Having curly hair is an adventure, y'all. There are so many rules to remember, and they vary from person to person depending your specific curl type.

For those of you who don't know, I decided to start embracing my natural hair in 2018. Three years later, and I still feel like I'm learning as I go some days. Here are some things you should know before we dive into this roundup of my favorite tools: I have 2c/3a type curls. That means my curl pattern can be as loose as defined waves or a tighter 's' shape, but it does not spiral. My hair tends to be on the drier side and loves loves loves to be a knotted, tangled mess.

These eight products are the things I use on a daily or weekly basis to help keep my tresses under control(ish). I hope some, or all, of them can help you too!

1. Telephone Cord Hair Ties - These are my absolute favorite hair ties. They don't get tangled in my hair and end up pulling half of it out. They don't leave those wonky dents. They're comfortable. Oh, and they don't have that annoying habit of breaking at the worst possible moment.

2. Puff Cuff - This was recommended by one of my favorite beauty bloggers, The Joyful Wavy. This is like a banana clip, but better. I use this when I shower or take a bubble bath, and when I sleep. It's the perfect tool to make that pineapple, and the teeth help keep it in place while you're rolling around in bed.

3. Microfiber Hair Turban - I have been a fan of the turbie twist since long before I decided to embrace that curly life. These are so much gentler on your hair than a regular terry cloth bath towel. Plus they're easier to wrap your hair up in and don't weigh down your neck or fall off when you move your head.

4. Perfect Hair Care Towel - This is one step up from the turbie twist. It dries my hair so much faster (sometimes it's almost too fast) and it doesn't cause frizz at all.

5. Scalp Shampoo Massager - I've talked about this baby on the blog before, so most of you are probably familiar with it's awesomeness. If not, all you need to know is that this will elevate your wash days to the next level. Not only does it break-up any scalp buildup you've got, it also like getting a little mini head massage.

6. Diffuser - If you've got curls or waves, you've gotta get a diffuser. For me, at least, it's the only way to get volume and guarantee that my hair actually dries.

7. Shower Cap - I only wash my hair once or twice a week, but that doesn't mean I'm not showering. Shower caps don't have to be fancy. The ones I use cost $2.

8. Silk Pillowcase - If you're like me and don't like sleeping in a satin sleep cap (I've tried and just really don't like it), you need to invest in a good silk pillow case. It helps keep your hair from getting frizzy overnight, and they're supposed to be good for your skin too!