1. A mattifying powder shampoo if your hair has been looking like it’s been a while since wash day. This ultra-fine powder absorbs oil from your greasy roots, making it look like your hair got a nice lil’ refresh in seconds! Plus, this is TSA-friendly, which makes it great for traveling.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
BTW, this is cruelty-free!
Get a look at how it’s used on TikTok.
Promising review: “I bought this in desperation after having elbow surgery, which left me unable to wash my own hair. I have tried countless dry shampoo sprays and have been disappointed every time. But this? Absolutely 100% game changer. It kept my hair feeling clean and oil-free for several days at a time. It’s easy to use, absorbs in quickly, no white residue on my dark hair, and you don’t need much. I will never buy another brand again. This is my holy grail of dry shampoo.” —Bad Girl
Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in six colors).
2. A bottle of Elizavecca hair treatment with collagen and ceramide 3 to treat hair that’s been through intense heat or sun damage. Use this in between your shampoo and conditioner and leave it in for five minutes — soon enough, you’ll have silky soft hair!
Reviewers with everything from thin, fine hair to 4c curls have reported positive results from this moisturizing formula, which is particularly recommended for folks whose hair is damaged from using hot tools, bleach, and the like.
Promising review: “I saw this on TikTok, and in between other compares products that were four times the price, I decided to bite the bullet and buy this — let me tell you, best decision ever! I shampooed my hair, then heavily massaged this in, from ends to scalp. The carton says 5–20 minutes… But I ended up leaving it in for two days! And after washing it out, my hair was so shiny, bouncy and CURLY! My curl recovery journey has been long, but this has helped restore so much vibrance and shape to my hair. My mom has been stealing it from my bathroom every couple of days, after having similar results on her hair. Going to need to buy a few more to ward her off.” —curlyhead3
Get it from Amazon for $8.40.
3. Crave Naturals’ Glide Thru detangling brush to help make dealing with knots and tangles a less painful part of your haircare routine. The flexible bristles glide through your hair and make sure there’s no yanking, pulling, or tears.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Reviewers swear it works magic on all hair types, including 2c–4c. Plus, the brush works on both wet and dry hair!
Promising review: “I have thick, down to my butt long curly hair, so brushing has always been hell. Usually, I have to deep condition my hair, brush it out before I wash it (about a half hour), then brush it in the shower, and after my shower, to try and keep it manageable. I never thought that it would matter what brush I used for my hair because its just always been the same no matter what I use. BUT THIS BRUSH. Oh my gosh! It has cut my hair brushing time down from 45 minutes to about five! And the best part, is that I can even brush it when it’s dry! It doesn’t rip or tug, my hair doesn’t get poofy or frizzy, and it just takes away my knots and leaves my curls. It is built really well, tough enough to withstand even my nutty hair! Doesn’t have those awful little beads that rip off in your hair. This is a life-changer for me!” —Ryan Turner
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 12 colors and multipacks).
4. Or a Denman hair brush with smooth bristles that help shape curls and make sure you don’t get any tangles in the process of doing so. This isn’t just a regular brush, it’s a ~cool~ brush that is especially loved by those with the curliest of curls!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “I love this brush! I ordered because I saw a YouTube video of a girl with curly hair using it, and her curls came out amazing! I always do wash-and-gos, and I usually would only brush/comb my hair in the shower style it once I was out, but sometimes if I waited a little longer to style it, my hair would get dry and frizzy. It would be almost impossible to get my curls defined without getting back in the shower. With this brush, now all I have to do it spray my hair with water, put product in it, and comb it through with this brush, and my curls are poppin’! The brush is also very sturdy and you can take rows out if you want a looser curl!” —Bryant
Get it from Amazon for $16.95.
5. PLUS, a hairbrush cleaning tool so you can get rid of the excess hair, dander, and dead skin that accumulates on your brush. You don’t want to brush your freshly washed hair with a dirty hair brush, do you? This little thing will surely give you some ~hair-raising~ before and after results.
The reviewer above got such amazing results by using this tool and soaking their brush in a Dawn-and-diluted-vinegar solution!
Promising review: “When I bought this I was really skeptical. I am grossed out by my hairbrush and clean it all the time. I’ve soaked it in vinegar and tea tree oil, used a toothbrush, scrubbed it with shampoo, picked it clean by hand — everything you can think of. Still, it’s so hard to get the little lint that forms at the base of the brush — they don’t dissolve off and you have to pick them off the bristles one by one because a toothbrush won’t even break them up. This thing works amazingly. I don’t know why, it just does — the particular texture of the bristles on this really grabs everything. It scraped the little lint rings right off and now my brush is cleaner, 10 times as fast.” —HeartsofHavoc
Get it from Amazon for $11.95.
