Tonetta asks:
What is the most money you have spent on a hair product and was it worth it?
CN’s Response: Most expensive product? That’s a tough one… I’ve bought A LOT over the past 5 years. The most expensive tools have been the Ouidad Double Detangler (totally worth it), and Curlformers (ehh… I can take it or leave it). I consider that tiny jar of Aveda Defining Whip expensive ($20 for 4oz, I think), and it was definitely worth it! I’ve been using it for weeks, and have even used it twice without henna’ing before hand, and it smooths my hair like none other!
I won't (and can't; I'm in school) purchase expensive "natural" products. The most I've paid for a hair product was a 20 oz bottle of shampoo, and it was $10.99 (without tax). It was my monthly splurge. I refuse to pay more than that. To charge upwards of $15 or more for a small bottle of product, I'd expect miracles.
It's good to go to your local Indian store for things like coconut oil which is only $3.99.
p.s. i do think some women go overboard with the spending. for instance, moptopmaven tries a new curly pudding and oils every week when she can buy shea butter and coconut oil and make her own pudding which is by far cheaper!!!
I think Aubrey Organics and Giovanni are worth it. If I didn't have the money, I would elminate Carol's daughter.I pretty much just buy it for the scent, lavender extract, and shea butter base. I just spent $42 for the black vanilla leave in spray to moisturize my scalp while in braids and the hair smoothie for after I take down and wash through macys.com. Shipping was $10!!
I couldn't help but crack up about some of these comments. I think some of you hit the nail on the head when you stated that we've spent sooo much $$$ at the beauty salon, but yet we complain about the price of products. Well, I use Miss Jessie's Curly Butter Cream mixed with store bought coconut oil (in a separate jar) and it does wonders for my two strand twists. My hair is super shiny plus it helps me strech out my product. Trust me, if they have a BOGO again this year around the holidays, that will be my treat to myself. Not to say I haven't wasted $$$ on products that I wanted to try. But you know what, I just pass them along to someone who's trying to find out what works for them or I alternate it with the products I like so that I can get rid of them.
Just remember, our hair has its seasons. What worked for the TWA may not work for the braid out or afro. Sometimes you just have to switch it up. But if you find out that you have dusty product in your pantry, linen closet, etc., we may have to do an PJ intervention (LOL). Have a great day ladies:)
Oyin products are wonderful. I really loved using them but since their international shipping prices sky rocketed, I have had to stop using them.
If there's anyone on here from the UK, lets's buy together and split shipping costs!
Peace
😉
Let'ssee $32 on MJ's BB, which dried out on my hair when I applied it on loose hair. worked alright for twist, but still dried it out and then started breaking it off too. I read the labels on their products and think to myself, What a wonderful ripoff! never again will MJ' products touch my hair.
My friend recently purchased nearly $200 worth of products from Hair Rules. Her hair looked great when she left the salon, curls were defined and hair was shiny and soft. Our hair textures are completely different, she more Jasmine Guy while I'm more Macy Gary, so I wondered if anyone with 4B Kinky hair had tried Hair Rules and if it was worth it.
I think that if it works for your hair then yes. But there should be options for every price range that give great results. I purchased a small tub of Miss Jessies recently and it worked wonders in my hair. It didnt combat my frizz problem but it gave fab twist outs.
Kinky Curly is expensive and works well but it leaves buildup on my hair after a day or two with a twist out.
I am currently in quite a dilema about which product to try next to go with my twist outs if anyone has any suggestions let me know. I have about 3a-b hair. But I am still transitioning so I have about 5-6 inches of relaxed hair left.
I have become some what of a product junkie. My most pricey purchases have been from Miss Jessies. I was disappointed with the curly pudding , but I love the babybutter cream. I also like the Qhemet line as wall as the Donna Marie product line. I will never buy curly pudding again, but I will pick up their buttercream during the yearly BOGO sale
My most expensive products were:
Miss Jessie's = CRAP!! lol sorry..that stuff made my hair hard as a brick..but it did give me curl definition… totally not worth it though.
