Making Your Curly Hair Routine Economical
The two main fears that people have while opting in for the curly hair routine are that it’s too complicated and too expensive. We’re here to address the cost efficiency aspect of the routine. There are multiple posts or reels that will list out “products under 500 for the perfect curls” or make other such similar claims, but cheap products may not always be advisable. Especially if you are just starting out or are still having trouble with your curls, compromising on the products used is not a good idea.
Then how does one make it affordable? Here are a few tips and reality checks that you need to pay attention to while buying your products:
1. Identify your needs
Take some time to learn and understand your scalp and hair type and buy a suitable shampoo and conditioner. Realistically, look at how far along you are in your curly journey and pick a styling cream and gel or mousse accordingly and buy ONLY those products.
2. Careful while buying bundles
All brands and retailers try to sell their products in combos and bundles that would generally suit a certain demographic. You need to know that not all products in such bundles may suit you. So you either end up buying and not using or using bad products and your hair takes a beating. Be conscious of not falling for this consumerism.
3. Do not impulse buy or overbuy when you see offers
Using the same product over a prolonged period doesn't really work out because our body develops a resistance to everything over time. So stocking up or bulk buying may not work out. Also, refrain from impulse buying just because the offer or price looks attractive. We end up overbuying and wasting.
4. Buy a limited number of good products
There are a lot of blogs/posts that will list out cheap products that one can use but are not really fully curly-friendly. You will be compromising on your hair and scalp health and thereby the results for attractive prices in such cases and end up spending money on losing hair long term to manage the consequences of using such products.
Your best bet would be to spend that little extra and buy known, tried and tested and results-driven products in a planned, limited manner.
5. Switching to a shampoo bar
Shampoo bars are extremely cost-effective as they last much longer than our liquid shampoos. An average bar costs between Rs. 400-600 and lasts 3-6 months depending on usage. If your hair type density and length allow for it, conditioner bars are even more cost-effective. However, conditioner bars can become very time-consuming to use if you have thick or long hair. Buying products according to your hair type will provide the best results.
6. Get a consultation from an expert and not a hair products brand
Find an expert hairdresser, one who is not affiliated very strongly with any brands, and get a consultation. Paying for relevant and practical advice can save a lot of money and heartbreak arising from the usage of the wrong product. Fair warning however, a lot of people are giving consults that make you overspend and don't work out so be careful and conscious.
Your best bet is to book an in-person or online consultation with our curly expert, Isha.
Hopefully this blog acts as an eye-opener and helps you identify and correct your buying patterns and habits. We are living in a world that thrives on consumerism. Don't fall prey to gimmicks and be conscious about what you are spending on and how much.
