I Tried the AG Hair Curl Activator on 4C Hair—Here Are My Honest Thoughts

We put AG Hair Curl Re:Coil Curl Activator to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review. 

Finding the right styling products for my curls has been a journey, and one that felt like it would never come to a close. But one visit to a DevaCurl curly stylist changed all of that for me. They taught me how to properly wash, detangle, condition, and hydrate my curls from the shower to styling. The bonus to learning all of these pro tips? I stopped accumulating a large drawer of products I'd use once that would never see the light of day again. 

But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy trying new styling products. Now, I try one new product at a time, and typically I look for a styler that can help define and hydrate my 4-type curls. The ongoing search led me to AG Hair. The brand is new to me, but an Amazon product deep dive led me to them. With over 1,700 nearly-five-star reviews, I knew it was time to give this brand a try.

Keep reading to see how the AG Hair Curl Re:Coil Curl Activator worked on my 4C hair.

About My Hair: 4C, low-porosity, color-treated hair

My hair is a coily bundle of joy most of the time—as long as I properly hydrate and dangle each strand. Considering my hair is color-treated, I was surprised to learn my curls were low porosity instead of high porosity like many chemically treated curls and coils. My hair doesn't need much, even with its tight curls and density. A good cleanser, protein treatment, deep conditioner, leave-in, cream, and gel do the trick.

Now, you might be saying to yourself—she just listed a lot of products. If you have natural curls, you understand what a process it is to get to the point where you know just what your coils need to thrive. Basically, if you know, you know.  

The Feel: Light & hydrating with great slip 

I was pleasantly surprised as I glided the activator through my curls. Because my hair is low porosity, I applied it to soaking wet hair in the shower on top of my leave-in. It glided right through, which is amazing considering this product is silicone-free. 

Ingredients: Strengthening proteins 

This tube of curl activator packs a nourishing, strengthening punch thanks to the brand's signature curl-creating complex. Formulated from bio-fermented tomato fruit extract, the complex helps seal the hair cuticle and encourage curls. Rice amino acids hydrate, strengthen, fight frizz, and help curly hair do its thing.

In addition, the activator is formulated with sodium PCA, a humectant found naturally in skin tissue, herbal extracts (chamomile, wild cherry bark extract, hops, nettle, rosemary leaf, and sage leaf) to help soothe the scalp, and silk and keratin proteins that moisturize and strengthen while helping to boost elasticity and shine.

Packaging: Recyclable 

Packaging-wise, the curl activator was pretty standard. I liked that it didn't run out of the bottle in the shower, because washing product down the drain isn't ideal. AG hair bottles are also BPA-free and recyclable.

The Results: Hydrated coils

Instead of setting my hair under the dryer, I plopped my freshly co-washed hair just before bed with a silk scrunchie and scarf. The next morning, my hair was still damp (as I expected), and I diffused it with my Dyson hairdryer on low heat and power. The definition my curls had was amazing, and I am happy to report they were also frizz-free—partially because I have learned not to touch my hair while it dries to prevent unwanted frizz. 

So instead of touching my curls, I shook them and turned my head upside down continuously until my hair was completely dry.

My curls looked defined, hydrated, and fluffy. However, they didn't fare well overnight, which wasn't a shock to me considering that AG notes on its website the curl and hold factor of this product is three out of five stars.

For someone like me with coily hair that needs products that have a strong hold and weight, this isn't a product I could use as a stand-alone, even though I love the hydration and definition it provides. 

The Value: Good, depending on your needs

A little of this product went a long way. I think I might have even overdone it because I had some flaking. You should get multiple styling days out of this, depending on the length and density of your hair. 

Competition: You have options 

Creme of Nature Pure Honey Curl Activator ($8): Infused with a blend of honey, coconut oil, and shea butter, this creme hydrates, elongates, and defines curls.

Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer ($27): Formulated with a wheat protein blend that expands when hair is wet and retracts when dry to help lock in your curl or wave pattern, this 96% naturally derived curl enhancer defines curls and soothes the senses. 

Alaffia Beautiful Curls Curl Activating Cream ($13): Made with Fair Trade, unrefined shea butter, this curl activating cream hydrates and elongates curls and is ideal for everything from finger coiling to braids.