Kinky Curly = This stuff is good. Love the knot today and KCCC..it smells nice and its worth it.
Carols Daughter = Its okay. Hair milk didn't give me curls, but its nice for straightening my hair. The Tui hair oil doesn't absorb well in my hair but it smells good. 🙂
The products that I love for cheap are HE hello hydration and Tresemme naturals moisturizing conditioner. I also use Hawaiian Silky for a moisturizer.
Hi All,
Steph, Cyndy, and Cocoa Dreamee, I am very interested hair concoctions that all of you make. Curly Nikki blogged about making conditioner concoctions and I haven't had a chance to read the information. I am still working on my own concoctions to get my hair healthy and would love your input on what you use. In addition, I agree with Cyndy, I spent the most money in the beginning trying to figure out what products would work for my hair. (Please note I have been natural for 7 years and living under a head-wrap or braids, because I didn't know how to take care of my hair. I decided in March 2010 to set my hair free and have been loving it with the help of Chicoro & Curly Nikki.) Research is key! Live, Love, & Peace ~ Sweetsop
While looking to pick up some Miss Jessies in Target, I ran across the Shea Moisture line. And for 9.99 for each product I figured I may as well try them before giving Miss Jessies as much money as it cost. I used their curling smoothie and their hair milk. LOVE THEM BOTH.
That with my HE Totally Twisted and some EVOO for hot oil treatment.
I only use natural products that are cruelty-free, so I'm limited somewhat for the store bought products.
I buy qhemet honey and olive hydrating balm ($16 for 8 oz.) and the detangling ghee ($14.50 for 5 oz.). I only use them when I wash or co-wash twice a week and should be able to get away with ordering only twice a year. For refreshing in between I use aloe vera juice/water (works similar to Greg's juice from Oyin) and aloe vera gel/jojoba/veg glycerin mix I make myself. I also use eco styler gel which is a great bargain at $2.99 for 32 oz. TJ TTT or Suave Naturals coconut conditioner are my co-washing agents. I make my own shampoo out of castille soap, herb teas, natural oils, and MSM. I make my own deep conditioners with natural oils, yogurt, avocados, etc.
I spent more money right after my big chop to find the right product line, but now I know what ingredients work and can replicate some things in my kitchen for a lot less.
If you are interested in purchasing bulk supplies to make your own soap or hair treatment, http://desertwhale.com has good prices.
I have purchased the entire line of Hydrathermal Naturals. It was over $100, but it was well worth the buy!! I purchased it in February and I still have plenty. I will repurchase again when I start getting too low.
I have purchased Miss Jessie's Curly Merringue from Target and I did not like the results of my twist out and I didn't like the smell.
The best purchase that I've made was VO5 Moisture Milks and HE Totally Twisted and they are awesome for my cowash and Infusium 23 Moisturology for my leave in.
Qhemets Biologics I love all of the products and yes they are so worth it. I love my KCCC and the price per oz is not bad and it lasts me a long time. And Karens Body beautiful hair milk and butter, they are all worth it. I did try Miss Jessies and it left my hair dry good thing I bought them at target so I was able to return them. Carols daughter is okay but I don't like them lemongrass scent she uses in some of her products
most expensive? kerastase oleo-curl conditioner, the 500ml tub. you get alot but it was also $75. probably a moment of temporary insanity. i love the smell and its awesome at detangling, my hair seems to like it, then i notice it has mineral oil in it and 'cones. i don't mind 'cones on occasion but mineral oil??? i was like 'hell naw!' I felt so betrayed. also have qhemet biologics heavy cream and honey and olive cream and the pomade, none of them do anything for my hair that shea butter doesn't do. i find that when i mix my own moisturizers, it works out cheaper and my hair is happy.
This is so interesting to me, because when I think how much I spent at the salon getting my hair relaxed or even washed and blow dried, spending $15 on a conditioner (KC Knot Today) is nothing! I mean, if you add up how much money you spent on relaxed hair and then add in the time/energy/unhealthy hair factor, isn't whatever you buy now relatively cheap?
