my hair essentials

1. L'Oreal EverCurl Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner

2. Organix Moroccan Curling Perfection Defining Cream

3. Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Fluid

4. Pantene Anti-Humidity Non-Aerosol Hairspray

A few days ago, my aunt and I were discussing the plights of having curly hair. I've had curly hair my entire life, and when I say curly, I mean unruly, tangled, can't-brush-when-it's-dry ringlets/waves/frizz. I used to despise my hair, especially throughout middle school and high school when it seemed like all my friends and everyone else had beautifully shiny, stick-straight hair that they could run their fingers through whenever they pleased. Aside from having Justin Timberlake as my boyfriend, that is what I wanted most out of life.

However, a few years into my 20s, I started to appreciate my hair because it was different and because I finally learned how to properly take care of it. (I have this burned-into-my-brain memory from 5th grade when my friend Maggie asked me why I always wore my hair in a scrunchied bun at the nape of my neck. BECAUSE I'M 10 AND MY MOM DOESN'T HAVE TIME TO DO MY HAIR SO THIS IS HOW IT LOOKS OKAY.) Basically through trial and error, I discovered products that worked best for me and a manageable morning routine that doesn't make me want to, for lack of a better phrase, pull my hair out.

Curly hair needs moisture, and this L'Oreal shampoo and conditioner provides plenty of it. Post-shower, I comb and brush my hair so that it's tangle-free but still wet, then scrunch this Organix cream into my curls. Then I part my hair how I usually wear it and use a diffuser to dry it without overheating. Once it's dried a bit, I run this Aveda smoothing fluid over the top of my head, throughout the hair closest to the crown where frizz occurs — this tames crazy flyaways. Lastly, I lightly spray a bit of Pantene anti-humidity hairspray to catch any frizz that might remain. Unless I drive with my windows down or whip my hair back and forth, it usually stays in place throughout the day.

If you have curly hair, what products do you love and why?