Hair Products 101: Checklist of Hair Products Every Women Needs

Your hair is your crown and glory. It’s been with you as a constant companion and like any good friend you pamper, tease, and care for it endlessly. Although that doesn’t mean that you haven’t made mistakes along the way, there have been tragic DIY bangs, crooked cuts, split ends, and heat damage through the years. And let’s not forget all the ponytail holders that snag and bobby pins that pinch and pull. We know you love your hair, but sometimes your hair, and specifically your hair products, don’t always love you.

Still, your gorgeous mane deserves the best, but with limited time and resources finding the right products can be a daunting task. There is an endless amount of combs, brushes, shampoos, mouses, and gels on the market all boasting to be the best. And that leaves you confused, skeptical, or even worse, a product hoarder. But don’t worry we’ve got you and your hair covered with this rundown of the hair products that every woman needs. So whether your hair is long or short, silky smooth or a luscious fro, we have a list of the essential hair products that every lady needs.

What Are the Essential Hair Products Every Woman Needs?

​The essential hair care items that every woman needs can be broken down into two categories, tools and products. Before you get that perfect look you must first use the proper products including shampoo, conditioner, mouse, styling spray and hairspray. Then you style with a brush, comb, flat iron, rollers, and blow dryer. These products and tools are the cornerstones of a great hair care routine and are sure to have you looking fabulous.

The Top 10 Universal Must-Have Hair Products You Need:

1. Brush

Before you attempt to slather on the gel or style anything, you need the proper brush.  Round brushes are great for adding volume and paddle brushes tame and lay down your hair. Be sure to choose a brush with a mixture of natural and synthetic bristles to keep the styling damage to a minimum. And for ladies with curls and coils, a Denman brush will detangle and define every single curl so that your hair has the definition, volume, bounce, and the lustrous shine you deserve. The bristles on this brush are specially designed to detangle smooth and shape curl hair with none of the painful pulling or frizz.

​2. Mouse

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​This versatile hair product is perfect for all ladies and a must have in your hair styling arsenal.  It can be used to either straighten hair or define your curls. Use it to create big dramatic curls, soft and sweet waves, or a sleek elegant straight look.

​3. Flat Iron

​Sometimes you have to take the heat. A flat iron is arguably one of the most trusty and versatile hair products anyone can own. They can be used to change up your look or just straighten and tame your locks. And if you give it a twirl, a flat iron can double as a curling iron which can save you time, energy, and money.

​4. Blow Dryer

​A good blow dryer can be the difference between a frizzy, tangled mess, and a manageable, silky hairdo. A blow dryer is a must-have for several reasons. For starters, it seriously cuts down the time you spend on your hair routine, instead of letting your hair air dry opt for the cool temperature setting and let your locks dry efficiently. If you plan on flat ironing it afterward, using the warm setting can lessen the hassle of straightening your hair.

​5. Shampoo

​A squeaky-clean canvas is the first step in creating your masterpiece. Shampoo is and will always be a must-have hair product. It will break down all the dirt, oil, and product buildup so that you can make it through the day.

​6. Conditioner

​Conditioner is the nourishing, protective, restorative product that everyone should use. Not only does it smell and make your hair feel amazing it works wonders too. Conditioner is specifically formatted to protect your hair from harsh chemicals and heat damage. It also moisturizes and replenishes the hair while it detangles every kink and knot.

​7. Styling Spray

​Styling spray is the versatile heavy hitter you didn’t know you needed. It is great for adding volume or taming frizz and flyaways. So no matter what hair texture is you have you can benefit from this must-have product. If you tend to have dryer hair with more frizz, try a smoothing styling spray. And for that extra texture use a volumizing one.

​8. Hair Spray

​Don’t let all that hard work fall flat. Hairspray is your friend. Not only does it smooth and keep the strays at bay. It also protects hair from heat and humidity. You can use this must-have tool to keep your hair in place all day or add that touch of volume you need. Whatever you plan on using it for, make sure you keep a quality one close by.

