By Geniece of Beautifully Made
In another post I refuted the myth that maintaining natural hair has to be costly. In fact, I even suggested that one could meet their natural hair needs (emphasis on “needs”) for $100 yearly. In the comments section of that post someone asked me to explain how $100 could meet yearly hair expenses. Here are my tips for being natural on a budget.
When I went natural in 2004 one of the immediate advantages I appreciated was that I was no longer had to rely on a hair salon or my mom to relax my hair. Being natural gave me the freedom to take care of my hair and by extension to save money in the future. Imagine my surprise when I realized how costly some natural products are. They were twice, sometimes three times the cost of products at the beauty supply store that I used on my relaxed hair. As a result my early natural days consisted of shea butter (the fake kind from 125th street in Harlem) and black gel. When I grew serious about caring for my hair I knew I would have to revamp my products but I was still not willing to spend an arm and a leg. In the past three years I’ve learned what ingredients work for my hair and the products that work best for me. Doing so has not only made my regimen easier but has made a $100 a year hair budget feasible. Here’s how you too can build a budget friendly product list.
First a disclaimer: If you love salon brand products and each of you shampoos cost $40 this budget won’t
work for you. Now that we have that clear, here we go.
Shampoo and Conditioners: $36-40 yearly
I do not spend a lot of money on shampoos or conditioners. In fact, I have not been convinced that there is a reason to. I like Trader Joe’s products which run me about $4 per bottle. Through trial and error I found that diluting my shampoo allows me to be clean my scalp without build up. Two parts shampoo and one part water in a color applicator bottle works quite well. I also wash my hair every 2 weeks because I found that weekly washing was unnecessary manipulation. However, if your hair needs to be washed by all means WASH IT! Diluted shampoo and washing every 14 days allows one bottle of shampoo to last quite a while. Three bottles a year is enough for my hair. I use more conditioner
because I don’t dilute it and I’m heavy handed with conditioners. Still, conditioners like the Suave Professionals line and Trader Joes Nourish Spa are affordable. Five to six bottles a year at most is enough for me. Keep in mind that I have almost waist length hair so I’m using quite a bit of conditioner. I will say that I usually detangle before washing and dampen my hair before applying the conditioner to help it spread. If you wash weekly, you should be able to manage on one bottle of conditioner a month (if your hair is my length). Of course, hair density, thickness and length will influence how much conditioner you have to use.
Leave In: $30 yearly
I’m a huge fan of whole leaf aloe vera gel/juice. Adding one of 2 table spoons to 2 or 3 table spoons of my favorite water based moisturizer or leave in will not only leave my hair super soft but will stretch that product like nobody’s business. An 8 oz. product has lasted me 5-6 months doing this method and that’s when I used to wash my hair weekly. I like Giovanni’s Direct Leave in and Kinky Curly as leave ins. A large bottle of Giovanni’s Direct from TJ Max will run you about $13 and would last me about 9 months doing this method. Aloe vera ranges in price but you can get a 16 oz. bottle for 6-8 dollars.
Moisturizers/Oils/Butters: $30-50$
I don’t spend much money on hair butters or hair oils. A bottle of coconut oil, olive oil, safflower oil or amla oil will work just fine for me. I use amla oil as part of my pre-poo and one of the other three oils on my ends during the week. One bottle will last me at least 4 months. Coconut oil is the most expensive, costing between 7-10 bucks a bottle. Still, it’s a bargain. As for moisturizers, I actually like using my wash day leave in as needed throughout the week. I may buy a 16 oz. jar of a product like Bee Mine’s Moisturizer or Curly Butter. To be honest such products last me over a year. Yes more than a year! I just find that the home made leave in works so well in the winter and summer that I tend to use other products when I’m traveling. I don’t use butters too often because I find that they can be a bit heavy. Because I wash biweekly I prefer using an oil over a butter. Still, I keep unrefined shea butter on standby, which I buy in bulk for a reasonable price.
Other Products
There are other products that I may use but not consistently or often. Deep conditioners and heat protectants, for example. Often I will deep condition with my regular conditioner under a dryer and heat protectants can last me years because I use heat infrequently. I would venture to guess that I spend no more than $15 on such products in year.
