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If You’re 30+ And Still Have No Idea What To Do With Your Hair, Here Are 33 Things To Help
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. Bouncy curls you can cook up overnight without heat...yes please. Promising review: I love this hair towel it makes my curls defined and cuts my drying time in half! I learned that cotton terry and certain microfiber can be rough on your hair and cause frizz and split ends. This is smooth like a cotton T-shirt but thicker and more absorbent and softer, way better than a T-shirt very worth it! I add my cream and gel then I use the towel to scrunch out excess water then I plop my hair and leave it for about 30 minutes while I get ready then I diffuse my hair on cold to dry it a bit more and leave the rest to air dry, with all that it takes about two hours total to fully dry instead of four because I have thick, long, tailbone-length 2b/3a curls! This towel has definitely made a huge difference in my curly hair journey, I 100% recommend!" —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and two colors). It has two heat settings (low and high), plus a cool air option, and it's designed to work on all hair textures — reviewers with 2b–4c hair mentioned it working for them. Promising review: "This is a game changer! I used to blow dry my hair then use a curling iron/flat iron to straighten my hair. Not anymore. This blow dryer brush does it all. It is so easy to use. It gives me volume without product and my hair is smooth, soft and shiny. Bada bing bada boom. Oh, and it's not annoyingly loud. You'll love it. I know I do and I love telling people about it when they complement me on my hair." —Lorilee Bulak Get it from Amazon for $49.97 (available in two colors and two barrel sizes). It's recommended for all hair types and textures where dryness and frizz are an issue! BTW, Briogeo is a Black woman–founded business. Promising review: "It’s amazing. I have spiral curls. This stuff takes amazingly. I put this on before I dry my hair with a diffuser, and my curls were drop dead gorgeous and the frizzies were next to nothing." —CharlieFB "My hair is fine, soft natural platinum silver. If I use heat on it to style it I use this product now. Before this product, I didn’t realize how easily silver hair would yellow and burn. This product is wonderful because it protects from high heat...up to 450. It smells great too and it is not sticky or tacky. Keeps your hair soft and smooth too. I highly recommend it!" —Tex Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in two sizes). Promising reviews: "If you have long and/or thick hair, this is absolutely necessary! Just a few sprays over your head and your hair will dry so much faster. If you're thinking 'it's so expensive for such a small amount,' you only need a small amount and it lasts a really long time. I have long AND thick hair; I use it every time I wash my hair and a bottle lasts me about 6 months." —Wanda H. "This product was AMAZING. It made my 4c kinky-curly hair so silky soft and cut my blow drying time down significantly. It also has a very pleasant smell and I couldn't stop myself from using it. I'd recommend buying the bigger size as the small one will not last long and the amount is that good for the price you pay." —MB Get it from Amazon for $16+ (available in three sizes and two-packs). Promising review: "I looooove this so much. The smell is amazing, and it tends to stick around for a while, so I love getting whiffs of it throughout the day. My hair is softer and doesn’t seem as frizzy as before. I put it on after washing my hair, and then after it’s dry. I tend to wash my hair two times a week, so I’ll use it in between washes on my ends to make sure they still look nice and healthy. Great value too; I’ve been using it pretty consistently since purchasing and I’ve barely made a dent in it. Love it!" —Noley Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes and four other formulas). This product is designed for use on all hair types! Promising review: "I had low expectations for this product to work because curls from a curling iron fall out of my hair pretty immediately. I was blown away by how well these heatless curls turned out, though! It’s easy enough to do, but there’s a bit of a learning curve to getting the curls tightly wrapped. It takes less than 10 minutes, and my hair is ready to go when I wake up. I’m a side sleeper and find it a tad uncomfortable to sleep on, but it’s a small price to pay for curls that last all day, in my opinion. I’d give this 10 stars if I could — truly a game changer that’s made my mornings so much easier." —Stephanie Get it from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in 12 styles). Bounce Curl is a small business that specializes in curl brushes. Check out a TikTok of the Edgelift Curl Brush in action. Promising review: "Best brush hands down, I am a mixed girl with thick curly hair, and when I run this brush through my hair wet, it does magic. My curls after using this in the shower to detangle are amazing, then I use my choice of product to style it row by row, and it gives me bouncy curls that help cover more scalp but separate effectively. It's extremely sturdy. I break brushes all the time, and this one lasts!!!" —Janay K Get it from Amazon for $30 (available in three colors) BuzzFeed Shopping editor Maitland Quitmeyer says, "During the summer after my sophomore year of college, I decided to cut my long hair into a lob. Once the chop occurred, my hairdresser (bless you, Andrea) told me to try MoroccanOil Intense Curl Cream. And boy can I tell you, it is my DESERT ISLAND, HOLY GRAIL hair product. It actually helps my hair dry in its natural curl formation and stay moisturized for