The most expensive product I purchased so far is Carol's Daughter Tui Smoothie. It was $20. No it was not worth it. It didnt work for my hair.
I am looking for an easy to make,natural,effective deep conditioner…it just seems like my honey hemp from oyin isnt doing the trick now that my hair is longer?? Who knows why. Anywho I had such great results with my homeade protein treatment and shampoo(I use castile soap base and dilute with water, add veggie glycerin, jojoba and shea oil).
STEPH… would you share your recipe for your deep condish?
Amla & Olive Heavy Cream and Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm !! Worth so much!! Worth each cent!! My hair love them!!
I shampoo with castile soap with tea tree oil in it, bought from Whole Foods Market. I also wash my face and body with it. Very natural!
I condition with either Yes to Carrots and Hello Hydration. Worth it!
I use oils (olive, avocado, almond, coconut-my favorite, etc). Natural and cheap. I also use pure raw shea butter. To deep condition, I use oils, honey, eggs and/or other food ingredients.
I believe that only natural ingredients are worth putting on our hair and in our body. 🙂
Most important product: WATER, WATER, WATER!!!
I love the CURLs product line and it is totally worth the price. I have noticed the longer I use the products the better my hair feels. I try to stick to what works as long as the price is fairly reasonable(not more than $25) because when I was trying out a lot of products, my hair felt extremely dry and damaged.
P.S. Please note when I use organic grape seed soil for pressing, pressing = blow dry on low and maxiglide on low / roller set under my bonnet dryer. Live, Love, & Peace ~ Sweetsop
@CoilyNadi you can have them!! I hope you find a better use for them!!! Email me @ kearanicole2010@gmail.com
@Madison……If you dont want the miss Jessies super sweetback let me know in a private message in the forum… I love it!
The most exspensive thing I have bought so far is a Miss Jessies sample pack for $64 and I only liked 2 of the products….not fun at all!
Salutations Ladies,
This is deja vu for my hubby and I were just discussing my new hair habits. I am aspiring to be the OGQ (OrganicsQueen), and I am willing to pay if the ingredients in the products are truly safe. Research is key and information is knowledge. The negative experiences I have had with products encourages me to find awesome (organic / healthy) products that pass the research and free / economical shipping test. But sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and buy the product with shipping cost (I like to wait for sales to trick myself into thinking it's cheaper). My hubby loves the fact that I am taking care of my own hair and the Chris Rock movie makes my case every time. I am planning to stop micro braiding my own head with synthetic hair after I run out of extensions, and I think kinkycurlyqueen's micro twists might be the way for me. Just stay true to you and do what you got to do, because you are worth it. Stay Curly ~ Sweetsop
Products List / My Arsenal: Ouidad DD Comb, AO GPB, AO HSR, AO JAY, AO gel, Kiss My Face gel, Oyin (unscented, essential oil fragrances, and products made with with phthalate free essential oils- love them), Takielye Detangler – Grow Afro Hair Long Website, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Amla, Organic Cassia Obovata, Organic oils (Jojoba, Avocado, Shea, Castor, Coconut, Almond, EVOO etc), vegetable glycerin, Organic grapeseed oil for pressing my hair, Organic Bentonite clay, Kinky Curly (Knot Today & Custard – find the Whole Foods closest to you) and Rainbow B-Complex pills mashed into my concoctions for biotin & panethenol). I have learned to find deals, free shipping, and budget. Good Luck!
the Ouidad Curl confidence thing…uuumm NO.
My hair actually laughed out loud at all of the products. However I gave them to my sister who LOVES them.
For me SO not worth the money – Aveda BeCurly – again with the laughing hair a complete flop.
So despite my love of shopping my hair loves sauve naturals – HE totally twisted and refined (unscented) coconut oil from the grocery store organic cooking isle.
🙂 I really like my hair today!
I think it becomes the most expensive when you accumulate so many products and end up using them one time (because they just don't work) – you should see my bathroom cabinet, it's ridunkulous.
