Diva on a Dime

Sporting my hair in its naturally curly state is liberating, empowering, and just plain fun. One thing it’s not, however, is cheap. Yes, it’s probably less expensive than going to a salon every other week to get my hair fried, dyed and laid to the side, as my mom would say, but all those Carol’s Daughter and Kinky Curly products can really add up. So I decided to pull together a list of 5 products, each under $10, that I sometimes use to tame my mane. Perhaps you can turn to these when you need be a diva on a dime. These products aren’t completely plant-based as most of us naturalistas prefer, but in my experience I haven’t found them to be damaging to my hair and they work. 






Aussie Sydney Smooth Conditioner


Specifically designed to help fight frizz, this recent addition to the Aussie collection is just what we curly girls need. Perfect for co-washing, the Sydney Smooth conditioner seems to leave my hair even more moisturized than Aussie Moist Conditioner, which used to be a staple in my hair care arsenal. Some natural ingredients used to make this product include jasmine, silk extract, and jojoba oil. This conditioner can be found at drug stores, grocery stores and places like Target and Wal-Mart. 










Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioner

After co-washing my hair I usually comb this product through my wet tresses to lock in moisture. It costs less than $5 at grocery, drug, and big box stores and it works like a charm. 


















Garnier Fructis Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk


Not to seem like a Garnier Fructis spokesperson, but I’ve found this product to be especially good at helping my hair fight frizz on rainy days. So sometimes I’ll use the smoothing milk instead of the leave-in conditioner, especially on days the weatherman (or weatherwoman) tells me I’m going to need an umbrella. 










Umberto Beverly Hills Curl Enhancing Lotion

In addition to a product that will keep my hair from getting too dry, I also need one that will keep it from getting too wild. Typically my go-to product for curl definition is Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Lite, but when the funds are low I turn to Umberto Beverly Hills Curl Enhancing Lotion, which is available at Target. It doesn’t smell as great as the more plant-based products I typically use, but it’s just as effective. Be careful not to apply to much of the product to your hair, however, or your curls might get crunchy. 











John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Creme


This product should only be applied to dried hair, therefore, I use it only when I need something to refresh and revitalize my second-day hair.