You might have heard us say on a product's page or in store that it is very "concentrated" or that "a little goes a long way." Many of the brands we carry are far more concentrated in their formulations than your typical drug store brands, and there's a bit of a learning curve to using these products.
Why do we love concentrated products and how can they benefit you and your curly hair routine?
What Does "Concentrated" Mean?
When we talk about concentrated hair products, we're referring to products that contain a higher concentration of active ingredients and less water. Essentially, you'll need less product to achieve fabulous results. It can be a tough habit to break if you're used to using big globs of conditioner or tons of curl cream, but concentrated products work extremely well on hair that is being styled soaking wet anyway! With a concentrated formulation, you are the one adding the water it needs to thin out or spread over your hair, instead of the manufacturer.
Use Less, Save Money!
It may not initially appear that concentrated products like Innersense Organic Beauty can be an economical option because they are salon-quality formulations, but once you realize how little you need per application, you'll realize that you get way more out of every bottle you purchase. A little goes a long way, which means your favorite products last longer and cost you less per use. This means fewer trips to the store (or purchasing online with shipping costs) and running out of your favourite products less frequently.
Get Effective Results, Fast
We all want the best for our curls. With their higher concentration of active ingredients, concentrated products may work faster (think deep conditioners) and therefore require less time spent doing treatments.
Concentrated Products are Eco-Friendly
Concentrated products are often eco-friendly. They may come in smaller containers, which means less packaging waste, and/or with less water in their formulation which means the bottles are lighter. No one wants to pay to ship water all over the place! It's a small change that can help reduce your environmental impact, especially since you can easily add water when you're applying the product anyway. Jack59 makes some great shampoo and conditioner bars that have no water at all!
Great for Travel, Gym Bags, and On-The-Go
For those who are always on the move, concentrated products are a lifesaver. Their smaller size makes them easy to carry, whether you're traveling or just need a quick touch-up during the day. Imagine doing an entire two-week trip with one travel-sized bottle of styling product? With a concentrated formula, this is absolutely possible. You can take something like I Create Hold, Quiet Calm Curl Control, or the Supercurl Defining Cream (which also protects against heat & UV damage) on your travels and have great curls without sacrificing luggage space and weight!
A Few Tips for Using Concentrated Products
While concentrated products are fantastic, it's important to use them wisely:
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Read the Label: Always check the product label for usage instructions. Concentrated products are potent, so a little goes a long way. If the bottle tells you roughly how much to use, it's best to follow those directions, at least at first. Reviews, testimonials, or styling videos on social media might give you a clue as well. Products like AG Re:coil, for example, have tons of reviews telling you to use less product than you think you will need. Others, like the Love Ur Curls All-in-One products from LUS Brands | Love Ur Self specifically state that their product should be applied to soaking wet hair (I leave mine in the shower and rake it through before getting out!).
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Use Lots of Water: Using too much of a concentrated product can have negative results, such as product buildup, heaviness, or that sticky, product-y feeling most of us don't like. When using a concentrated product, use lots of water. Not getting a lather or feeling like your hair is clean? More water. Conditioner too thick? More water. Gel really thick and goopy? More water!
Concentrated hair products can be a game-changer in your hair care routine: they're economical, effective, eco-friendly, and perfect for those on the go. Just remember to use less of these products at every stage of your wash day routine, whether it's a shampoo or a styling product, otherwise you're just wasting your money. More of a good thing is not the case when you're using something that a manufacturer has intentionally made quite potent!
