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If there was an Olympic event for post-shower hair routines, I was going for gold.
My old routine, you may ask? Locked in (or so I thought): air dry, leave-in conditioner, heat protectant, and a straight blow dry with the DryBar Double Shot Dryer Brush. It wasn't just a routine, it was muscle memory.
But then came my “a-ha” moment – a family trip to Sri Lanka. One month of thick, tropical island humidity, and I felt like a fool with no idea how to manage my natural 3c, curly hair. I finally had to confront the dryness I’d been avoiding, the split ends I was blind to, and natural curls I no longer knew how to style.
And then, just when I thought I could salvage it all, I made one fatal mistake: I plugged my beloved blow-dry brush into an unsupported adapter, and poof. The circuit blew, my blow-dry brush took its last breath, and I was left standing there – half-straight, half-curly – one hour before I had to be out the door.
My mid-hair crisis made me realize just how dependent I’d become on heat tools… and worse, how little I was actually doing to care for my hair’s health. Right then and there, I decided it was time for a serious reset. So, I went all in: 120 days, no heat. Just me, my natural hair, and a mission to find the best products to keep it thriving.
To make sure I’m not leading you astray, I tested each brand for one whole month, because when picking a hair care brand that’s right for you, it’s important to remember that the tortoise always wins the race here. After testing over 20 viral products in the dry LA air and thick Miami humidity, I found the holy grail lineup.
Ladies, if you want to bring life back into your hair, these are the brands and products I’d stock up on.
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Fable & Mane
I’ve been watching Fable & Mane’s journey for a while now, but had never pulled the trigger on a purchase. Being South Asian myself, I knew I needed to go back to my roots (quite literally) and revisit the hair repair rituals my mom passed down when I was younger… my holy trinity: coconut oil, rose water, and black tea. Fable & Mane taps into that same tradition, with Ayurvedic ingredients that feel nostalgic but elevated, and formulas that actually deliver. Their founders have also put real effort into sustainability and community, with recyclable packaging and their Fable Fund supporting wildlife conservation.
My natural hair is curly, and my new-found product from this lineup is, without a doubt, the HoliRoots™ Hair Mask. How do I even begin to describe the nourishment my hair felt after applying it in the shower? My curls had fantastic definition while still keeping that bounce-perfect weight (not too heavy!). The product’s ingredients include coconut oil for deep hydration and banana for softness and elasticity, both meant to strengthen and repair dry strands. Something the curly girls know too well is curl maintenance, and I’ll say – my curls kept their shape for days after, no diffuser, which blew my mind.
In LA, the combination of these products left my hair feeling hydrated, and helped tackle post-shower fallout. While in Miami, the HoliRoots™ Hair Mask added a comfortable weight to my hair, helping me avoid those excessive flyaways.
For the straight to wavy haired, I recommend:
- Volumizing Shampoo & Condition Duo
- Moisturizing Volume Spray
- MahaMane™ Leave-In Conditioner
- MahaMane™ Smooth & Shine Hair Oil
For the curly to coily haired, I recommend:
Sol de Janeiro
Sol de Janeiro is my love letter to Miami. So much so that I now associate the brand’s iconic scent – warm pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla – with the city itself. Just one spritz of their Cheirosa 62 fragrance and I’m instantly transported to South Beach, sun-soaked and salty, with sand between my toes and a pastelito in hand.
The brand was founded by Heela Yang in 2015, inspired by the body positivity and effortless beauty of Brazilian beach culture. While the internet knows Sol de Janeiro for its viral Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (and rightfully so), I’m here to say: don’t sleep on the hair care.
Out of all the products on this list, my hair responded to Sol de Janeiro’s like a long-lost friend. Instantly familiar, deeply nourishing, and exactly what it needed. The Brazilian Joia™ Strengthening + Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner are infused with the brand’s SOL Seal Technology™, a plant-based keratin microcapsule, Brazil nut oil for shine, and buriti fruit to smooth frizz. But, the standout for me is their Brazilian Joia™ Milky Leave-In Conditioner. It works well in LA, offering the kind of soft definition and moisture like everything in this roundup. But when I took it to Miami? Game over. As someone who despises frizz and disheveled curl ringlets, I was pleased with the brand’s humidity functionality. My curls were intact and looking cute, even in that sticky, unforgiving heat.
For all hair types and textures, I recommend:
Shaz & Kiks
Shaz & Kiks is what happens when heritage and haircare meet in the best possible way. Created by two Indian-American sisters, the brand reimagines the Ayurvedic ingredients we South Asians grew up with (amla, turmeric, neem, hibiscus) into routines that feel both familiar and elevated.
The Essential Prewash for Thick, Curly, Coily Hair is a total game-changer. It melts into my scalp and strands with a rich, creamy texture that detangles on contact and softens my hair before shampoo even hits. I followed it up with the Ultra Hydrating Turmeric Shampoo and Nourishing Naram Conditioner, and suddenly, wash day felt like an actual treat. The shampoo lathers without stripping, the conditioner adds perfect slip, and when I needed a deeper clean, the Balancing Clay Hair Cleanser came through (kind of like a detox smoothie for my scalp?).
My hair felt light, airy, and so clean. Out of everything I tested for this roundup, this lineup gave me the most volume by far. My curls were fluffy, bouncy, and alive, without frizz or weight. I even noticed baby hairs forming coils I’ve never seen before. Growing up in a Sri Lankan household, turmeric was a skincare staple…but using it in my hair? A whole new level.
While you can buy Shaz & Kiks products one-by-one, I’d go for the trio sets. The way these products layer on top of each other is chef’s kiss. I’ve never been big on pre-washes, but Shaz & Kiks customizes theirs by hair type, and it became the most essential step in my routine. It’s like double-shampooing, but much more moisturizing – and way kinder to curls.
For all hair types, I recommend:
Act + Acre
Act+Acre is what helped me start treating my scalp like skin – and the results speak for themselves. Serums on my face are a ritual at this point, but serums on my hair have since become just as important. Hair oiling is a tried-and-true practice for me, but it’s a true routine. What I love about switching it up with a hair serum is that it’s a one-step process I can integrate with low lift. The Daily Hydro Scalp Serum instantly hydrates and relieves my dry scalp. It’s perfect for transitional seasons when my hair can’t decide whether to be oily or dry, and I love the way it makes my scalp feel clean over time.
Biotin supplements quake when they see the Stem Cell Scalp Serum™ coming. I’ve been on a hair growth journey, and this product is some genie-type magic. I think when people think of hair growth, they think length – when really, we need to focus on the scalp. Long-term heat damage has thinned the hair on my scalp, and random patches here and there are no fun. This serum made my hair feel fuller, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.
One word: sleek. If you’ve been in need of a product that keeps your frizz so tame Kim K herself would get a run for her money, this is it. The Anti-Frizz Leave In Conditioner detangles and helps repair dry ends while allowing you to be in control of your hair… not the other way around. Out of everything in this lineup, this one helped heal my heat damage the most. And since my 120-day cleanse, it’s helped me get the cleanest blowout. (Yes, I re-purchased my Drybar brush again after blowout-gate.)
For all hair types and textures, I recommend:
