Fun fact about me: My hair is still straight from the 70s. No matter how you style it, from air-dried curls to a bouncy blowout, your stillness is retro. I’ll never forget what my hairstylist said to me halfway through my blowdry, as she styled my lengths into smooth tumbled waves. “Your hair has a spirit of its own and it wants to be ’70s.” But hey, I’m not mad about that! At least the look is timeless, right?
It took me a minute (and yes, years of trial and error) to figure out how to care for my hair, but I’m finally getting the natural volume and undone nails that are the essence of bohemian style. I’ve finally discovered the exact lineup that will help you. period. Sure, there are curtain bangs, a middle part, and hairy face-framing layers, all of which do a lot of the heavy lifting. That being said, the products I use can make a big difference between an easy bouncy texture and a ring of frizz. (However, in my opinion, it’s sexier to have a little curl, so I’m giving myself some grace.)
70s hairstyles mean a lot of things: blunt bob, well-chosen afro, grown-up shag, and more. These products below are my personal holy grail for the latter. (And ISA, our virtual shopping assistant, is here for any other lectures you need.) Even if you have ’70s-oriented hair like mine, simply Whether you just want to soften, tame, and define your curls, you’ll love these formulas. Like me, I’m willing to bet!
fenty beauty
The Rich One Moisture Repair Shampoo
Let’s say it together. Soft, thick hair starts in the shower. I love Fenty’s moisturizing shampoo. It lathers up like a dream but doesn’t strip away any precious oils. It also smells divine with notes of yuzu, amber, vanilla and sandalwood. (As you can see from this list, scent is very important to me when it comes to hair care.)
divi
whip repair treatment mask
I usually use a hair mask instead of conditioner because my hair is thick and always dry and I only wash it about twice a week. I love this whipped texture. It deeply moisturizes the lengths of my hair while giving a light feel to the roots. Not to mention, the peppermint and tea tree scent makes it feel like an invigorating spa-like experience.
de
Mirage Mist Leave-in Conditioner
Give this leave-in type a healthy spritz while your hair is soaking wet after your shower. It’s light enough to keep your hair from getting limp, yet nourishes and tames frizz like no other. It also smells great, as it contains notes of citrus, orange blossom, and vanilla. (Do you know how much I value scent?)
Mancro
Super absorbent microfiber hair towel
It’s not a gimmick. After changing my hair towel, my wave pattern improved. Curls are prone to breakage and frizz, both of which can be exacerbated by coarse terrycloth fabric. Get a microfiber towel like this $5 option and you won’t regret your purchase. I like to wrap my hair with this after combing it with leave-in conditioner.
Roz
santa lucia styling oil
Think you could do a hair care roundup without mentioning Rōz? Think again! I really like all the formulas, but this styling oil takes the top spot in my heart. It’s so lightweight that I often use it to refresh my ends on 3-day dry hair, but it’s also great for locking in moisture after a shower. Let your hair air dry for about 20 minutes on a towel, then unwrap the towel and apply this oil from roots to ends.
Lime & Reason
Wave Revival Gel Serum
Well, this $6 hair gel is my humble secret weapon for creating soft, defined waves. I want to protect it from selling out, but I need to emphasize its ability to define curls without leaving a frizzy look. Squeeze a generous amount into your hands, rub your palms together, then comb or swirl sections of your hair to define a wave pattern. Avoid touching your hair while the gel hardens. This is a one-way ticket to frizz.
crown affair
flexible hold finishing hair gel
Sometimes I swap out Rhyme & Reason for Crown Affair’s gel, which has a similarly lightweight and creamy consistency. This is also great for slick-back styles as it provides a smooth hold yet is very easy to brush out.
Although it requires continued use (I’m talking daily), I really trust this hair growth serum. In fact, I noticed that the sparse areas on my temples were filled with baby hair.
Once your wet hair has set, trim the curtain bangs and hold them in place with wrinkle-free hair clips. Achieves perfect bounce without the need for heat. You can buy any pack on Amazon, but I especially love these amazing options from Emi Jay.
Alphaparf Milano
Semi Di Lino Sublime Cristalli Liquidy Hair Oil Serum
On days when I don’t wash my face, I apply this oil serum every night before going to bed. It soaks into your hair quickly (no greasy residue) and leaves your hair with a salon-fresh scent.
Briogeo
Scalp Revival Rosemary Prewash Scalp & Hair Oil
If you know you’ll be washing your hair later, be sure to treat your scalp with this rosemary-infused pre-shampoo oil. Rosemary oil is praised by dermatologists for its natural hair growth abilities, and we love that the precise nozzle allows you to target your hairline and temples.
Squiggs
gooseberry delight hair oil
You can also treat your hair by applying this nutritious oil, which contains amla (an antioxidant-rich ingredient used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine), castor oil, and coconut oil. Infuses necessary vitamins and fatty acids.
living proof
Clarifying Detox Shampoo
On every other wash day, use a clarifying agent from your regular shampoo. I love Living Proof’s deep cleansing. Because it leaves my scalp feeling fresh (it never feels squeaky) and, as you can imagine, it smells amazing.
Oai
Hair gloss in-shower shine treatment
In my opinion, Ouai hair gloss is underrated. I have gold highlights and honestly need a refresh, and this conditioning formula instantly makes them more vibrant. It’s highly moisturizing and feels like a mask, which I also like.
Jelf Avenue Beauty
on the go styling gel
I was hesitant about this styling gel at first, but it has since become my absolute go-to for all-back styles. I have quite a bit of downy hair, but anything that can fly out completely flattens out. Don’t forget the sandalwood scent. It’s strong, but it smells like my favorite perfume.
