35 Things To Keep On Hand In Case Of A Bad Hair Day

Time to break out the headbands and hot tools.

1. Head wraps in funky prints that'll leave you looking more fabulous than ever even on your worst hair days.

Cee Cee's Closet

The head wraps from this Black-owned business are 100% cotton, sturdy, and lightweight so you can wrap with ease.

Get them from Cee Cee's Closet for $15+ (available in three styles and TONS of prints).

2. A hair-finishing stick in case you're the kind of person who can't start your day until your flyaway baby hairs have been put in their place.

amazon.com

Promising review: "I rarely ever leave reviews, but THIS is amazing!! I have naturally frizzy hair that is also wavy and curly. I have a lot of breakage around the crown and this stuff sleeks it back but it doesn’t make it look greasy or crunchy! I suggest taking the mascara wand and wiping off the excess on the tube before applying so you don’t apply too much. When I apply too much all you have to do is let it dry and then scratch you’re fingernails from front to back to break it up and it still creates a sleek look without any crunchiness. I love this stuff so much I need to get another for my car on those days that my mom hair is looking terrible." —Adriana

Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

3. A set of Turbie Twist hair towels to fight frizz as soon as you step out of the shower.

Amazon

The one thing my sisters fight over when we're all staying at my parents' house are the Turbie Twists. Believe it or not, these microfiber towels make a huge difference when it comes to drying your hair and eliminating frizz. They're also amazing if you want to multitask while your hair dries. I will definitely be ordering this four-pack for my siblings and I to share.

Promising review: "These are amazing! They look super cute, dry your hair, and keep it from getting damaged. I like that it keeps my hair out of my face long enough for me to finish my routines before addressing my hair." —Vicki

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $22.99.

4. Living Proof's 5-in-1 styling product that'll literally guarantee a perfect hair day. What more could you wish for?

livingproofinc / Via instagram.com

Promising review: "A "MUST-HAVE' hair product! I have fine hair that looks great for about 10 minutes after styling.... Then, poof, flat as a pancake! My daughter had this product when we went to my son's college graduation, and told me to give it a try. We were in south Georgia where the humidity is brutal, and my hair looked great the entire day! I am now on here to purchase my own bottle. Literally it only takes a pea sized amount for your entire head of hair, so this small bottle will last you awhile. I spend $25 per bottle on just root lifter alone, not counting protectant and styling mouse. So this will save me tons of money because it is all I need to have that perfect hair day! I have included a picture that was taken at the end of the day so that you can see how well this product really works." —Tanya

Get it from Amazon for $29.

Check out my colleague's full review of Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment.

5. Bread Hair Oil to add some gloss to 3a-4c curls by using Australian Kakadu plum. It'll also make hair shinier without making it feel greasy, which is #Goals.

Bread

This Black-owned haircare company, Bread, is easily one of the coolest stores I've found while working on the BuzzFeed Shopping team! All of its products are made with curls, braids, or however you want to wear your natural hair, in mind. It's particularly great for anyone with 3a-4c hair — and the packaging is all amazing.

Get it from Bread for $24.

6. Ouai wave spray you can spritz right onto your wet hair for chic, beachy waves on a whim.

theouai / Via instagram.com

I would put my life on the line for Jen Atkin's magic Ouai wave spray. I have naturally wavy/curly hair and most mornings I run my sleepy head under my shower faucet, use some bobby pins to pin some pieces of hair back, then spray this all over before I head out the door. It's a miracle product.

Promising review: "I actually use this product as a hairspray rather than a texture spray. I curl my hair and spray this all over and it keeps my curls in tact without it being weighed down, feeling dry/crunchy, etc. You can't even feel the product in your hair it's so weightless! Gives your hair a nice shine as well. I have thin hair so my curls typically fall flat but with this my curls just look like effortless beachy curls-LOVE!" —Purrdykitty

Get it from Sephora for $12+ (available in 1.7 or 5 oz).

7. A set of hair clips that'll transform a failed updo into something super chic.

amazon.com

I have SO many mornings where I fiddle with my hair, twisting and turning it, putting up, taking it down, all for naught. It's on these days that the only solution is to throw my hair in a bun and MOVE ON. But thanks to these minimalist hair clips I can now transform my last-ditch hair effort into something a bit more composed — classy, even! The set comes with 15 different designs, so you're sure to find a favorite.

