Gatsby was the only product I used for 3-4 years throughout my high school when I first started using hair styling products. Purple Gatsby was my go-to for when my hair started growing out, though its not the perfect product its pretty close, and for the price too.
Application/Breakdown: Gatsby Wild Shake is surprisingly creamy, but it applies and grips rapidly so be careful with the amount. I would recommend going in with two finger scoops if your hair is anything longer than Sterling Malory Archer’s (yes he’s a cartoon but you get the picture). I do not recommend getting this for shorter hairstyles, for shorter hairstyles go for the Pink Gatsby.
Finish: I would consider this more of a natural shine like most of its products. The only truly matte finish from the Gatsby line of offering is Grunge Mat.
Hold: The hold is simply magical for straight thin-but-dense hair like mine, and reminds me of water-based pomades. Its a firm/medium hold, the hold is firm though it isn’t as light in the hair as a matte paste.
Washability: One of the products downsides is its difficulty in washing out. Even after two consecutive rinses with shampoo in one shower session the product is still mildly present in my hair. It isn’t greasy per se, think non-oily waxy.
Scent: Pleasant green apple summer scent, nothing less nothing more.
Ingredients: Water, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Paraffin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ceteth-20, Mineral Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Sorbitan Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, PPG-10, Sorbitol, Triethanolamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Fragrance, PEG-90M, Panthenol, Polyquaternium-11, Red 33(CI 7200)
Overall: Judging from what’s left in the jar, its obvious that I really like this product. It’s reliable and strong, and able to manage many shades of hairstyles. Wild Shake stays in my hair all day which allows for restylability (unlike clays like Nostalgic Grooming Clay which dry out and lose restylability). The moving rubber line from Gatsby are all generally more difficult to wash out with shampoo compared to your average water-based product, but the buildup can be an advantage in not having to use as much product the next day, or being able to layer it with your softer clays. I admire what Gatsby has done here and will continue to repurchase purple Gatsby for a long time.
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