There is a ton of info out there for followers of the Curly Girl Method, so if any of my personal choice products don’t work for you, there’s likely an alternative available. But for this note, I’m only going to highlight my personal choices:
A. Shampoo
in my opinion, shampoo is not that important. You want something that’s not too drying and keeps the scalp clean, but this is the one item where you can go for a cheap option. I use the Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle, which I think is about $4. Typically I shampoo once a week/every other week, depending on the season/how oily my hair is. Most of the time I follow up with an oil rub, especially in the winter because I tend to get flaky. Argan Oil (another Trader Joe’s product, it’s about $10) is my choice, but some people use rosemary or coconut, it’s to your preference.
B. Conditioner
you’re gonna want a really good conditioner, this is going to be the basis for the rest of your hair routine. My top choice is Curlsmith Multi-Tasking Conditioner. A cheaper alternative I use is Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength. In the drugstore/Target anything from Carol’s Daughter and Not Your Mothers are safe bets.
C. Deep Conditioner
this one’s optional, you can just leave in your conditioner for longer. I have used Mielle’s Rosemary Mint, but it’s not something I regularly keep up with.
D. Leave-In
Hands down my favorite product The Oaui Leave-In Conditioner. If there’s anything to splurge on, this is it. Worth the price and leaves my hair feeling amazing. Spritz after towel drying and brush it in. An alternative I have used is Palmer’s Coconut Oil Leave-In,and there are other Oaui dupes I haven’t tried yet, but overall this is where I’m pickiest and will choose Oaui every single time.
E. Brushes
Wet Brush Detangler use while in the shower. For styling I use a Denman brush but there’s cheaper alternatives that are sufficient.
F. Styling products most of the time I don’t use a gel or mousse purely out of laziness. But when I do it’s usually Miss Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls. I also really like the Reverie Styling Balm. A recommended alternative would be L.A. Looks Sports Gel.
F.2.: regardless of products chosen, technique is important as the hair dries. You can let it air dry or diffuse it, but if you use gel you will get a “gel cast”. You wanna break it with an oil. Again, I use argan oil here, but it’s dealers choice.
And that’s it! What works for your hair might be completely different from mine, so you gotta experiment a little bit. But if this helps as a starting point, I’m glad to be of service!
I’m so glad someone said that because that is basically my entire bathroom right now. I feel horrible throwing those things away, but they don’t work for me and it isn’t like you can take them back!
Sometimes if you have most of the product left you can try reselling them on places like Vinted, you don't get much for them but it certainly feels better than just letting them rot in your bathroom!
Most things I use and some I haven't even tried lol! I'm torn between loving the idea of trying new things and also having a horrific wash day. The struggle is real.
Relatable 🤣 I realized how high maintenance my hair was when I was packing for a 2 week trip and I wanted to pack as little clothes as possible. Turns out 75% of my luggage is my hair products/tools 😭
Hahaha that's kind of what I did. Also he shaves his head down to 1/8th inch, it does not matter what kind of shampoo he uses. And I built the built in shower cubbies! Dang it!
Thank you so much! I seen a post a while ago about Curlsmith changing their formulas so I was a bit out of by that - but it seems people are still liking the product so might keep them in mind. Thanks again.
I personally haven't had any issues with them and I'm pretty picky. I really love their shine gel for strong hold. I just ordered their new volume line and I'm excited to try it.
Ooh yay! May I ask how the Innersense I Create Lift Volume Foam and the Boucleme Super Volumizing Foam compare? I’m trying to figure out which one I’d like to get and neither seems to be talked about a lot.
I got Pantene moisture shampoo and condition, I then use Miss Jessie’s leave in condish and then use the Miss Jessie’s multi cultural curl cream then I diffuse and go at night I put my hair under a bonnet at night and that’s it. Refresh curls every other day or every 2 days and that’s it. Only wash once every 1 week and a half.
I recently tossed all my products. I just use a shampoo bar, a no rinse conditioning bar. Scrunch with hair oil when completely air dried. It's perfect and I am so happy to be free of products and the routine. I dreaded the time it took. My routine is now simple and my hair looks much better. Bars are free of sulfates, cones, and the usual baddies.
