Hair Care Starter Pack

Written By Amy M. Koberling

You probably have all noticed that I have been a little obsessed with hair care recently. I have spent the last few years really trying to research and discover the hair techniques, products, and routines that have the biggest impact. With that, as much as I love discussing ways to take your hair care to the next level, I realized it was probably time I discussed how/where to begin. So for anybody who is just starting to get curious about how to make their hair care routine a little more intentional and effective, without buying every single product at Sephora, this one's for you!

Identifying Your Hair Type

Ok before we go on to what the kit will consist of, I think it’s important to first identify your hair type. Understanding your hair type will help you tailor your hair care routine to meet your specific needs. Your hair type isn't just about the texture; it extends to your hair's porosity, density, and scalp health, all of which influence how products interact with your hair. Once you identify your hair type, you can select products and treatments that will enhance its natural texture, manage its condition effectively, and avoid those that could cause damage or unnecessary stress.

If you want, I can do a full blog about identifying your hair type, but for now, here are just a few things you can use to evaluate your hair. To begin, closely observe your hair after washing and air drying without the use of any products. This reveals its natural texture and form, providing a baseline for identifying your hair type. Is it straight, wavy, curly, coily, etc.? Now that we have covered texture, let’s discuss structure. You can assess your hair structure by feeling a single strand between your fingers. If that strand feels close to nothing, your hair is probably fine. If you feel something subtle, it’s likely medium, and if it feels thick, it’s coarse.

 I think what can be tricky is people often assume that their hair structure signifies how much hair they have. While you can have thin fine hair, it’s also not uncommon to have thick fine hair, or thin coarse hair. That thin or thick statement is in reference to your hair density, not the structure. Density refers to how much hair you actually have on your scalp. Again, there are definitely more thorough ways to detect this (that I can go over in another blog), but a simple way to gauge this is by checking how much of your scalp is visible when your hair is parted or how heavy it feels in your hand.

Final two things. porosity and scalp moisture. Porosity, or your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture, is helpful for selecting products that condition effectively without weighing your hair down. In general, damaged hair is high porosity hair and it often requires products that help retain moisture, such as heavier oils and leave-in conditioners that can help flatten and protect the cuticle.

Ok now that we know the type of hair you have, let’s get into building your personalized hair care kit! I want your hair kit to consist of a shampoo and conditioner best for you, a proper hair tool, a scalp treatment if needed, and a hair conditioning treatment. I will break down each component and some extras that are helpful in some cases.

Scalp Treatments:

I want to emphasize that we are just starting with the basics today, so I promise to not list off 10 different scalp treatments you need to buy when you are just getting started. With that, I do want to give a little overview on why I included one form of scalp treatment in this starter kit!

When we think about our hair, it can be SO easy to ignore what we don’t see (aka our scalp). What we don’t often realize is that for some neglecting the scalp can lead to  irritation, dryness, and conditions like dandruff, affecting hair health. The scalp, an extension of your face, shares similar skin characteristics but has more hair follicles and oil glands. I am going to keep it simple today and just go over my favorite scalp treatments.

Side note: always consider consulting a dermatologist for persistent scalp issues.


Before you step into the shower, if you’re interested in supporting the scalp. I highly suggest one like Maya Chia’s Scalp Treatment. It’s lightweight, but powerful. The duo of ginseng and caffeine may help stimulate the scalp along with other anti-inflammatory ingredients.. Once you spray it on the scalp, you can either use your fingers to massage it in, or if you feel like getting a little fancy, use a scalp massager! Not only does it provide a calming and relaxing massage experience, but it also promotes circulation to the scalp.

Haircare Tools:

Ok I am going to keep this section much more brief than the previous, but there are a few products and points I really want to emphasize as we go over building your hair care kit. 

  • Hair Brush: When I was first starting out on my “hair journey,” I thought a brush was a brush. All were created equal. That’s where I was wrong. There are SO many incredible brushes on the market now that are amazing. It’s so important to find one that meets your hair where it’s at. Here are a few of my favorites:

    • Best For Wet Hair: The Original Wet Brush:

      • Designed with strong and flexible bristles. It helps prevent split ends and breakage! All while still being gentle on your delicate, wet hair. 

