Whenever ladies ask me about products I would recommend to them to make their natural hair journey a little smoother, I always respond with the same answer … “I can tell you what personally works for me, but you are going to go through trial and error.” I say this because every product does not work for everyone’s hair type and texture. Your friends curls could be poppin and voluminous everyday, but if her texture is finer than yours, then every product she uses may not be right for you. 

Now, because I’m a Beauty Blogger, there are few products that I am loyal to. I love to try whatever is new, and some products work out for the long haul, and others may get a review but seldom used again.

Lately I’ve been on a pretty consistent routine with my current go-to’s being used in heavy rotation. I wanted to share with you ladies what I’m using at the moment so you can see what I use to keep my curls soft, defined, and moisturized.

With that said, I’m sure you catch my drift, so here it goes!

(L to R) Design Essentials Natural  Curl Cleanser Sulfate Free Shampoo, CLEAR Scalp and Hair Therapy Ultra Shea Shampoo, Pantene Natural Clarifying Shampoo 

My hair stylist has been telling me lately that I need to invest in professional products to use on my hair. So for you ladies who want to go in the same direction, Design Essentials is a good line. For those who are a little more budget conscious, CLEAR and the Pantene Natural line are what I use as well. A product that isn’t pictured that I also use and like is the Mixed Chicks Sulfate Free shampoo. If you have color in your hair, then sulfate free shampoo is what you need too look for to keep you color fresh and make it last!

(L to R) CLEAR Scalp & Hair Therapy Ultra Shea Condition, Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner, Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner

Conditioning is everything when it comes to natural hair! You ever heard anyone say, “Ooo her dry, frizzy curls are cute!” ? Yea, me either lol. Now this is an area where I’m actually loyal to a couple of products. The Mixed Chicks deep conditioner and leave-in are my go-to’s I’ve been using for a couple of years now. I use a leave-in everyday … especially since I have color! My curls are thirsty a lot, so there’s no such thing as ODing when it involves conditioner. Another product not pictured that I also love and need to use more often is the Huetiful Hair Steamer («— click on the link to check out my review). You can purchase all of these products at Target.

(L to R) Dark & Lovely Au Naturale 10-in-1 Gel, Dr. Miracle Curl Care Strong Hold Gel, Twisted Sista Curl Activator

Ok ladies, now when it comes to styling, this is the area where I am ALWAYS trying new products. But I do have three favorites that have yet to do me wrong and those are pictured above. When using a gel, I look for something that defines my curls but doesn’t flake and doesn’t make my curls hard! I usually like to mix the gel with my leave-in conditioner and a moisturizer and finger comb it through my damp hair, then do my two-strand twist. Around the sides and back, I’ll apply either a little gel or just my leave-in conditioner and finger twist it. The Twisted Sista Curl Activator is more of a cream, and it keeps my curls voluminous with a soft definition!

(L to R) Biosilk Silk Therapy Hair Serum, Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Moisturizer 

You can’t forget about giving a little extra TLC to your strands. For shine I go for a light hair serum that I apply with my fingertips as I take out my two-strand twist in the morning. Another great option is Paul Mitchell Skinny Serum (plus it smells yummy). I use the Mango Butter in two ways: by itself, as I take my twist out, when it’s really dry, or mixed with my leave-in and the gel, then applied all over for extra moisture. 

(L to R) Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Split End Sealer, a wide tooth comb, Eden Body Works Peppermint Tea Tree Oil 

We all have to have those little extras that make a difference with our curls. One of my favorite combo’s is mixing the CD Monoi Sealer with the Mixed Chicks leave-in and the EQP Mango Butter …. omg the smell is orgasmic! I wish my hair would hold the smell all day! I use my wide tooth comb to comb my deep conditioner through my hair while in the shower. I try to limit frequent combing with the comb and alternate by finger combing because I’ve found that it eliminates more frizz. I’ll use the peppermint tea tree oil on my scalp after I’ve twisted my hair up and massage it into my scalp. I love the tingle feeling! 

That’s it ladies! Like I said before, your journey will consist of trial and error. My best advice is to BE PATIENT and keep trying. If at all possible, see if you can try out a sample packet or have a sales person make you a sample before you commit to a product. I understand that most natural hair products aren’t “cheap” and fellow product junkies like myself may not have anymore space for new items. Stores like Target have lenient return policies as long as you have your receipt. Good luck!

“Fashion fades, only style remains the same.” - Coco Chanel

I love high end labels … I mean really what girl doesn’t? But realistically my closet is more than a few pieces short of being lined with names like Philip Lim, Givenchy, and Balenciaga. ::le sigh::

So, let me clue you in on a secret about the above ensemble I put together. If you really have style then you could make a $10 look like a million bucks! It’s all about mixing high and low price points to look chic and on-trend.

And let’s not forget about the magic of thrifting! I love scoring finds from the thrift store because it’s pretty much a guarantee that no one else will have it. As long as you mix a thrift item in with something modern and of-the-moment, you won’t have any worries of looking like your sporting a costume.

Thread List:

High waist trousers: Thrifted
Crop Top: American Apparel
Heels: Zara
Bag: Forever21
Sunnies: Anna Dello Russo for H&M (I don’t wear them often because they are a little heavy and give me a headache lol)
Belt: BCBG
Necklace: My grandmother’s
Lipstick: Ka’oir in “Sex”  

Always remember that you can still have major sex appeal and keep things classy at the same time! Crop tops are really big this season. Try pairing it with a full skirt, high waist jeans/shorts, or chic trousers like I did. I will definitely be pairing my crop top with a short suit set this summer!

As far as your makeup goes, I chose to rock a dark sultry lip and keep the rest of my makeup clean and simple. It’s all about making a statement. Pick one thing and rock it with confidence!