days. It smells amazing and doesn't leave a greasy or sticky residue — it's just a miracle. "I scrunch a few pumps into my wet hair and diffuse right away. First day or two, it's nice and bouncy with tighter curls — all due to the magic combo of the cream and the diffuser, which help curls dry IN PLACE. But what I love about this curl cream is that it helps my hair look as fresh as possible until the next shampoo...four or five days later. Because my hair is pretty heavy, the curls get looser and turn into what I'd term ~bushy waves~ — but thanks to the hydrating power of the curl cream, it doesn't fully explode into a cloud of frizz." And check out Maitland's full MoroccanOil Intense Curl Cream review for more info! Promising review: "I'm not one to leave reviews...but this product deserves it! Holy cow! I was going to go into the salon to brighten my hair up, but after discovering this product I cancelled my appointment. I'm totally in love! This shampoo is not drying at all and just after two washes I achieved my desired results! I can't recommend it enough!" —Rachael B. Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three sizes). And see more about the Fanola No Yellow shampoo and why it's so popular in our deep dive. Promising review: "I first saw my hairdresser using this nifty tool and so I decided to give it a try. I have used it on myself twice now and it is extremely useful. Experts always advise to pass a brush before the flat iron, this does just that." —Benzhan Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in four colors). The included attachments are: a diffuser and two different concentrator nozzles. Promising review: "I’ve had this hair dryer for over six months. It’s light, which is so nice with long, thick, coarse hair, making drying my hair much easier. It’s also great for travel, being so small and lightweight. What’s great is that it’s small but packs a punch; it delivers on strength! Heat variable 150–250 and three speeds with a cooling option. I love the magnetic attachments and the self-cleaning function, smart little machine, well designed. I did have a ring pop off the diffuser, but customer service is INCREDIBLE and they sent me one FAST! I emailed three days ago, and the replacement diffuser is already out for delivery!!! I did register my hair dryer, so perhaps that’s what made it so easy. Very friendly and personal attention from the company; that’s a rare gem in this time we live in." —One mama Get it from Amazon for $169.97+ (available in four colors). Promising review: "I went from paying $165 and up per retightening to no longer having maintenance costs. If you have locks this is a must, even if it’s only used between appointments to freshen up your edges. It comes in a nice case and pouch, so between those two, I have not lost the tiny item yet. For me, this literally never happens because most small items I own are lost before I blink. Virtually pain-free compared to the sisterlock tool — because of its smooth coating, it glides easily through your locks. It is large enough to hold comfortably for hours because I am slow, and the instructions are easy to understand. I have small to medium sister locks and could not be happier with the new freedom I have." —Kiara Hepburn Promising review: "My hair was always straight until recently, so I’m still pretty new to figuring out my curly/wavy hair. My hair is fine and probably about a 2b, which is curlier when shorter. I had been sleeping on a regular cotton pillowcase and waking up to frizz and limpness, so I knew I needed to change things up. This is my first bonnet, and it works great! I’ve tried using it both in a loose pineapple using the included scrunchie, and on its own, and it definitely keeps my curls/waves more defined and less frizzy for longer and helps my hair to keep its definition. In its curly state, my hair is right at/just past my shoulders, and I was worried about there being too much space in the bonnet to keep my hair looking good, but it does the job! I also can’t stand being too warm at night, and I find this doesn’t bother me." —DC Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 16 colors and a version with a tie band). Promising review: "Honestly, I was very skeptical because I didn’t think I would like oversize scrunchies, but I have long hair, and I find any other scrunchies always pulling out my hair, so these are extremely comfortable. The downside is now I must get them in all colors 😃." —Dawn Sullivan Get a set of six from Amazon for $11.99 (available in 20 sets with various colors). This product is suitable for all curl types! Promising review: "I live in Florida, and the humidity is awful. I have naturally curly hair and after a couple of hours outside, my hair is nothing but frizz. I used this for the first time yesterday and I really wish I'd found this sooner! My curls stayed defined after hours outside, with the breeze blowing! By the end of the night there was some frizz but this product reduced it by 75%–80%. Even this morning, it is less frizzy than just a few hours without it. I will be buying again!" —Amanda Get it from Amazon for $10+ (available in three sizes). Promising reviews: "I have dark brown hair and have struggled to find a dry shampoo that actually worked. This not only helps my hair appear clean, but it feels less greasy and dirty. I can even work out/sweat and the product continues to work its magic." —Joellen Wilson "I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn't have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I'm not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would." —Teresa Get it from Amazon for $15.30 (available in scented and non-scented). This cover up is water- and sweat resistant and will stay in until you