Yesterday, I received this very sweet message from Lady Cindy:
Good morning! Just watched your segment on WTHR as we do often, and I have a question, not about good deals, but about your hair. Obviously, it is naturally curly and it always looks good – no frizzies and a great finishing product. Can you tell me what products you use? Can you please tell me what shampoo, conditioner, finishing products and appliances you use to get your gorgeous “do”? Thank you!
This just made my day. Over the years, I’ve been called everything from Rosanna Rosanna Dana (YouTube it if you’re too young to know the references) to Pippi Longstocking. It ain’t easy being the redheaded frizzy haired girl, friends. Also, my curls can be completely uncontrollable at times. After we finished paying off all of our debt, I went on a serious quest to find the best hair products I could to keep things in line. Not only did they need to be able to style what can be incredibly unmanageable, the products also needed to be very mild (or completely non existent) in fragrance. And me being me, I wanted to spend as little as possible for the best result. Here’s how I handled my curly hair on a budget dilemma.
Samples from Sephora
There is nothing worse than paying a hefty price for a product that doesn’t work at all on your texture of hair. So I began my journey by asking a stylist friend exactly what I needed (she suggested a good conditioner and a pomade) and then headed to Sephora to try out everything that I could. The sales associates were incredibly helpful in finding me several products to try out. It took me awhile, but I settled on two products – Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie ($23.99 but lasts me for 4-5 months) and Bumble & Bumble’s Styling Wax ($19.99 and lasts 2 months for me). The first couple of times, I purchased them directly from Sephora making sure to use my Beauty Insider Card to at least log some points. But the products became increasingly more difficult to find (more on that later) and more than I wanted to pay on a regular basis.
Amazon to the Rescue!
You know I love a good Amazon bargain and the prices were slightly cheaper ($17.98 a piece) for both products on Amazon. A couple of times, I ordered from there. However, the Bumble & Bumble product was just too expensive for as much as I needed. So I looked for something similar in Target. I also purchase Herbal Essences on Amazon for washing and conditioning my hair (which I do pretty infrequently, maybe every couple of days).
Target is My Happy Place
At Target, I sniffed and sniffed until I found Curls Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste ($7.99 and lasts 6 months) to replace the Bumble & Bumble product which was great because Bumble & Bumble quit making it on me (figures). It’s a much better fit for my pocketbook, regardless. During the last two months, it’s been more difficult to find Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie even on Amazon but browsing at Target, I found out why. It’s because they changed the packaging and now are selling at Tarjay. #Boom and the price came down to $14 for the same size.
Somedays are Pony Tail Days
I don’t style or wash my hair every day. It’s actually not good for curly girlys to wash their hair on a regular basis. So I often sport a pony tail. When I do style my hair, I do so after it’s already dried. I run my fingers through it with the Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie (which is really supposed to be a wash out conditioner but works better for me to use occasionally as a leave-in). I scrunch up the hair with my hands and typically tons falls out as I drag through my tangles. Then, I finish by scrunching a small amount of the Control Paste through, hanging upside down. I also use a dab of water to eliminate frizzes.
I don’t blow dry my hair unless I think it will freeze, typically washing the night before or the day of and letting it air dry instead. So no appliance purchases are really necessary, only some extra time needs to be budgeted.
I’ll be the first to admit I am very low maintenance, but I do like to pull it together from time to time and these two products help me feel polished and confident. They’re aren’t cheap but $22 in styling aids that last around 5 months for me is an investment I’m willing to make.
If you have curly hair, what do you use to keep the frizz at bay without breaking the bank?
Gain inspiration to pay off debt! Check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free on Kindle or Pre-Order Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After (releasing January 2nd, 2015).
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
Sarah says
I buy scrunching mousse for mine and only when on sale. My favorites are herbal essences and tresemme. However, most days are pony tail days. If I want to straighten my hair, I make the plan a day in advance and only straighten hair that has had a day to get a little dirty, making the straightening go really easy and not need any extra product. And that is also not super common. It helps that I work from home and don’t need to do my hair to talk on the phone. 🙂
Queen of Free says
I’m spoiled working from home, too! 🙂
Ange says
I use Garnier Fructis shampoo, once every three days, but condition in the shower daily with Garnier also. Garnier leave in conditioner daily. Always air dry and never use a straightener. Wear my hair up probably five out of seven days. #curlyhairproblems
Kathi says
I don’t completely wash out my conditioner so it gives my curls a little extra hydration. (or use leave-in conditioner) A spray bottle is a great way to reactivate the curls since I don’t wash them everyday.
My go to products are… Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Envy Cream (6.99 at CVS) and got2b kinkier double curling power spray gel (6.99 at CVS). These are the dynamic duo for me. I have frizz-free, shiny and defined curls.
I also found http://www.naturallycurly.com/ a helpful site for figuring out what type of curls you have, how to manage them or even finding a curly hair stylist in your area. (It helps to have someone who knows how to cut curly hair.)
Products depend on the type of curls you have. Once you find one that works for you, embrace it!
Queen of Free says
Oooh thanks for the tip! I’ll check out the site. 🙂 I found a stylist who has the EXACT same type of hair ace me so that is awesome because that truly can make a difference.
Jackie says
Thank you for sharing what works for you. As a fellow naturally curly haired woman I enjoy hearing what products work for others. Now I wish we had a Target nearby. 🙂
Queen of Free says
I will bring some product for you the next time I come down!
Jackie says
Thanks, friend!
solidgoldeats says
Why oh why have I never thought of ordering hair products on Amazon? From one curly girl to another, I <3 this post!
Queen of Free says
It took me awhile too, so don’t feel bad! Be sure you check out the comments on FB from other curly girlies. 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/thequeenoffree/posts/10152595096088463 & https://www.facebook.com/thequeenoffree?ref=hl