go with tonic for curly hair...

I've used both and prefer prep. It is just a preference of smell for me. I have tried both and think they do the same thing.

I have thick curly hair (but not extremely tight curls) and have both of these products. I use the tonic when my scalp is irritated, but I haven't noticed it do anything special for my hair. The jury is still out on the prep. I think I like it. However, I've also just started using Ouidad de-frizz shampoo and conditioner so I'm not sure which one is making my hair calmer or if it's the combo.

According to B&B's website -
Prep is for - Anyone; best for ultra-fine, limp, relatively healthy hair.
Tonic is for - Anyone; especially dry, coarse, porous or colored hair.
I tend to rotate between them. When I use Tonic, my hair is very healthy and therefore I can use Prep too.

Hi! They are both different types of detanglers. It really depends on your hair. Because you said you have thick wavy hair my recommendation is definitely the prep. I have both the tonic and prep and always use the prep because my hair is thick and wavy/curly. I find this one to also be more moisturizing and faster to work with. I also threw a bumble and bumble party with my friends for Teen Vogue and we all agreed prep was by far our Fave. Hope I helped :)

Hello,

The Bumble and Bumble Tonic is for color treated hair and contains tea tree oil to sooth the scalp. The Prep is a light leave in conditioner for hair that has not been color treated. I hope that this helps!

ive asked the same to stylists. the lotion is more softening for unruly or coarse/curly hair. it chills it out a little, and smells like tea tree (yum). i have straight/fine hair with a little wave so i stick with prep, and use it as my base layer for everything else, like a primer for foundation. it makes everything absorb and apply evenly.

Yes! It is safe for color treated hair.

My hair is highlighted and colored and it works fine. My stylist knows I use it and she thinks it's cool as well.

No. It contains sulphates and will strip the color right out.

I would definitely say yes. I have had my hair colored for a while now and it has only improved the look and feel of my hair. I recently went blond and am a natural brunette

Well, my hair is colored and I've used it with no problems at all. So I'd say yes, go for it.

I use both, not always together. Prep I use as a detangler everyday. I use the lotion as a styling aid. It is great as a heat protectant when blow drying or using hot tools, such as curling iron. It helps hold the curl.

I have both prep and the styling lotion. I always apply prep whether air or blow drying. I apply it first as a "foundation" and then any styling products on top. I use the styling lotion to spray on my damp hair when I'm heat styling to hold the style. i would never apply the styling lotion when air drying...it's too sticky without heat. If you want a heavier styling product then the lotion, try the styling creme - you would use that when you heat style, but it is heavier than the spray lotion.

I love using prep with blow-drying. I typically air-dry my hair, but am very pleased with how it helps to give my fine hair some lift when I dry it, while still letting me style it and not being super blown-out.

prep has biotin in it so it probably really did help your hair grow. we hear this from lots of clients.

I have used both and I think that their names say it all. Prep is supposed to prepare the hair for styling products...kind of like a primer. It also really helps with tangles. The styling lotion is to be used to style...it is a bit sticky, but I think it helps to shape the hair while blowdrying. Your hair isn't sticky when it's dried. And another personal observation: I totally believe that Prep makes your hair grow!!! I stopped using it for about 9 months----not sure why----and in that time I got a horrible haircut and my hair didn't grow. I just started using it again about 3 weeks ago and my hair is growing! I'm no scientist, but I think there is something to it1

yes great on extension...

Yes, great for heat and extensions (natural hair im assuming) - i use both from time to time and this is part of my daily routine.

Not sure if this would help or work as heat protectant but the b&b styling lotion spray is a great thermal protectant! Hope this helps!

Hello,

The Bumble and Bumble Prep does not protect your hair from heat however, it helps detangle and hydrate your hair.

The prep prepares your hair to help the lotion and other products work even better! You will see and feel the difference if you have been using just the lotion.

Prep is better for thin hair, The other is better for fuller hair, it also has tea tree oil that is calming to the scalp.

I just answered this same question for someone else, so go check it out when it is posted!!! :)

No. It is more of a leave in conditioner and smoother, but not real heavy duty.

You should try putting in a mousse like Alterna's Bamboo Mousse when your hair is damp, and then lightly spraying curls when they are still warm, just out of the curling iron with a good, fine mist hair spray of your choice. Let them cool completely and dry, and when you're done curling it lal you can release them and mess them up a bit. You also want to curl a little tighter than you really want them to end up and hair spray them well. My hair is fine and doesn't hold curl well, even though when it is short it is naturally curly--it is long, and the weight of it is enough to pull the curl out. This is the method I use to keep curls in.

Also, curls really love moisture, so you may want to leave your conditioner on a little extra time before starting the process, or use several day old hair that has lots of oil in it naturally.

I just checked it and they have it in stock. If you can never find it at sephora try ordering it from bumble and bumble's website. =) Wish I could tell you what days they normally restock, but I am not to sure about that.