What Cosmetic Chemist Tonya Lane Buys at the Drugstore

I love this gel because of its unique texture. It has an almost creamy, buttery texture that not only defines the curls but adds some amazing hydration. It has aloe vera juice in the formula, which is one of my favorite ingredients for hair and the scalp. It helps to reduce that crunchy feel that can sometimes happen with hair gel and gives you a softer curl. It’s great for softness and curl definition, especially for type-three and type-four hair. Even sometimes type two. I would recommend applying this to freshly washed hair, right out of the shower.

While I love the Doux gel for medium-to-thick-density hair, for finer hair, I would recommend Camille Rose Curl Maker Defining Gel. It is more of a classic hair gel. But it still gives very good curl definition without weighting the hair down.

I would pair this mousse with a gel. You can apply the gel first and then follow up with the mousse. This one has a creamy texture to it and is very conditioning. It helps soften hair and smooth the cuticle, which leads to even better curl definition and extra hydration. It’ll add even more volume, definition, and a lightweight, strong hold.

I started using this product ten or so years ago. It’s been a classic in my regimen. On wash day, I apply it as my first step after I get out of the shower. I just comb it through. The formula is great. It has aloe vera juice and jojoba oil within the formulation, so it softens the hair and brings a lot of hydration as well. It has this beautiful milky texture. But it’s not heavy. And I also find that it helps with making detangling a lot easier. I highly recommend it, and honestly not just for girls who have curls, but for straight hair. It really works for all hair types.

The As I Am Bond Leave-In has a bit of protein in the formula, so it does help to repair and strengthen the hair. It’s not a hardcore bond treatment like K 18 or Olaplex, but it still has those bond-building peptides. It’s great for someone with color-treated hair or who uses heat often. It also has ceramides, which are really unique lipids. You see them mainly in skin care, but they’re starting to cross over now into hair care, which is amazing. The ceramides help to restore the cuticle. If the cuticle is damaged, it can lead to moisture loss. You can apply all the products in the world, but if your cuticle is damaged, it’s not staying in the hair. The ceramides help to lock moisture within the hair.

You can also use it once or twice a week without causing protein overload. Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Too much moisture can lead to limp hair that doesn’t hold a curl or style very well. On the flip side, if your hair has too much protein, it can become brittle and break off easily. This product is a great balance between strengthening and hydration.

This is a great moisturizer that I recommend for textured hair. Especially type-three and type-four hair. It is a very rich cream. It may not work for those who have fine hair, but definitely for those who have medium to thick hair. It is a very hydrating formulation. It has shea butter, which helps to soften hair and improve manageability, as well as avocado oil and castor oil, which are very nourishing. The other standout ingredient is squalene, which is an emollient that is going to give you amazing slip. And then there’s also multiple conditioning ingredients that are great for softening and detangling hair. I personally use it every two days.

This serum is great for those with a dry, itchy, flaky scalp. It has a lot of different ingredients that are ideal for supporting overall scalp health. What stands out to me is the fact that water is the first ingredient, as opposed to alcohol, so it’s very hydration focused. It also has witch hazel in it, so it’s a great way to refresh the scalp if you don’t have time to shampoo your hair, especially after a workout. There’s also aloe vera juice and hyaluronic acid for hydration. And there’s rosemary to help improve blood circulation to the scalp. The formula will keep the scalp refreshed and hydrated.

I always recommend applying a serum on a clean scalp. That’s when the scalp will be the most receptive to the formula, so apply it after you wash your hair, ideally.