:

Sally’s Says: 

• Enhances volume without adding weight
• Gives hair exceptional shine
• Infuses fullness and thickness to each strand of hair
• Natural botanical extracts help to add body, bounce and shine 

A lightweight conditioner that replenishes moisture while detangling hair without weighing it down. Natural botanical extracts help to add body, bounce and shine. Hair looks and stays beautiful and healthy.

Mrs. Blacksten Says:

At only $7.29 (without a Sally’s card) for a 16.9 oz. bottle, this is probably one of the cheapest rinse-out conditioners that I own. I should mention I’m a bit of a product snob when it comes to my hair care. I immediately assume, if it’s inexpensive, that I won’t like it as much, as I like my more expensive hair care products. I don’t know why, and I know it’s silly, but it’s the truth.

Like a true product junkie, I tried the Biotera Volumizing Conditioner as soon as I got it home. The first thing that I noticed was the consistency, it’s creamy and rich, with an almost identical consistency as Devacurl One Condition. Score 1 for Biotera.

The second thing I noticed was the smell. The Biotera Volumizing Conditioner smells great, sweet but not floral or fruity, just a really nice clean smell. If you’ve used the GVP Conditioning Balm, the smell is virtually identical. Score 2 for Biotera.

So per my usual routine, I cleansed then used the Biotera Volumizing Conditioner as my rinse-out. It went on smooth and gave my hair a nice amount of slip. I was able to detangle effortlessly. When I rinsed it out, my hair was still smooth and felt moisturized. Score 3 for Biotera.

As far as being volumizing, I don't know about that. It contains proteins, so if you have fine hair, or porous hair, it'll probably help perk your hair up a bit. I didn't notice a big difference in the amount of volume I had one way or the other.

I’ve had the Biotera Volumizing Conditioner for a little over a month now, and I’ve used it as a regular rinse-out, as a leave-in, and mixed it with other conditioners for a deep treatment. I really like it, and would definitely repurchase it. It’s silicone-free, boasts decent ingredients, and is readily available. As a disclaimer, I should mention it contains alcohol, near the end of the ingredients list, although I’m wondering if it’s for preservation purposes. Whatever it’s reasons for being in the conditioner, it hasn’t had any effect on my hair.

On a scale of 1-5, I'd give the Biotera Volumizing Conditioner a 3.5.

If you’ve used the Biotera Conditioner, or any of the other Biotera products, leave me a comment and let me know what you thought. :)