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RISE & SHINE, curly girl.

Lightweight curl gel for 2B–3B curls. No silicones. No waxes. No heavy butters. Just your curls, finally seen.

  • Curl-girl tested
  • CGM-friendly
  • Latina-founded
Rise Up Curl Gel tube
Woman embracing her natural curls in warm sunlight
"My curls, my crown."
Close-up of defined curl pattern

The curl community

Curls in every color.

Every coil, ringlet, and wave. This is who we make it for — and who makes us.

Woman with natural curls smiling in sunlight
Portrait of a girl with voluminous curls
Woman with curly hair laughing
Close up of curl pattern in warm light
Confident woman embracing her natural texture
Girl with bouncy curls outdoors
Woman with curls against soft background
Portrait of curly-haired woman with golden earrings
Joyful woman with defined curls
Curly hair portrait in natural light
Woman tossing her curls
Girl with crown of curls
Woman with long natural curls
Close up portrait celebrating curl texture

Ever feel like your curls are too fine for every product out there?

Here's the thing: most curl products are built for 3C–4C coils — rich butters and heavy oils that leave your 2B–3B curls flat, greasy, and weighed down. Your hair isn't broken. The products just weren't made for you.

You don't need more moisture. You need the right moisture at the right molecular weight. That's exactly what we built.

What's inside (and why it matters)

Every ingredient has a job. None are filler. Here's the full formula — in descending order, just like it appears on the label.

Aqua

What it is: Distilled water, the base of the formula.

Why we included it: Hydrates and dissolves every other ingredient so they can reach your hair.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

What it is: Inner leaf aloe vera juice.

Why we included it: Hydrates without weight and soothes the scalp — a lighter alternative to heavy butters.

Squalane

What it is: Olive-derived emollient that mimics your scalp's natural sebum.

Why we included it: Smooths the cuticle without coating or buildup — the anti-silicone.

Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol

What it is: Plant-based conditioning emulsifier (BTMS-50).

Why we included it: Holds the formula together and deposits conditioning on every strand without silicones.

Glycerin

What it is: Plant-derived humectant.

Why we included it: Pulls moisture from the air into your hair shaft so curls stay hydrated all day.

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

What it is: Natural antimicrobial from fermented radishes.

Why we included it: Preserves the formula without parabens or phenoxyethanol.

Caprylyl Glycol

What it is: Skin-softening humectant and emollient.

Why we included it: Boosts the natural preservative system and keeps the formula from drying out.

Panthenol

What it is: Pro-Vitamin B5.

Why we included it: Penetrates the hair cortex, binds water inside the strand, and adds elasticity.

Hydroxyethylcellulose

What it is: Plant-based cellulose film-former.

Why we included it: Creates a light, flexible cast for curl definition — scrunch it out when dry.

Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

What it is: Broken-down rice protein small enough to penetrate the hair shaft.

Why we included it: Strengthens fine strands at stress points without heaviness or buildup.

Tocopherol

What it is: Vitamin E antioxidant.

Why we included it: Protects the squalane from oxidation and extends the formula's shelf life.

Sodium Citrate

What it is: pH buffering salt derived from citric acid.

Why we included it: Keeps the formula in the 4.5–5.0 range for healthy cuticles and active preservatives.

Potassium Sorbate

What it is: Food-grade mold and yeast inhibitor.

Why we included it: Backs up the natural preservative system against mold and yeast.

Sodium Benzoate

What it is: Food-grade bacteria inhibitor.

Why we included it: Works with potassium sorbate for broad-spectrum protection.

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

What it is: Rosemary CO2 extract.

Why we included it: Antioxidant that works synergistically with Vitamin E to protect oils from going rancid.

What's not in here: No silicones, no waxes, no heavy butters, no parabens, no phenoxyethanol, no sulfates, no drying alcohols. Just what your curls need.

Your new wash-day ritual

1

Start damp

Apply from mid-length to ends on freshly washed, wet hair. The wetter, the better.

2

Scrunch up

Cup your curls and scrunch upward. Don't rake - your curls know what to do.

3

Dry with intention

Air dry for softness, or diffuse on low heat for volume. Patience = payoff.

4

Break the cast

Once fully dry, scrunch out the crunch. Hello, soft definition.

Rise Up Curl Gel tube on a bathroom counter

Pro tip: For extra hold, apply to soaking wet hair and scrunch with a microfiber towel.

Our Story

Your curls, your power.

This product was born from one specific head of hair: Karina's. Half-Mexican, raised in Tejano culture, 2B–3B, fine-to-medium strands. What started as a formula for her became a formula for everyone whose curls live in this range.

Read our story