When people ask me what I use on my hair I’m always left speechless even though I do my hair every week and should be able to remember the products I use. However, when people ask me what I use I’m usually thinking, “Do you have a quick 30 minutes for the rundown?!” When it comes to my list of favorite products for thick natural hair, I can’t list them without discussing my regimen. I’ve learned that layering product on top of product (especially during the wintertime) is the best way to help my hair stay moisturized, shiny, and bouncy over a long period of time.
So I’m happy to share some of my product favorites with Curls Understood readers and represent for the thick, medium/low porosity, and extremely dense haired naturals out there. I will be separating my holy grail product list into 4 sections: Pre-Wash, Wash Time, Sealants for Wet Hair, and Sealants When Styling.
PRE-WASH
• Clips
You know if you have thick/dense hair I am sure you get this one and it is self explanatory but in order to make sure that your products are evenly distributed and saturated I always make sure to SECTION my hair (I usually have about 6 sections when applying my products)
PRE POO/HOT OIL TREATMENT
• Jamaican Black Castor Oil
I love this stuff it is penetrating and great for a hot oil treatment/pre-poo before shampooing. This helps with detangling in the shower with shampoo! (which is unheard of), it promotes shine, growth, and strength of my coarse strands. It helps to eliminate excessive breakage and dry scalp after shampooing.
DEEP CONDITIONER
• SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque
The absolutely best deep conditioner I have tried in the past few months. It provides intense hydration the name doesn’t lie. I usually alternate between hot oil and deep conditioning treatments each week. However, during the winter since the air is drier and therefore my hair is drier I do both treatments once a week. I place this conditioner in sections and place a plastic cap on and sit under a dryer for about 30 minutes and that is all it takes for the deep conditioner to penetrate and make my hair extremely soft. When rinsing it out in the shower the tangles melt away because of how malleable the conditioner makes my hair. And did I mention the SMELL is intoxicating!!! It lasts in my hair for days which is a great bonus!
WASH TIME
• Cleansing
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Replenishing Shampoo
As a natural girl with dense hair and medium to low porosity strands I use a LOT of product in order to keep my hair sealed and moisturized (especially in the winter) so I make sure to clarify my hair at least twice a month to keep my scalp clean.
SheaMoisture’s new Jamaican Black Castor Oil shampoo is amazing it allows for easy detangling and gives a nice lather and leaves my hair super clean and soft. This shampoo also has another favorite of mine in the ingredient list: Apple Cider Vinegar, which makes for a great shampoo cocktail for my hair!
• Braggs Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
I cleanse my hair twice a month (the weeks I co-wash instead of shampoo) with an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse (2 parts water/1 part Apple Cider Vinegar). This again helps me to make sure my scalp is clean and it promotes strength and shine!
• Rinse Out Conditioner: Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner
I absolutely love this conditioner as a co-wash/rinse-out conditioner it has amazing slip and makes detangling my hair a breeze! It smells great and is inexpensive which is helpful for me because as we naturals know our hair can’t get enough conditioner!
SEALENTS FOR WET HAIR
• Coconut Oil
Everyone talks about coconut oil and I know why it is a great sealant for fresh out the shower it traps in the water and moisture prior to styling and helps to create a barrier that keeps my hair moisturized for the whole week.
• Flaxseed Gel (Flax Seeds, Water, and Aloe Vera Gel)
I love making flaxseed gel I use a basic recipe of (1/4 Organic Flax Seeds and 2 Cups of Water) it makes for a light hold and an extra sealant for my hair when I want to wear my hair in a wash-n-go state or super defined twist-out. It is all natural and inexpensive. I also will add Aloe Vera Gel to this Gel for added nutrients and shine)
SEALANTS WHEN STYLING
• Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream
This has been a staple since the beginning of my natural hair journey 2 ½ years ago! It is the perfect weight product that passes is the “Goldilocks Test” – it isn’t too thick or too loose of a leave-in for my hair. It provides my hair with long lasting moisture and pairs well with the butters and gels that I use.
• Organic Shea Butter
This is a must for a second/final seal for my hair during the wintertime! A little of this goes a long way for my thick and coarse strands and allows my hair to thrive in the winter cold!
It offers a much-needed second layer of sealant that aids in maintaining moisture and avoiding breakage! It is a styling classic and a must for my thick natural hair.
These are a mostly extensive list of my main must-have products for my thick hair in order to make sure that it is fully saturated with all the moisture and nutrients it needs! I like for my hair to last a long period of time without much refreshing which is hard when you have a lot of hair to account for but these products have made my hair regime quick and easy and my hair has flourished using these products and methods!
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