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Curls Guide
LA Hold Styling Gel by Giovanni
gel
CG Friendly
Silicone Free
Vegan
Cruelty Free

Giovanni

LA Hold Styling Gel

"Strong hold gel that's glycerin-free with a light essential oil scent. Lightweight despite powerful hold. Perfect for humid conditions."

Best for:
High humidity conditions (glycerin-free) Strong hold without weight All curl types wanting reliable hold Those who like light essential oil scents
Avoid if:
Protein-sensitive (contains seed extracts) Prefer softer, more flexible hold Want cheaper options

Hair Compatibility

Curl Pattern

2A 2B 2C 3A 3B 3C 4A

Strand Thickness

fine
medium
coarse

Porosity

low
medium
high

Performance

Definition 4/5
Hold 5/5
Shine 4/5
Crunch Potential 3/5
Buildup Risk 2/5
Hold Level
Strong Hold
Weight
Light
Finish
Touchable Cast
Buildup Risk
Low

What's Inside

Aloe Vera

Hydration and soothing

Vitamin E

Antioxidant protection

Sunflower Seed Oil

Lightweight conditioning

✓ CG Friendly
● Contains Protein
✓ Silicone Free
✓ Sulfate Free
View Full Ingredients List

Aqua (Purified Water), VP/VA Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose (Plant Derived), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Fragrance (Includes Essential Oils), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Betula Alba Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract, Tussilago Farfara (Coltsfoot) Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract

Analyze these ingredients with our Ingredient Checker tool.

How to Use

Best as: Styler

Pairs Well With

Kinky-Curly

Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner

leave in

Alternatives to Consider

Curlsmith

Hydro Style Flexi Jelly

Medium hold alternative

Bouclème

Curl Defining Gel

alternative

Overview

Giovanni LA Hold Styling Gel delivers strong (10/10) hold in a lightweight, glycerin-free formula. The lack of glycerin means reliable results even in humid conditions, and the light essential oil scent is pleasant without being overpowering.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • Aloe Vera - Provides lightweight hydration without weighing down curls.
  • Vitamin E - Antioxidant protection for hair health.
  • Sunflower Seed Oil - Lightweight conditioning that won’t build up.

What We Love

  1. Glycerin-free - Works in any humidity level
  2. Strong hold - 10/10 rating without heavy formula
  3. Lightweight - Won’t weigh down fine hair
  4. Light scent - Essential oil fragrance that fades quickly
  5. Vegan & cruelty-free - Ethical choice

What Could Be Better

  1. Contains seed extracts - May affect protein-sensitive hair
  2. Strong hold - Those wanting soft hold should look elsewhere
  3. Availability - Not as widely stocked as mainstream brands

How to Use

On Wash Day

  1. Apply to soaking wet hair
  2. Use praying hands for even distribution
  3. Scrunch upward from ends to roots
  4. Diffuse or air dry completely
  5. Scrunch out cast when fully dry

Tips for Best Results

  • Excellent for summer humidity
  • Pairs well with Giovanni’s leave-in range
  • A little goes a long way

The Verdict

In the mid-range price bracket, Giovanni LA Hold Styling Gel offers excellent value for a glycerin-free strong hold gel. The lightweight formula defies expectations for such a strong gel, and the glycerin-free formulation makes it a reliable choice year-round regardless of humidity.

Our Rating: 4/5