It would be nice if more of these companies offered the sample sizes (1-2 oz bottles) that way you get the one or two uses out of them and if they don't work, it's not a total loss of money out of your pocket
omg which product? i would have to say miss jessie's 8 oz baby buttercreme for $32…
i've spent $110 w/ afroveda, over $300 with kbb, $90 on hairveda, over $60 with jessicurl, over $65 with oyin handmade, over $110 with miss jessie's, over $40 on aubrey organics.. and still 150 to come on qhemet biologics, over $90 with darcys botanicals
miss jessie curly pudding it was 27.00 dollars at the time it before they were exposed real heavy
I love CD hair butter. That is the most expensive product I have purchased. I would love to try Miss Jessies but the price is a bit much for me right now.
The most expensive thing I have bought to date is Kinky Curly (Custard-$30). If an expensive product works on your hair, I dont have a problem paying for it. My justification is that I was spending $60-100 a month on my relaxed hair. Now, I can spend $100 total on hair care products that will last probably over a year. The price looks great to me :)! However, if you find a cheap product that works just as well as the expensive one then go for the cheaper product. All products (cheap or expensive) are going to require trial and error to figure out what works for your hair.
The single most expensive item I've purchased is the Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercream. I bought it at Target for $58 and based on MY results it is not worth it. *Why don't any of you want it? I'm like giving it away in the swap forum!!! LOL
I have also purchased the Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding, which, while expensive, actually works for me and will last a good while.
The next most expensive item has to be the Jane Carter Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner. I like it, but it's not fantastic and I'm sure I can replace it.
The issue about "natural hair care products" is the expense when I look at the ingredients and they are items I can purchase myself at various health food stores and make several rounds of similar products. I think I need to not be lazy and stop purchasing other people's homemade, "all natural" products if it's something I can reasonably reproduce on my own.
CD hair milk and healthy hair butter are totally worth it!! Those are the most expensive things I've bought so far…
But my recently discovered jojoba butter (yup, butter), shea butter, coconut oil, and coffee butter (got a butter sampler) seem to be doing the trick on the cheap… and, of course, the HE Hello Hydration.
My tried and true staples… Uncle Funky's Daugther Curly Magic $21.99, Mix Chix Leave in Conditioner $16.00, Curls Milkshake $17.99 and Curls Whipped Creme $17.99. Chi Organics Shampoo and Conditioner $40 for both bottles, love them too! I've added Cocunut oil from the health food store for $12. My local natural friends have begun to swap products to keep the cost down and to prevent waste. I recommend that you start talking to others about trading or trying, we've saved a ton of money!
The most money I have spent on a hair product is about $30 for Kinky Curly. The jury is still out on that one. I have to perfect my application technique. I am so glad I did the sampler for Ms Jessies…I did not like it at all!!
@madison,if there is a Ross store near you you may be able to find Yes to Cucumbers for $3.99
Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercream was $50 including s/h it worked ok but not enough to justify the price
Carol's Daughter Hair Milk – $18, left my hair greasy and my hair never dried, I gave the bottle away
@EbonyPearl
do you mind sharing the recipe for your own version of Buttercream?
Hair growth lotion and oil by hydrathermal naturals $18 for the large bottles. Both are worth it, however i think its less expensive items that does the trick. I love shea moisture curl enhancer only 9.99
I JUST took my $24 Ouidad double detangler back to Sephora. My Goody brush works much better. I can't live without my Oyin products(they are only expensive when you add in shipping). I spent $48 on Miss Jessie's super sweetback deep conditioner, does anyone want it?? I HATE it. Uncle Funky's Daughter Extra Butter is worth the money, but if I'm broke I can do with out it. I'm trying to stop this PJism. By the way, Yes to Cucumbers is the BEST detangling conditioner, and it's only $8.99!
I am happy to be reading these posts because I had been hearing Miss Jessie dropped a lot but I can see clearly that the products don't seem to be making the grade.
Peace, Love and Chocolate
Tiffany
@ KearaNicole If you are really giving it away I'll take it to try out. I did the Big Chop in March and still looking for products. So far the ecostyler works wonders on my hair. But now that it is growing longer I want to try other looks.
