Here’s How I Care For My Wavy, Medium-Coarse Hair With a $50 Budget
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I am Filipino, and I have long, medium-coarse hair that is naturally voluminous with waves. As a woman who has learned to love and appreciate her hair — and sees it as an extension of the many beautiful features of the women in her family — I've been actively trying to learn more about it. As a beauty editor, I'm given the tools to do so.
At the root of my wavy hair woes is the constant need for moisture. It's what keeps the bends of my hair defined and my frizz smooth throughout the day. Getting the right amount of moisture takes numerous steps, but that doesn't mean they have to be costly.
I've pared down my hair routine to five steps that add up to less than $50. Read on to learn more.
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Heart Scalp Massager
Getting through my long and wavy hair to reach my scalp can prove to be an arm workout. To ensure every inch of my hair and scalp gets hit with shampoo, I use a silicone Heart Scalp Massager ($10). It removes all of the buildup from the three-day period I typically wait in between hair washes.
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Lush Angel Hair Shampoo Bar
From experience, I've learned that I only need four swipes of the Lush Angel Hair Shampoo Bar ($12) to create a thick cloud of lather that completely engulfs my hair. I work the foam from my roots to my ends as its floral scent fills my bathroom, and my hair is instantly detangled. My scalp and hair feel soft, even before I apply my conditioner.
Angel Hair is formulated with sensitive scalps and dry hair in mind. The pink orb contains witch hazel (an astringent) that thoroughly cleanses, but also rosewater, cocoa butter, and various oils to soothe and moisturize.
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Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Conditioner
I use the Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Conditioner ($12) — a buttery conditioner that is loaded with a blend of shea butter, coconut oil, and neem oil — for two specific things: to define my frizzy waves and reintroduce moisture to my hair during the bouts I decide to heat-style it. I typically use two palm-size amounts to saturate my hair from my roots to my ends.
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One N' Only Argan Oil Treatment
Years after my sister introduced me to the One N' Only Argan Oil Treatment ($9) at our local drugstore, it has remained a staple in my hairstyling routine. After I finish washing my hair, I finger-comb a few drops at a time from my ends up to the mid-lengths of my hair. Once my hair is dry, every single one of my waves is defined and free of frizz. Its compact size makes it perfect to keep in my purse (in a ziplock bag, just in case its pops open) and use when my hair starts to feel parched during the day.
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Invisibobble SLIM The Elegant Hair Ring
The Invisibobble SLIM The Elegant Hair Ring ($8) is a coiled hair accessory that has a resin coating that allows it to slip through my hair without any tug. It stretches just enough, so that it wraps around my thick waves, but never too much so that my ponytail ever looks or feels limp. It's my go-to on hot days or moments that I just want my hair out of my face.
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