51 Responses to “Roll call: How many products do you use daily?”

1. 

   iri9109 5 August 2010 at 11:54 pm Permalink

   water &conditioner for moisture, & an oil or shea butter to seal… sometimes i use a styler for hold, but rarely.

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2. 

   Irendi 6 August 2010 at 4:18 am Permalink

   I use a conditioner for detangling, a leave in, and an oil for sealing. Really…that’s about it!

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3. 

   Jc 6 August 2010 at 4:54 am Permalink

   Most times I use nothing (splash of water does that count?).

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4. 

   Kinky haired Kid 6 August 2010 at 7:01 am Permalink

   I use a water based leave in, a moisturiser and jojoba to seal infrequently so I voted 2. I am really bad at sealing although I’m trying now.

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5. 

   Earthy Natural 6 August 2010 at 8:02 am Permalink

   Either two or three. I always spritz with water and follow up with about a quarter size of Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream, so that would be 2. Other days I’ll spritz with water and then use some melted shea butter and coconut oil, so that would be 3.

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6. 

   Clara 6 August 2010 at 8:23 am Permalink

   I use a shea butter mix (w/ jojoba, olive, carrot oil, and vitamin E) in the evenings. If I feel like I need some real moisture I spritz some water in the palm of my hand and blend that, then I massage into my hair.

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7. 

   Smiley Face 6 August 2010 at 8:29 am Permalink

   Plain water (spritz) and castor oil when needed to moisturize (reactivate leave in conditioner) and seal.

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8. 

   Racheal 6 August 2010 at 8:41 am Permalink

   1Water to refresh, 2shea butter mixed with 3organic coconut conditioner, and 4olive oil or coconut oil to seal

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9. 

   Bernie 6 August 2010 at 8:49 am Permalink

   1. Conditioner/water mix for leave in
   2.Coconut oil.

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10. 

    neems 6 August 2010 at 9:23 am Permalink

    Spring water in a spray bottle or leave-in conditioner
    Shea butter/coconut oil mix
    Just enough product.

    Reply
11. 

    Rosie 6 August 2010 at 9:31 am Permalink

    distilled water mixed with glycerin in a spray bottle and then a little coconut oil. I’ve been getting really bad acne all of a sudden and i think its the glycerin.

    Reply
12. 

    LBell 6 August 2010 at 9:43 am Permalink

    Now that my hair’s short again, the only product I use EVERY day is a homemade spritz that’s about 1/4 castor oil and 3/4 water.

    Reply
13. 

    Ashley 6 August 2010 at 9:51 am Permalink

    I use my spray bottle of water mixed with conditioner to refresh, then I use my Oyin Handmade Burnt sugar pomade to style. Or, I will use the spray bottle mix and the moisturizer I purchase from my stylist. That’s basically it.

    Reply
14. 

    b. 6 August 2010 at 10:15 am Permalink

    I’m so glad to see I’m not the only one with few products on my hair! Leave-in is a must after washing, and although I was rushing today I usually use a little oil after that (olive, castor or something). Sometimes I’ll get funky with a little aloe or something, but that’s just occasionally. I wonder — for those of us using few products, how many of you have been natural for a long time (I’ve been natural since ’99) and how many of you like your curl pattern? (I do!) I ask this b/c I think folks that spend gobs of money on products are either still in the learning curve phase or are trying to modify/maintain a certain look. I splurge on conditioners b/c I use them often and like to switch it up. However, I normally don’t spend more than $10 on one (and that’s pushing it).

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15. 

    Betty Chambers 6 August 2010 at 10:32 am Permalink

    You forgot to add zero as the number one option.

    I use nothing. After a couple a days I may add 1 or 2 moisturizers.

    Reply
16. 

    vonnie 6 August 2010 at 10:36 am Permalink

    each day it’s not that bad, i’ll just spray on a water oil mixture and maybe fluff with a cream. Wash day is where I use like 8 products, lmao

    http://socialitedreams.wordpress.com

    Reply
17. 

    Perla 6 August 2010 at 10:47 am Permalink

    When in braids I use 1- a homemade spritz( aloe Vera juice, orange blossom water, evoo, grapeseed oil, lemongrass n lavender eo)
    Out of braids it’s 2- a daily spritz & seal with evoo
    **occasionally oil scalp with castor oil & peppermint/Rosemary eo mix

    Reply
18. 

