How Can I Prevent Hair Drama !?

i have thick curly hair ! i would like to keep it down once in a while at school but no matter what i put on my hair it doesnt seem to work. a few products i have used before are: herbal essences totally twisted mousse aussie catch the wave mousse + leave in conditioner herbal essences tousle me softly spray and garnier wet gel shine. whatever i use never seems to work so what can i use ?