6. A bottle of Fanola “No Yellow” purple shampoo if your “bleach and tone” is looking yellow and brassy. This will help neutralize your color and bring back your blonde or gray locks.
Be sure to follow with a good conditioner afterward!
Promising review: “I LOVE THIS!! When I get my hair highlighted, I always use another purple shampoo and it never works for my hair at all. So I wanted to try this (thanks to TikTok). And I am not disappointed. My super yellow hair turned the blonde I wanted within one use, and I have used it more often and it just lightens it more and more. But beware it can stain hands so rinse your hands after!” —jillian lee
Get it from Amazon for $12.25 (also available in a travel size and a value size).
7. A spray bottle of SoCozy leave-in conditioner to help reduce breakage and frizz for both curly-haired kids and adults. Whether you use this at night before bed or to style your curls in the morning, you’ll see bouncy, defined curls like never before.
Check out a TikTok of the spray in action. This is designed to work on all hair types, with reviewers with 2a–4c curls swearing by it!
Promising review: “Amazing!! I had NO idea that my frizzy-haired little girl had beautiful curls. I went down an Instagram rabbit hole and saw a similar girl show how her frizz was curls. I ordered this!! My mind has been blown!! This has changed our lives. It smells so good! It is easy to use and air dry. Before my daughter woke up with terrible bed head that looked like this! Now it is gorgeous soft curls. We will definitely buy again and tell everyone about this product!!” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
8. A Revlon one-step hair dryer and volumizer — it’s viral on TikTok because no one really wants to spend money on a Dyson (or constantly go to the salon) to get a killer blowout. This dries *and* styles at the same time!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The oval brush design smooths the hair and the round edges create volume — leaving you with a salon-worthy blowout at home. It also has two heat and speed settings and a cool option, and it’s designed to work on all hair textures — reviewers with 2b–4c hair mentioned it working for them.
Promising reviews: “I’ve had my eye on a Dyson Airwrap, but given the cost, I figured I’d try this while I save up. This thing is fantastic. I have waist length hair that’s naturally straight, but gets frizzy when damp. I’ve had salon blowouts that have left my hair looking great, but I simply can’t manage a round brush without it getting tangled in my hair. This device has been a game changer. It works best if you air dry for a while before you use it, then use it to finish your style. My hair miraculously doesn’t get snarled in it, and it leaves my hair looking like I’ve had it professionally styled. I love it, and I’m no longer interested in blowing $500 on a Dyson. Highly recommend!” —Ilsa
Get it from Amazon for $33.58+ (available in five colors).
9. A L’Oreal Paris rinse-out lamellar water treatment for those of you who don’t have the time *or* the money to be sitting in a salon chair all day but still want some luscious-looking locks. Leave this lamellar water treatment in for eight seconds, yes… eight seconds only, and rinse out for silkier, shinier, healthier-looking hair.
Promising reviews: “Wow! I have waist-length 3c curly color-treated hair that’s usually a nightmare to deal with in the summer and this stuff is a game-changer. My hair is silky, my curls are defined, it dried in like half the usual time…seriously impressed!” —Stavana Jubinsky
“I’m a professional hairstylist and Matrix, Redken, and L’Oreal are all owned by L’Oreal, and each line has a lamellar water in it at different prices. I am here to tell you that they are all the exact same ingredients in different bottles. So buy the cheapest and save yourself some cash. Your hair will love you for it. I love this stuff.” —anonymous87
Get it from Amazon for $10.97.
10. A 42-pack of foam curling rods that prove you don’t always need a hot tool to give you the results you’ve been wishing for. You just wrap your hair around these soft rods, go to bed (they’re comfortable enough to sleep in), and wake up with stunning curls!
Reviewers with everything from stick-straight hair to type 4c curls swear by these!
Promising review: “I haven’t put curlers in my hair in YEARS. Saw this on TikTok. Thought it would be great, especially because I’m so lazy when it comes to styling my hair. Dried my hair about 60%–70%, put curlers in, slept on them (not uncomfortable to sleep in), and voilà — hair is curled and ready to go in the a.m.” —lapiper21
Get a 42-pack from Amazon for $11.99.