Promising review: "I wasn't expecting a lot because of how cheap these were, but they are so cute! They don't look cheap, and you get a lot of options. I love that there is a silver and gold version of each. Would definitely recommend!" —Amazon Customer

Get a 15-piece set from Amazon for $9.99.

8. A hydrating argan oil hair mask to refresh your dry or damaged hair.

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "My hair is very thin and curly. The ends are damaged from heat and color, causing my hair to look even more unruly. I do oil treatments once a week and only wash my hair two to three times a week but NOTHING has made my hair feel like this product does. There is an immediate difference as soon as this product touches my hair. It leaves my hair feeling so silky, even after I rinse it out and dry my hair." —Maegan W.

Get it from Amazon for $12.95.

9. A smart hair dryer that'll work with you to prevent bad hair days before they even start.

Amazon

This hair dryer literally has a sensor in it to detect hair moisture levels so it can automatically adjusted the heat temperature used to dry it. Incredible. My mom, who blow dries her hair daily, has and loves this model.

Promising review: "My husband bought this for me and I’m in love! This blow dryer has exceeded my expectations. It is very comparable to other brands out there, if not better. It has good weight to it but not too much that is causes your arms to get tired. The attachments attach magnetically allowing you to adjust the nozzles to how you feel comfortable holding the dryer (this was always a problem for me with other hair dryers while holding a curling brush). My hair dried quicker than it ever has and it didn’t feel like I was damaging my hair with a ton of heat. The smart sensor detects moisture in your hair and you can hair the dryer adjusting accordingly. Very pleased with my purchase!" —Joshua

Get it from Amazon for $299 (available in two colors).

10. Leave-in conditioner from Tracee Ellis Ross' PATTERN haircare brand you can count on to to moisturize and define your curls. You're welcome, friends.

Pattern / Via patternbeauty.com

Promising review: "I have used the PATTERN leave-in conditioner since it first came out. I LOVE this product! It smells great and I use it every day without any product build-up. PATTERN leaves my hair looking and feeling healthy." —Scully67

Get it from Ulta for $25 or Pattern for $25 (available in three sizes).

11. A set of 100 no-crease hair ties, which will make sure you can put your hair up in a last-minute ponytail comfortably, without worrying about looking messy when you take it out.

amazon.com, Amazon

And because there are SO many in this set, you'll never find yourself without a hair tie again! I have tons of these ribbon-like elastics and love them for putting together a last-minute sporty look. Opt for one of the more colorful options to add a little pizazz to your pony.

Promising review: "I love these hair ties because the colors and fun designs dress up my ponytail and they hold my hair secure without causing the usual ponytail 'sore area on your head.' They come in mostly solid colors with a few patterns sprinkled in here and there. The material on most of the ties is slightly pearlescent and a very rich color with a lot of stretch to it." —Alice

Get them from Amazon for $12.98+ (available in six styles).

12. Alure Three-Barrel Curling Iron Wand to help you create salon-like curls in a fragment of time, so you can get on with your life instead of fussing with your locks.

Amazon, amazon.com

It heats up in 60 seconds (up to 410 degrees) and has a nonslip handle and insulated barrel tips for safety.

Promising review: "I love my three-barrel curling iron. I'm one of those who cannot for the life of me figure out how to curl my hair with a single barrel or a straightener. My hand just does not want to cooperate or maybe my brain is overthinking it so this three barrel curling iron is a game-changer for me. I have super straight hair, so straight that air-dried is a suitable style for me. I've always wanted to be able to curl my hair and this has made that possible! My waves are beach-y and I've received tons of compliments from friends and coworkers." —Brittany

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

13. A headband that's so versatile you can wear it to a workout or on a date.

amazon.com, amazon.com

I'm not exaggerating when I say headbands saved my life for a solid year and a half after I made the life-altering mistake of getting...bangs. This magical headband can be styled in 14 different ways — you truly can wear it anywhere!

Promising review: "YOU GUYS. This is literally the best headband I've ever worn. I have a small head and fine hair that tends to be slippery with just about every other headband out there, even the ones with the little rubber grips on them. I've also found that headbands are usually made to be sporty or made to be dressy — not both. This is no longer a problem! I'm wearing these headbands for yoga, weight-training, and to dress up an outfit. Oh, and to work. They stay put on your head, no matter what you do, and are extremely soft and comfortable. They are stretchy but keep their shape. My only complaint is that I need them in every single color known to man!" —K. Metzger

Get it from Amazon for $14.95 (available in 30 colors)

14. A set of velvet scrunchies you can use to easily dress up even the most boring of hairstyles.

Amazon

Did you wake up late and now you don't have any time to do your hair? Fear not! Simply throw it up in a pony or a (somewhat) neat bun, accessorize it with a pretty velvet scrunchie, and head for the door! It'll look like you made an effort without actually having to.