I am a true PJ and everytime I read CN and the comments I end up broke all over again. I have ordered all sorts of items but I must admit Aveda/Moraccon Oil are the most expensive by far if calculating per ounce but my hair loves them. Miss Jessie's products are by far very expensive on a per ounce basis and it did nothing for my hair.
I run out there and buy everything I hear talked about on CK and the only thing I hated was Miss Jessie Curly Merinque a total waste at $25.00 bucks but love Kinky Curly, Aveda my staple Hello Hydration and hot oil together $ 5.00
Alter Ego Deep Conditioner For Sure. 37 Dollars But So Worth It!
I'm pretty sure the most expensive thing I buy on a dollars/ounce basis is the Blended Beauty Herbal Reconditioner. For my hair it's worth it. I haven't used anything better and less costly yet. I also buy Jessicurl Too Shea in the liter size like once a year, but that's cheaper when you do the dollars/ounce thing.
I dont think they are worth the money. Most products have the same basic ingredients I already use, i.e. coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, olive oil. So I just use my basics. and Ecco styler gel works for me. I do like Taliah Waajid products bc they are black owned natural and affordable.
I bought the Kinky Curly Custard – made my hair look a HAM. The Miss Jessie's stuff made my hair hard and gross. The only expensive product bought so far that worked is Devacare One conditioner and I loved it. I think I paid $20 but never repurchased. I'm done buying expensive stuff. I will always support Minority Owned business, but I can't buy these things all the time because I have way too much hair and its thick/long.
I think some products that I've tried from overseas (like Britan and Canada) have been the most expensive, especially with the conversion rate. Are they worth it? To me yes they are, but I don't purchase them often.
I spent $60 something dollars on Miss Jessies Buttercreme and Quick Curls…and my hair HATES HATES HATES it. Now i got a product gathering dust in my closet! Anybody want it? It is used!!!
Kinky Curly Custard to date…$30 OMG I am afraid to use it–LOL
I paid about $50 for the afro detangler. It started off working great, but now it doesn't even seem to do anything for my hair.
Most expensive would definitely be Miss Jessies ANYTHING, and definitely not worth it for my hair!
Also tried Bed Head Moisture Maniac and that was pricy and didn't work either!
I also got the Kinky Curly gel and leave in condish also both of those did not do anything for my hair either.
For me Hello Hydration condish at $5 for a big bottle still works best and I use it in my henna gloss, for normal detangling and as a leave in!
Here's my list:
Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding (24.99): Hurts my pockets but, but worth it (however, if you can find any Garnier Fructisse Soft Curl cream, for $4.99, it's just as good, if not better. Thing is it was discontinued but sometimes stores still have it in stock).
Miss Jessies Curly Meringue: I forgot how much I paid for it, but it was not worth it.
Miss Jessie's Buttercreme ($34.99): Too expensive for only 8oz, so I make my own now.
Alter Ego Deep Conditioner ($29.99 for 33.8oz): Soooo worth it and lasts a long time.
Kinky Curly ($12.99 for 8oz): Worth it.
I think the most expensive thing I have purchased was the Kinky Curly Curling Custard and won't happen again. I've learned I'm not a fan of gels.
Other than that I think the $5-$8 range is good for products that work on my hair.
I did place an order for the oyin sample pack, but until I use it I can't say if it was worth it.
For me, Curlformers have been worth their weight in gold. I'm 6 months into my loooong transition, and they're really the only thing that works consistently. I have my system down pat, so it only takes 20-30 minutes to do my entire head. Then it's pin curls at night for the rest of the week.
You can check out my blog for photos: http://closetconfections.com/tagged/my+outfits
I'm rocking some sort of Curlformer set in pretty much every picture, lol!
