Why We Love the TikTok Abbey Yung Method

If you are chronically online like us, you’ve probably seen the Abbey Yung Method everywhere. Detailed hair routines, layered products, gorgeous before-and-afters — the whole thing makes you wonder if your current routine is doing enough. Here’s our take on this viral trend:

👉 We love the Abbey Yung Method — because it teaches intention and layering.

 👉 But the products you use and HOW you use them are what ultimately determine the results.

What the Abbey Yung Method Gets Right

The biggest win of the Abbey Yung Method is that it teaches people how to use hair products — not just buy them.

It helps them understand that:

• Haircare works best in layers

• Different products serve different purposes

• Healthy hair isn’t a one-product fix

This mirrors exactly how we approach hair behind the chair.

Why Some People Think Drugstore Products Work Better

Here’s where confusion comes in — and it’s understandable.

Some people genuinely feel like their hair looks or feels better when they switch to drugstore products. That can happen for a few reasons:

• Instant cosmetic results: Drugstore products often rely on heavier silicones that coat the hair, making it feel soft and smooth immediately.

• Lower concentration formulas: If someone doesn’t need intense repair, drugstore formulas can feel more forgiving.

• Overuse of professional products: Salon products are very concentrated. Using too much — or using the wrong type — can leave hair feeling heavy or waxy.

So yes, drugstore can feel great at first. But looking/ feeling good & being healthy are not always the same thing.

Same Parent Company Doesn’t Mean Same Formula

Many drugstore brands are owned or manufactured by the same parent companies as professional salon brands. Like Loreal technically owns almost everything. What you probably didn't know is they have different level patents. So salons carry the products with the highest patents and drugstore have the lowest or outdated, which also affects price. For example Kerastase has patents from Europe where the beauty standard is way higher so you know exactly what you're paying for.

While many drugstore brands are owned and manufactured by the same parent company as professional salon brands, the formulas are not the same.

Drugstore products are made to hit mass-market price points and shelf-life requirements. Professional products are made for performance, concentration, and customization — which is why they cost more and work differently. Drugstore products are also very likely to be watered down with silicones and additives that do nothing, to compensate for not having as many active ingredients. 

The Key Difference: Cosmetic Results vs. Hair Health

Drugstore products are designed to make hair feel good quickly.

Professional products are designed to make hair be better over time.

That’s the difference.

Drugstore products often mask dryness or damage by coating the hair. Professional products are formulated to penetrate the hair strand, improve its structure, and support long-term health — especially for colored, lightened, or heat-styled hair.

How We Recommend Using the Abbey Yung Method

Instead of copying her recommended routine exactly, we recommend using the concept:

• Follow intentional layering

• Use professional products selected for your hair type

• Focus on moisture or strength — not everything at once

The Bottom Line

The Abbey Yung Method is popular because it promotes intentional haircare — and we agree with that philosophy. But routines work best when the products are actually doing the work, not just filling steps.

If drugstore products feel better for your hair right now, that doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It just means your hair may need something different — not stronger.

And if you want help customizing a routine that supports your hair long-term, your stylist is always the best place to start. Because great hair isn’t about doing the most — it’s about using what actually makes sense for your hair. Book your next appointment online and talk with your stylist about your version of the Abbey Yung method!