Promising review: "The scrunchies are very soft, are very strong and stretchy, and surprisingly smell pretty good. They can make an outfit more interesting even by just wearing them on your wrist. 11/10 would recommend." —Torence H.

Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $6.99.

15. A tiny straightener to keep on-hand for inevitable hair emergencies.

amazon.com, amazon.com

This Kipozi Titanium Flat Iron is only 1 inch wide, making it perfect to stash anywhere. The temperature ranges from 170 degrees to 450 degrees Fahrenheit so it can tackle all hair types.

Promising review: "Having overprocessed, dry hair, I look for irons with variable heat settings. I love that this flat iron has settings from dry, damaged hair all the way to high heat for healthy thick hair. And once I set the temperature, it automatically returns to that same temperature the next time it gets plugged in. It heats up super quickly, which is so important in the morning, as I'm usually running late!!!" —Laurie Lotus

Get it from Amazon for $37.06 (available in black, gold, and pink).

16. A chunky beanie you'll love because it's cozy and convenient for surviving a bad hair day.

Amazon, amazon.com

Alright, friends: Sometimes the best thing to do is throw a beanie on and call it a day. To be honest, I like rocking a beanie despite how my hair looks. This set comes with two soft cable-knit beanies that you'll never want to take off. They're the perfect way to feel comfortable in the colder months while still looking cool and put-together. Win-win!

Promising review: "Love my beanies! I wear them almost every day. Has good amount of slouch to it and it doesn't stick up like you have a cone head either — I was worried about this happening. I didn't realize how cold my ears and head got until I started wearing these. Will definitely purchase more colors in the future! They are very comfortable and stylish." —Chris

Get it from Amazon for $17.50+ (available in 77 color pairings).

17. Or a similar hat from Love Your Melon that'll keep your hair in check and make you feel like a good human since 50% of their profits are given to the Love Your Melon fund to support the fight against pediatric cancer.

loveyourmelon / Via instagram.com

I have one of these hats and NO JOKE it is the softest thing I've ever put on my head. Stylish, comfy, and a chill slouchy fit? You'll find me wearing one of these all winter long.

Get it from Love Your Melon for $30 (available in multiple colors and in adult and child sizes).

18. An Invisibobble hair ring to stop pesky strands from escaping your ponytail or bun.

Amazon

I am truly obsessed with my Invisibobble hair rings. I have them in a variety of colors and keep one on me at all times. If your hair isn't doing what you want, simply grab one of these and you'll be able to put together a chic bun in no time. They don't pull on your hair AT all (they're my go-to for when I need to put my hair up in the shower or for the gym). Helpful tip: After wearing them all day the ring will stretch out, you can toss it into hot water to bring it back to its original size.

Get it from Amazon for $7.75.

Not into pink? Check out a ton of other styles here.

19. Twist Flex Rods that'll actually make it possible for you to style your hair into stunning ringlets while getting even more *beauty rest*.

amazon.com

Just twist them to your liking (a loop, C-, or S-shape)!

Promising review: "As someone who colors their hair, I am constantly on the lookout for ways to style my hair without further damaging it. I therefore try to stay away from heated methods of styling hair as much as possible. I prefer heat-less methods like this, because the curls seem to set for longer and stay bouncy. Let me preface by saying this: the 'before' photos of my hair were taken after having the curlers in my hair for only two hours. I have pretty thick hair and was looking for a casual, wavy look...the fact that my hair took to curling in such a short period of time is AMAZING!! I also love the fun assorted colors." —kiana

Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two styles).

Check out "Hundreds Of People Use These $8 Twist Rods To Get Perfect Heat-Free Curls" to learn more!