11. Or a RobeCurls heatless hair curler perfect for anyone who’s only ever trusted their hair salon to give them big, bouncy curls because curling your own hair feels a little tricky. Just lightly dampen your hair, wrap it around the soft, satin headband, go to sleep, and voila! Now it’s looking like you’re the pro now.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Emikeni is a woman-founded small business that specializes in heatless hair curling tools. This rod is designed to work with all hair types, with tutorials included on their site!
Promising review: “WOW!!!!! I can’t believe how well this works!!! I’ve seen this all over Instagram and TikTok, and wanted to try it. It’s so easy to put in, takes about a minute or two. Comfortable to sleep in. Then, you take it out, and it looks like you put all this effort into doing your hair. The curls turned out gorgeous, I’m so impressed!!” —Katie Oswalt
Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in eight colors).
12. Quick-acting Nizoral dandruff shampoo so you can finally get rid of those itchy, dry flakes once and for all. This is made with 1% ketoconazole, which gets to the ~root~ of the dandruff and makes sure that your scalp will look nice and clear.
Reviewers across all hair types, from thin, straight hair to coarse 4c hair, report a positive experience with this dandruff shampoo, i.e. that it’s kept their hair itch- and flake-free.
HuffPost Shopping writer Haley Zovickian says, “I get dandruff from time to time, and when I do the flakes are stubborn and hard to get rid of. Nizoral is a godsend and the only thing I will use for getting rid of it. Because it’s antifungal, it actually gets at the root of the problem so you get fast relief. I make sure I never run out — it’s the only thing that’ll take care of my dandruff effectively and quickly.”
Promising review: “I’ve had dandruff for my entire life and I didn’t know what caused it. I came across a dermatologist on TikTok saying this may be due to some fungus infection and recommended this product. I literally just used it two times a week for couple of weeks and I can see almost no dandruff anymore. Also the smell is good, it doesn’t smell like medicine and I kinda like it!” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $15.88 (also available in a shampoo and conditioner duo).
13. A heated beard brush because even the hair on your face deserves a little attention every now and then. This tool heats up in 30 seconds and helps tame that wild beard to look more polished.
The base kit comes with the beard straightener, a premium wooden comb, and a convenient travel pouch or case. There’s an original and premium version — the original straightener has three heat levels and one-touch heat adjustment, while the premium version has 12 heat levels and a digital screen for precise temperature control.
Promising review: “Have you ever had an epiphany and thought to yourself why didn’t you think up this years ago? I was getting tired of my wild beard and was secretly jealous of guys with nice straight beards. Until I had an epiphany: What if there was such a thing as a beard straightener? A quick search of Amazon and they had them! It makes a big difference in my beard! This beard straightener works great!” —Steven Carroll
Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in two styles).
14. JVN Air Dry Cream which is made to enhance your natural curls and tame frizz. No need to damage your hair with hot styling tools; this blend of coconut oil and shea butter nourishes your locks and makes them smell great, too!
JVN Hair
“It’s designed for all hair types and reviewers across the board mostly report a good experience with it, from users with fine, thin hair to coarse, curly strands. That said, JVN says it’s especially good for people with frizzy, wavy, curly, or coily hair.
As someone who’s never had the patience to blow dry their hair, I picked this air dry cream up after seeing its heat-free results in this TikTok and reading all the positive reviews (plus, ya know, I feel like I’d trust Jonathan Van Ness with my hair). For context, I have extremely thin, fine hair that is mostly pretty straight. This air-dry cream has a really nice, silky consistency and smells like the salon (IDK how else to describe it, but it’s a pleasant smell), and it doesn’t make my hair feel greasy or crunchy after I’ve worked this through it. It definitely helps cut down on frizz and makes my hair feel really silky and healthy, even into the next day. If you don’t have any natural wave to your hair, this isn’t going to create that (at least not in my experience), so it makes sense that it’s recommended for the hair types mentioned above. But even if you have straight, fine hair, if you don’t already have a good leave-in conditioner, I’d still recommend this cream for its smoothing, hydrating benefits. A little goes a long way, and the bottle has a lot of product in it!” —Jenae
Promising review: “I’m 40 yrs old female with wavy/curly hair. I’ve air dried my hair for most of my life and just accepted I would have frizz. Even with using anti-frizz products. Not with JVN’s air dry cream. No frizz!! My hair was silky smooth all day long. Not greasy or heavy from the cream. I will definitely buy again! And would highly recommend. Great value for money.” —Kelly D.
Get it from Amazon for $28 (also available in a mini size).