More Expensive Item:
DevaCare Conditioner (large bottle) – $32 – not worth it
DevaCurl Conditioner (large bottle) – $32 – worth it
Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue – $28 – not sure yet
Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave in (32oz refill bottle) – $50+ w/ shipping – totally worth it!
the most expensive "tool" would be my pibbs…not sure if it is worth it for me yet, but since my SO has MBL locs…it is worth it.
product…hmmm, probably just the oyin sampler (shine and define and whipped pudding) and burnt sugar pomade…and I would love say it was, but no.
I use only natural products, a few are cheap, some are expensive and some come from the kitchen. I used to spend much more money on trying different drugstore products when none of them worked and when I had breakage. In one month it will be my "no-breakage at all one year birthday", so yes, it's worth it. Considering that I never go to a haidresser and I avoid spending more than 10 dollars for one product, unless it will last me for months, I think I'm doing a good job. I want good ingredients and concentrated stuff that works, otherwise I refuse to pay for a product now. The owrst thing that can happen is that I don't like the outcome in terms of styling, without damage.
I spent $48 for the 16oz jar of Miss Jessie's Rapid Recovery Treatment. That was product I could take or leave. For many products the initial cost may seem expensive but if it lasts for months it turns out to be worth it in the long run. Kinky-Curly Curling Custard seems expensive at $30 for 16oz, but it lasts me at least 6 months.
My expensive products are staples.
-Jane Carter's Nourish & Shine – It is worth every penny. $22 – 4oz jar
-KBB Hair Milk – $16 – 8oz bottle
I couldn't live without them
The most I spent was $38 plus shipping/handling for the Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding(this was before you could get it at Target), and I have to say I really like this product. I am a newly natural (big chopped 5/13/10), and so I am still in that period of just trying to find products that work for my hair. I know a lot of naturals complain about their prices, but I think for me, if I can afford it, and it works then I am going to buy it. If I can spend over $50 in a salon to get creamy crack, then I can certainly spend a little bit now that I am natural. I'm just saying.
Miss Jessie's Pudding was the most expensive. It does nothing for my hair. I thought it would be better than Kinky Curly Curling Custard. I liked it much better than Miss Jessie's Pudding. I'm still looking for a product to curl my strands just the way i want them too. Hopefully there is something out there…
Oh, I forgot the $60.00 I spent on Curlformers. I've used them only twice, but I think I will use them consistently during the winter. Good purchase.
I was just contemplating the amount of money I spend on hair products and have concluded that overall–expensive isn't always better. Now I will continue to pay $20 for DevaCurl No-poo shampoo and DevaCare One conditioner because they work so well, but I will never spend $38 on Phytospecific Hair Masque again. The $1.00 tube of Helene's hot oil treatment from the neighborhood beauty supply store works wonders!
I spend $58 on a jar of Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercream and $38 on a jar of Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding, however, I only purchase my products during the BOGO sale each year. It is worth it to me because it is the only product that really works and does what I need it to do for mine and my daughter's hair. I haven't found a lower cost product that gives me the same or even a similar result.
I was thinking about that real long and hard when I got paid this weekend lol. I wanted to cave in and buy kinky curly but my pockets wouldn't let me haha. I just stick to inexpensive products for now.
The most expensive product that I've bought is probably Kinky Curly Curling Custard. It is totally worth it! Even though I can get the same "look" with curl activator or other gels, the cheaper products don't nurture my hair like the ingredients in the Curling Custard. Plus it gives me great hair for at least a week, which I don't get from the cheaper products!
A single jar of Burdock Root Butter Cream by Qhemet Biologics (8oz for $16.00) is worth its weight in gold. A jar can last me a year and that's the ONLY moisturizer I need. WELL WORTH THE PRICE, downright cheap even for the quality and the shipping and handling are comparable to any other web-based ordering company. I'm a customer for life.
$100 for my table top steamer. That's just so far; who knows what the future holds!!
I don't mind paying a little more if they're produced by Black owned companies, it's just disappointing when they don't work for me. Miss Jessie's didn't do it for me and Kinky Curly is good, but not good enough to justify the price plus shipping. Aveda Be Curly ($18) has been worth it so far.
Not all of them are worth it, but the ones I love are definitely worth it.