2 Year Natural Hair Journey: My Staple Products

My Natural Hair Product Stash

After 2 years into this natural hair journey, I can honestly say I've tried not to become a product junkie, but I've done my fair share of experimenting to determine what works with my hair.  Here are my HG (holy grail) natural hair products and some of the honorable mentions if I can't get my hands on these products right away.

Shampoo - Elasta QP Creme` Conditioning Shampoo (HG) - Beauty supply store
                  Curls Creamy Curl Cleanser - Target

Deep Conditioner - Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Deep Conditioner (HG)  www.curlmart.com (locally in Raleigh @ Nyenzo)

                              Aubrey Organics HoneySuckle Rose - Whole Foods

Moisturizer - Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream (HG)  (locally in Raleigh @Nyenzo)
                        KeraCare Butter Cream  - this also double as a styler b/c it has beeswax & emulsifying was in the ingredient list so it give a slight hold (local beauty supply store)
                       Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie (Target & Walgreens)

Leave in Conditioners - Koils by Nature Moisturizing Shealoe Leave In (HG)  Conditioner(www.koilsbynature.com)
                                    Giovanni Direct Moisture Leave In Conditioner (Target & Whole Foods)

Stylers - Koils by Nature Herbal Soothing Curl Defining Gel in Peppermint (www.koilsbynature.com)  This provides long lasting corkscrew definition twistouts.

Taji's Natural Hair Styling Aloe Jelly (Taji's Salon)  This provides a large chunky fluffy twist out.

Entwine Couture's Creme` Jelly Styler also provides a soft, defined, twist out.  It can be a little sticky though.

Heavy Gels - Ecostyler Olive Oil Gel for slicked up styles (Sallys, Beauty Supply store) &  Curls Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste for edges (Target)

Oils/Butters - Coconut (HG), Argon, Castor Oil, Koils by Nature Nourishing Hair & Body Butter

Have you discovered which products work on your hair?  Are you loyal to one brand or do you find use multiple brands?

What I Learned My First Year - Expensive Products Are Not Required for Fab Hair!

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Those who know me well know that I don't believe in wasting money.  Especially in this economy, I am looking for ways to conserve money where I can.  There are many great salon quality (and salon priced) products on the market for natural hair care.  I have also found that there are many comparable lower priced products on the market that do a wonderful job at caring for and maintaining my hair. 

Here are the products that I use consistently for the maintenance of my hair and their approximate prices:

Shampoo - Curls Creamy Curl Cleanser   $9.99

Detangling Conditioner - Herbal Essences Hello Hydration   @$5.00

Leave In Conditioner (base for my leave-in cocktail) - Giovanni Direct Leave In  @$7.00

Deep Conditioner - Butters-n-Bars Original Conditioning Mask  $8.00 (for 6 oz)

Stylers - Ecostyler Moroccan Argan Oil - $2.99 (on sale);  Curls Creme Brule  $10.99; Organic Raw Shea Butter $8.00; Miss Jessie's Curling Custard (free at product swap!); Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie $9.99

Oils/Other- EVOO, Castor Oil, Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, Tea Tree essential oil, sweet orange essential oil, lemongrass essential oil, peppermint essential oil. Range of prices, the most expensive being Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil $10.99

With these products, I am able to do all of my styles from wash & go's, puffs, flat twists, finger coils, and two strand twists.  I do know that product junkie -ism exists.  I have been successful in not succuming to the temptation to try every product out there.  However, these are products that I may one day treat myself to try:

Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle  $18.00

Jessicurl Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatment $16.95 for 8 oz

Design Essentials Natural Curl Stretching Creme  $26.90 for 16 oz

Aveda Brilliant Anti-Humectant Pomade $19.00 for 2.9 oz (Imma tell you now I'm gonna be hard pressed to buy this one at this price)

Jane Carter Curl Defining Cream  $34.00 for 16 oz.

Ouidad Double Detangler  $24  - This is something I will eventually buy because of how coily my hair is.  I think it will help me detangle easier as my hair gets longer and help prevent split ends.

Good luck in your pursuit of finding the "holy grail" products that work specifically for you and your natural hair needs!!