August 2013 Curl Kit Review: A Look Back at Natural Hair Products and Subscription Boxes
By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset
Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks
Originally published September 17, 2013 | Refreshed October 2026
From the Crowning Glory Archives — Revisiting the natural hair products, discoveries, and excitement of August 2013.
Hello, my beautiful Curl Friends! 💕
Today, we're taking another trip down memory lane!
If you were part of the natural hair community during the early 2010s, you probably remember how exciting it was to discover new products designed especially for our curls, coils, and kinks.
There were product reviews, YouTube demonstrations, natural hair forums, and conversations about everything from wash-and-go routines to finding the perfect moisturizing conditioner.
And then there were the subscription boxes!
One that caught my attention was Curl Kit, a beauty subscription box featuring products from different hair-care brands.
Let's revisit what was included in the August 2013 box and why discoveries like these were such a memorable part of our natural hair journeys.
The Excitement of Opening a Curl Kit
Ladies, there was something special about opening a box and discovering products you might never have considered purchasing individually.
Instead of committing to an entire line of unfamiliar products, subscribers could explore several formulas and brands in one package.
For many naturalistas, myself included, the experience was about more than collecting products. We were learning about ingredients, discovering our preferences, and figuring out what our individual hair strands actually needed.
And believe me, what worked beautifully for one head of curls did not necessarily work for another!
What Was Inside the August 2013 Curl Kit?
According to my original 2013 article, the August box contained the following products:
ECO Custard with Argan Oil — Full size
ECO Styling Gel — Full size
Luscious Locks Shea Butter Shampoo — Full size
CB Smooth — Smooth Naturally — Full size
Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Pudding Soufflé — Sample packet
HI-PRO-PAC Intense Protein Treatment — Sample packet
CURLS Cashmere Curls — Two sample packets
Quite a collection, wouldn't you agree?
There were styling products, cleansing options, a richer moisturizing formula, and a protein treatment.
This variety gave natural hair enthusiasts an opportunity to experiment with different approaches to caring for their hair.
Archive note: These are the products recorded in the original August 2013 box. Packaging, formulas, availability, and prices may have changed since then.
Looking Back at the Products
ECO Styling Products
Styling gels were especially popular among naturalistas searching for curl definition, smoother edges, and longer-lasting hairstyles.
However, finding the right styling product required a little experimentation.
Some gels provided a firm hold, while others worked better when paired with a lightweight leave-in conditioner.
The challenge was discovering which combinations worked without leaving flakes, stiffness, or unwanted buildup.
Luscious Locks Shea Butter Shampoo
Shampoo was another important part of the natural hair conversation.
Many of us were becoming more conscious of cleansing routines, particularly when regular use of gels, oils, and styling products left buildup behind.
A good cleansing routine remained essential, whether someone preferred a traditional shampoo or occasionally used a co-wash.
Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Pudding Soufflé
Now, ladies, this is where personal hair preferences become important!
Rich creams and soufflés can be appealing to women who enjoy thicker styling products.
However, not every curl responds well to heavy formulas.
Over the years, I have learned that my fine, low-porosity strands generally prefer lighter leave-ins and oils rather than heavy butters or creams.
That is one of the greatest lessons from my natural hair journey: a product can be wonderful for someone else and still be completely wrong for your own hair.
HI-PRO-PAC Intense Protein Treatment
Protein treatments were also popular during this period.
Hair is made primarily of keratin, a protein, but that does not mean every head of hair needs frequent protein treatments.
Some conditioning products containing hydrolyzed proteins may temporarily improve how damaged hair feels or behaves. Results depend on the formula and the condition of the hair.
The important thing is to pay attention to your strands rather than automatically adding every popular treatment to your routine.
CURLS Cashmere Curls
Sample packets offered a chance to try an unfamiliar product without purchasing a full-sized container.
For women exploring different styling methods, that could be particularly useful.
The key was taking note of how the product performed, how it interacted with other products, and whether it was worth purchasing again.
What the Natural Hair Movement Taught Us
Looking back, I believe one of the greatest contributions of the natural hair movement was the encouragement to become better informed about our hair.
We learned to ask questions.
Was our hair genuinely dry, or were we experiencing product buildup?
Did we need another moisturizer, or were we simply using too much product?
Was our wash-and-go failing because of the product, or did we need to adjust how we applied it?
And perhaps the most important question of all:
Are we purchasing products because our hair needs them, or because someone else's curls look beautiful?
Oh, ladies, that last question deserves a conversation of its own! LOL!
A Lesson I Still Carry Today
As much as I enjoyed discovering new products, my hair journey eventually taught me the value of simplicity.
Today, I appreciate lightweight moisture, liquid leave-ins, gentle handling, and oils that work comfortably with my fine strands.
I have also learned that healthy-looking curls do not require an overflowing product cabinet.
Consistency, understanding your hair, and choosing products based on actual results are far more valuable than following every new trend.
And sometimes, returning to the basics is the best decision we can make.
Explore More From Crowning Glory
If you're exploring your own natural hair routine, here are three related articles from the Crowning Glory archives:
1. 10 Ways to Keep Your Natural Hair Moisturized
Discover practical techniques for helping your curls and coils maintain moisture without unnecessarily weighing them down.
2. What Is Hair Porosity? A Simple Guide to Moisture and Natural Hair Care
Learn how hair porosity affects moisture absorption and why different hair types respond differently to products.
3. The Ultimate 3C & 4A Wash-and-Go: Beautiful Curl Definition Without All the Frizz!
Explore styling techniques for achieving soft, beautifully defined curls while keeping your routine manageable.
Let's Talk, Ladies!
Do you remember the excitement surrounding natural hair subscription boxes?
Were you a Curl Kit subscriber, or did you discover new products through YouTube reviews and recommendations?
And here's another question: What hair product from your early natural hair journey do you still remember today?
I would love to hear your stories in the comments!
Until next time, embrace your texture, appreciate your journey, and remember:
Every coil, every kink, and every curl deserves to be celebrated.
Happy Curls to You! 💕
Lady Carolyn M. Summerset
Archive Disclaimer: This article revisits products included in the August 2013 Curl Kit subscription box. It is preserved for historical and educational interest and is not a current product promotion, price guide, or endorsement of product availability.
© 2026 Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks by Lady Carolyn M. Summerset. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or republished without prior written permission of the author.
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