Got a product on your shelf that’s collecting dust? Past the return-by date or the retailer doesn’t accept returns? Let’s talk about what to do with it!
Donate
Your local women’s shelter may accept gently used hair products (provided it’s in packaging that can be sanitized). To find a shelter in your state, visit womenshelter.org.
Project Beauty Share accepts hair products that are at least 3/4 full, and donates to women and families overcoming hardship. Visit productbeautyshare.org for more information. (Note: Don’t have unused products to donate? Feminine hygiene products such as razors and tampons are always needed!)
Give Away
Have curly friends and family? Let them give the unwanted product a shot! I do this a lot – before seeing my friends for an outing I’ll send a photo to our groupchat and let them pick what they want!
Shelve
Don’t like a prodcuct today? Try it again when you’re further along in your transition, or in a different season.
Keep in mind that hair that is damaged has totally different needs than healthy hair, and your opinion of a product can change in different conditions. If I had tried some of my holy grails in the winter rather than the summer, and didn’t vie them another shot…I’d totally be missing out.
Swap
Note that I haven’t personally tried this, but if you do a quick search for “curly girl product swap” on Facebook there are a bunch of promising groups that pop up! Who knows, you could end up getting a product you really want to try.
Cocktail
Mixing styling products you don’t like with other products you do like is a great way to use them up!
In fact, hair blogger @honestlizhere created a method known as #123gel that involves using three (!) gels in a row. It’s a fantastic way to use up a gel you’re not the biggest fan of and still get awesome results (I can personally attest to this). For more info, check Liz’s highlights!
Alternate Uses
Consider using unwanted products in different ways. Shampoos can be used to wash makeup brushes, conditioners as shaving cream, etc. Just because a product doesn’t work on your hair doesn’t mean it can’t have another use!
What do you do with unwanted products? Drop me a comment down below!