​9. Rollers

​Simplicity is key so skip the heat. Instead of purchasing an expensive curling iron and frying your locks, get hair rollers instead. These tried-and-true beauties are cost-effective, durable and sure to stand the test of time. They are great for adding body to your hair and come in all different shapes and sizes.

​10. Comb

​Like a good brush, a good comb can make or break any look. A wide-tooth comb is great for detangling hair and is much gentler than a brush. Other combs with precision tips such as a pintail or rat tail comb are a must have to part hair. These combs can help you create the clean flawless look that you hope for.

Are There Different Products for Different Hair Types?

Your hair is as unique as you are. It makes sense then that any old hair product won’t do. That’s why we’ve created the list below to help you narrow down, even more, the right product for you.

Hair Products For Different Hair Types:

Oily Hair

All hair products are not created equal, and all hair is different. Oily hair is unique in that it is typically characterized by limp lifeless hair as the result of too much oil weighing the hair down. Many with oily hair find that certain shampoos strip their hair of all good oils and other products only weigh it down. We understand the struggle to find the right products for this unique hair type. But we’ve got you covered with theses additional hair product recommendations.

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First here is a general tip, if your hair is prone to oiliness, be sure to pick shampoos, conditioners and other products formulated for your hair type. Especially avoid anything made for dry hair as these products will definitely lead to flat weighed down hair. Another tip is to use a paddle brush. As we mentioned before, the right brush can be the very thing standing between you and gorgeous hair. And for oily thin hair, a gentle brush is a must. We recommend adding a paddle brush to your hair arsenal because it gently detangles while taming and flyaway strands. Plus, it gets rid of all the knots with none of the fallout.

Oily hair is often times a conundrum. The more oil your hair produces, the more lifeless and weighed down it becomes and the more you have to wash it. Only the problem is, over washing your hair can lead to even more oil production. It’s a nightmare, we know. That is why recommend using a good dry shampoo. Dry shampoo is a staple for those with oily hair because it absorbs oil between washes to revitalize your hair and tame the grease. Pair this lifesaver with any of the hair products above and you can be sure to have the hair of your dreams.

Dry Hair

Dry hair comes with a different set of requirements. You need nourishing, hydrating products and tools that are gentle yet effective. We recommend using hydrating shampoos and keep in mind that conditioner is a must. Incorporating deep conditioners and hair masks weekly will also transform the quality of your hair. Masks are great at both nourishing your hair and repairing it from the inside out which makes it a must-have for those who are prone to dryness.

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Oil is also your best friend. Natural oils like coconut and argan are great a locking in moisture so be sure to use them with your favorite moisturizers to seal all the hydrating goodness into your hair. We recommend a lightweight shine oil to nourish your hair without weighing it down and to keep the frizz at bay. Using an anti-frizz serum may also work wonders for your dry hair. If you are suffering from fried ends or an unmanageable puff, try a serum to tame your hair and add some extra hydration. As you well know dry hair is also prone to breaking off and snapping, so you must use gentle tools on your hair. Show your locks some tender loving care with a hair with a microfiber hair towel. These microfiber hair dryers are specifically formulated to dry the hair efficiently with less friction than a towel. They are gentler on the hair so you don’t have to worry about any snagging or frizz. These products together will surely hydrate, nourish, and protect your dry hair.

​Curly, Kinky, Coily, Textured Hair

You love your curls but sometimes they can be hard to manage. There is the multitude of products to contend with, and curl patterns, porosity and so much more to keep in mind. We understand that it is difficult to find the right products for your hair because you need something trustworthy, dependable and nourishing to keep the definition and bounce in your lovely locks. That is why we recommend using products specifically formulated for curly hair.