Sales, In Store Alternatives and Reading Recommendations
A word to the wise: Know when there are sales on your favorite products and try to only buy during that time. During Christmas and New Years there are good sales on quite a number of natural hair products that only sell online. I usually wait until such times so that the shipping cost will be canceled out by the discounts. If you can find products that work for you hair that sell in stores that’s even better because you don’t have to worry about shipping costs. I would also recommend reading recommendations on products before doling out the cash. Everyone’s hair is different but a product with consistently poor reviews in one that may not be worth your money.
Well, there you have it! Of course, I like experimenting here and there but I’m pretty convinced that there is no magic product that is worth a ridiculous amount of money. You may not be able to use the above budget but let is serve as inspiration to reduce the products you purchase if you find that product junkism is a problem you want to tackle head on. One hundred dollars may seem like a small budget but once you get the hang of things you might surprise yourself and spend even less.
Ladies, how much money per year do you spend on products? Do you think you could spend just $100?
For more of Geniece’s haircare advice check out her YouTube channel: Beautifully Made.
I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than 60 dollars in one year on hair products.
Informative article. I’m a PJ and I used to overspend on products, not realizing that I could purchase higher end products at a reasonable price and didn’t have to stick to strictly “cheapy” conditioner–although I do use plenty of drugstore brands. I think its very possible to spend only $100 a year on products, even for a PJ.
My two cents for PJs: I started taking advantage of sales, message boards, and coupon codes. Online shopping is the best because it doesn’t require a transportation, gas money, etc. If you don’t mind driving, TJ Maxx, Target, Marshall’s, etc. sometimes stock reduced price products like DevaCurl. I only buy on sale when I can get multiple products/brands from one site, and free shipping is a must. Some sites like Savemore offer coupons that are redeemable for a higher value than their original purchase price; i.e. buy a coupon for $30 and redeem it for $75. Also swap boards are gems when you just want to try something or get rid of a product you don’t want. Just a couple of tips that I hope helps someone.
Interesting article, in my “product junkie days” I would buy things just to buy them and easily spend 100 in two months. Now I only buy the necisities from dollar stores (vo5, suave), Walgreens (shea moisture products bogo 50%) caribbean stores (olive oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, castor oil) and I must say my hair and my pockets are in better shape.
Here is how I save and cut cost on hair products:
Only use products I can find in stores like Target, Whole Foods, Walgreens (I refuse to pay crazy shipping cost)
Buy products when they are on sale like buy 1 get 1 50% off on Shea Moisture, Yes to carrots
If I really want to try a new product try to get it in a sample size and if that’s not available I know Whole Foods and Sephora will make samples for you
Try to use up the products I do have before moving on and buying new ones. If I don’t like a conditioner I use it as shaving cream, or I’ll swap products with friends
People underestimate the power of a product swap!
I will be 1 year fully natural at the end of this month and I have spent a ton of money in this year. I have bought every type of product, herb, powder, oil, butter, tools ever mentioned on any hair board or video. I tried adding up everything I have spent in this year about two months ago and stopped when I got to $928 and I hadn’t even counted the all the money I spent during BF sales; all those $30 here, $50 there adds up real fast. That is money that could have gone to my savings or retirement account. Most of those products didn’t even work for my hair or I didn’t know how to use it. I either gave them away or swapped or sold them at a loss. But, I will not trade this experience for the world. I have enjoyed exploring and playing with products.
I have not bought a single hair product or anything else in the last two months. I don’t need anything at all. I shouldn’t want anything. Thanks to this post, once I have gone through all the products I currently have, I will put myself on a $125 annual budget for hair. I will try it for 12 months. I do really want to keep supporting black owned businesses so I will be shopping online. This is a great exercise.
‘But, I will not trade this experience for the world. I have enjoyed exploring and playing with products.’ – Awesome attitude!
I feel you Jane. I have spent so much this year it is ridiculous. I’m going to try this budget for myself as well once I use up the products already purchased.
Can someone tell me where I can purchase unrefined shea butter? Thanks!
I have been natural for 8 months starting in June, after a 10 month transition. Even BEFORE I big chopped, I invested in a hair steamer, Shea Moisture products, and over $100 of Bee Mine Products, not to mention Giovanni shampoos and conditioners. lol! Can we say overboard?
