Today, we’re talking about Giovanni LA Hold Styling Gel Strong Hold!
This product was also a reader request from Valeria! Thanks so much for the suggestion.
If you’d like to see product reviewed, feel free to leave it in the comments.
And if you’ve made a suggestion in the past, please know that if I responded to you, I’ve added your suggestion to my list and am working to get my hands on the product and test it properly. I can’t promise when a product will make an appearance, but know I’m doing my best to get to it if I can, as soon as I can.
This review will look at what I found to be the pros, the cons, and my bottom line impression of Giovanni LA Hold Styling Gel.
Keep in mind, I can only speak from my experience with my 3a/3b hair. My hope is that this review will be a good guide for all the curly girls out there, but your results may be very different from mine.
Side note: This page does contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something using the product links on this page, I may get a small commission. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps keep this site running. Thank you!
Also, I follow the simplified version of the Curly Girl Method most directly derived from the Curly Girl Handbook. This means the only ingredients I look to avoid are sulfates, silicones, and drying alcohols. If you have more ingredients that you look to avoid, it would be a good idea to check the ingredients for yourself before making a purchase.
Pros
Smell
Honestly, the scent is kind of on the bubble for me. It’s not bad, which is why I decided to make it a pro. But it’s the most “salon” scent of the products I’ve reviewed.
So if you’re into that, this may be a pro for you too. And if you’re not into that, it’s not a scent that I found really lingered, so it still may be a gel worth considering.
No gel cast
This gel didn’t leave that much of a cast when it dried. I tend to like a gel cast, but this also seemed to cut down on my drying time, which is always a plus.
I also like that I didn’t have to worry about scrunching out the crunch. When my hair was dry, I just tipped my head upside down and gently ruffled my fingers along my scalp to give my roots some lift. Other than that, I was good to go!
Definition
I got great wash day curls and the curl definition lasted for days!
Price
The price of this gel typically falls between the $6 and $9 mark, depending on where you get it. This makes it an affordable, curly girl approved gel, which is always a win!
Cons
Refresh-ability/Long term hold
I found that this gel did a fine job on a second day refresh, but when I tried to go beyond that, my hair ended up frizzier than I’d generally like.
This could be where that lack of a gel cast turns into a bit of a con. I can’t say for sure, but it’s possible that the lack of gel cast meant that this gel didn’t quite seal in enough moisture for my hair to hold up for several days.
As far as the hold goes, this gel is a “strong hold,” which is Giovanni’s third strongest hold out of four levels. It’s possible that the hold either isn’t meant to work long-term, or it just wasn’t compatible with my hair type long-term.
I could keep playing around with this and see if using more product would give me different results. However, I think I used a good amount and if I need any more to get the desired results, I’d probably be better off with a different gel.
However, it’s worth noting that despite the frizz, the definition still held up.
Hard to find
I also found this product to be difficult to find. In the end, I actually came across it in my grocery store, which isn’t usually where I look for hair products.
I had just as much trouble finding it online as I did in stores like Target, CVS, and Ulta. I can’t even say for sure the links on the post will have the product in stock, but I’m linking them just in case.
If you can’t find it online, you might want to check out your local grocery store.
Bottomline
Ultimately, I liked this gel. I think it’s great if you’re someone who wants a good hold, but not a super hard hold. It’s also good for someone who isn’t a fan of gel casts and would rather not scrunch out the crunch.
This might mean it’s a good candidate for someone with wavy hair, though I can’t speak to that directly.
Because of the refresh issues I personally had, I can’t say I like this gel more than Biotera’s Styling Gel or Mane Choice’s Crystal Orchid. However, I’ll be keeping this gel and using for times when I know I’m going to have to wash more regularly (for whatever reason).
If you think this gel might be a good fit for you, you can try grab it on Amazon, or at your local grocery store.
Looking for more guidance on your curly hair journey?
For beginners
If you’re new to curly hair care and looking for some help, you should check out the No-Stress Guide to Curly Hair Care!
After spending two years learning and caring for my curly hair, I wanted to create my own, in-depth guide to help fellow curlies create incredible curls in the easiest way possible.
It took me a while, but I eventually found an approach that helped me create a curly hair routine that fits into my life in the simplest way possible. And now I want to help you do the same!
For more intermediate/advanced guidance
If you’ve been on your curly hair journey for a while but still have some struggles, check out Curly Hair Problems!
After spending hours scouring the internet looking for solutions to my own curly hair problems, I found myself wishing for an easier, more comprehensive guide to the most common problems.
So that’s what I created!
Curly Hair Problems offers you 78 total solutions to the five most common curly hair care problems, including frizz, curl clumps, limp curls, product issues, and scalp issues.
Sound off: Have you tried Giovanni LA Hold Styling Gel Strong Hold? Tell us about your experience! Be sure to tell us a little about your hair type too!