I'm definitely what you would call "experimental" with my hair. I've had short hair, long hair, dark hair, light hair, bright colored hair, an ombre, the list goes on. Regardless of the color or style, I have always had thick, wavy hair that tends to lean more on the dry side. I lived through the straighten-the-absolute-crap-out-of-it hair phase of the 2000's (thank the Lord), but I always had a difficult time finding affordable products that would allow me to wear my hair naturally. By this, I mean products I could simply layer on and not have to worry about applying heat to achieve a refined style. Now, thanks to the wonderful Instagram machine and sheer experimentation, I can say I have found a routine that will allow for all of these things. I can leave my house in the morning knowing that my hair will still look decent at the end of the day.
Since my hair is thick and tends to run on the dry side, I usually only wash it once or twice per week. I found this great line of haircare products from Acure Organics. These are Sulfate, Paraben, and Cruelty free (all necessary for me) and cover a wide variety of hair needs. I personally like my hair to feel very clean when I do wash it as I tend to get a bit of build-up- for me, I like their Lemon Grass & Argan Clarifying Shampoo and Conditioner. Not to mention, these are very budget friendly and the packaging is gorgeous. They are also extremely gentle on my scalp which is a bit sensitive. Luckily, I have found that the new Scalp & Body Scrub from Ouai does the trick at removing build up without being too irritating. I like using this after a workout or spending a lot of time in the Florida sunshine, between shampoo and conditioner. It feels incredible, I could honestly spend hours massaging my scalp with it. When I find that the ends of my hair are very dry (usually with the weather changes), I will do the Briogeo Deep Conditioning Mask in place of conditioner. This is an extremely nourishing hair mask that smells amazing and also has the 'Clean' Beauty seal of approval at Sephora, which means that it lacks many ingredients that people usually try to avoid in their beauty products.
After showering, I towel dry and brush my hair with a Wet Brush. A Wet Brush is a special hair brush that is designed to be used on wet hair without causing breakage. I was introduced to these by my best friends that are hair stylists and I have never looked back. These get out every tangle without a ton of effort and also work well on dry hair- I feel that they distribute the oils well from roots to ends. Maybe someday I will invest in a Mason Pearson brush, but these serve their functional purpose and come in a wide variety of colors. I also got one for my husband as he has long hair and can't handle any sort of tugging whatsoever.
After I towel dry and brush my hair out, I add in a quarter-size amount of the Kristen Ess Air Dry Creme. People, this is the BEST styling product I have ever used as an air dry product. It smooths without weighing down my hair and prevents frizz, and I don't have to apply heat to activate it. The best part is, it's only $10. My heart goes out to Kristin Ess because she makes the most effective, aesthetically pleasing, yet affordable and accessible beauty products. Truly iconic. I also love the Working Texture Spray. I use this after my hair is dry to add volume and lived-in matte texture. The hold is super light so my hair doesn't get crunchy or stiff. While my hair is still wet, I do add in the Ouai Wave Spray to give definition to my natural waves and finish with the Verb Ghost Oil. The Ghost Oil can be used on wet or dry hair and smells like fresh squeezed deliciousness- I also like that it is virtually weightless and doesn't make my hair greasy. Between washes, I love using the Batiste Dry Shampoo. I've used many dry shampoos and this one gives me the most consistent results. It absorbs oil, adds volume and texture, and doesn't leave my hair looking grey once it has absorbed. You also can't beat the price tag and the fact that I can literally pick up a can when I stock up on groceries at Publix.
All of these products allow me to not only let my hair air dry, but give a polished, refined result that I prefer for my hair: clean, soft waves with lots of volume and matte texture. Now if only they could all come in travel size so I didn't have to disperse into little pots, I would be more than satisfied!
What are your favorite products/routines for thick curly/wavy hair? Let me know in the comments :)
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