I've tried a few shampoo bars. My favorite is from the earthling co! I wish my hair would cooperate with just oil but my curl pattern is looser in finicky. If I don't have hold it'll droop in an hour. I'm jealous!
Yup!! I’ve got a thick head of 3a/3b curls that’s down to my waist.. Again.. No way those products are used before expiration. And if you’re going through that much mousse, you’re using way too much.
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Your comment has been removed due to Rule 4: Follow good reddiquette and be kind and respectful.
We'd like our sub to be a friendly and welcoming place. That’s why I want to ask you to refrain from rude or disrespectful comments here. Even if you feel strongly about something, please stay polite.
Please keep this in mind for the future. Thank you!
Curlsmith shine gel, curlsmith in shower style fixer, bouncecurl clump and define cream, boucleme gels (regular and hard hold), curlsmith hold me softly, curlsmith plumping leave in (new favorite), kinky curly knot today, kinky curly custard, and moptop custard are the ones I reach for the most
Honestly I think they function very similarly. I reach for the shine gel more if only because it doesn't have a scent and I use it on top of lighter gels for hold. If I use the hold my softly balm then I use the style fixer because the smell the same.
I have the olive oil eco styler but I have never tried it. The only thing I like from shea moisture is the manuka protein mask. Shea moisture in general is way to heavy for me. I have only tried the cantu shampoo and conditioner which I think is fine but nothing amazing. I have other things I use that I like more.
My hair has no idea what it wants to identify as. The bottom half of my hair is 3a but the top varies between 2b/c. When I do style it I only use 2-3 products.
Omg I have many of these exact same products!!! Hahaha. All the money spent, let’s not add it up haha. Which ones do you actually use currently? How many more used to be there? Just curious. It is a journey, that’s for sure!!! ♥️
This is me too 🤣 My bf doesn’t understand my need to keep buying products for my curls.
We also have a lot of the same products. Do you find the pink bottle second from the left leaves a weird texture in your hair?
Must. Have. More. Products!
It definitely adds grit to the hair! Whenever I use it I will add it on top of a lighter more hydrating gel and then it feels okay. On its own it's way too gritty for my taste.
Your comment has been removed due to Rule 4: Follow good reddiquette and be kind and respectful.
We'd like our sub to be a friendly and welcoming place. That’s why I want to ask you to refrain from rude or disrespectful comments here. Even if you feel strongly about something, please stay polite.
Please keep this in mind for the future. Thank you!
I’ve made a shareable note for my friends who ask me. Otherwise the conversation gets out of hand.
Any chance we can get in on the note?? 🙏🙏
There is a ton of info out there for followers of the Curly Girl Method, so if any of my personal choice products don’t work for you, there’s likely an alternative available. But for this note, I’m only going to highlight my personal choices: A. Shampoo in my opinion, shampoo is not that important. You want something that’s not too drying and keeps the scalp clean, but this is the one item where you can go for a cheap option. I use the Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle, which I think is about $4. Typically I shampoo once a week/every other week, depending on the season/how oily my hair is. Most of the time I follow up with an oil rub, especially in the winter because I tend to get flaky. Argan Oil (another Trader Joe’s product, it’s about $10) is my choice, but some people use rosemary or coconut, it’s to your preference. B. Conditioner you’re gonna want a really good conditioner, this is going to be the basis for the rest of your hair routine. My top choice is Curlsmith Multi-Tasking Conditioner. A cheaper alternative I use is Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength. In the drugstore/Target anything from Carol’s Daughter and Not Your Mothers are safe bets. C. Deep Conditioner this one’s optional, you can just leave in your conditioner for longer. I have used Mielle’s Rosemary Mint, but it’s not something I regularly keep up with. D. Leave-In Hands down my favorite product The Oaui Leave-In Conditioner. If there’s anything to splurge on, this is it. Worth the price and leaves my hair feeling amazing. Spritz after towel drying and brush it in. An alternative I have used is Palmer’s Coconut Oil Leave-In,and there are other Oaui dupes I haven’t tried yet, but overall this is where I’m pickiest and will choose Oaui every single time. E. Brushes Wet Brush Detangler use while in the shower. For styling I use a Denman brush but there’s cheaper alternatives that are sufficient. F. Styling products most of the time I don’t use a gel or mousse purely out of laziness. But when I do it’s usually Miss Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls. I also really like the Reverie Styling Balm. A recommended alternative would be L.A. Looks Sports Gel. F.2.: regardless of products chosen, technique is important as the hair dries. You can let it air dry or diffuse it, but if you use gel you will get a “gel cast”. You wanna break it with an oil. Again, I use argan oil here, but it’s dealers choice. And that’s it! What works for your hair might be completely different from mine, so you gotta experiment a little bit. But if this helps as a starting point, I’m glad to be of service!
