Buzz
1. The Beachwaver Co. rotating curling iron is incredibly user-friendly. Even people who are pros with heat styling tools (like me) have switched to using this (yep, also me). If you can clamp a strand of hair and press a button, you're good to go. *Plus*, it comes with a 9-foot swivel cord for smooth and effortless styling.
2. K18 Leave-In Repair Hair Mask Treatment is a reliable leave-in product designed to rejuvenate bleached or chemically processed hair. This small but powerful bottle contains a patented peptide formula with enough product for 50 uses. It'll last you for a while. By the way, it's suitable for all hair types.
3. Elizavecca Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment works like a hair mask, but it delivers even more impressive results thanks to Ceramide 3 and collagen. Every time I use it, my hair looks and feels dramatically healthier.
4. Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray helps prevent frizz and gives your hair a glass-like shine thanks to its anti-humidity formula. Even in the most extreme weather conditions.
5. L’Oréal Paris Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water delivers an instant surge of moisture in just eight seconds, as its name promises! No need to load your hair with oil while styling afterward.
6. An I Dew Care "Tap Secret" mattifying powder shampoo quickly controls oily roots without the use of an aerosol. I’ve been packing this for trips where I’m only carrying a carry-on, and this little puff is HIGHLY effective. I used it during a late May trip to New Orleans to maintain my blowout, and it kept my roots matte! It's the real deal.
Promising review: "I was looking for a dry shampoo that was easy to carry while traveling. It passed through TSA with no issues, and it was incredibly convenient to use. All you do is tap the poof on your scalp and rub the powder in. I have black hair, so dry shampoo is usually visible, but this powder blended in without trouble. It absorbed oil well and added volume. Although the price seems high for the amount, it’s lasting longer than I expected. I’d definitely recommend it and repurchase." —Teresa
Get two from Amazon for $16.
7. Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo eliminates dandruff for good, so you can skip the worry of picking flakes out before styling your hair for the day.
8. If you're ready to splurge a bit more, try Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal and Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo — your scalp deserves some exfoliation too.
9. A Revlon hot air brush makes drying and styling your hair easier than traditional methods. Just rough dry for a bit, then use the dryer brush for a blowout that looks like you just left the salon. Juggling a round brush and blow-dryer is no easy feat.
10. OGX Locking + Coconut Curls Air Dry Cream is a popular, budget-friendly option for scrunching and going, with many loyal supporters. Skip the blow-dryer once in a while and enjoy your natural texture instead!
11. Mane Club 10-in-1 spray works wonders when applied to damp hair, covering nearly every styling need for blowouts, except for the finishing hairspray. It ensures a smooth blowout while keeping your medicine cabinet free from an overload of products.
12. A heatless curling rod headband is a simple way to get bouncy '90s supermodel curls without using heat. Just wrap your *damp* hair around it before bed, and in the morning, you'll wake up to a voluminous, blowout-like effect. Did you just land a Pepsi commercial?!
13. If you're looking for more curly hair options, these curling rods come highly recommended by users with hair types 3b–4c. For the best results, use them on damp hair!
14. If you prefer a sleek, straighter look but still want to add volume, the Revlon one-step styler and dryer is the perfect choice for you.
15. The Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme Diffuser & Curly Hair Dryer is possibly the largest at-home diffuser I’ve encountered, ideal for those who love their natural curls but dread the long drying time. No need to wait hours for your hair to air dry!
16. Goody hair spin pins make it incredibly easy to achieve the *perfect* bun. Simply pull your hair into a ponytail, wrap it around the base, and secure it with one pin on the top and another on the bottom of the bun for a flawless look.
17. Wet Brush Thick Hair Original Detangler works wonders for taming unruly hair and may even spare you from the pain and breakage you've experienced with other brushes.
18. For a brush that works on all hair types, Crave Naturals Detangling Brush effortlessly glides through hair, avoiding any tugging or pulling on your strands. Say goodbye to tangles once and for all!
19. Chi Spin N Curl removes the hassle of twisting and turning your hair to curl it. Simply place your hair into the tool and let it do the curling for you.
