School will soon be back in session and we all know those times can be hard on a budget-conscious college student. You need a cleanser, conditioner, deep conditioner, styler, and hair accessories for healthy hair; but is it possible to find everything you need for less than $10? Here’s a list of some products and routines that will allow you to keep your entire stash for a budget of $10, without sacrificing your beautiful hair.
Do it yourself
DIY is the champion of inexpensive hair care products and routines. Some curly girls either think they aren’t capable of creating their own hair products, or they believe DIY products aren’t as good as commercial brands. Not only does DIY work just as well as many commercial brands, when you customize your ingredients to suit your needs it has the potential to be even better. Here are some hugely popular recipes for homemade shampoo, conditioner, and styler that all cost under $10.
Simple Natural Shampoo
- 1 Tbsp. baking soda
- 1 cup water
Mix the baking soda and water well and pour them into a clean shampoo bottle. You can double or triple up the quantities to fill up the entire bottle. Simply shake the bottle prior to each use and apply it directly onto the scalp and hair. Massage gently for a minute or two and then rinse well.
Simple Natural Conditioning Rinse
- 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup of water
This rinse is necessary for restoring the pH balance of your hair after using the shampoo. It will help to smooth the hair cuticle. Mix well and transfer the mixture into a clean conditioner bottle. You can double or triple quantities, just like with the shampoo. Shake well before each use and gently massage into your scalp and hair for a minute or two.
Simple Natural Hair Gel
- ¼ cup flaxseeds
- 2 cups distilled water
- 1 Tbsp. aloe vera gel
Soak your flaxseeds overnight. Combine flaxseeds and water in a medium pan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Use a spoon to check if it is ready. If the gel slides off quickly, it needs to cook a bit longer. You do not want the mixture to be too thick either, so keep a watchful eye on it. The goal is a gel-like consistency. Once it is there, turn off the heat and strain the mixture into a bowl. When cooled, the gel is ready for use.
Honestly, there are several similar recipes to these that are just as effective, but these are by far three of the least expensive and easiest recipes that you will find that will properly cleanse, condition, and style your hair. Also, you can opt to splurge on one of the three product categories with a commercial brand since you are saving so much money by creating your own products.
Visit Dollar Tree
If you are on a budget, then you already know about the wonders of Dollar Tree. If you have been slacking on your Dollar Tree shopping, then you may have overlooked all the great goodies they have for curly and natural hair. I cannot think of anyone better than the lovely SheRea of MyThriftedCloset to share the lowdown on the products worth buying as she’s found the best of the best for ultra-reasonable hair products. The Dollar Tree has a wide selection of hair accessories like shower caps for hot oil treatments or conditioning treatments. They even have perm rods, bobby pins, and headbands for of all your hair styling needs.
Here is a video on her haul of hair products and accessories from the Dollar Tree. She shows just how you can get a variety of products for well under a $10 to wash, condition, and style your hair.
SheRea shares how she created a gorgeous perm rod set from washing to styling with only Dollar Tree products. She was able to wash, condition, and style her hair for only $4! Yes, it can be done and yes she actually uses and likes these products.
Find the least expensive wigs, hair clips, and braiding hair for protective styles
Yes, one can protective style on a budget, but it requires knowing where to look and there is no better place to find the deals than on YouTube.
Allie is a resourceful vlogger who loves a deal and finds great styles to rock. This video is great for naturals who love wigs, but don’t want to break the bank. While the wig in the video is beautiful, long and will last a long time, it is not under ten dollars. It is, however, under twenty dollars and that includes shipping. This is only one video where a vlogger is raving about a great bargain. Just subscribe to a few you like who are always on the hunt for great and reasonable items and you will always have fire hair at amazing prices.