    Norrell 6 August 2010 at 11:05 am Permalink

    I change so much everyday on average its probably one but i voted two. Usually i twist out my hair with whatever product i’m most into like avocado oil, or shea moisture products, but then some days i dont put anything in my hair. just leave it in a puff.

    Reply
19. 

    antoinette 6 August 2010 at 12:01 pm Permalink

    i use a lil bit of water, some coconut oil, and jamaican black castor oil every day. only wash my hair once a week n thats wen i use like 6 different products.

    Reply
20. 

    honeybrown1976 6 August 2010 at 1:28 pm Permalink

    Conditioner (cowashing)
    Conditioner (leave-in)
    Moisturizing spritz (glycerin, aloe vera gel, and rose water)
    Oil mixture (coconut, olive, and avocado)

    Reply
21. 

    A Simple Thing 6 August 2010 at 1:29 pm Permalink

    I spritz with water and then use some leave in conditioner if my hair needs it.

    Reply
22. 

    Rosie 6 August 2010 at 1:30 pm Permalink

    @ B. – you are right. When i first went natural all i brought was the most expensive products in Ricky’s and Duane Reade (like Ms Jessies & Paul Mitchel) in attempts to perfect my curl pattern. 5 yrs later after quizzing ever natural i see on the street and reading this blog I stop being a product junkie. Since i wash my hair more often now it doesn’t make sense to waste all that money.

    Reply
23. 

    Carol 6 August 2010 at 1:48 pm Permalink

    I use:
    Shampoo- Neutrogena TGel Shampoo for scalp when dry and itchy
    Burt’s Bees More Moisture Raspberry and Brazil nut
    when I don’t use the TGel.
    Conditioner- La Bella Placenta conditioner (leave in- diluted with
    water, also used as a deep conditioner-it’s very potent)
    Burt’s Bees Grapefruit and Sugar Beet conditioner- used
    for co-wash on days when I need to refresh the curls)
    Styling products- Marc Anthony curl potion or Sammy Curl Potion (which
    ever is on sale)
    Neutrogena TGel conditioner- I leave it on days when
    I don’t want to use gel or conditioners to let my
    hair breathe. It’s surprisingly light but it
    conditions and leaves the hair shiny with a bit of
    hold.

    I like to think of my hair as multi-texture. I have kinky curls at the top, on the sides the coil is slightly looser and on the back it’s wavy almost straight. I wish my hair was thicker but it is baby fine and I try to limit the use of products because it will not only weigh down my hair but it will overwhelm it to the point of it breaking off- lesson learned.

    By the way, I ? your blog! I’m glad I stumbled upon it :)

    Reply
24. 

    MP 6 August 2010 at 3:27 pm Permalink

    I don’t count water as a product. On any given non-wash day I’m using a homemade aloe/water spritz, conditioner, and/or butter. Usually it’s just one or two of these. They are to refresh, moisturize, and seal respectively.

    Reply
25. 

    Tanya 6 August 2010 at 4:11 pm Permalink

    Why is 0 not an option. Water I do use. And when I wash it (1 a week, I have long hair that is well balanced) I use a mild natural soap. <3 That's all.

    Reply
26. 

    Nikki 6 August 2010 at 4:25 pm Permalink

    On my “hair days” (thursdays and sundays when I wash, detangle, and twist my hair) I use two products… I use Miss Jessie’s Creme de la Creme as a leave in, twist my hair up, then spritz the twists with a castor oil and water mixture. On those “in between days” I spritz with the castor oil mixture twice a day- when I wake up and right before I get into the shower or bath so the steam can let the oil penetrate. So long story short I really only use one product a daon average.

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27. 

    Nikki 6 August 2010 at 4:25 pm Permalink

    day on average*

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28. 

    Whitney 6 August 2010 at 4:39 pm Permalink

    I usually just spritz my hair with Shea Moisture’s Hold & Shine Moisture Mist, and use Qhemet Biologics Honeybrush Tea Soft Gel for my edges.

    Reply
29. 

