4 HOLY GRAIL PRODUCTS FOR DEFINING YOUR NATURAL CURLS
One of the struggles of having naturally curly or kinky hair is finding the right products to tame it. There are so many options to choose from when it comes to hair care, but not all of them work for everyone.
Like most people, I had a phase where my hair was extremely damaged, dry, and brittle. Before I learned how to embrace my curls I was constantly straightening and dyeing my hair not realizing I was slowly losing my curl pattern until it was too late, and I was stuck with a frizzy mess.
My hair type is a 4B/4C mix so I have to use a ton of product just to make sure my curls are properly moisturized. It took me a while to transition back to my natural state and find products that were paraben and sulfate free (two chemicals you should always avoid!). I asked friends, went to blogs, and YouTube gurus to get recommendations and I discovered that 4 products kept being brought up.
Once I started using them myself I knew that if ever I got lazy or didn’t feel like spending too much on new products I could never go wrong with these! So whether you have a loose curl pattern or tight kinky hair, these products are a natural girl’s savior when it comes to retaining moisture and defining your curls.
Coconut Oil
Raw coconut oil works best. While it has various uses, coconut oil contains vitamins and fatty acids that nourish the scalp and help hair grow longer and thicker faster. Apply it as the first step after washing or conditioning your hair focusing especially on your ends to avoid breakage. You can try a hot oil treatment once a month by heating up the oil for less than a min in the microwave or until fully liquidated, pour it onto your hair and let it soak for at least an hour before washing it out giving it a lustrous shine that lasts for days.
Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioner
If you want a product that won’t weigh your hair down too much, but still give your curls some bounce this leave in conditioner is it! With shea butter and other natural oils infused in this conditioner it reconstructs damaged hair making it soft and manageable while reducing frizz. A little bit goes a long way and you don’t have to wash it out before styling your hair. This product is perfect for a lazy co-wash as well!
Shea Moisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
This stuff is hair crack! Not only does it smell amazing, but it gives the most definition to even the driest curls. It has organic shea butter, neem oil, and silk protein which work to replenish any damage or breakage. As a styling cream it is perfect for managing flyaways and adds shine and volume to the dullest of curls. You can use a small amount just to refresh your hair, or go in with the shingling method to really get your coils poppin!
EcoStyler Gel
Most gels contain alcohol and make your hair crunchy and gross with all the flaky residue. Ecostyler is the one gel I’ve found that helps lock in your moisture instead of drying it out. It is high in vitamin E and other essential oils that condition the hair. They have a range of options to choose from my favorites being the olive oil or black castor oil & flaxseed. This all purpose gel is the only one you will need to slay those edges and keep a style in tact.
These products are essential to your natural hair care routine. And even if you mix in other products, the four of these alone are everything you need for your curls to flourish.