1. L'Oreal Paris Root Touch-Up Spray is the perfect solution for covering up those in-between coloring moments. Since hair dye can be harsh, anything that extends the time between applications is a must-have.

2. Crave Naturals Detangling Brush glides smoothly through your hair, preventing any tugging or breakage. Say goodbye to those pesky tangles.


3. Elizavecca Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment applies like a hair mask, but delivers even more intense results thanks to the combination of Ceramide 3 and collagen. After every use, my hair feels deeply hydrated and looks noticeably healthier.


4. If you're in the mood to treat yourself, the K18 Leave-In Repair Hair Mask Treatment is a proven leave-in formula designed to restore bleached or chemically altered hair. This compact yet powerful bottle features a patented peptide blend that offers up to 50 uses, ensuring long-lasting results. And the best part? It's suitable for all hair types.


5. Some Bunzee Bands are designed for Afro puffs, locs, dreads, and thick ponytails. These hair ties are incredibly durable, lasting up to two years (which is a long lifespan for a hair tie!), but they won't damage your hair. Additionally, the adjustable bands ensure a secure fit that stays in place all day.


6. L'Oréal Paris Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water delivers a powerful burst of hydration in just eight seconds, as the name promises. No need for heavy oils in your styling routine afterwards.


7. A leave-in conditioner formulated for kids (and adults) with curly hair and sensitive scalps delivers excellent results, thanks to its nourishing mix of vitamin B5, jojoba oil, keratin, and other beneficial ingredients. It's designed for use on damp hair or to refresh dry curls.

8. Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo eliminates flakes for good, so you don't have to worry about brushing off dandruff before curling your hair every day.


9. If you're ready to splurge a bit more, consider the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal and Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo—because your scalp deserves a little exfoliation as well.


10. The Beachwaver Co. rotating curling iron is incredibly user-friendly. Even those who are pros with heat styling tools (like me) have switched to this one (and yes, I’m one of them). If you can clamp a lock of hair and press a button, you’re all set. Plus, it features a 9-foot swivel cord that makes styling much easier.

11. If you want a different spin, the Chi Spin N Curl handles all the twisting and turning for you, taking the guesswork out of curling your hair. Just place your hair into the device, and it will curl it for you.


12. A Revlon hot air brush effortlessly dries and styles your hair. Simply rough dry your hair and use the brush to achieve a salon-worthy blowout. Getting the perfect blowout with a round brush and blow-dryer in each hand is tough work.



13. Alternatively, the Drybar Single Shot Blow-Dryer Brush reduces styling time *and* arm strain, so you no longer have to juggle both a round brush and blow dryer. It's a *real* game changer if you're willing to invest a bit more than the Revlon model.


14. If you like a straighter style but still want volume, a Revlon one-step styler and dryer is a great choice.


15. A scalp massager helps soothe itching and combat dandruff, making your shampoo work wonders at clearing away days of dry shampoo buildup. Plus, it feels like a luxurious treat.


16. The Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray fights frizz and leaves your hair with a glossy, glass-like finish, thanks to its anti-humidity properties. Even in the worst weather conditions.


17. The OGX Locking + Coconut Curls Air Dry Cream is an affordable, scrunch-and-go product loved by many. This will save you time for reading in a hammock instead of styling your hair. A win for both your hair and your relaxation.

18. A heatless curling rod headband is something you wrap your *damp* hair in before bed, and then just unwind in the morning for bouncy, '90s supermodel curls that’ll have you feeling like you just landed a Pepsi commercial!


19. The Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme Diffuser & Curly Hair Dryer is possibly the largest at-home diffuser I've ever seen. It's perfect for curly-haired individuals who love their natural texture but hate the long drying process. Sometimes, you just don’t have hours to wait for it to air dry!


20. Goody hair spin pins make creating the *perfect* bun a breeze. Simply put your hair in a ponytail, wrap it around the base, and secure with one pin on top and one on the bottom of the bun.


21. A 2-in-1 hair bun maker can help you create the perfect ballerina bun. And if you use it while your hair is damp, it will leave you with stunning curls.


Curlinator Designs is a small business based in North Carolina, specializing in hair accessories.
Promising review: "I love it!!! I was worried I wouldn't be able to figure out how to use it, but the videos made it easy to understand. It makes doing my hair in the mornings so much easier than trying to fix it in a bun!!!" —bld9
Get it from Curlinator Designs on Etsy for $12.50 (available in 18 colors).
22. A faux puff extension clips into your hair to quickly create a cute look when you're in a hurry.

23. Some clip-in hair extensions offer instant length and volume, perfect for those picture-perfect moments. It's always better to be ready!


24. Verb Ghost Oil effortlessly tames frizz and flyaways. It's the ultimate hair oil for coarse, thick hair like mine. Reviewers with textures up to 4c swear by it! It will not only make your hair appear sleeker, but it will also feel softer.


25. If you're working with a tighter budget, Herstyler Hair Repair Serum, enriched with argan oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E, helps smooth out flyaways so you can move on with your day.