    Ashley 6 August 2010 at 4:39 pm Permalink

    I try to keep a jar of Cantu Shea Butter around(about $5) and I make a shea butter/coconut oil mix ($5-6 each). Alternating between both, they last me around 2-3 months. (Lately, I’ve been lazy and haven’t gotten around to actually mixing the shea/coconut oil.)

    I’ve been natural for a year but I figured out what my hair needed really quickly. I also refuse to spend a lot of money on my hair.

    Reply
30. 

    CashmereCurls 6 August 2010 at 6:22 pm Permalink

    Water, aloe vera and shea butter to moisturize and seal. I don’t even have to use them everyday. The results last for quite a few days and up to a week if I am protective styling. Natural hair is cheaper than being relaxed, but new naturals fall prey to being product junkies until they figure out what works for them. After that, expenses should be quite small. I’ve always said that if you are using 5 products to keep your hair soft and manageable and healty (I’ve seen some regimens where women use more than that just for a simple twist-out) then either your hair is severely damaged or the products you are using are very low quality. Usually it is the latter. I find that one natural product more often than not can do the work of at least 3 products that are made in a lab.

    Reply
31. 

    Briana 6 August 2010 at 7:23 pm Permalink

    I do not use many products on my hair unless its a wash day. I usually just use my spritz mixed with my leave in then some oil to seal.

    Reply
32. 

    R 6 August 2010 at 7:38 pm Permalink

    I use 2 products daily. Serum and Leave-in Spray. Less is more. But I love shopping for new hair products and buying new hair accessories almost everyday.

    Reply
33. 

    vashti 6 August 2010 at 7:43 pm Permalink

    I use conditoner daily since I cowash everyday, then leave in, then avacado shea butter, then if I remember a lil bit of gel

    Reply
34. 

    aiden 6 August 2010 at 9:01 pm Permalink

    i use a leave in, a moisturizer, an oil mix to seal and a gel if i’m feeling like it. so i’m in 3/4 product territory.

    Reply
35. 

    xay 6 August 2010 at 9:47 pm Permalink

    When I was a loose natural, I used 1 product at the most on a daily basis and that was only in the summer. Now that I’m loced, I don’t use any products on a daily basis.

    Reply
36. 

    Leo the Yardie Chick 7 August 2010 at 5:44 pm Permalink

    My water+glycerin spritz for moisture, and I seal with either Shea butter OR olive oil. Now that I’m a natural, I’ll be using castor oil on the ends of my twists.

    So….roughly 2 products (since I count the oils as one).

    Reply
37. 

    target queen 7 August 2010 at 8:19 pm Permalink

    I cowash with conditioner and use the same conditioner as a leave in.
    I have ONE product.

    Reply
38. 

    MissyD 7 August 2010 at 9:42 pm Permalink

    It all depends on how I am wearing my hair. But at the minimum I just spray a leave in conditioner and oil sheen to make my hair shiney and thats it. But sometimes I use Oyins burnt surgar serum every other day and depending on the weave maybe some mousse.

    Reply
39. 

    danKini 8 August 2010 at 6:37 pm Permalink

    hmmm let’s see……..

    1. Mosturizing spray(Suave coconut, castor oil, & coconut oil).

    2 Elasta QP Mango Butter.

    Reply
40. 

    TAB 8 August 2010 at 8:46 pm Permalink

    Water, conditioner, oil (evoo or evco).

    OT – longtime lurker, rare commenter but just wanted to say I love this site!

    Reply
41. 

    SoulfulSista 8 August 2010 at 9:28 pm Permalink

    I use two a day, but this week I am going to experiment with only using one. My two products lately have been 1. Yes to Carrots Conditioner and 2. Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner. This week I am going to try just using the Knot Today alone.

    Reply
42. 

    Jamila Reddy 8 August 2010 at 9:40 pm Permalink

    On wash/treatment days, I’ll use 3-5 products… but most days I just moisturize with oil and I’m out the door.

    Reply
43. 

    BigSyd4life 9 August 2010 at 8:17 am Permalink

    Usually after wash day I put some type of oil in my hair and then braid my hair. It stays moisturized for about three days (unless its unuaually hot!!) So most days I don’t do anything.