shampoo it out. Promising review: "If you have to get your roots done every four weeks like I do, and you're not even making it four weeks before you have gray, this is the perfect product for you! I love it! It is easy to apply, long lasting, and does not make your hair feel grimy or icky. It is also less damaging than buying a root touch-up kit every two weeks. I also recommend going darker than your hair for better coverage. I got the dark brown and my hair is auburn brown. I also love that it has two ends on the brush so you can apply it more accurately. If your hair is super clean, it doesn't stick as well, so I give my roots a light spray of hairspray before applying." —California Teachergirl Get it from Amazon for $34.50 (available in eight colors). For that va-va-voom look, simply spray this product onto your damp *or* dry locks, focusing on the roots. Style your hair as you wish, and lock in the volume by using a blow-dryer for results that last all day. Promising review: "I only ordered the small travel size just to see if this product would Wow me! Well it DID! I just spray it on my damp roots and blow my hair dry. Now I do need to say that I’m a hairdresser so I do know how to style my hair, but this product is amazing! I get the fullness that I want without the stiffness most products leave behind. I used it yesterday and when I brushed through my hair this morning my style was great and never greasy. I will be purchasing the large size for myself and clients that need a little “W O W ! In their life!' —Judy Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in two sizes). Curlinator Designs is a North Carolina-based small family biz that specializes in hair accessories. Promising review: "Love it!!! I was concerned I wouldn't be able to figure out how to use it, but videos make understanding simple. So much easier to use in the mornings than fixing your hair in a bun!!!" —bld9 Get it from Curlinator Designs on Etsy for $12.75 (available in 18 colors). Promising review: "I usually don’t write reviews but had to for this product can I say WOW my first application and I am already impressed my hair is so soft and manageable I have short curly hair that I also have highlights done regularly this product works is all I can say my curls look amazing and I don’t have that brittle feeling when I touch it would highly recommend." —Lynn Burkdorf This formula is intended for curly and thick hair types! Promising review: "This hair mascara is very easy to use and gives a strong hold. It keeps baby hairs and flyaways down without making my hair stiff or sticky. I like that it dries fast and doesn’t leave white flakes. The brush is perfect for detailed areas, and the size is convenient to carry in a bag. I’m very happy with this product." —Sunny Jang Get it from Amazon for $18 (also available in a curly/thick hair version). Watch a TikTok of the Got2B Glued Wax Stick in action! Promising review: "I really like this wax stick! It works great for medium to long hair and keeps every strand in place all day. The best part — it doesn’t leave any clumps or residue. You just glide it over your hair, and everything looks smooth and clean. It gives effective hold without feeling sticky or heavy, and there’s no greasy 'dirty hair' effect. It also adds a touch of moisture, so hair stays soft and healthy-looking, not dry or stiff. Super convenient for quick touch-ups on the go." —Anastasiia Promising review: "It smells heavenly, it’s the perfect consistency, and so hydrating without being a runny oily mess. It feels and looks very high-end, and the dropper lets me control how much I’m using, so much better than a pump. I used to use Ouai’s hair oil, which is amazing, but the pump bottle made it tricky to control just the right amount of product. This oil may seem pricey, but it will last you well over a year; you don’t need much, even on thick, coarse, or curly hair. I will be trying Gisou’s other hair products! I’m obsessed with this smell!" —Ashley Haney Get it from Amazon for $25+ (available in two sizes). Check out a TikTok of the Vimhue running hats in action. Vimhue is an Arizona-based, woman-owned small business that specializes in uniquely engineered running hats. BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jenae Sitzes says: "I picked up this hat (in the adorable Peach color) over the summer and absolutely LOVE it for outdoor runs. It's seriously a game changer. I can put my hair in a high pony or bun, and it'll actually hold it up and keep even a single strand from touching my sweaty neck. The material is also super lightweight and breathable so my head doesn't overheat while wearing it in the hot sun! And the fact that it comes in SO many cute colors is another plus." Get it from Vimhue on Etsy for $29.50 (available in seven colors). Bunzee Bands is a small business dedicated to providing pain-free hair ties for people of all hair shapes and sizes. Get a pack of two XL hairbands from Bunzee Bands for $17.95 (available in 10 colors). Also available in other styles, including a smaller size! It has two heat settings so you can choose the best one for your hair type and minimize heat damage. Promising reviews: "I have super thick and curly hair that I was not sure would be compatible with this device. I was hesitant because I saw it all over TikTok, but could rarely find someone with my hair texture using this. I decided to buy it here on Amazon instead, and I am glad that I did! My hair came out gorgeous and I got a lot of compliments from people. My biggest piece of advice to people who have thick and curly hair is to do much smaller sections at a time when doing your hair. It has better outcomes each time." —Tati "I ordered this for my mom who had a hard time achieving that salon