Growing up Dominican in NYC had me at the mercy of mother nature. My hair is between so many things that my window of great hair was when the air was totally dry and it was super cold. October until the beginning of March was the best timing for me and I think that's why I've developed a love for fall altogether. The other months was just awful. frizzy, puffy and consisted of every awful side effect of humidity.
Before I go on to the awesome finds let me give you a little history of my hair. I stopped relaxing it and chopped most of it all off in 2005. The few months after that were a nightmare. Hairdressers did not want to touch my hair, I couldn't manage it whatsoever and I didn't know what my issues were in order to target it correctly. Eventually I found someone that was willing to tackle my mane and guide me through which products I needed for my hair type. When wet my hair is a curly 'fro. It never goes below my shoulders and the curls are super tight. If I let it dry naturally without any combing or products then nothing can get through it. When put in rollers, blow dried and passed with a straightener it is long, sleek, thick and just amazing. It's like Jekyll & Hyde. But oh moisture. Bane of my hair's existence.
Fast forward to 2013 and I've finally figured out the best products to deal with my frizzy hair. The products I use have prices ranging from $3-$30 and I mix and match without prejudice. I will admit that I have had a few keratin treatments since 2012 but before then I found products that worked like a charm and now I will share my results with my lovely readers!
Posh- $219
I first used Coppola keratin products after my second treatment. I wanted to pamper myself and see if the pricier products really made that much of a difference. I must say that I do love how this shampoo washes products out and leaves my hair soft before the conditioner gets added.
I love love love straight hair but I do know that I have to use products that treat my curly hair, otherwise I won't be able to achieve a smooth, sleek and moisturized look. Ouidad specializes in curly hair which is why I loved this conditioner so much. Before I started doing keratin treatments and when I didn't have time to wash my hair at a salon I would air dry after using this conditioner and my hair was always silky and super soft to the touch. I was able to see a difference in the amount of frizz if I straightened a few strands without adding a smoothing product. That is a true test!
This product has become a staple in my shower due to the heavenly smell. I LOVE the smell of vanilla bean in products and this is no exception. After I shampoo I like to sit under the dryer for about 30 minutes to let it penetrate my hair shafts before washing it off. It leaves my hair really soft and the faint scent stays with me for a few days. YUMMY!
Dry shampoo was my saviour when I was constantly working out. Back story: my hair salon in NYC is AMAZING and super inexpensive but when I was working out 3-4 days a week I couldn't afford, nor did I have time, to get my hair done more than twice a month. Sadly I sweat a ton from my scalp and that posed a huge problem until I discovered dry shampoo! I loved how I was able to absorb the post workout moisture along with the buildup that my serums and shine sprays would leave. I also liked that it didn't leave my dark hair looking like I was just baking!
Where do I begin? There is so much to love about this product that I'll try to keep it short. Whenever I apply this product on my just done hair it gives it a nice matte shine and a feeling of thickness that I crave. I can't keep my hands off my hair because I love the feeling so much. Oh and the scent is pretty amazing. A word of caution though: do not overdo it. If you don't wash your hair daily apply this product every other day, if that, to avoid it looking and feeling oily.
Pinch- $25
What I've always liked about this product is that it washed all the gel, serum and other gunk off my hair without leaving it stringy. I like that this leaves hair squeaky clean without over drying it thanks to the argon oil in it. It's definitely a great and inexpensive way to start the hair washing process. and what happens now tot he color? come on man!
2. Suave Keratin Infusion Smoothing Conditioner- $3
This conditioner is the best one I've found under $15 that is made for hair that has a keratin treatment in it or for those just wanting the smoothness that keratin can offer. I started using Suave's line of keratin infused products a few weeks before my first keratin treatment and was very happy with the results. My hair always felt really soft and moisturized after using this conditioner and I was able to actually comb through it while wet without wanting to chop it all off.
3. Infusium 23 Leave-In Treatment-Frizz Controller- $7
I've been using Infusium leave-in treatments for years because it's such a great product. Unlike lots of other leave-ins this one has a really light consistency which means it's not going to leave your hair looking greasy and weighed down as soon as you're done drying it. It adds shine without the greasiness and helps with detangling. I like to use this when I do rollers because it prevents my hair from drying too quickly before I get under the dryer.
4. Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo- $5
Most dry shampoos that I've tried have been very similar. They keep my hair from looking dull and help absorb the oil accumulated on my scalp from a hard workout. The added bonus of keratin makes this a bathroom staple. I work out 4-5 days a week and can't commit to a 3 hour hair ritual daily so this is a godsend and a great affordable alternative to the one listed above.
5. TRESemme Smooth No Frizz Shine Spray- $5
Here is one of the products that make me really happy. It's an affordable shine spray that helps get rid of frizz without leaving your hair feeling heavy or greasy. I always apply this before using my hair straightener to help keep the frizz at bay as well as right before I head out to achieve a nice silky look and feel. Since this isn't a serum or leave in conditioner it's never had an effect on my hair when I applied it wet or damp. This product does nothing to help me fight humidity in terms of keep my hair from getting puffy but I've never used it for that reason anyway.
2. Suave Keratin Infusion Smoothing Conditioner- $3
This conditioner is the best one I've found under $15 that is made for hair that has a keratin treatment in it or for those just wanting the smoothness that keratin can offer. I started using Suave's line of keratin infused products a few weeks before my first keratin treatment and was very happy with the results. My hair always felt really soft and moisturized after using this conditioner and I was able to actually comb through it while wet without wanting to chop it all off.
3. Infusium 23 Leave-In Treatment-Frizz Controller- $7
I've been using Infusium leave-in treatments for years because it's such a great product. Unlike lots of other leave-ins this one has a really light consistency which means it's not going to leave your hair looking greasy and weighed down as soon as you're done drying it. It adds shine without the greasiness and helps with detangling. I like to use this when I do rollers because it prevents my hair from drying too quickly before I get under the dryer.
4. Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo- $5
Most dry shampoos that I've tried have been very similar. They keep my hair from looking dull and help absorb the oil accumulated on my scalp from a hard workout. The added bonus of keratin makes this a bathroom staple. I work out 4-5 days a week and can't commit to a 3 hour hair ritual daily so this is a godsend and a great affordable alternative to the one listed above.
5. TRESemme Smooth No Frizz Shine Spray- $5
Here is one of the products that make me really happy. It's an affordable shine spray that helps get rid of frizz without leaving your hair feeling heavy or greasy. I always apply this before using my hair straightener to help keep the frizz at bay as well as right before I head out to achieve a nice silky look and feel. Since this isn't a serum or leave in conditioner it's never had an effect on my hair when I applied it wet or damp. This product does nothing to help me fight humidity in terms of keep my hair from getting puffy but I've never used it for that reason anyway.
