Your One-Stop-Shop for Natural Hair Products
When I first went natural, I knew NOTHING about what products to use. I was so desperate to learn as much as I could about what products to use and how to take care of my hair because I was… a 20-year-old girl, who’d done the big chop and had no clue what to do next! I was so desperate to catch up on all I’d missed that I watched an excessive number of YouTube videos; including videos of natural hair girls who had very different textures to me. Clearly… I was missing the point. HAHA!
Over the years, I’ve come to understand what products to use and even group them into categories. So I thought I’d share some of the product categories that I’ve used or come across, in the hopes that it’ll help you on your natural hair journey. Especially if you’re just starting your natural hair journey or are looking to make a change.
There are so many products out there for natural hair, some will work for you and others will not just because our hair is unique to us. It’s easy to feel like we need EVERY single product out there but remember, you only have one head to use it on haha!
I’ll recommend some products for each of the categories as well as links to them.
*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a bit of commission at no cost to you. I don’t recommend or link any products I have not tested myself
All of these products (and more) can be found in one place here.
Start with just having 1 of each of the following products, let’s call it the ‘bare minimum essentials’:
Bare Minimum Essentials
Shampoo
Shampoo – use a good, non-stripping shampoo to wash your hair and scalp
Conditioner
Normal Conditioner – to use on your hair after shampooing
Leave-in conditioner – to use on your hair after washing, conditioning and rinsing, typically on damp clean hair. You’ll then ideally apply an oil and then put your hair into twists or braids to dry. This should be an important part of your washday routine. Leave-In conditioners can also be used during the week to refresh your curls after spraying some water on them!
Deep Conditioner – to use every 2 to 3 weeks instead of your regular conditioner. The effects on 4c hair is amazing, deep conditioning leaves my hair feeling softer, more malleable, and easy to detangle + more.
Oil
Moisturising oil - to apply on your hair after applying a leave-in conditioner post washday.
Sealing oil/ Sealant – to seal moisture into your hair. Can be used instead of a moisturizing oil
If you want to keep it simple, which I’d recommend, you can just have 1 or two options for your hair from the above product categories. However, sometimes, different occasions call for different things. So let’s call the next set of product categories the ‘non-essentials’:
Non essentials
Curling & Twisting Cream – apply a curling cream after your leave-in conditioner and oil. This is often known as the LOC method for moisturising natural hair. Leave-in, Oil, Cream. For me, I don’t always use a curling cream but on some occasions where I’m using flexi rods or Bantu knots, I may use it!
Hair Mousse – use on damp hair and layer with an oil for a wash & go. Naturals with looser curl patterns tend to LOVE a good mousse and an oil and use it by layering for a cute wash and go. For me, a 4c natural, I hardly ever do a wash and go anymore. But if I do want to try a mousse and oil in the future, it’ll likely be for a twist out or braid out.
Detangler – use to detangle your hair. Some brands create products for specifically detangling one’s hair and it works for a lot of naturals. I personally have never seen a need for it as water + conditioner (including deep conditioners) are very effective in helping me detangle my hair.
Co wash – use to wash your hair solely with a conditioner. I only recently started doing it after swimming so it’s not an essential product for me, but it may be for other naturals.
Heat Protectant – use when you’re applying heat to my hair. However, I don’t use heat very often so it’s not often I need heat protectants. As such, it’s both an essential and a non-essential natural hair product for me.
Twisting gels – use on damp hair after moisturising and before twisting, for more hold for curls. A lot of brands are now creating gels using aloe vera and other natural ingredients with similar consistency. In cases like these where the gel is made from naturally occurring and nourishing ingredients, I’m more likely to try it out. However, typically, I don’t use gels as I can get a similar hold from some curling products (if I’m going for that look).
Edge control – apply on edges after styling hair for a ‘laid down’ effect. Again, many natural hair girls use edge control; I personally don’t because I find it unsustainable for my curl pattern (Type 4). But I can appreciate the look and would advise other type 4 natural hair girls to use ones that are made for natural hair.
As you can see, there are so many products available for natural hair. This does not mean that you need them all. Use only the ones that work for your natural hair type, lifestyle and your hair routine. For example, a swimmer with natural hair will have and need a different set of products compared to a business owner that works from home.
I work full time as well as creating content on the side and running a small clothing business with my husband. I have found it very helpful to have a set weekly routine with the ‘bare minimum’ products and a fixed weekly wash day. As such, I typically don’t use ‘non-essential’ products as I don’t have the time to do all of that and I believe in minimum manipulation for my natural hair.
It’s great to know the product categories and what they claim to do but you don’t need every product to have a successful and healthy hair journey. I hope this helps, feel free to comment below what product categories are essential to you!
Love,
Ez
x