20. A 2-in-1 hair bun maker is your secret weapon for creating the ultimate ballerina bun. If you use it on damp hair, you'll end up with stunning curls.
Curlinator Designs is a small business based in North Carolina that focuses on creating hair accessories.
Promising review: "I absolutely love it!!! I was worried about not being able to figure it out, but the videos made it so easy to understand. It's so much quicker in the mornings than trying to make a bun!!!" —bld9
Available for purchase at Curlinator Designs on Etsy for $12.50 (offered in 18 colors).
21. A faux puff extension easily clips into your hair to create a chic and quick hairstyle, perfect for when you need to look stylish in a flash.
22. INH Clip-In Messy Buns allows you to skip the heat styling process while still achieving a picture-perfect hairstyle, all without giving away that you’ve added hair extensions.
INH Hair is a woman-owned small business based in Los Angeles, dedicated to providing top-quality, trendy styles to elevate your confidence. Their buns are crafted from vegan synthetic fiber sourced from Japan. Be sure to check out their styling and care tips!
Promising review (for the messy bun): "My bun game has reached new heights! Super easy to apply and feels incredibly realistic—doesn’t feel like synthetic hair! The color match was spot on. With fine hair, my usual buns often look odd (think a round pot handle vibe), but with the Sammy, I feel confident and put together. Application was a breeze, and unlike some ponytails that can feel tight, there were no issues with discomfort or scalp restriction." —Jia
Get them from INH Hair: the messy bun for $45 and the space buns for $54 (both available in multiple colors).
23. Alternatively, some clip-in hair extensions offer instant length and volume for glamorous photo moments. It’s always better to be prepared!
24. Herstyler Hair Repair Serum enriched with moisturizing argan oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E helps you control flyaways and carry on with your day—smooth and frizz-free.
25. COLAB Overnight Renew Dry Shampoo works overnight to treat oily roots with a potent formula, offering relief from greasy hair while you sleep. It’s more powerful than regular dry shampoos, leaving you with fresh, voluminous hair in the morning.
26. A satin-lined Hairbrella ensures your hair stays flawless, regardless of the weather conditions.
27. BestLan Hair Finishing Stick resembles a mascara wand, but its styling cream is perfect for taming those pesky flyaways on days when you’re just air drying and putting your hair into a bun or ponytail.
28. Ebin New York 24-hour edge tamer helps you smooth your edges while providing shine—without any flakes or heaviness, even with daily use!
Just a quick note: laying your edges isn't necessary, but it’s perfect if you prefer to do so!
Positive review: "Girl! This edge control is amazing. I have 4b/4c hair, and it tames my edges effortlessly! It even holds up in the Caribbean heat. It only turned white when I used too much, but I fixed it by spraying a bit of water before applying. It smells AMAZING and lasts forever. I bought it months ago, and I still have half a jar left even though I use it daily. It’s such a great value." —Chelsea R.
Available on Amazon for $6 (five sizes to choose from).
29. A pomade hair wax stick is a super convenient product for controlling flyaways and frizz when you pull your hair into a ponytail or bun.
30. TGIN Miracle Repairx Deep Hydrating Hair Mask For Damaged Hair revitalizes and shields your natural hair texture, especially after other products have let you down. It's a must-have product that works wonders before you even begin styling.
31. Bread Hair oil gives 3a–4c curls a glossy shine without leaving them greasy. What’s the magic ingredient? Australian Kakadu plum. (Trust me, you’ll want to remember that name because your friends will definitely ask how to get that radiant glow.)
Bread is a Black-owned brand specializing in haircare designed for curls, braids, or any natural hairstyle you prefer. It’s especially great for 3a–4c hair, and its packaging is definitely Instagram-worthy.
Get it from Bread or Sephora for $18+ (available in two sizes).
32. A Honest conditioning spray combines argan oil, shea butter, and quinoa extract to make detangling easier, leaving your hair smooth and smelling amazing, according to reviewers.
33. Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil boasts over 36,000 5-star reviews and stunning photos from users to back up its praise. This lightweight oil enhances shine, boosts color vibrancy, and provides heat protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
34. Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray dramatically reduces heat-styling time — by up to 50%! It also smooths frizz and protects hair during heat styling. Plus, it's a TikTok favorite.
35. Big Sexy Hair Weightless Volumizing and Texturizing Powder does an amazing job lifting your roots without the sticky residue typically left by hairspray. And it's totally translucent, too!
36. L'Oreal Paris Root Cover-Up Spray fills the gap between your natural roots and your next hair coloring session. Since coloring can be tough on your hair, anything that helps extend the time between touch-ups is definitely worth celebrating.
37. Bomba Curls Dominican Forbidden Oil is enriched with pure coffee seed and castor oils designed to hydrate your hair and scalp while encouraging hair growth and enhancing the glossiness of your strands.
Bomba Curls is a business founded by Lulu Cordero, a woman of color, and draws inspiration from her Afro-Dominicana roots. The products are designed to help individuals with curly hair naturally promote growth and retain maximum length.
If you're curious, I take this with me on trips to hot, humid climates when I embrace my natural texture.
You can find it at Target, or purchase from Bomba Curls for $22.
38. Living Proof No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer works wonders by smoothing and moisturizing your hair when you want to skip the hair oil. It controls up to 92% of frizz on dry hair, giving your hair a polished look between washes.
39. BondiBoost Sonic Hair Blow Dryer delivers an exceptionally quiet blow-dry experience without compromising speed, allowing you to chat or listen to a podcast while drying your hair. (Am I the only one wishing I could catch up on Books That Kill during my blow-dry sessions?)
I recently got a blowout with one of these (I have a MASSIVE amount of thick, curly hair), and I was amazed at how both efficient and quiet it was for a straightened blowout!
It includes a diffuser and concentrator, and is compatible with straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair textures.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this dryer! It’s incredibly powerful and dries my hair so quickly! I appreciate the ability to adjust the temperature and airflow! It’s also the perfect size with an easy-to-hold handle! The settings lock feature is very convenient! It’s a beautiful design too, which makes me happy! 10/10! It’s quieter than my other dryers—still not silent, but definitely quieter!" —lulu18276
Available at Sephora for $199.
The Dyson Airwrap multistyler has become quite the legend since its debut in 2018. If you've been online since then, you've probably seen it in action countless times. And for good reason! This multitool does some truly amazing things.
A more recent release from Dyson is the Airstrait, which dries and straightens your hair at the same time, without using hot plates like a traditional straightener. True to Dyson’s innovative tech, it uses airflow to straighten your hair without damaging it. If you're used to blow drying and flat ironing your hair separately, this is a total game changer.
My colleague Heather Braga has fallen in love with the Dyson Airstrait. She said, "I’ve had the privilege of testing the Dyson Airstrait, and wow, it’s an impressive piece of tech. I call it tech rather than just a beauty tool because, while it is both, its gadget-like features blew me away. I had to pick the language for my straightener on an LCD screen—crazy! The Airstrait straightens both wet and dry hair without using harsh hot plates, instead relying on directional airflow. It's a magical experience. The biggest challenge was realizing the copper parts (where the fan is) should face outward so you don’t end up blowing your hair everywhere. The fan intensifies as you clamp the Airstrait around your hair (how does it know!?), and it pauses when you set it down (as shown in the GIF to the left). Also, as a busy mom, I was able to take my wet hair from the shower to naturally straight in just 10 minutes! It’s going to revolutionize my routine!!! It’s totally worth the splurge. Add this to your wish list or get it now."
Get it at Sephora for $499.
42. DevaCurl Dry No-Poo Moisturizing Dry Shampoo offers the versatility of targeting just your roots or extending to your mid-lengths and ends. This allows for a refreshed look without drying out the bottom half of your hair too much.
43. Curls Blueberry Bliss Control Jelly, enriched with organic blueberry extract and raw castor oil, is designed for 2a to 4c hair types. It’s perfect for wash-and-go styles, twist outs, braid outs, and roller sets. This product gives you a variety of beautiful, heat-free styling options.
