These four products tamed my frizzy hair in Bali
Updated
9Product Reviews
When I wandered off the plane at Denpasar Airport and into a wall of thick, unbearable heat, I knew the humidity would be challenging during my stay in Bali, but my biggest (and most shallow) concern was how I would manage my frizzy Hagrid hair. I'd be swimming a lot to cope with the heat as well, another layer of complexity.
When it came to packing, I didn't want to overdo it. So, thankfully, the four hair products I took with me didn't let me down once. Yes, the routine took work, and I did have to go through it most days. However, these four products left me with very tame (and sometimes even cute!) curls, despite the wildly humid Indonesian climate.
And when summer returns, I know exactly how to manage my hair for the next few months.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Step One: Virtue Labs Curl Leave-In Butter
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How does it work? The Virtue Labs Curl Leave-In Butter is a fancy curl cream. It goes on wet hair to boost hydration and neutralise frizz, a key factor for any curly-haired person searching for products.
Virtue Labs helped massively reduce frizz. 9Product Reviews
Why do I love it? I love Virtue Labs products because you can't feel any evidence of them in your hair. I could apply the Curl Leave-In Butter to my wet hair with no other products and trust that my hair would look soft and shiny, although maybe a little wide and unmanaged. The product also has longevity – I apply a generous amount to my hair each time I use it, but the tub has still lasted me over a year.
If you're curious, this makes it unique: Virtue Labs use Alpha Keratin 60ku in their products, which is almost identical to human-produced keratin. Keratin is smoothing for hair and plays a huge part in frizz reduction, which is fundamental when it comes to humid weather. The keratin protein also makes the product reparative and will boost the strength of your hair while leaving it looking great.
Step Two: Marc Daniels Go Curly
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How does it work? A few months ago I would have said 'magic', but curly girl research has led me to understand that water and humectants (substances that keep things moist) are what make a good gel. The Marc Daniels Go Curly gel has both of these in its ingredients list and is a fantastic gel that gives my curls a strong hold. I scrunch it into my hair rather than massage it through, which would make my curls appear.
Why do I love it? I haven't tried many gels on my hair because the concept reminds me of glueing my hair into a bun for dance concerts as a child (before slick-backs were cool). Go Curly was the first one I tried, and it's never let me down.
Step Three: Revlon Uniq One All-in-One Hair Treatment
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How does it work? A unicorn product, the Revlon Uniq All-In-One Hair Treatment has a lot of functions. Instead of letting that overwhelm me, I used it as a final step in my routine to keep my curls thriving as the humidity set in. I found it kept my curls alive longer, and I'd often spray it on my dry hair to re-invigorate them if I didn't have time to do the whole routine.
Why do I love it? I felt this product offered extra hold, and would really attack any leftover frizz the first two products didn't kill entirely. Of course, the humidity was impossible to beat entirely, but I felt like this did a really good job this product offered extra hold from doubling in width as soon as I stepped out of the aircon.
As needed: People Haircare Slick Styler
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How does it work? Even seasoned curly girls need a hand sometimes. On the days my curls wouldn't behave, I did go for the classic (and now much more popular) slicked-back ponytail look. The Slick Styler from People Haircare was my weapon of choice: a styling stick that's reminiscent of deodorant. I'd use it to pull the front of my hair back into a flat, smooth look, (aided with a comb) and then tie it up off my neck and shoulders.
When the post-hike and swim hair won't behave. 9Product Reviews
Why do I love it? Again, reminiscing on those dance concert days, the effort it took to create a slicked-back look used to be super obvious. These new slick stylers, particularly the People Haircare one, don't give your hair that ultra-fried look. Despite being forced to submit to your will, it still looks nice and kind of shiny.
READ MORE: Why I refuse to buy anything but travel-size makeup
