Recommended Products to get started or if you are stuck.

This article is to help you with where to start with what products to get. These recommendations are the most helpful based on what my clients mentioned, those in my circles of online courses/trainings and my own experience that I used daily in my studio. 
Save this blog to order what you need in the future, send it to people that ask you how amazing your hair is and it will be updated over time. 

Remember: it is not what products you use but more of HOW you use it - so for best usage of how to use products I recommend Cultivate Your Curls (click highlighted words) as many might say, "I used that and it did not work for me." - and in my studio I would use those mentioned products (that did not supposedly work for them) and IT WORKED - why? it was all about HOW TO USE THEM CORRECTLY - again Cultivate Your Curls will help you with why and how.

You will end the time of researching YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest and online stores, Facebook groups and spending money on products to only put in your cabinet....and this can come to an end! You will save a lot of time and money with knowing how to manage your hair instead of it managing you. 

I am not brand based or specific and no manufacture supports me in funding to tell you what to use or how to use it - instead I have an Amazon Affiliate Account that is no additional money on your part but gives me a small percentage - because I am non brand based, people trust and support me for that reason. 

To start with I recommend clearing the slate and to start with a fresh scalp and hair with a detox to remove any build up, hard water and other ingredients that accumulates over time with: 

(DIY) Vit C Powder - a pure method that removes water & product build up. If your hair is in a funk, I recommend a Detox to see what your hair does and then recommend options from this first. Method is described in Cultivate Your Curls for how to apply. 

Detox Cleansers - MopTop is a cleanser to use as needed & Innersense is a mask that removes build up and leaves hair feeling fresh - both are to be used as needed (we do not usually follow manufacture recommendations as their goal is to use it up and buy more - my goal is to use it as needed to save you time/money). 

Packets - Hard Water - Swimmers - Scalp - again, use as needed. 

Co-wash is for those with loose to curly to coily hair which will cleanse your scalp and not your hair - it has no lather in most cases - use CHA10 for 10% discount at - Etsy for a top seller of Long Hair Dont Care. I love to mix the Vit C powder with LHDC for the Detox process. 

Cleansers to cleanse your scalp and hair - Jessicurl is a low lather cleanser and also has fragrance free option - MopTop  is a Detox cleanser if you prefer a lather option to detox with (as needed) - Innersense has the most lather if you like a lot of suds. Some people do prefer to cleanse AFTER a detox but I find it redundant and not necessary but you do you with seeing what works best for you. 

Hydration/conditioners - Once your hair is clean the next step is to hydrate it with conditioner - Innersense is highly concentrated and if you color your hair or not this option has seen amazing results.
LHDC is another option that works for many people and I love to take this on trips with cleansing my scalp, rinse off scalp and then apply some in my hair to leave in (2 products in 1) and its fantastic with the minty version that is cooling and refreshing on my scalp. 
I find most leave in conditioners to not be of much value - but if you have low porosity, very fine hair that gets weighed down easily I do like this Spray and you can actually spray it in your hands and then apply it - do not spray a stream of product into your hair as it hits one spot on your scalp and is difficult to spread around. You do not need conditioner on your scalp - you need it in your hair. 
Once your hair is clean and hydrated you can apply your styling products.

Styling products - AG Recoil - a little goes a long way and has little hold mainly for dry porous hair that is thirsty and dull. If you want a lighter version with abilities to also help with day 2 hair care try Quiet Calm - used on wet or dry hair it is amazing for helping in dry air and humid environments. 
Next for stylers are products with more hold - clear based products - UDG is fantastic applied onto of a cream and also Custard is great - your hair does best with applying the hold products on wetter hair. 
I am a fan of applying a cream based product first and then a clear based gel as if you apply too many cream based products it gets a wonky puffy thing going on with not much hold. 
For a cream based gel try this Jessicurl - as it is nice on more low porosity or dry hair. 

Blow Dryer - This one is KING and is pricy, if you can manage the cost many love how quickly their hair dries and saves them time. These next options come recommended as they are less pricy and work very well with this ONE and finally this OPTION. 

Thinning Hair - This topic is most asked about in my online circles and in my studio and found this supplements to work for many, and this as well - then there is a cleanser to help with your scalp HERE and then a BRUSH for your scalp that I love. Nutrafol has helped many women with thinning hair - just remember that it can take up to four months to start seeing results with any of these options. 
I am a believer in massaging your scalp when you watch tv, read a book or even at work to gently massage in circular motions or as if you are rubbing your skull - as often as you can to bring blood flow to your scalp area and nourish your hair follicle under your scalp area. 

Tracking goals, life, and more - BUJO - I have been teaching others how to journal for years and it is amazing that you can take a blank journal and design a life with it. I have a handout in Cultivate Your Curls to help you understand The MAP Method routine and some of you put it in a journal to discuss with me during your appointment and take notes (in your journal with a Custom Collection). 

There are many great products to use and recommend in my circles of working with wavy/curly hair - pick one from each category and use it for awhile to get to know it - use it a few times with less and try it a few times with using more (most under use conditioner for example) and give it a month to see how your hair is getting better over time. If something needs tweaking - as you learn with Cultivate Your Curls - then you know what to buy next instead of guessing...and this is comforting to know in saving you money and time with more online searches.  
I have had thousands of clients tell me, "Oh I used that product and it did not work." - then during my MAP Method teaching session I would use them AND IT WORKED. My point is this - know how to use products correctly - and that is one motive for sharing that info with CYC online community and course. 
So many people ask others with beautiful curls - 'Oh your hair is amazing, what products do you use?" - the correct question is "HOW ARE YOU USING THE PRODUCTS THAT YOU HAVE"? 

Finally - do as many others do once you know how to manage your hair instead of it managing you - with moving on to other important areas of your life with learning some breathing exercises, going for a walk, pray like you never have before, learning a new skill, taking up a hobby and just being with friends and family. Your nervous system is impacted by the world we live in and instead of it being reactive to the world...you have a choice...to respond to it by taking care of yourself first and then extending care that back into the world. 
We need more of you by taking care of yourself first so that we can take care of our family, neighbor and community next. 

For now, 
Scott Musgrave - Scott Musgrave Hair
Founder of Curly Hair Artistry
Creator of Cultivate Your Curls To learn how to work with your hair.
Creator of Curly Hair Artistry Mastery Program for hairstylists wanting to learn Cubist Curl Cutting & The MAP Method that you teach your clients how to do and building your business.