As Valentine’s Day envelops us in its warm embrace, it’s a time to express our love. In addition to the people in our lives, we curly girls also have a love affair with our favorite hair products. On a daily basis, they bring joy to our lives. They understand the deep needs of our tresses.
So we asked some curly influencers to share the products that make their heart sing, from gels to masks to cleansers; for these beauty enthusiasts, these are the products that empower them, reminding us that sometimes, the most profound connections are found in the most unexpected places.
April Kayganich
Image Source: @_thehalfrican
Hairstory New Wash Rich
This cleansing creme works WONDERS. I call it a “clenditioner”, but I love it because the rich formula is ultra-moisturizing and great for curls and coils. It speeds up your detangling by helping to soften the hair, and you only need this ONE product. It’s not shampoo, and you don’t condition it afterward. Make sure to apply to soaking wet hair; apply at your mid to ends first, then apply some more product at the roots. Scrub your scalp all over really well then let the New Wash sit for at least 5 minutes. The longer it sits, the cleaner your scalp gets and the more conditioned your ends get. Make sure to rinse it out really well! Style as usual.
Innersense Hair Love Prep Spray
I LOVE this priming hair spray. It has heat protection, UV protection and protein! It acts in the way face primer for makeup works, to help your products “stick” and last longer. This should be applied first, before any other product and then I finger comb or use a wide tooth comb to distribute it throughout the hair. Another bonus is that it smells SO good and will help prolong your style!
Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Gel Strong Hold
This is my go-to gel. Some curls love humidity and some don’t. I am not one of those people, ha! My curls lose definition when it is really humid, so I need a gel that is going to help maintain my style on humid days, but also not build up on my hair. I always apply this at the very end of my routine since gel is a higher hold product. I also have to remind my clients that a little bit goes a long way. I want hair to be touchable and not feel crispy so if that’s what you want too, this is the gel for you!
Britany Watkins
Image Source: @bwatuwant
It’s a 10 Miracle Coily Mask
No matter how dry my hair this mask instantly makes my hair feel moisturized and soft. The slip makes detangling easy as well.
I get definition without compromising volume. I love pairing this with a volume mousse. I use a hair pick during my drying/diffusing to prevent gelled roots from getting stuck to my scalp. It’s a great way to encourage volume without causing frizz. I tend to be heavy-handed with product, so I’ve started ending my wash-n-gos with a cold mist of water. Ending with scrunching.
Gena Marie
Image Source: @genamarie.co
Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Gel Stronger Hold
The Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Stronger Hold Gel is my favorite styler because it lasts for days with minimal refreshing needed. It’s packed with humidity-blocking, moisturizing ingredients and has a slippery thin consistency that my hair loves.
Section clean, damp hair and apply it liberally. I use a lot and evenly coat from root to tip.
- Brush style and/or finger coil to define curls.
- Scrunch with a hair towel
- Glaze in another light layer of gel on top
- Diffuse
- Just use a little water to reactivate the gel on refresh days. No need to add more with this gel!
Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Masks
It’s packed with proteins to strengthen damaged hair and is highly moisturizing. It’s one of the few deep conditioners that is actually lightweight and won’t weigh down your hair. Use it once per week for damaged and weak hair, rotate with a protein-free mask, and scrunch/pulse it in to increase absorption. For those with low-porosity hair, you can add light heat such as with a Hot Head cap.
Alexandra Wilson
Image Source: @queensconquer
Camille Rose Rosemary Water Daily Strengthening Mist
This is a fave for me and lots of curlies for good reason! It’s truly a multi-purposeful product that’s great for refreshing your hair mid-week & alleviating dry or itchy scalp. Plus, it had a nice fresh scent.
My favorite styling product that I love is Almond Jai! It’s rich, creamy hair butter that leaves my hair soft, hydrated & defined, plus it even has a light hold to combat frizz. What I love most is the thick consistency so a little goes a long way. It’s definitely a one & done product that allows me to style my hair effortlessly.
Camille Rose Almond Jai Twisting Butter
My favorite styling product is Almond Jai!. It’s rich creamy hair butter, that leaves my hair soft, hydrated & defined, plus even has a light hold to combat frizz. What I love most is the thick consistency so a little goes a long way. It’s definitely a one and done product that allows me to style my hair effortlessly.
Alexis Belon
Image Source: @alexisbelon
Emergencia Deep Intense Hair Treatment
I almost don’t want to share this because I’m scared it’ll go mainstream and get ridiculously priced the problem with most hair masks is I have too much hair to rationalize the price for how quickly I’ll go through a tub. But for someone who’s been coloring my hair for so long, nothing beats the dryness and frizz like this product. I love it so much.
Bread Beauty Supply Hair Oil
Ending my hair routine with the Hair Oil isn’t just about the shine it leaves my hair with but how incredible it leaves it smelling. It’s rare to find an oil that gives you both a gloss finish and incredible scent all in one so when you find one, you stick to it!
Felicia Jones
Image Source: @hif3licia
Manetrxx Volume Booster
I love it on wash day, and it gives me extra volume throughout the week. I like to use this as a primer before applying my favorite stylers or adding a pump or two directly to my gel! This is also great for shaking the roots about halfway through drying to give you extra lift!
K18 Molecular Repair Mask
This leave-in has been a game changer not only for me but all of my clients as well, especially anyone with damage. After rinsing your shampoo, apply this mask and let it sit for four minutes, then layer your favorite deep conditioner directly on top! It only needs four minutes to work its magic and can be rinsed out.
If you have some areas that need extra love, apply one more pump as a leave-in before styling. Just remember, it always needs four minutes before applying any other product.
Are you ready to show your hair extra love this Valentine’s Day? Try out a new look with these 18 Romantic Updos For All Textures.