26. BestLan Hair Finishing Stick resembles a mascara wand, but its styling cream tames those flyaways on days when all you can manage is air drying and putting your hair into a bun or ponytail.

27. Ebin New York 24-hour edge tamer helps smooth down your edges and provides shine, without any flakiness or heaviness, even with daily use.


Note: You don’t have to lay your edges, but this product is perfect if you do!
Promising review: "Girl! This edge control is bomb. I have 4b/4c hair and it lays my edges no problem! It even withstands the Caribbean heat. It didn’t turn white unless I applied too much, but I just sprayed it with some water before applying and it worked perfectly. It smells AMAZING and will last me for ages. I bought it months ago, and I still have about half left despite using it every day. Such great value!" —Chelsea R.
Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in five sizes).
28. A Honest conditioning spray combines argan oil, shea butter, and quinoa extract to help your comb effortlessly glide through your hair and, as reviewers say, leaves it smelling amazing.


29. Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray significantly reduces your heat-styling time — by up to 50%! It also smooths frizz and shields your hair from heat damage. And yes, it’s all over TikTok.


30. Living Proof No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer immediately smooths and hydrates when you prefer not to use hair oil. It controls up to 92% of frizz on dry hair and gives your hair a little extra oomph between washes.


31. Dyson Airwrap multistyler has practically reached legendary status by now. If you've been on the internet since its 2018 release, you've probably seen it demonstrated countless times. And for good reason! This multitool truly lives up to the hype.

You can read my in-depth review of the Dyson Airwrap's first model for all sorts of deets. Since the 2018 release, the company has improved upon the original and has longer tool attachments to make drying and styling even easier. TL;DR: Once you've practiced a few times, it's easy to use all the attachments and it leaves your hair looking shinier and feeling less dry than heat drying and then using flat irons or curling irons to achieve your desired look. Note that you do want to rough dry your hair a bit before going in with the attachments. It's, understandably, a huge financial undertaking but if you have the coin and put a LOT of time into heat styling your hair like I do, it can be worth it to you.
Get it from Sephora (one colorway) or Dyson (three colorways) for $599
32. And a more recent release: Dyson Airstrait dries *and* straightens your hair simultaneously WITHOUT hot plates like a regular straightener. As you can guess (if you're at all familiar with the Dyson brand's tech), it uses airflow to straighten without drying out. So if you've been blow drying and *then* flat ironing your hair, this'll sound like a total dream.


My colleague Heather Braga has and loves it:
"I had the chance to try the Dyson Airstrait, and OMG, what an amazing piece of technology. Yes, I referred to this as 'tech' instead of a beauty tool. While it's both, I was blown away by the gadget-ness of it right from the start. I even had to select on an LCD screen what language MY STRAIGHTENER should be set to...wild. Anyway! The Airstrait can straighten both wet and dry hair — without using damaging hot plates. It uses directional airflow to smooth and straighten hair, and honestly, it's a magical experience. The biggest challenge for me was realizing that the copper pieces (where the fan resides) should face outward so you’re not blowing your hair all over the place. The fan speeds up when you clamp the Airstrait around your hair (HOW DOES IT KNOW!?) and stops completely when you set it down (as shown in the GIF to the left). Plus, I have a toddler and very limited time. With this gadget, I was able to go from wet hair straight out of the shower to natural-looking straight hair in just 10 minutes! This is going to be a total game-changer for me!!! It's worth the splurge. Add this to your holiday wish list or, you know, just get it now."
Get it from Sephora for $499.
33. John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Air Dry Waves Styling Foam offers a low-effort solution if you have specific preferences for the texture of your hair products.

34. A CurlCap is a backless, adjustable cap with plenty of space for your natural hair or updos, providing extra shade for your face while keeping your sweaty hair off your neck.


35. Bed Head Wave Artist helps you finally achieve voluminous beach waves from roots to ends. With a maximum heat of 400 degrees, your waves will stay locked in place.


36. Amika Perk Up Talc-Free Dry Shampoo may cost more than your usual budget options, but it's totally worth it, especially when you're on day three of your hair routine and you're starting to feel self-conscious, but don't want to make it obvious. I've tried every dry shampoo out there, and this one is a serious game changer!

37. Baxter of California Clay Pomade provides a matte, strong hold, so you can trust that your perfectly styled hair will stay in place. It's great to have a product that does the job and keeps your hair intact without needing to reapply!


38. A satin-lined Hairbrella keeps your hair flawless, no matter what the weather has in store.

39. Bread Hair Oil gives a healthy shine to 3a–4c curls without leaving your hair greasy. The key ingredient? Australian Kakadu plum. (Remember that, because your friends will be dying to know how you achieve that glossy finish.)


Bread is a Black-owned haircare brand designed with natural hair in mind, whether you rock curls, braids, or any other style. It's especially ideal for those with 3a–4c hair, and the packaging is definitely Instagram-worthy.
You can grab it from Bread or Sephora for $24.
40. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray is definitely worth the investment, even for those who usually stick to drugstore haircare. It's a fantastic volumizing alternative to dry shampoo.
