Curly Hair Routine for Beginners: Drugstore Products Only

You do not need a $200 product haul to start a curly hair routine. The internet makes it seem like you need ten products and a ring light, but the truth is simpler: a good routine uses 3-4 products, takes under 20 minutes, and can cost less than $30 total with drugstore brands.

Why Drugstore Products Work Fine

The biggest factor in curly hair success is technique, not products. How you apply gel matters more than which gel you buy. How you dry your hair matters more than your leave-in brand. Drugstore products like Eco Styler Gel and Cantu Leave-In have been community favorites for years because they simply work - and they cost a fraction of salon brands.

The Full Routine

Step 1: Cleanse (~$12)

Wash with a sulfate-free shampoo. Focus on the scalp, not the lengths. Massage with your fingertips for 60 seconds to break up buildup, then let the suds rinse through your lengths. Wash every 3-5 days depending on your hair type.

Step 2: Leave-In Conditioner (~$6)

Skip the rinse-out conditioner for now - a leave-in does double duty. Apply a small amount to damp hair (not soaking wet). Focus on mid-lengths and ends. Detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers.

Step 3: Gel (~$4)

This is the most important step. Gel gives your curls hold and definition, and it locks out frizz by forming a cast around each curl. Apply a generous amount to soaking wet hair. Scrunch it in from the bottom up. Do not be shy with the amount - more gel means a better cast.

Step 4: Dry

Scrunch excess water out with a microfiber towel (never a regular towel - terry cloth causes frizz). Then either air dry or use a diffuser on low heat. Do not touch your hair while it dries. Seriously - every touch creates frizz.

Step 5: Scrunch Out the Crunch

Once your hair is 100% dry (this is critical), scrunch upward to break the gel cast. Your curls will go from crunchy and hard to soft, defined, and bouncy. If they are still crunchy, they are not dry yet - wait longer.

Total Cost Breakdown

• SheaMoisture JBCO Shampoo: ~$12
• Cantu Leave-In: ~$6
• Eco Styler Gel: ~$4
• Microfiber Towel: ~$12

Total: ~$34 - and the towel is a one-time purchase. Your ongoing routine cost is about $22, and each product lasts 2-3 months.

The Bottom Line

Stop overthinking it. A shampoo, a leave-in, a gel, and a microfiber towel. That is your entire routine. Master the technique first, then experiment with products later. The best curly hair routine is the one you will actually stick with - and a $30 drugstore routine is a lot easier to commit to than a $200 one.

CurlRoutine is reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.