    Reply
44. 

    FREE Sista Alimah 9 August 2010 at 10:54 am Permalink

    still tryin to figure out..my concotion…I <>and <> perhaps..condish/aloe vera gel <> shea/coco oil..maybe glycerin..not sure..TRAIL AND ERROR..MUHAHAHAHA

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45. 

    FREE Sista Alimah 9 August 2010 at 10:55 am Permalink

    ****CONCOCTION*****

    Reply
46. 

    Ebony 9 August 2010 at 11:02 am Permalink

    Conditioner for co-washing
    Jane Carter Nourish and Shine for moisture
    Coconut oil for sealing
    Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk for definition

    Reply
47. 

    Sunshinewilson2007 9 August 2010 at 12:11 pm Permalink

    Very simple regimin – All Shea Moisture products lol. On wash days (usually on the weekend) I use 4 products:

    1) Moisture Retention Shampoo by Shea Moisture
    2) Shea Moisture Retention Masque as Deep Condish
    3)Homemade Leave in Conditioner with Shea Moisture (of course) aloe vera juice, sweet almond oil, and grapeseed oil as styler/moisturizer 4) Coconut Oil or Shea butter for scalp and/or edges.

    My leave-in conditioner keeps moisture in my hair for a few days so I really don’t have to use anything else but a little water during the week.

    It has taken me a year to figure out what works for my hair, but I am definitely saving more money now that I have figured it out. And my husband loves them as well – for HIS hair!!

    Reply
48. 

    Kinky haired Kid 10 August 2010 at 5:53 am Permalink

    @b

    It’s unfair to presume that more products=curl definition junkie, not that you said so but maybe some might think that’s what is meant. There is a PJ section of the natural hair community on the internet who buy everything that comes out, a section who are newly natural & there are other factors that cause people to use many more products than others:

    -hair texture – fine, medium, coarse, silky or wiry, there are different requirements for each so some people will need more products some people may only need a conditioner and a styler to finish.

    -hair type – I can spot a loose curled person by how little they claim to use & a kinkier head like my own who would generally use more or skip things like ‘just leaving conditioner in and going’ or a styler. My 4 something hair screams at no leave in, no moisturiser, no oil just styler :O uh-uh. There are always exceptions to the rule though.

    - Dryness – those like me with dry tresses are probably likely to layer on more products to try to combat it whether post washing or day to day. Those who don’t have a problem can probably use less things.

    - There are those who have finicky hair that dislikes x,y,z and have to work harder to find products that work for their hair.

    -Access to products is not the same for everyone. Natural lines are available widely to those in the US, hell you guys can get steamers for a fraction of the price that we Euro naturals would have to pay. However those of us outside the US may have to settle for inferior products and in my case more of them. What the scarcely available Burdock Root cream could do in one tub, I had to find two products to come anywhere near to its quality.

    Those that are on the curl pattern hate/type 4a spiral,3,2 idolising/mimicking tip are always going to use certain kinds of products – the kinky curlys & Miss Jessie’s. I’ve never used any of those things nor thought about having a full uniform pattern. I’ll take a big fro in my texture. That texture just requires more than conditioner & water.

    Reply
49. 

    JazE 12 August 2010 at 1:48 pm Permalink

    I use only 3: water, conditioner and sealant…it’s too hot and humid in this piece to start layering on products just to sweat them out.

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50. 

    MimiW 26 August 2010 at 1:06 am Permalink

    Cudn’t have said it better Kinky Haired Kid. Reading through the comments I could almost see the hair types of each post just by the combination of products or lack thereof that were posted. I’ve fine, coarse hair that no matter what looks dry and ‘dusty’..I’m still a newbie in the natural world (less than a month) so i’m still experimenting with what works for me. I too am outside the US so finding products isn’t the easiest task as well.

    On an aside, I found this product in Walmart but have never read/heard any mention made on any of the sites I frequent. Are any of you ladies familiar with “Shea All Naturals – Shea Butter Hair and Scalp Oil”? What’s your review on the product?

    To answer the original post I use 3 products daily – giovanni leave in conditioner, Shea Butter Hair and Scalp Oil and Elasta QP Feels like silk.

    Reply

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