20. A detangling WetBrush to help you start your hair-doing process on the right foot.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "This brush is frigging magic. I would have never considered purchasing this if I had seen it in a store, the bristles are very 'flimsy' and I would have assumed it would do nothing to my super thick, curly, coarse (currently bleach-damaged) long hair that turns into a cavewoman wig by the end of one day. The great reviews persuaded me to give it a try. SO happy with the results! The brush is very gentle and I see very little hair on the brush even after going through the worst of rat's nests. It is simply amazing. I was so tired of brushing my hair, I was actually considering chopping it off. So happy I tried this brush first!! If you are on the fence, order this sucker! It is a game-changer!" —Jen Downey

Get it from Amazon for $7.60+ (available in 45 styles).

21. Or a Bestool Detangler Brush, designed with curly-haired humans in mind so you won't have to struggle any more than necessary.

amazon.com

Promising review: "This brush works wonders on my 4c hair. I also bought it to use on my biracial granddaughter's hair that is extremely thick, course, and extremely curly. It is very difficult to work through her hair. You cannot just comb straight through it, so this brush has been a huge help. She can tolerate it and so can I. I'm very happy that I found it. I love the way you can brush both vertically and horizontally. It is solid." —MsLynne

Get it from Amazon for $11.88.

22. A bejeweled headband that'll make your bad hair day a memory of the past.

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "As a professional jewelry maker, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of these! They are not overly tight like most, but don't slide off my head at all either! I have never been able to wear a headband all day without needing to reset it before. But I swear by these. The backing fabric has excellent grip while never snagging your hair. They are also very pretty and sparkly :)" —Conyay

Get a five-pack from Amazon for $12.99.

23. Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls, which will help you achieve the defined coils of your dreams with just a tiny bit of effort.

miss_jessies / Via instagram.com

Whether you're fighting Florida humidity or trying to make it through the rainy season in Seattle, Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls has gotchu. You only need a tiny bit to make a difference and prevent a bad-hair mishap. Check out our full review of Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls!

Get it from Target for $22.49.

24. Burlybands, for anyone with thick hair who is tired of those glimsy, tiny hair ties snapping in half while they try to put their locks in a simple pony.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "They're worth every dollar! It's not quite like any other hair tie I've seen before. It's really thick, very expandable, and super durable. I have thick, coarse, nappy, natural, African American hair and these certainly do the job! I don't care what type of hair you have or how much of it you got because these will do the job. And they won't rip out your hair while doing it." —Gracey

Get a pack of three from Amazon for $10.99.

25. Batiste dry shampoo to make your dirty hair appear fresh, clean, and bouncy in an instant.

amazon.com, Amazon

The real MVP of a bad hair day? Batiste dry shampoo. If you're running late and your day-old hair seems somewhat salvageable, don't fight it. Spray some of this miracle product to refresh your hair and get going!

Promising review: "I absolutely love this product! I have dark hair and all other dry shampoos leave me looking like a grandma. This one actually controls my super-greasy hair. I usually have a lot of trouble with the bangs, but this one works perfectly." —Hannah

Get a pack of three from Amazon for $13.80.

26. No-Frizz Instant De-Frizzer from Living Proof that'll prevent you from looking like Monica Geller in that notable episode where her typically straight hair was frizzy beyond belief from the tropical humidity.

Sephora, livingproofinc / Via instagram.com

Promising review: "Guys, this stuff is magic! It is like the oil, but in a spray form. It is also very light, it does not leave the oily grease or any residue at all. Makes the hair look super shiny and, well, not frizzy at all! I love it." —MaryNightingale

Get it from Sephora for $15+ (available in 2.8 or 6.2 oz).

27. Trendy oversized hair clips that are all the rage right now and will make your slept-on hair actually seem quite put together.

Amazon, Heather Braga / BuzzFeed

OK so I'm pretty lazy when it comes to actually 'doing' my hair, but I still always want it to look like I at least made some sort of an effort. Enter this set of clips. The set includes a mix of five alligator clips, five barrettes, and five different styles for each type. Whether I wear my hair curly or straight, I can slide one of these in to look a little more put together. I love that they keep my hair out of my face AND they actually stay in place. Also — acrylic is very in right now, so that's definitely an added bonus! These are my new favorite hair accessory, hands down.

Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $4.99.

28. Or glitzy hair pins made for anyone with curly, natural hair, because no one should have to suffer from that unbearable "ouch-my-hair-is-caught-in-my-clip" pain.

Amazon, Swirly Curly

FYI, this is a Black-owned brand and you can check out more cool finds in our story on cool products from black-owned businesses!