15. A bottle of sulfate-free biotin shampoo that promotes hair growth over time and moisturizes your locks thanks to rosemary oil, zinc, and coconut oil. Some reviewers said that they were initially skeptical, but after the results they saw, they’re never going back!
Read more about how biotin shampoo could help with the fullness of hair at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: “I love this shampoo! I had gastric sleeve surgery and my hair was very, very thin. I started taking biotin and switched to biotin shampoo as recommended by my doctor. It doesn’t make your hair grow by washing it but it makes your hair and roots stronger. And it worked. After using the whole bottle, my hair was stronger. I had a lot of new growth that was sticking around (the previous new growth fell out early on) and my hair was getting thicker. Eight months later, my hair is back to normal. It’s longer and thicker than ever. I still use it twice a week and love it! I [don’t love] the way it smells but others love it when they smell my hair.” —Diane J. Huff
Get it from Amazon for $12.95.
16. Ebin New York 24-hour edge tamer so you can get those baby hairs under control and beautifully lay your edges without worry of flakey residue. This gel makes sure your flyaways are tamed and stay in place all day and night!
Just a note that you don’t have to lay your edges, but this is great if you do!
Promising review: “Honestly the best edge control I’ve ever used for my 4c edges. Holds them all day unless I’m super sweaty/hot OR don’t tie them down before for a bit. Other than that, they last all day and can even last the next day with little to no extra product. I’ve never had that happen before.” —JaNai Ferguson
Get it from Amazon from $5.44+ (available in four sizes).
17. Or a hair-finishing stick to get those baby hairs slicked back for good and keep them in place all day long. This doesn’t leave hair feeling crusty or greasy, and reviewers love how easy it is to use because it doesn’t leave your fingers all sticky (unlike other products like a gel or pomade).
Promising review: “I saw this on TikTok and didn’t believe it was as good as they said, but it is! Looks like a tube of mascara, and I thought it would make my hair hard or greasy looking, nope! Just makes the flyaways stay down.” —Sam Ingle
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $6.88.
18. Some Lime Crime Unicorn hair dye for anyone who loves adding a pop of color or a subtle undertone to their locks. This is made without peroxide or ammonia, so it avoids damaging your hair like some other box dyes.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “I’m so in love with my unicorn hair! I went from a dull silver/rose to a gorgeous vibrant magenta! Never going back to the other semi permanent brands I’ve used in the past. Lime Crime Unicorn Hair is my new bestie! I bought the Chocolate Covered Cherry and left it on for two hours but it washed out beautifully and my hair was silky smooth! It smells amazing too which makes coloring much more pleasant. So far I’ve only washed it once in warm water since coloring and the color is still just as vibrant!” —Mysti Moon
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in 18 shades).
19. An elongating curling gel that makes sure you don’t lose any length in the process of achieving those defined curls. This helps to prevent dryness and flaking for any curls, twists, and coils, AND all for less than $10!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “Holy grail curl definer. I have been using it to define my curls for about 5 years. I spent so much money on other definers before I found this gel. It is VERY moisturizing and does not give you that dry hard curl that feels like it will break off if touched wrong. It dries clear, does not leave any residue and curls will last until your next wash — which is usually about 4–7 days for me. You can use a little or a lot depending on how defined you want your curls to be. I use about a handful but that’s my preference. I simply slather it on, root to ends, and then whip my head back and forth a few times and I’m done with my hair!! I am definitely a lifetime customer!!” —Starr
Get it from Amazon for $7.48.
20. A 2-in-1 hair bun maker to help you get that perfect ballerina bun, effortless messy bun, or just throw your hair into an updo without a bajillion hair ties and bobby pins. AND, if you use this while your hair is damp, you can unravel it to reveal gorgeous heatless curls!
Curlinator Designs/ Etsy
Curlinator Designs is a North Carolina-based small family biz that specializes in hair accessories.
Promising review: “Love it!!! I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to figure out how to use it, but videos make understanding simple. So much easier to use in the mornings than fixing your hair in a bun!!!” —bld9
Get it from Curlinator Designs on Etsy for $12.50 (available in 18 colors).
21. INH Hair’s curled Molly Pony you can attach to your natural hair for some added va-va-va-voom. No need to pay hundreds of dollars for hair extensions when this easily clips in and makes it look like you have a long pony just like Ariana Grande. Plus, there’s the Miya Pony which is the straight-haired version!
