One of the best things about the summer is the heat. As much as I complain about it, I love the unlimited activities available because of it. Seven-five percent of summer activities require you to break a sweat and its gross until you take a shower. Imagine smelling like a circus, finding salt particles on your forehead and stepping inside your shower to find some well needed hair care stuff. Here’s my top 10 products or tools that will help curly hair in the shower.
Jane Carter Solutions Shampoo
I’ve been using this since I first became natural – it has never failed me! It leaves my curls soft, shiny and clean without stripping my hair of its natural oils . The price doesn’t kill your pockets and the ingredients won’t kill your scalp. A win-win product.
Avalon Peppermint Conditioner
I love this conditioner with all of my heart and soul. I’m biased because of my love for all things peppermint but I can only speak highly of this conditioner. It leaves a tingly sensation on my scalp (which is good), a minty scent and soft curls. You can use it for co-washes, a pre-conditioner and a detangler.
Cholesterol Deep Treatment
Cholesterol is love & Cholesterol is life. I remember when I was younger, my mother used to use it on my hair on Saturday nights before church. I’d whine about its stench. That is until I got older, realizing there were different versions. There’s an Olive Oil line, a regular line and the Carrot Oil version by Hollywood Oil. I love using the Carrot Cholesterol Leave-in because of its benefits and smell. It leaves my hair extremely easy to detangle, soft and moisturized. I suggest not mixing it with oils because it may result in a disaster. Before I figured out my staple products, I tried cholesterol with Castor oil. It made my hair duller than usual but as the saying goes ‘to each is own’.
Wide Tooth Comb
ALWAYS have a wide tooth comb in reach in the shower. With all of the water and cream running down your scalp like the Nile, you should definitely take advantage of combing your hair. It’s the easiest time to detangle but the most vulnerable time for your hair to break so be wary. Beware of painted combs – the paint may chip while you comb your hair. Also stay away from flexible/bendy combs; they snap easily.
Towel
A hair towel or cotton t-shirt is necessary for absorbing excess water once you step out of the shower. A hair towel is specifically made with microfibers to prevent breakage while drying your hair. Sometimes, the fibers have cotton so using a cotton t-shirt is also acceptable. The cotton and microfibers absorb the water quicker without damaging your hair cuticles.
Scalp Exfoliator
Remember when I mentioned you should exfoliate your scalp? The mixture used to exfoliate your scalp should consist of brown or white sugar mixed with a small amount of any oil and your favorite conditioner. Whenever you exfoliate your scalp, it promotes blood flow to the hair follicle and removes dead skin cells from the scalp. This prevents your hair from its ultimate hair growth potential.
Clamps
You’re going to need clamps to section your hair when doing any tasks – especially if you have really thick or long hair. The clamps make it easier for you to separate and thoroughly wash each section.
Shower Cap
Goes without saying but for those days between washes when I don’t want to mess up my curly set I keep this bad boy handy. I love Spa Sister’s colorful shower caps!
Drain Stopper
The bathroom tub can get clogged with shed hair pretty easily. Rather than using Draino every week I’ve invested in a drain stopper from OXO. This product is practical and cute. Now on wash days I can prevent all the shed hairs from clogging up my drains with ease.
Clarifying Shampoo
Sometimes my hair just needs some extra TLC. Product build up is real. So I sometimes use a clarifying shampoo or mud wash like Terressentials Organics Head Wash – it’s gentle but really gets the job done. My hair feels refreshed but not stripped. Plus, using it in the shower is less messy!
What products and tools do you keep within arms reach in the shower?
