Traditionally prepooing is just the use of oils* applied to the hair for a while before washing but many have found that they can cause an runny oily mess, especially if you are too generous with the oil. One way to combat that is to add your cheap conditioner to your prepoo mix.
Your conditioner will be thicker than your oil and help keep it in place…on your hair and not on your floor, bed, sink or on you. The cheap conditioner will also also aid in detangling so let your oils* and your conditioner make your washday more positive and productive.
4. Cowashes in between your regular washes – I cowash* to cleanse about once a week but I condition wash (rewetting hair and applying conditioner) a few times during the week.
There’s no need to use your cleansing conditioner each time you are just re-wetting your hair as that is wasteful and if you are like me, my cleansing conditioner (As I Am Coconut Cowash*) is not cheap. I love it so I buy it but at $12 for a jar I’m not trying to waste it.
On the other hand my recent condition wash favorite (Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner by Organix) only costs me $4 at Walgreens so I can be as generous with it as I please!
It’s a no-brainer to see why I use my cleansing conditioner sparingly and my cheap ones as often as I please. They do serve different purposes so it’s not necessary to use them for both routines. Having just expensive products in your shower will become too costly over time so start thinking about finding a cheap one for the times you don’t absolutely need the pricey one.
If you don’t cowash* then rotate one wash day with your expensive conditioner and another wash day with your cheap one to help save a few bucks without harming your hair.
5. Detangling before DC’ing – Detangling is a mother of a headache for most naturals across the board. If you’ve been lazy and allowed your hair to knot up by neglect (hey, we ALL do it sometimes so don’t hang you’re your head in shame) then you already know the problem you will face after cleansing your hair and having to work the tangles out of your tresses.
I use tons of conditioner when I’m being good and washing regularly but when I wait too long to get in that shower and wash my hair…I can go through almost an entire bottle.
Don’t waste your detangling sessions on expensive conditioners. You can use them for the DC’ing (deep conditioning*) process, instead use this opportunity to make use of your cheap conditioner instead. It’s cheap so slather it on to make your detangling session much easier and you won’t be worried about how much of it you are using.
In Closing…
Cheap conditioners have a purpose for naturals and although they may not work as great as your favorite or more expensive ones they can still be lifesavers. Keep your expensive products for the heavy-duty projects and use your cheap ones for the small stuff.
What is your favorite cheap conditioner?
Lisa says
Great article, great information! I will definitely be trying the nourishing coconut milk, especially since it can be purchased for $4. I’m surprised you pay $12 for the AS I Am Coconut Cowash. Its sold here, down south for $9.99. Thanks for the info, good stuff!
Lucky says
Same here. In my area (the South) it’s $9.99
Sabrina Perkins says
Oh man, I wish it was $9.99! I love it though so I’ll pay. LOL
Bridget D. Webb says
Suave Almond & Shea Butter Conditioner & Suave Coconut Shampoo! 🙂
Beverly Hull-Meadows says
VO5 and Treseeme naturals
JojoFree says
VO5, Tresseme Naturals Avocado and Aloe condish, Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle
Dee-Dee says
My favorite cheap condition is Tea Tree from Trader Joe’s , $3.99. Leaves my type 4a & b , soft and moisturized. I also use it as a cowash some days.
Parrish Bonner-Bush says
Treseme Naturals
Sabrina Richmond Perkins says
I need to try this one.
Sabrina Richmond Perkins says
I have got to get my hands on that Suave coconut conditioner!
Carrolina Rep says
Suave
Carrolina Rep says
And those I find at Ross or marshalls for 5$:) follow Facebook.com/carrolinahaircare pls
Leticia 'Choc' Joshua says
V05
Nisha says
Hi Sabrina! Love your website! It has become my natural hair Bible… Lol. My favorite cheap conditioner is Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition for Dry, Damaged hair. It’s about $3.
Iris Brock says
VO5 Blackberry Sage Tea conditioner.
McKinney Gam says
VO5 is the best for me.
Vivian Chandler says
Suave’s coconut conditioner is my “go to” cheap conditioner and it mixes well with everything else I use! I’m a bona fide WEN Girl (Fig) for cleansing. I also absolutely LOVE TRESemme`Naturals conditioner.
KESH says
Tresemme Vibrantly Smooth.
KESH says
TRESEMME VIBRANTLY SMOOTH!
Michelle F. says
Tresemme conditioners work best and sometimes I do add oil when I pre-poo.
emelia says
good afternoon.
I’ve got a five year old that I am growing natural hair, its so difficult to detangle, any best products that I can fine in south Africa to
detangle her hair, she’s got a 4c hair type any product to make it softer.
regards
emelia
1stLadyCee says
Great article. Thank you for the great tips. I will definitely refer to this article on my next wash day. Oh yeah, by the way, here in the DMV As I Am Coconut Co-Wash is about $8.99 a jar.
Isha Walker says
Here in Barbados that tresemme isn’t cheap.
Taiesha Atkinson says
Roughly about $10 the least at that :/
Kirra Bryant says
I love Tresemme but it is not that cheap
Terri Poindexter Patterson says
I love the VO5 conditioner. I get it for 84 cents at Wal-Mart.
Cristen Moore says
My favorite too
Angie Jackson says
That Aussie 3 Minute Miracle is awesome. Cheap doesn’t mean it’s not good
Mayia Barnes says
Tresemme is my thang right now but if I find VO5 for less than a dollar I stock up
LaToya Wells says
Tresemme Naturals is not cheap and it works very well for my hair. It’s about $7 at rite aid.
Isha Walker says
$7 is cheap I get it for $14.99
Dave-Ann Bigford says
I prefer Tresemme, it wrks great. The Vo5 don’t wrk 4 me plus I’ve never used Aussie.
Alisa Renee Green says
Suave from walgreens! Super cheap (even the jumbo conditioner)
Cecille Taylor says
Vo5 works just find for me.
Tiki Triplett says
Austin 3 minute miracle!!!!
Nonie Oboli says
VO5 works every time.
Neka Parms says
V05
Malakah Angellia Gladston says
For the life of me, I cannot find this tresemmé natutals anywhere!
Rosie Overton says
VO5
Cristen Moore says
Vo5 and herbal essence ..hello hydration
Mwila Kamombo-Williams says
Tresemme` is $4.79 at Wal-Mart.
Maya Dennies says
TRESemmè naturals. I pay $1.50 for mine lol.
Caroline Maria Sawyer-Anderson says
Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner for co-washings great!
Richards Tanisha says
Aussie 3min miracle
Dana Wilson says
Tresseme curl hydration gets u right!
Michelle Belle-Villa says
All 3!
Carmella McCoy says
Tresseme Naturals
Linda PennyRed Gales says
Traylaunda Smith
Patti Broome says
I love aussie