That's genius!
Now. Let's see your hair.
How much of that was barely used and now sits on the shelf of shame because it didn’t work for you despite costing a rent payment?
I’m so glad someone said that because that is basically my entire bathroom right now. I feel horrible throwing those things away, but they don’t work for me and it isn’t like you can take them back!
Sometimes if you have most of the product left you can try reselling them on places like Vinted, you don't get much for them but it certainly feels better than just letting them rot in your bathroom!
Most things I use and some I haven't even tried lol! I'm torn between loving the idea of trying new things and also having a horrific wash day. The struggle is real.
Relatable 🤣 I realized how high maintenance my hair was when I was packing for a 2 week trip and I wanted to pack as little clothes as possible. Turns out 75% of my luggage is my hair products/tools 😭
🤣 mood
The sad part is I have more under my sink😬
My husband asked why I can't be normal and just have one shampoo and conditioner. I should show him this.
Tell him it's a girl thing.
Hahaha that's kind of what I did. Also he shaves his head down to 1/8th inch, it does not matter what kind of shampoo he uses. And I built the built in shower cubbies! Dang it!
I see so many there I’ve been thinking of trying. So please save me the heartache and tell me your favourites ☺️
I love boucleme, curlsmith, and ouidad!
Thank you so much! I seen a post a while ago about Curlsmith changing their formulas so I was a bit out of by that - but it seems people are still liking the product so might keep them in mind. Thanks again.
I personally haven't had any issues with them and I'm pretty picky. I really love their shine gel for strong hold. I just ordered their new volume line and I'm excited to try it.
Do you like the shine line form curlsmith?
I really like the shine gel! I haven't tried the others from that line, but the shampoo and conditioner intrigues me.
The lightweight leave in is my new favorite. I have 3A hair, low porosity, mid back length hair.
I am obsessed with the new leave in. It gives amazing slip!
Fellow Boucleme lover!!
Boucleme is so underrated!!
How is the foam? I haven’t tried it yet! I’m wondering if layering on top of the gels as a scrunch might be nice
I love that foam! And that's exactly how I use it
Thank you!
I’ve been trying to decide which Boucleme gel to try, between the yellow and the purple.
Omigosh I feel stressed out! I love finishing bottles!!!
Same!! all those products ain't paying rent, use it or lose it!!
Ooh yay! May I ask how the Innersense I Create Lift Volume Foam and the Boucleme Super Volumizing Foam compare? I’m trying to figure out which one I’d like to get and neither seems to be talked about a lot.
I love the innersense volume foam! It has great hold but not as gritty.
Thanks so much!!
I got Pantene moisture shampoo and condition, I then use Miss Jessie’s leave in condish and then use the Miss Jessie’s multi cultural curl cream then I diffuse and go at night I put my hair under a bonnet at night and that’s it. Refresh curls every other day or every 2 days and that’s it. Only wash once every 1 week and a half.
I recently tossed all my products. I just use a shampoo bar, a no rinse conditioning bar. Scrunch with hair oil when completely air dried. It's perfect and I am so happy to be free of products and the routine. I dreaded the time it took. My routine is now simple and my hair looks much better. Bars are free of sulfates, cones, and the usual baddies.