After trying many products, I have found that rhassoul clay deeply cleanses my hair and scalp, without stripping it. Giovanni and even Shea Moisture Retention shampoo strip my hair. I can really use any conditioner that has good slip, and I love Carol’s Daughter butters for twist-outs. I moisturize daily with just water and whipped shea butter. My hair is growing out fast and healthy with few products.
As a result, I have SOOO many expensive products that I don’t even use and don’t have a need for in my regimen! I am finding that less really is more for my hair. I am going to be giving the products I don’t use to my little sister who is a college student, and is natural as well.
I see a couple of people saying they make their own shampoo…can someone puhlease enlighten me as to how?
Simplest way: dissolve a wedge of African Black soap in a bowl of hot water. Bottle it up and hey presto!! Shampoo!! Simple, all natural and really really cheap. It works really well for me, it’s mild enough not to strip my hair but lathers up good for a thorough scalp cleanse.
I also use it as a shower gel.
I’m in at under $100 dollar too what with a natural conditioner, some oils, glycerin, honey and eggs for deep conditioning. I love spending so little money to get really fabulous results – my hair is thriving so much on this simple regimen.
Thank you so much!!! Im going to give this a try! I currently only use Carols Daughter shampoo’s…they are pricey but have really helped with dandruff…but im all about saving $$$…thanks again, heading to the farmers market tomorrow!!!
I want to point out an error in the piece written. She said that she uses regular conditioners as her deep conditioners. I would like to point out that there IS a difference between regular conditioners and those labeled as “deep”, “intensive” or “reconstructor.” Essentially, they have smaller molecules which are designed to penetrate the hair where “regular” conditioners are designed to smooth the outer layer of the hair. So I would caution against using regular conditioners as deep conditioners through the process of adding heat or leaving it on longer. I would also caution against mixing it with oils (which some are designed to penetrate the shaft but it may not do so effectively due to the chemical components of the larger molecules).
i really dont think this is possible for me wish it was though
i have been natural for about 10 yrs and have had my locs 2 yrs
i wash condition and retwist my locs weekly – well i dont always retwist im lazy sometimes but i need to lol
i color every 4-6 weeks my hair is red and it fades :(
and deep condition every 3-4 weeks
i do spritz bottles with moisturizers and leave in conditioners about twice a week and i use a little oil on my locs about once a week
i wish i could use products from the corner beauty supply store but my hair has always rejected products primarily developed for black women’s hair even when it was relaxed
my hair products are salon products (aveda, paul mitchell, joico, redken, rusk) with the exception of infusium 23 leave in that i love and the coconut oil i use – i buy the kind you cook with
i do save money because i do my own locs – i only go to the salon maybe twice a year
i honestly spend probably $500 a year on products for my hair if not more
I think my most expensive product was my Taliah Waajid Curl Set stuff- for $10. For me, it’s as simple as purchasing good products that are slightly less expensive then say, others. For example, as nice as I’ve heard it is, I don’t bother buying Kinky Curly products- they’re out of my $10 maximum price range for any one item. I’ve found that my Shea Moisture and Beautiful Textures products are just as good, and don’t cost me nearly as much. In fact, these days there’s plenty of natural products (that you can get in any shop really) that don’t cost a fortune. I feel like we’re pretty lucky!
I am so inpsired by the replies you have left. I live in the UK and KCKT is something I love but can ill afford, but I’m going to try stretching it with aloe vera gel – I have lots of the plants in the house. I hope it works a treat, it is the only product I buy all the rest I make myself to save money.
Last year I went mad and bought lots of products especially oils and herbs which I use in my homemade stuff. I must have spent over £300 on hair products, this year not a penny, especially if the aloe and KCKT works.
With two daughters that are also natural, I was trying to do the math and determine if I’m spending $300/yr??!! I’m happy to say that the answer to that question is no. But, I do think it’s worth mentioning that this is an individual budget, I assume. Some differences for me include that we go through a jar of coconut oil about 1/ month or once every six weeks. However, I repurpose/ reuse the mason jar that it comes in–recycling where you can is a great way to stretch those dollars! Similarly, we use Aubrey Organics conditioners–$10-12–as a co-wash, and since each of us needs a wash or some type of deeper moisture each week, we go through a bottle about 1/quarter. I make my own deep conditioner and shea butter mix. The shea butter and oils were costly at first, but since they all last a long time, the cost is negligible. All told, I would say we come in at around $150-200 for 3 ladies, but you’ve got me thinking about how I might shave even there. Thanks!