blowout look. This works like a charm for her!! Came with the thermal glove and a little comb-like cleaning tool to remove the hair from the brush. Super easy to use! Highly recommend. Great quality." —Morgan Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in two colors). Promising reviews: "My first two drops were yesterday as soon as I opened the package and I'm absolutely shocked with the results in my hair. I'm not exaggerating at all. My ends look beautiful and healthy, and overall my hair feels so soft. I'm very obsessed with this brand." —Michelle "This is 100% worth the price!! This stuff has absolutely saved my hair. I'm a huge fan of the K18 mask to start with, and after going a little too hard while touching up my blonde highlights, my hair was in major need of repair. I got this as it had the oil included and OH MY GOD can you tell the difference. Both of these products are absolute powerhouses! If your hair has any damage at all or is in need of moisture I can't recommend it enough! Definitely expensive but worth it." —Izzie A Get it from Amazon for $27+ (available in two sizes). Promising reviews: "I have long, 4a textured hair that I blow out straight in the winter. I use this oil as a finisher after blowing and/or flat ironing AND I use this on the ends of my hair every single day. This has been a game changer for me. No split ends means I've had tremendous hair retention this year and this oil probably deserves 75% of the credit. Nice smell. Good moisture. Great protection. Also it doesn't lay on top of hair, it melts into hair, which is why most could use it daily. Will be buying this product forever!" —Lisa Lang Blakeney "This stuff is amazing. I have fine hair, but a lot of it. This doesn't weigh it down at all. One pump is all it takes for my shoulder-length hair. It's a miracle and a total game-changer for me. Worth EVERY PENNY." —K. Garvey Get it from Amazon for $10+ (available in three sizes and as sets). This coloring shampoo is free of parabens, sulfates, ammonia, gluten, and PPD, and is 100% vegan with no animal testing. Promising review: "This is my first review of anything I've purchased, but this product is so amazing I just really felt I needed to! It has undoubtedly saved me loads of money on trips to the salon. My hair looks just as good as the day I got it professionally colored. I use this product one to three times a week and just enough to create a nice lather. I leave it on for about five minutes, or however long it takes to shave my legs, then rinse in cool water, and follow up with my regular conditioner. My hair is super soft and undamaged, just as if I had used my regular shampoo. The shampoo doesn't dye my skin, but it will leave a purple stain in the tub the comes out pretty easily with vinegar and a washcloth." —Amber K Get it from Amazon for $32.85+ (available in 21 colors). The set comes with the styling tool and 225 gems, and refill packs are available on Amazon too. Promising review: "Not just for kids! Perfect to glam up a normal hairstyle. I am obsessed with this product! I got it for a themed day and it was so simple to set up and use. The gems are sticky, which I thought was much less damaging to my hair than if they were staples and they stayed in for over eight hours until I removed them. They were so cute and because they are sticky you can put them other places like on my face in the photo! loved these." —JL Jackson Kitsch is an LA-based, self-financed, woman-owned business established in 2010 that specializes in hair accessories. Promising review: "Love that you can dress this up or down! It is my go-to accessory for working in preschool to put my hair up quickly. It is elegant and classic. It is amazingly durable even in getting thrown in the bottom of my heavy work bag! I am amazed by this clip. I have coarse medium thick hair and it is the perfect size." —Niki Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in two colors and another style). Promising review: "Fantastic! Works better than the original in only three minutes! It’s providing a good amount of slip. In only two uses, my breakage is practically gone. Cannot recommend enough." —Ben Get it from Amazon for $34+ (available in two sizes). Promising reviews: "A must-have for people who like to regularly change up or use hair-damaging products. As a woman over 55 who has to have their hair colored every four weeks, blow dries or straightens hair almost daily, I keep my hair strong, healthy, and shiny with weekly treatments at home — that paid off the cost of a hooded dryer within a month and a half versus the cost of treatments in a salon." —Yolanda Martinez "I love this! I love this! I love this! I love this! I only use it for roller sets, protective styles, and locs (as I’ve read in reviews that it sucks loose hair in). But it works so beautifully!!! Such a great investment for any stylist. Roll it straight to any client. The cleanup has proven to be easy. And it sits comfortably around the neck and head with a curve inward of the hood to circulate the air, keeping their faces free of heat." —Person * If You Want To Get Better At Doing Your Hair, These Products Are Game Changers * Products That’ll Help Your Curly Tresses Thrive * Hair Products For Anyone Whose Hair Has Suffered From Bleaching And Coloring * Skip The Hot Tools And Just Use These "Lazy" Hair Products Instead Plus, diffusers for curly hair, hair oils, and shampoos for colored hair. The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Amber Usher is a BuzzFeed Shopping writer who covers everything from home and organization to travel and gifting, and she's passionate about staying on top of the latest beauty trends (especially K-beauty) as well as tracking down affordable products for a luxe lifestyle.