Promising review: "I like the look of decorative pins but avoid them due to fear of breakage. These were designed specifically for curly hair so there are no worries. They glide smoothly onto hair and can be removed without causing damage. They're also really cute." —Antoinette

Get them from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in 12 different styles).

29. An automatic curling iron that'll do all the work for you in the morning so even if you snoozed your alarm five times you can still try to salvage your hair. What bad hair day!?

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "Life changing sounds a bit exaggerated, but not for me! I hated curling my hair — it took so much time, I couldn't quite get the 'wrist twist' down with my straightener, my curls never seemed to last, the time it took just wasn't work it. I actually WANT to curl my hair now! It's quick, easy to use, and my curls last! You don't have to worry about twisting your arm up and around your head, while contorting to get that perfect curl. You seriously don't even need to do much of anything. It even alerts you when the curl is done. I mean, how much more simple could it get?! I'm so pleased with this product, I've told several of my friends about it." —Stephanie Overstreet

Get it from Amazon for $41.99.

Learn more about the Kiss Instawave automatic curling iron here!

30. John Frieda's Hot Air Brush to quickly become your go-to to repair an unfortunate hair day. Dunk your head under the shower real quick then blow dry/brush it straight with this helpful gadget.

Maitland Quitmeyer / BuzzFeed

Promising review: "This hot air brush has made the biggest difference in my usually flat, frizzy hair! I now have more body and shine than I have had in years! I highly recommend this product. It is lightweight and easy to use. My hair holds a style longer and it is so much easier than trying to blow dry my hair while also using a round brush trying to style it. I wish I would’ve discovered this hot air brush years ago! Love it!" —L

Read our full review of the John Freida Hot Brush for more info!

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in 1 and 1.5-inch versions).

31. A teasing comb and brush in one you can totally keep in your bag and do some damage control when you get to the office. Get ready for some va-va-volume!

amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "I love this little brush! I only just learned such a thing existed and had been using a teasing comb. This does much better with creating volume at the top of my head (I have very fine hair) without tearing my hear and frizzing it. With fine hair, it's especially important to have these gentle bristles. I highly recommend this brush for anybody wishing to create volume or height in their hair. And a very good price too!" —M. Montour

Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in five colors).

32. A volumizing texture powder from Big Sexy Hair to help you add a little ~umph~ to your locks when, despite all your best efforts, they're looking a bit flat.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "I've always had thick hair and a lot of volume, but since I moved to Miami my hair keeps going down, thanks to the weather and humidity. I decided to try this product, and really, this is amazing. The bottle is small, but you only need a little bit to add volume to your hair, I even put too much (and still it was so small that I thought it wouldn’t be enough) that I had to wash my hair to take it off because my hair was TOO thick and too voluminous !! I’m amazed." —Camille De Armas

Get it from Amazon for $14.21.

33. Hair scarves you can use to transform your messy bun or last-minute ponytail into a work of hair art.

amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "I love these hair scarves. they are all so cute and the perfect size. They each come tied around a scrunchie, but the scrunchie is detachable from the scarf, so its almost like you get four hair scarves as well as four adorable scrunchies!! Just when I thought this purchase couldn't get any better, I noticed that it all also came with two cute hair ties!!! Thanks so much for these incredible products, I LOVE!!!" —leslie m loper

Get a set of six from Amazon for $10.99.

34. A set of pearl velvet headbands for a chic addition to your typically messy hair. Royal Watchers would certainly approve.

Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Amazon

One of my coworkers purchased this four-pack and was kind enough to share with the rest of us! I love how easy this headband makes it to make a fashion statement without taking up too much time in the morning — and I was able to wear it all day without getting a headache!

Promising review: "I live in headbands as a stay at home mom with twosmall kiddos. They make your messy bun actually look like your decent looking and like you got yourself together. Definitely a great pack for cheap. Are made very well, great quality!" —Misty Flota

Get them from Amazon for $12.95.

35. And a cool dad hat for when all else fails. *Shrugs*

amazon.com, Amazon

Sometimes the very best thing you can do is throw on a baseball cap and go about your day regardless of what the mop on your head looks like. At least this hat will keep you looking cute while you hide your uncooperative hair, right?

Promising review: "Very cute!! I wore this to a medical procedure where I was instructed not to use any hair product (except shampoo) and I was afraid my hair would be wild and untamable. However, I would wear this anywhere because it's so nice." —ajk

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in 18 styles).

Just remember, no matter what your hair looks like, work it!

The Walt Disney Company

Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.