I am a product junkie who likes to splurge on my hair every now and then. I have locs so the products available are limited but I love trying something new. If I spend more than $100 a year, I am okay with that. I am still saving a lot of money when i think about those bi-weekly salon appointments when I rocked the perm.
My daughter just turned 3 and my stomach feels sick thinking about all the cash I’ve washed down the drain (literally) in ‘all-natural’ and ‘kid friendly’ products–a short while back I noticed that the ingredients for most of them were all the same, and were things I could find in the grocery store (olive oil, shea, avocado oil, aloe juice, flax)so we’ve started making our own. Adding a tiny bit of the nice smelling name brand stuff makes our whole batch smell good too :)
RE: Adding a tiny bit of the nice smelling name brand stuff makes our whole batch smell good too :)
Have you tried essential oils? They can give you good smelling homemade products!
I can go months without buying a product and be content with using just water, shampoo and a nice hair oil.
but then i see one item that i just have to have and the floodgates open.
I start buying shampoos, conditioners, spritzes, oils, hair pins, curling rods, lotions, bars of soap, and everythang else. I just get crazy.
until i feel guilty (especially when most of the products dont really do anything for me) then the buying stops and i get back on a more appropriate regimen.
I’ve seriously been thinking about going natural the cost of a weave, perm and maintenance is just too much.
This article really put it in perspective. Bookmarked!
Great idea, this is one of the many reasons that I went natural. I save so much money, never wore weaves. I spent money trying to correct damage from a relaxer and had to give up the chemicals and I’m so glad that I did. It is very cost effective for me being natural.
I’ve only been natural a year, and still consider myself a newbie. I was pretty much only using Miss Jessie’s, did the BOGO during the holidays. No longer, fragrances that are too strong and pricey for a product that includes parabens, cones, etc. Miss Jessie’s is not all bad, but there are more affordable and healthier products out there. I give them credit for foraging a path for natural hair products, and being a African-descent female owned business.
I still consider myself a newbie especially since I’ve not found my “holy grail” yet, when I do maintaining my hair will be more affordable. As the original post states, you have to shop wisely and do the research – read the product reviews for your hair type, and also consider your hair porosity. In the last month I’ve learned more than I did in a year because I started thinking about my hair, reading reviews, and learning about the pros/cons of some ingredients. So finally – yes, I agree natural hair can be maintained in an affordable manner – do the research and shop wisely.
Amla oil that is sold here is not pure. It has mineral oil in it and that brand stinks and smells quite strong. I thought we were supposed to avoid products with mineral oil. It is an endocrine disruptor.
I got some amla oil from a Middle Eastern store. The brand was either Hesh or Dabur. I didn’t have my glasses to read the ingredients, but I trusted that it was the real thing. When I got home I quickly put on my glasses and read the ingredients list. The first ingredient was mineral oil. I threw all four bottles away and logged on to Mountain Rose Herbs to get some pure amla oil.
I LOVE that you mentioned Trader Joe’s shampoo and conditioner! I use their Nourish Spa as my main conditioner, and I also make a leave-in out of it, sometimes adding a pinch of oil (usually olive). I have worn my hair without chemical processing since late 2008 and natural (not-straightened) since spring 2009, and I’ve definitely been on a budget the whole time. I am a fan of making what I can with natural products and have been excited to see how much money I have saved by not trying product after product. I love to splurge every now and then and treat myself, but I’ve found that this simple, low-cost products and ingredients leave me so satisfied that I can treat myself to other things!
I also use coconut oil like nobody’s business. I use it as my primary skin moisturizer, too, in addition to using it in my hair. SUCH a wallet-saver, and skin and hair compliments all year round.
Doesn’t the cost of coconut oil, organic, virgin, cold pressed coconut oil make it expensive to use for hair and skin?
I am a huge fan of Miss Jessie’s so I can spend more than $100 in one trip to Target. There is a new Natural hair beauty supply store in my area. I think I’ll check them out and see if there are other brands.