Shampoo That Doesn’t Strip Your Locks
Better referred to as a cleanser than a regular shampoo, Miss Jessie’s Creme de la Curl wash ($16+) can do wonders for the chick hoping to wash her hair on a daily basis. Why? Well, because Creme de la curl is sulfate-free wash, aka, no massive suds in the tub, which helps your hair keep the natural oils and moisture it needs. The cleanser is said to be especially made for women with dry, damaged hair, as well as those with chemicals in their hair as well as color. While many of Miss Jessie’s products can be a big hit or a depressing miss (especially for the price), this shampoo was highly recommended and leaves hair smelling fresh–not fruity, but just fresh and clean. First timers should look for the sample size to try it out, ranging at $2+.
For Straight Hair and Curly Hair That Needs Some Shine
If you went through all that trouble to flat iron your hair, then it would be a shame to be seen ashy-headed on the streets because of lack of shine. Same goes for women who stay with curls in their hair, frizzy hair the minute you step out the door is always a disappointment. So it was recommended for both types to try MoroccanOil ($15+) oil treatments. The oil treatment specifically has been lauded by women with naturally curly hair or who prefer it straight because of its use of argan oil. Argan oil, coming from the Argan tree in Morrocco, is used by women in the country trying to protect their hair from constant heat and over-the-top sun exposure. The oil will help your hair absorb new color (apply before) for a brighter effect and will condition those strands.
For Those Looking to Keep Hair in Place Sans Gel
A co-worker of mine who maintains a very clean, edgy, tapered bob recommended Organic Root Stimulator’s Edge Control ($4+) for her tapered edges. How many times have you thought to put some hard gel (that turns white if not rubbed in) on your edges when they come up off your face? Or spent a majority of your morning while getting ready for work, with a bandana or wrap around your head keeping those bad boys down? Edge Control might help. Not only is it non-greasy or sticky, it won’t dry the creepy way gel does when it makes your hair feel hard. It’s great for women with hair of all lengths, plus, it’s made of olive oil. Who doesn’t love olive oil these days! Organics has some amazing products in all facets of hair (also try their tea tree oil cream), and this product is no less successful.
For Those Looking to Define Their Curls
If your hair is a bit more on the rough and tumble side (tumble as in tumbleweeds), or if you have bland curls that need definition, the Kinky-Curl curling custard ($17+) can be a miracle for some women. The custard not only defines your curls, but does what a lot of curling creams don’t do well–moisturize. It indeeds gives life to often hidden and humbled coils and gives them a bit more length than other creams that define but shrink. The product is said to be made with all natural ingredients and can be applied straight out the shower, and on soaked hair for those with tighter coils. Be prepared to be impressed.
For Keeping Twists and Locs in Tact
A friend of mine from high school recommended Carol’s Daughters’ Loc Butter ($15.50+), as she swears by the product when she’s looking to two-strand twist her hair and top it off with ornate headbands and accessories. The pomade is said to provide a sheen for locs, twists and braids, even just the regular french braids, and provides relief to your scalp thanks to Ylang-Ylang oil. The ingredients don’t have intricate names you can’t pronounce or find, just things like corn, beeswax, and fruit oils like tangerine and grapefruit. All natural.
For Shine and Humidity Control
My sister actually recommends the humidity resistant mist from Mizani ($8+), good for all kinds of hair types and styles. Once it gets too hot outside to the point where you start complaining–and you know you will–you’ll probably go to a lot of festivals and outdoor events. So it’s best to take care of any humidity issues before you get in the car. The Mizani mist is good for shielding hair from humid situations and too much sun (women with colored hair) because of UV sunscreen included, and helps in the process of reducing your hair from being mangled by split ends and frizz. It holds your hairs strands in place but also provides a bit of shine and bounce. But don’t go overboard with it.
For Those Who Still Grease Their Scalps
No shame in greasing your scalp the old school, “She’s Gotta Have It” way, especially if you are using the right light products that won’t cause a mess of build up on your scalp or in your fingernails (ewwww). That’s why Cantu Shea Butter Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment ($4+) is a great recommendation. Put it on your hair if you like, but it also does wonders for your scalp without clogging it like greases (see Blue Magic). Made with pure shea butter, it restores oils and health to your scalp and also strengthens hair from the roots. Now, not everyone needs to grease their scalps, but some people have constantly dry heads that need a lot of love, and if that’s you, then Cantu just might work wonders for you.
For The Lady That Skips Dates With a Comb
A very funny young lady praised the magical powers of ApHogee’s two-step protein treatment ($7+), saying it actually brings her hair back to life when a busy schedule takes attention away from hair duties. Happens to the best of us. The product is said to be good for not just relaxed hair, and hair with color, but for damaged natural hair. The protein treatment slowly rebuilds hair structure thanks to its mixture of magnesium and modified proteins. With the use of some heat, these ingredients fuse into the hair and make it healthier. So if you’ve neglected your hair to the point of crispy breakage, ApHogee’s protein treatment process is a good idea. The makers of the product say that the product should harden into the hair when it’s working, so don’t freak out, simply re-wet and rinse, and voila! Your hair is back from the dead, boo!
For the Leave-In Preferred Ladies With Curls or Weaves
Another product that consistently has been brought up is the leave-in conditioner from Mixed Chicks ($16+). Don’t let the name scare you if you don’t believe you’re a mixed chick (we’re all mixed with a few things), the leave-in conditioner is helpful for not only those with large fros of curls, but those with frizzy curls and frizzy weaves that need some healthy curl to ‘em. The product is said to make your curls soft to the touch, help define them and keep everything up top fresh to death. The non-sticky conditioner is lightweight and ready for application on your wet hair. And leave-ins are so much better than the traditional, cause who has time to sit with a gold-foil conditioning cap anymore?
For Those Who Can’t Live Without HeatPeople with really short relaxed hair, or long relaxed hair, or who just thoroughly enjoy flat ironing their hair, expose their heads to a great deal of heat, at extremely high temperatures. Think of all the steam you see rising at the beauty shop when they use their irons. A whole lot of crackling and popping, right? Not only does this heat sound scary, but it can be damaging and drying to your hair. Blow dryers on the highest heat can even have detrimental effects, so help in relieving the stress to your strands with Nexxus Heat Protexx ($11+) is a great heat protecting lotion for your head. You don’t need anything really greasy that will help in making that steam rise, and Pink Oil lotion is highly over-exaggerated in its effects. Heat Protexx absorbs heat and helps prevent breakage without making your hair feel oily, all helping to prevent frizz as you blow dry and flat iron your hair for what feels like forever after washing.
Come back next time for more tips.
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