Name Your Faves' Alternatives: Economical, High-end, Honorable Mentions (2016)

[YvetteWithJoy]

Greetings, LHCF!

What are your current faves and alternatives? (Feel free to use the format below [or not! ] and/or discuss multiple product types in one post.)

The last 5 years we've seen a huge INFLUX of brands. And brands that were already on the scene have discontinued stuff, modified formulations, made available new stuff, etc. We've been documenting our impressions of hits and misses and benefited from sharing that knowledge.
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My hair's porosity level:
State of my hair (natural, relaxed, transitioning, texlaxed):

Product Type:
Staple or Holy Grail:
Economical Favorite (if different):
High(er)-end Favorite (if different):
Honorable Mention(s) [OPTIONAL]:
Notes (add details; share other products that your staple or holy grail plays nice with; etc.):

 

[Angel of the North]

This thread needs reviving.....

 

[keranikki]

My hair is low to medium porosity. It hates coconut oil and most of its derivatives. So far, I can only deal with one coconut oil derivative at a time. Currently, I have one in my shampoo (an isotheleate).

Staples:
Shea Butter
Annabelle’s Perfect Blend’s Cholesterol (incredible moisture)
Sirod Naturals Aloe and Fenugreek Leave-In Conditioner and Cream Conditioner (both discontinued)(used to maintain moisture in cold weather)
Infusium 23 (diluted; hair refresher)
EcoSlay Jelloshot (does not play nice with any leave-in; for moisture, I must use Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic)

Honorable Mentions:
Verb Glossy Shampoo and Conditioner (old formula)
Skala Maracuja Treatment (medium protein)
Mimi’s Hair Oil (protect scalp in cold weather)
Batana Oil (used to seal leave-ins; provides light-medium hold in cold weather for twist-outs)

 

[Lylddlebit]

I have a lot of favorites, but these are my current favorites in the categories you mentioned (this is not my complete list):
I have low to medium porosity. I am a natural who wears my hair stretched, straightened, or in natural styles at will.

• Product Line/Salon Quality: Lenghthy Strands (everything in the line is good; it is affordable, and a member from here made it). I only wish there was a good leave-in within the line-up.
• Favorite Cheap Product: Sedal Ceramidas comb cream (I have used this since it was called Sunsilk 24/7 in the 90's. Sunsilk was discontinued, and I was bummed when I could not find it for a few years, but Seda/Sedal is alive and well in most Hispanic markets across America, and it's only $2-3 a bottle. It is hands down the best moisturizer I have ever used on my hair. I considered stopping use since some of the ingredients are not great, but my hair loves it better than every other high and low end moisturizer I have trie and at 3 dollars for a 10 oz bottle, I don't want to let it go). I have used this product the longest in my regimen...my all-time favorite leave-in/moisturizer
• Favorite Natural Haircare Line: Qhemet Biologics. Around since 2004 Amazing since then. Now it's easier to get into Ulta, but it has been consistently fantastic for the last 2 decades.
• Favorite Heat Protectants: Crack hairfix and Alterna CC cream(been using both of these for over a decade....can be heavy for some but my hair loves them).

There are tons more brands I keep repurchasing and love. The items listed above would cause me to cry real tears if they got discontinued .

 

[Angel of the North]

I still get excited hearing about products others are using, even after all these years