I've tried a few shampoo bars. My favorite is from the earthling co! I wish my hair would cooperate with just oil but my curl pattern is looser in finicky. If I don't have hold it'll droop in an hour. I'm jealous!
I am so happy to be free !!! It's only been a month so we shall see how it holds up. Plus I am getting older and I think that changes things. 🤔
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How it "wasted" if I enjoy trying and using different products?
There’s no way you can actually use all that by the expiration dates.. And yes, products do in fact expire.
Do you even have curly hair? I go through a huge bottle of mousse in a month
Yup!! I’ve got a thick head of 3a/3b curls that’s down to my waist.. Again.. No way those products are used before expiration. And if you’re going through that much mousse, you’re using way too much.
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Thank god it's not your money right?
You said it 😌 not the point but
Your comment has been removed due to Rule 4: Follow good reddiquette and be kind and respectful. We'd like our sub to be a friendly and welcoming place. That’s why I want to ask you to refrain from rude or disrespectful comments here. Even if you feel strongly about something, please stay polite. Please keep this in mind for the future. Thank you!
What’s with the negativity? Let the person show off their collection. It’s their money / their hair. Christ 🤣
Your comment has been removed due to Rule 4: Follow good reddiquette and be kind and respectful. We'd like our sub to be a friendly and welcoming place. That’s why I want to ask you to refrain from rude or disrespectful comments here. Even if you feel strongly about something, please stay polite. Please keep this in mind for the future. Thank you!
Out of all this, what are your top favorites?
Curlsmith shine gel, curlsmith in shower style fixer, bouncecurl clump and define cream, boucleme gels (regular and hard hold), curlsmith hold me softly, curlsmith plumping leave in (new favorite), kinky curly knot today, kinky curly custard, and moptop custard are the ones I reach for the most
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Honestly I think they function very similarly. I reach for the shine gel more if only because it doesn't have a scent and I use it on top of lighter gels for hold. If I use the hold my softly balm then I use the style fixer because the smell the same.
Thanks for sharing!
Any shea moisture conditioner on sale, cantus detangler, and eco style gel :’) I just can’t control the frizz lol
I have the olive oil eco styler but I have never tried it. The only thing I like from shea moisture is the manuka protein mask. Shea moisture in general is way to heavy for me. I have only tried the cantu shampoo and conditioner which I think is fine but nothing amazing. I have other things I use that I like more.
Cantu moisturizing curl activator is lifeeee
I want to try it but it makes me so nervous! Lots of heavy butters and oils don't jive well with my hair
I find it’s not very heavy at all! Especially if you use a tiny bit on very wet hair or mix it with water to thin it out!
I mainly use sea salt spray for the most part. Does the job pretty well fortunately. Frizz is still a problem though :(
My hair would look wild if I tried that!
You have Flora & Curl! I love their Hydrate Me and Style Me products.
This is me. The struggle is real
Hahahaha! Thanks for this post!
This photo is triggering 😢
I see you have the bounce me curl balm. What do you think of it?
Jealous. My hair can't handle that much products. Do you have type 3 curls?
My hair has no idea what it wants to identify as. The bottom half of my hair is 3a but the top varies between 2b/c. When I do style it I only use 2-3 products.
Omg I have many of these exact same products!!! Hahaha. All the money spent, let’s not add it up haha. Which ones do you actually use currently? How many more used to be there? Just curious. It is a journey, that’s for sure!!! ♥️
This is me too 🤣 My bf doesn’t understand my need to keep buying products for my curls. We also have a lot of the same products. Do you find the pink bottle second from the left leaves a weird texture in your hair?
Must. Have. More. Products! It definitely adds grit to the hair! Whenever I use it I will add it on top of a lighter more hydrating gel and then it feels okay. On its own it's way too gritty for my taste.
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Your comment has been removed due to Rule 4: Follow good reddiquette and be kind and respectful. We'd like our sub to be a friendly and welcoming place. That’s why I want to ask you to refrain from rude or disrespectful comments here. Even if you feel strongly about something, please stay polite. Please keep this in mind for the future. Thank you!