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Curly hair is often dry so incorporate weekly masks, deep conditioning, and sulfate-free shampoo to keep your hair healthy and happy. And to give your hair a break from shampoo try co-washing, it’s just as effective as a traditional shampoo, nourishing and makes your wash day a little less hectic. After your wash, you can use a wide-tooth comb as opposed to finger detangling hair. Finger combing is a tried-and-true method but a wide-tooth comb gives you more curl definition and control. Use your wide-tooth comb or Denman brush with a detangler to get rid of especially tangled knots with less breakage.

Because curly hair tends to have a mind of its own, tame your edges with a thick holding styling gel such as edge control. And use a curling gel for the rest of your hair to define every curl. We also recommend adding a scalp massager to your hair care routine. Using a scalp massager to either wash or add oils to your hair is a great way soothe and stimulate your scalp, get a deep clean, and increased hair growth.  And as always incorporate protective styles to give your hair a break from products, combing, and brushing. This way you can be sure that you aren’t harming your or breaking off your hair. Together all of these methods products will leave you with lovely curls with none of the hassles.

How Are These Products Used?

Now that we’ve explained just what you need, how should you use your hair products to achieve the perfect look? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered.

​Hair Products and Styling Tools:

​​Brush- Different brushes are more suitable for different things. Round brushes are great for adding volume. Paddle brushes tame and lay down your hair.  And for ladies with curls and coils, a Denman brush will detangle and define every curl.

Mousse- This versatile hair product can be used to either define curls or straighten hair. To define your curls with mousse separate your hair into sections after washing and moisturizing. The number of sections you have may vary depending on the thickness of your hair. Use your fingers, a wide-tooth comb, or a brush to apply the product. To straighten hair with mousse, apply mousse the from root to tip of your hair with a comb or your fingers and blow dry as usual.

Flat Iron- Sperate your hair into sections. Again the sections may vary depending on the thickness of your hair. Detangle each section with either your fingers and for thicker hair use a comb. Then press the flat iron around your hair, running it from root to tip. Be sure to use a heat protectant so that your locks do not wither under the heat.

​Blow Dryer- Use this versatile tool to straighten and dry hair. Begin by separating hair into sections if your hair is thicker to make the process easier. Then apply a heat protecting serum. Hold the dr​​​​yer several inches away from your hair to avoid damage and continuously run a brush of your choice through the hair to encourage drying. Continue until your hair is completely dry.​​​​

Hair Spray- Lock in your style with hairspray by giving you hair a generous spritz once your style is finished. That way your hair can be voluminous and perfect all day long.

​Styling Spray- Styling spray is great for creating volume and taming the hair. Try applying it to the back of the hair, then gently working it to the front and sides so as to not weigh the hair down. And if you use a lot of heat opt for a product that acts as both a styling spray and heat protector.

​Shampoo- Keep it simple with this one. Simply wet your hair, lather up, rinse and repeat.

​Conditioner- If you are pressed for time, wash your hair at the beginning of your shower, apply conditioner mainly to your roots and toward the end of your shower rise with lukewarm water. However, if you are prone to dry hair, be sure to deep condition or apply as a mask to your hair weekly. Do this after shampooing your hair by applying a generous amount of conditioner and covering your hair for 30 minutes to an hour with a plastic bag. This will lock in moisture, hydrate your locks, and keep your hair healthy.

​Rollers- These beauties come in many shapes and sizes to give you various looks from lush waves to tight ringlets.

​Comb- Use a comb to separate your strands, detangle, tame, or part your hair.

​Conclusion

​We know you love your hair but sometimes your hair and specifically your hair products don’t always work for you. The market for products is a vast sea of labels, false claims, and confusion. So, finding the products that you need can be a game of trial and error, but we hope that with this list of the necessary hair products the journey feels easier. You don’t have to be a product hoarder and your hair can look great without an endless array of products and tools. So what are you waiting for? Whether you have short, long, curly, dry, oily or straight hair, a few simple tools are all you need.

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