I washed and styled my curls today for under $25, including clarifying, deep conditioning, and styling. I’m on a mission to find some of the best drugstore curly hair products because it can be so hard good products that are actually at drugstore prices and readily available in-store.

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All products are available at Wal-Mart in-store, online, and in drugstores. This is the first time I am testing these products, so this will be a first impression review where I will share my results day 1-3.

1. Pre-Treat (optional)

Purpose: ​
-Remove tangles while the hair is dry because hair is in its strongest state when dry
-Protect hair from breakage & protein loss when shampooing

Who it’s best for:​
-All hair types, especially high porosity/damaged hair

Frequency: Every wash day

Product: Any hair oil that contains coconut or raw coconut oil (very small amount)

2. Clarify

Purpose: ​
-Remove product buildup, sweat, oil, & dirt
-Remove hard water minerals
-Reset for a clean slate

Who it’s best for:​
-All hair types

Frequency: 1-2 times per month

Product: Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo $2-4

​Suave Daily Clarifying Cleansing Shampoo​
​BUY FROM WALMART​
​BUY FROM AMAZON​
​BUY FROM RETAILER​

3. Deep Conditioner

Purpose: ​
-Restore moisture and provide extra conditioning
-Strengthen hair and prevent damage

Who it’s best for: Dry, damaged, or weak hair

Frequency: 1-2 times per month

Product: Shea Moisture Hydrate + Repair Protein Power Treatment $10-14

​Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein Power Treatment​
​BUY FROM WALMART​
​BUY FROM AMAZON​
​BUY FROM RETAILER​

3. Gel

Purpose: ​
-Define curls
-Tame frizz
-Light moisture
-Medium hold

Who it’s best for: All curl types

Frequency: Every wash day or to refresh

Product: Hask Curl Care Curl Shaping Jelly $6-7

​Hask Curl Care Curl Shaping Jelly​
​BUY FROM WALMART​
​BUY FROM AMAZON​
​BUY FROM RETAILER​

4. Brush Style (optional)

Purpose: ​
-Smooth frizz
-Enhance curls & create clumps
-Increase shrinkage

Who it’s best for: All curl types

Frequency: Every wash day or when refreshing

Product: Kiss Colors & Care 9-Row Detangling Hair Brush $4-6

​KISS Colors & Care 9 Row Non-Slip Detangling Hair Brush​
​BUY FROM AMAZON​
​BUY FROM WALMART​

5. Diffuse

Purpose: ​
-Set the curl shape & gel cast
-Increase shrinkage
-Create volume & root lift

Who it’s best for: All curl types

Frequency: Every wash day or when refreshing

Product: InfinitiPRO by Conair Texture Styling Hair Dryer $20-40

​Infiniti PRO by Conair 1875 Watt Texture Styling Hair Dryer​
​BUY FROM AMAZON​
​BUY FROM RETAILER​

Results & Final Thoughts

After diffusing, I did have some frizz and my hair had a very light cast. I glazed a light layer of gel on top of dry hair and got much more hold and it tamed the root frizz. I think my hair was so frizzy on top from the lack of moisture. As I was applying the gel, my hair felt like straw and it was drying really fast. I think it felt so dry from the strong shampoo and lack of curl cream or leave-in. The gel was not moisturizing enough for my hair to use on its own and did not have enough slip to brush style with it in by itself. I was surprised that the deep conditioner didn’t provide sufficient moisture and softening.

I need to try all of these products again but alongside other products. I want to try the clarifying shampoo again with a different deep conditioner, perhaps protein-free, and see if my hair is soft and conditioned.

Regardless of the poor application experience, my results were great! My day 2-3 hair was so voluminous and clumped. I did have some frizz but I think that could be prevented with more moisture.

I have since tried the gel with a curl cream underneath and will be sharing that routine in next Sunday’s video which will also be a comparison of the KISS and Denman brushes. Make sure you’re subscribed to me so you don’t miss it!

​Watch my previous drugstore curly hair routine to see another great affordable gel!​