Black hair is incredibly diverse. In terms of texture, it runs across a wide spectrum and many people might even find that their hair has more than one curl pattern.
Regardless of your hair type or how you plan on styling it, curly and coily textures tend to require a little more love and care, and using the right kinds of products is crucial to hair health.
“I love to use products that are just healthy for the hair, period,” Emmy award-winning hairstylist Lavette Slater told HuffPost. “Good products are just good products that have quality organic ingredients in it for any hair type. With that said, hair that is curly needs moisture. The natural oils from your scalp don’t reach the ends of the hair strand as easily as hair that is bone straight.”
Products catering to multiple hair textures, and Black hair specifically, and even products without potentially damaging ingredients like sulfates or parabens haven’t always been easy to find. Consumers are more conscious of which ingredients and products are right for their hair, and many Black-owned brands that cater to textured hair were born out of a lack of available products.
To help you narrow down your search for the right hair care products, we reached out to a few experts to share their favorite styling, cleansing and conditioning products they use on their clients and themselves. Read on to see their picks!
As I Am Leave in Conditioner, $10.50
As I Am DoubleButter Cream, $28
“Nairobi is a Black-owned hair company that I absolutely love," he said. "Their foam mouse can be used for so many different things. I personally love it to set my wigs and crest baby hairs, molding a short haircut, just so many things."
Nairobi Wrapp-It Shine Foaming Lotion 32oz, $29.95
XOXO Virgin Hair 13x6 Raw Waves Frontal Wig, $510
“This is a great product, as it's an oil that actually cleanses your hair and scalp. If you're dealing with dandruff or an itchy scalp, this oil is great as it gently removes buildup and flakes of skin while nourishing and moisturizing your scalp and hair," Taylor said. "I love to use this before I put my hair into a protective style to ensure my scalp is really clean. If you have a really dry scalp, start using this once a week. If you are just using it for clarifying and maintenance, you can probably use it closer to once a month.”
Keira Ashley Hair and Scalp Cleanser Oil, $23
The masque is safe for all hair types and for color- or chemically-treated hair. It's also free of parabens, alcohol, sulfates and sodium chloride.
"Depending on your particular hair type and how dry your hair is, start by adding this hair masque into your wash routine about every other week," Taylor continued. "If you feel that you need to use it more frequently or less frequently, you can adjust from there!”
Deeper Than Hair Resurrection Masque, $23
“As a part of my regular regimen, I must have the Almond & Avocado Wash Day Deep Moisture Masque, Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Leave-In Conditioner and Almond & Avocado Honey Curl Forming Custard," Bailey said. "Having a set regimen is important to keep my hair healthy and moisturized at all times. Since it’s summer and I have level 10 hi-lift blonde hair, maintaining moisture is a must."
"I have a combination of 3C, 4A and 4B curls and coils, which means my hair can get frizzy and dry out easily," she continued. "I love how the masque coats my hair and imparts much-needed moisture. It leaves my hair very soft and easy to manage.”
Design Essentials Wash Day Deep Moisture Masque, $14.99
Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Detangling Leave-In Conditioner, $12.99
Design Essentials Honey Curl Forming Custard, $16.99
“Miss Jessie's Honey Curls has a great crème but gel-like consistency that gives the right amount of hold for your wash-and-go styles to lock in your curl, and uses honey as its natural ingredient," Branch said. "The smell is so yummy as it glides so perfectly while applying it to your hair.”
Miss Jessie’s Honey Curls Curl Enhancer, $16
“Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls is a main staple for myself personally, but it is also a No. 1 fave for our customers, especially for wash-and-go styling," Branch said. "It truly defines every curl softly, while keeping the volume and with no crunch.”
Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls, $22
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