I’m often asked how many curly hair products I use to style my hair for an everyday occasion. Which is a great question, considering I have gifted products for testing, products I have repurchased several times, and a wish list of products I’d still love to try.
Surprising though, you’ll never see a display-worthy collection of products on my shelves. I’m far from being a product junkie, but I’m not a product minimalist either. I love having options for my hairstyling, and I do like trying different types of products to find the ones that work best for my hair and for my styling wishes of the day. But, how many products do I actually need for an everyday hairstyle? Based on consultations with professional hairstylists and experimenting over the years of my curly hair journey, here is what I know now.
Do oils and leave-in conditioners count?
Yes! Anything left on the hair counts as a styling product. Whether is a natural product or factory-made, they are all considered products, no matter what shopping aisle you find them in. Naked hair is only naked when it’s completely washed and rinsed of all products.
What did I stop buying?
Hydrated hair is the beginning of a great styling session, but I need to mention that I no longer buy hair treatment products to get there. It’s great to try hair masks and deep conditioners when your hair needs it, but hair care professionals advise thinking of these treatments as medicines, not vitamins. Haircare can be really simple if we let it be. Instead, it’s most important to learn how to hydrate our hair well during our conditioning session. Just letting the conditioner soak in for a few minutes, then working it through with your hands or brush will work miracles. It does add a few extra minutes to our wash day, but it’s completely worth it.
What am I shopping for now?
Volumizers! With my long curly hair being thick and somewhat heavy, it’s prone to being weighed down. Having a layered haircut does help to give my curls more lift, and products really can help too. Especially because I still want smooth frizz-free definition, with just some added structure to keep my loose curls lifted. So, I’m interested in trying root volumizers, texture powders, or creams to see what differences they make with my hair. One of them might just need to be added to my must-have product list soon…
So how many products do I use?
The short answer is that it depends, but usually just my shampoo, conditioner, and 2 styling products. The must-haves stylers for me are a holding product such as a mousse or a gel, plus a finishing hairspray. I know, I know! Aren’t hairsprays a no-no for curly hair? Not necessarily! I’ve used hairsprays all my life for finishing my hairstyles. Even now on my curly hair journey, I really don’t get the same results without one. And as I use hairspray over my gel or mousse, my hair is protected from any drying alcohols. So, hairsprays are always welcome in my routine. All the other products I use are extra and optional. It all depends on the condition of my hair at the time, the weather, or the styling occasion. For most days, it’s a simple routine to keep the curls happy.
For product favorites, I post them on my LTK app page and in my Amazon store too.
Enjoy the journey and enjoy your hair!
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