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I’ve been in a toxic relationship for almost 30 years…with my hair. We’re constantly at odds with each other. I’ve tried blow drying, straightening, and curling, finishing with heat protectants, oils, and sprays, but no matter what I do it feels like my strands want to do something else. I say, “Straighten and smooth." They respond, “How about wavy and frizzy?”
Somehow, no matter how hard I try to style my hair on my own, it ends up flat and lifeless. This led me to one conclusion: it’s time to stop working against my curl pattern and start embracing it.
My hair was tired of being told what to do and how to act; it was rebelling. So I did what any Genzennial does and went onto tiktok searching for the perfect wavy/curly hair air dry routine.
My search led me to two products that have genuinely changed my hair, and my attitude towards it: the Crown Affair Leave-In Conditioner and Texturizing Air Dry Mousse.
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- High-quality products
- Amazing results
- Beautiful packaging
- Travel-sizes available
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- Pricey
A Hair Affair
Crown Affair had been on my radar, and my social feeds, for years – though until 2025 I was a ghost follower of the brand admiring the minimal packaging (and the founder's mane) from afar. The brand was founded by Dianna Cohen with a less-is-more approach, offering just a few high-quality products and tools made to improve your hair, and make your haircare rituals a part of your day you actually enjoy.
As someone who admittedly has never found joy in taking care of my hair (you read my intro, right?), this mission spoke to me. Better hair in less time? Count me in. But I’ll admit even with a mission I loved and products I heard only rave reviews about I was hesitant to press purchase.
As a professional product reviewer, I am always trying new things. But I was sick of being left with half-used bottles of hair products that weren’t right for my hair type. Luckily, I have many curly-haired women in my life who share their routines with me, and even let me test their products. I found that the true scrunching and crunching method was too much for my hair. I realized it was time to figure out what my hair type actually is, instead of continuing to just assume, buy, and then figure out who to pawn off my half-used products to.
I put my investigator hat on and found that my hair is somewhere between a 2C/3A hair type, a mix of defined waves with some loose, bouncy ringlets throughout. I always thought I had thin, fine hair, but after asking my hair stylists I was told I have medium hair, just not a lot of it. With all of this information, I went to the internet and figured out I need some light moisture to keep my hair hydrated and a cream that adds a soft hold, not a heavy crunch.
I came across both of the aforementioned Crown Affair products on TikTok and in countless articles. What sealed the deal for me was Hannah Chody’s seal of approval, because that woman is honest with immaculate taste.
“This leave-in conditioner has been the key to making my hair the healthiest it’s ever been. It provides nourishment and hydration without weighing my hair down. I apply it on both wet and dry hair to keep it feeling hydrated, silky, and smooth. It’s a staple in my routine for achieving a natural, healthy look!
Its ability to hydrate the hair without weighing it down. It smooths frizz, detangles, adds shine and is a heat protectant. It is also made with high-quality ingredients to support the health of your hair!”
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“This is my holy grail product! It truly provides a natural, effortless way to refresh my hair without needing to wash it. It absorbs oil and adds volume while being so lightweight with no chalky residue or aerosol. I can go a whole week without washing my hair because of this product. It keeps my hair looking and smelling fresh between wash days by absorbing oil and reviving my hair, making it look clean and voluminous.
I keep reaching for the Dry Shampoo time and time again because it refreshes my hair without sacrificing its health or texture. It gives my hair a clean, polished look while adding volume, making it perfect for extending my style. The clean, high-quality ingredients ensure that it nourishes my hair instead of damaging it, which is something I really appreciate.”
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I recently switched from drying my hair with a rough cotton towel to a microfiber towel and this easy switch completely changed my hair care routine. It dries the hair much faster and fully gets rid of frizz while helping keep my natural hair air dry. I love this one because of the strap at the back which holds your hair together while it dries. It’s also beautiful and I even travel with it. Every Crown Affair product is top notch but this one comes with me everywhere!
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The Leave-In Conditioner
A great leave-in conditioner is the product my haircare routine had been missing, and Crown Affair’s version is just delightful. It’s really a workhorse of a product; it hydrates, controls frizz, adds shine, and protects from heat damage. The lightweight formula works for all hair types and textures.
Since purchasing this product, I use it almost every day. On hair wash days, I shampoo and condition my hair normally, dry hair with a microfiber towel until damp, and then run 1-2 pumps of this through my hair. When I’m not washing my hair, I’ll revive it with a spritz of water, then put the Leave-In Conditioner in for some extra moisture and shine. This product locks in moisture, essentially creating a protective barrier between your locks and the outer elements, which is essential for keeping curls alive.
Once this is in my hair, I either let it air-dry if I’m really short on time, add the Texturizing Mousse, or go in with a little heat to tame my cowlicks and flyaways. Whatever I do, my hair feels softer, healthier, and smells amazing. I even bought a travel size so I can take it with me on the road.
The Texturizing Air Dry Mousse
Now this is where my wavy and curly-haired girls need to lock in. This is the pièce de résistance of the low-maintance, high-impact, wavy/curly haircare routine.
I always thought a mousse would weigh my hair down, so I stayed far away. While the name may make it sound heavy, this product is really a lightweight foam. The way this product works really feels like a feat of science. A pump of this enhances curls and adds body while still keeping hair soft. The result really is what I wished my hair would look like when I doused it in salt spray in my youth – effortlessly beachy waves.
I put a pump of this in my hand and scrunch it into my hair, though the brand recommends different applications for different hair types and desired outcomes.
Better Together
While both of these products work well on their own, together they are an air drying powerhouse. In the past I spent way too long trying to do my hair only to leave the house with my mane looking lackluster. Now I spend 2 minutes or less doing my hair and leave the house with shiny, defined, full-bodied waves.
Love Letter To My Locks
The improved look of my locks from this Crown Affair duo is a win, but what’s made an even bigger impression on me is how confident the results make me feel. I’ve truly come to embrace my natural hair. The waves I once saw as chaotic and messy, I now see as just-jumped-out-of-the-ocean-, or bed-head-, chic. Fighting with my hair? That phase is long gone.
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, love is on the brain. Haircare is such a powerful way to show yourself, or a loved one, some TLC. The act of slowing down and indulging in a ritual to care for yourself is one of the highest forms of self love. And when the products are this beautiful, that definitely helps. So if you’re looking to treat yourself or someone you love to some products that will turn their routine into a ritual, I can’t recommend Crown Affair more.
Ready to love your locks? Start here.