INH Hair
The ponytails are made out of vegan synthetic fiber from Japan. Molly is 22 inches long and Miya is 26 inches. Make sure to read their tips on detangling and care in the Care section!
INH Hair is a woman-owned small biz based in Los Angeles. They aim to get you the best quality and trendiest styles and boost your confidence.
Promising review (for Molly): “Love it. I wore this out and felt like a complete baddie. The hairs are so soft and pleasing to touch. The color is absolutely beautiful too.” —Natasha I.
Get them from INH Hair for $23.60 (originally $59); Molly here and Miya here (both available in a variety of colors).
22. A 2-in-1 hair tool that is truly the best of both worlds as Hannah Montana was talking about. This combines a curling iron and straightener in one little tool. It frees up space in your suitcase AND it’s great for international travel because it’s dual-voltage!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: “The international traveler’s BFF. Don’t be fooled by the tiny price or size, this little baby is serious. If you are looking for a small travel option rather than lugging your big straightener and giant curling iron around the world, then I think you’ll love this. It performs really well, turning my frizzy, wavy hair into a smooth and sleek style. The curling iron option also creates shiny, silky lasting curls! It’s easy to transition between both. I also like the grippy handle and the fact that the curling iron clip is a different color than the straightening bars because that helps me see how I should be maneuvering it around. The voltage goes up to 240 so you are good using it internationally without a converter (but you will need an adapter just to fit it into various foreign outlets). At this price, definitely give it a try and flaunt your tresses abroad.” —Christine
Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in black or white).
23. Or Bedhead’s Deep Waver tool to help you get those easy breezy effortless beach waves without spending all day at the beach to achieve the look. This dual-voltage hot tool gives you voluminous waves without creating any frizz.
Promising reviews: “This tool is very easy to use and fairly quick. We have thick hair at my house and it only takes 5–10 minutes each. It looks super cute on short hair or long hair.” —PT
“Where has this been all my life! I’m in love! I have long, fine hair that doesn’t hold curl very well. It tends to be very straight and I always have it back in a pony or up in a messy bun because it has no volume. This wave iron gives it tons of body and volume. It’s like magic!” —Tonya Fleming
Get it from Amazon for $24.98+ (available in two colors).
24. Briogeo’s Heat Protectant Crème — not only does it protect your hair from damaging heat, it says farewell to frizz and leaves your hair so silky soft thanks to the rosehip, argan, and coconut oils.
Sephora
BTW, Briogeo is a Black woman-owned business.
Promising reviews: “Wonderful smell. Gets the job done. I use it daily when straightening my hair (medium length, wavy, thick).” —arodd
“This product worked very well on my low porosity, medium textured, 4a hair. The product itself was lightweight, not sticky, and absorbed into the hair well. It added lightweight moisture, reduced blow dry time, and overall made the process a bit easier.” —Curly Kat
“This cream really works on my frizzy hair. My hair is fine and medium thickness. I live in Alabama where we frequently have very high humidity, and when using this cream, the frizz is kept at bay.” —neagtive
Get it from Sephora for $26.
25. An easy-to-use L’Oreal root-concealing spray to help you put off yet another expensive hair appointment when those grown-out roots seem to be growing a little too fast. This is super easy to use, lasts until your next shampoo, and SO many reviewers say it blends great and looks natural.
That said, gray hair is gorgeous, so let those silvery strands shine! At the end of the day, it’s whatever makes YOU feel best.
Promising review: “This product is terrific for hiding the pesky gray hairs that start to emerge 1–2 weeks after coloring my hair. I have dark hair, and a lot of gray around my forehead and temple areas, so any gray hairs are beyond obvious. Once they start to peek out, I use this product and I can last another couple of weeks before coloring.” —Carissa K
Get it from Amazon for $9.74 (available in 11 colors and in packs of two).
26. A satin-lined Hairbrella perfect for protecting your hair in the case that the weather has a mind of its own and doesn’t take into account that you JUST did your hair. This keeps your hair dry during rainy, snowy, or humid days and the satin ensures that you aren’t left with any frizz once you take this off!
Amazon
Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business established in 2016 that specializes in hats combining fashion and function to protect against all types of weather.
Promising review: “Finally a rain hat that won’t ruin a hair style. Perfect to keep in my purse when I go to the hair salon and it unexpectedly rains. The satin lining is a stroke of genius so it won’t dry out my hair. Looking forward to buying several more to match my purses. Destined to become the must have fashion accessory!” —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $34 (available in 13 colors).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
0 Comments