    • Best For Dry & Flaky Scalp: Crown Affair The Brush No. 001

      • SO GOOD! It helps to distribute natural oils through strands, and gently detangles! Plus, I love the wide bristles on this one because a light brush through won’t ruin my waves!

    • Best For Fine-Medium Hair: Drybar Flat Mate Boar Bristle Brush

      • A super lightweight brush that gently massages the scalp, while detangling your hair! I honestly find boar bristles are superior, especially when it comes to fine hair!

    • Best For Thick/Coarse Hair: Oribe Flat Brush

      • The combo of boar bristles and nylon (not to mention the strong grip handles) gives the perfect amount of muscle for thick and coarse hair! It’s a little more of a splurge, but in my opinion, very worth it!

    • Best For Curly Hair: TANGLE TEEZER Naturally Curly Detangling Brush

      • Envision this, a brush made for curly hair that has flexible bristles that detangle without yanking. It’s the perfect brush for my curly haired friends.

Because this is a starter kit, I don’t want to get into too much detail about complex hair tools, but I did want to provide you a little roundup of some of my favorite tools if you were feeling a little curious!

Your Go-To Shampoo & Conditioner:

I should start by saying that there are several types of shampoos and conditioners: daily use, clarifying, etc. With that, for the sake of the starter kit, I want this section to focus on finding your staple shampoo and conditioner. Fortunately, we have already discovered how to decipher your hair type. So we are going to take that knowledge into picking your staple shampoo and conditioner. It should also be noted that just as your skin's needs change with the seasons, so do your hair's. In colder months, you might need a more moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to combat dryness. In warmer, more humid conditions, a lightweight or volumizing shampoo and conditioner can prevent your hair from feeling weighed down.

Ok here are some of my fav shampoo and conditioner for some different hair types (I also threw in other variables that would affect your opinion on which products you choose, like color treated hair):


Hair Conditioning Masks:

One of the first suggestions I make for anyone looking to amp up their routine is a moisturizing mask. They not only infuse your hair with much-needed moisture but also act as a shield for your hair cuticles, preventing breakage and ensuring they remain smooth and intact. It’s one of my must-have items to have in my shower (for the other products I swear by in my shower, take a peek at my blog on 6 Products Everyone Needs In Their Shower). I have SO many favorites, but the two I can’t get enough of are Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask and Kérastase Nutritive Magistral Hair Mask!

Hair Supplement:

We have finally made it to my final suggestion for your hair care starter pack! This won’t apply to everyone and you should always consult with your Provider before starting a new “supplement”.  By far my favorite hair supplement is Nutrafol. This supplement is renowned for its comprehensive approach to bolster hair health, addressing factors like gut health and stress hormone balance. It's designed to combat hair loss by tackling nutritional gaps, oxidative stress, immune disturbances, and DHT sensitivity. Nutrafol's commitment to clinical research gives me the confidence to recommend it both personally and professionally for the right candidate. 


Consistency is crucial with Nutrafol, and while many, including myself, start to see improvements within 2 to 3 months, it may take as long as 6 months for full benefits (so be patient with it)! I’ve been using this one for 4 years and I’m so glad I found it.. Use this link to receive $50 off!

There you have it, my official hair care starter pack! You all have been loving the hair content and I have been LOVING making it for you. Which makes me extra excited to say that I am building out a little Hair Care Guide. If you have any requests, questions, or anything else you want me to cover in it, make sure to DM me! 


Also, if this got you excited to hear more about hair care, I would highly suggest listening to my episode with Meagan Schlapp on “How To Fix Damaged Hair, Curly Girl Tips and The Viral K18 Mask”!


**Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and may contain products gifted in PR. This means that I may earn a small commission when you purchase via these links at no additional cost to you (thank you! It helps me keep things up and running)… As always I ONLY recommend products, goods and services that I stand behind and personally love and use.

Amy M. Koberling
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Shampoos & Conditioners For Every Hair Type
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Combating Dry & Damaged Hair