When I first went natural, I began buying up products… lots of products just because I wanted to figure out what works for my hair. So, as soon as someone online said “XYZ product was great!” I was on it. Now, I have a couple of half-full bottles and jars of products that I didn’t like and that I like but will not purchase again.

What I didn’t like

Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding: Yes, there are a number of reasons not to like Miss Jessie’s – the biggest ones being price and ingredients – but those really weren’t my reasons. The product just didn’t work on my hair. It dried flaky and white and made my hair look dusty. Not cute.

Blended Beauty Curly Frizz Pudding: I love Blended Beauty products, but this so didn’t work for me. I found it pretty sticky and I didn’t like that it was in a pump bottle. I had trouble applying it to my hair. I won’t be buying this again.

Cantu Shea Butter Strong Strengthening Treatment: Again, it was sticky. I hate sticky products. And it didn’t do anything for my hair so, really, what would be the point?

EO Rose and Chamomile conditioner: Sigh. I had heard so much about this conditioner. When I saw it in NYC, I was beside myself with excitement. It was meh. No better than Aussie.

Curl Rehab – Moisturizing Hair Treatment: Sigh again. I’m glad I got this on sale. It so didn’t do anything for me but make my pocket a little lighter. There was absolutely no slip when I applied it and tried to comb through my hair. Yeah. Hmmph.

Africa’s Best Organic Olive Oil Gel Twist & Lock: Boo. ‘Nuff said.

What I like and won’t purchase again

Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter: It’s good stuff – my hair likes it but I don’t think I need it. After using my modified Kimmaytube leave-in and sealing it in, my hair doesn’t require much in terms of moisturizer. I could use this as a sealer, but olive oil is so much cheaper and I prefer Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey.

Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk: I like this one too. I started using this a couple of winters ago when I began moisturizing and sealing my hair nightly. While I like the Hair Milk and will finish out the bottle that I have, I think my rosewater, aloe vera juice and glycerin mix sealed with olive oil or CD’s Mimosa Hair Honey is doing my hair very, very well.

Cantu Shea Butter Conditioning Repair Cream: This was a staple! Loved it, loved it, loved it and it’s not that I don’t still love it, but I don’t think I need it. I haven’t used it in months. The modified Kimmaytube leave-in (Giovanni Direct Leave-in conditioner, olive oil, castor oil and aloe vera juice) is giving my hair life.

Pro Styl Clear Ice gel: This was my go-to styler! I didn’t do my hair unless I was using this. Now? I put down the gel altogether. I do have some gels knocking around including EcoStyler Olive Oil gel, but I probably won’t use them until I do a slicked down style and, to be honest, I will probably try out flaxseed gel first.

What’s in my regimen now?

Shampoo: Henna Sooq’s Berhempsu shampoo bar 2 x month OR Morrocco Method Apple Cider Vinegar and Sea Essence shampoos

Co-wash: Co-washing is back! Head & Shoulders Classic Clean conditioner 2 x month OR whatever cheapie conditioner I have when I henna my hair.

Conditioner: Aussie Moist

Deep conditioner: I’m playing around with Silk Elements Megasilk Olive Moisturizing Treatment. We’ll see how that goes.

Leave-in conditioner: Modified Kimmaytube leave-in conditioner

Moisturizer: Rosewater, aloe vera juice and glycerin spritz

Sealer: Olive oil OR Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey

Styler: I plan to try another wash & go this spring with the Kinky-Curly Curling Custard that I bought last year. We’ll see. I don’t have a very good track record with wash & gos, so we’ll see.