I’m constantly asked what my favorite natural hair products are, or what products work well for my hair.Β So, I’m highlighting my favorite natural hair products below and breaking them up based on categories. read myΒ Myavana hair analysis results to understand my hair type and why certain products may work for my hair.
Also, just because these products work for me, doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll work for you. Listen to your hair and pay attention to how it reacts with the products you use.
Favorite Shampoos & Conditioners
Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Shampoo + Conditioner
Overview: I decided to try this set out three months ago and it’s SUPER moisturizing! My hair loves the Black Vanilla shampoo, I’m able to run my fingers through my curls easily. This duo gives my hair shine and leaves my hair feeling unbelievably moisturized and soft. Using this line also made me realize how much my hair LOVES aloe vera juice. It also smells delicious, like vanilla.
Consistency: The shampoo is interestingly thick and lathers up easily on my hair with a small amount of product. It also pumps out chunks of black vanilla from time to time. The conditioner provides a great thick consistency.
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo + Conditioner
Overview: I use SheaMoisture’s Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) set when my scalp hair feels heavy from product buildup. The shampoo and conditioner include apple cider vinegar, which is great for pH balance and clarifies hair. Before using this line, I make sure to pre-poo as the shampoo sometimes makes my hair stiff. The JBCO conditioner provides great moisture and softness for my hair. Both products also help when I’m dealing with an itchy scalp as they contain peppermint, which helps soothe an itchy scalp.
Honestly, I don’t necessarily care for the scent. It smells a bit like play-dough to me, but it isn’t overpowering. The smell also doesn’t linger once everything is washed out of your hair, so it isn’t a deal-breaker for me.
Consistency: The JBCO shampoo is dark brown and very watery but does lather in my hair fairly easily. The JBCO conditioner has a nice thick consistency and is a more beige-ish color.
Favorite Deep Conditioner
SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Masque
Overview: This deep conditioner is an OG natural hair product for me! I’ve been using it since starting my natural hair journey over two years ago. No matter what other deep conditioners I test out, I always find my way back to this one. The amount of moisture I get from the Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque is unbelievable. It provides my hair with slip and makes detangling my hair so easy. There are also hints of protein in the ingredients (e.g. Hydrolyzed Rice Protein and avocado oil) which my high porosity hair loves.
Two years later I can’t get over the smell of this masque. It smells like unicorn tears and flowers blooming in spring. Realistically, it smells like a sweet honey perfume. I’ve had people do a double take after hugging me cause this masque left my hair smelling.
Consistency: The masque is VERY thick! You can hold the jar upside down and the product will not move. I like for my deep conditioners to be thick as I’m heavy-handed when applying the product, so this humbles me.
Favorite Leave-in Conditioners
SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Leave In Treatment
Hands down the most lightweight leave-in conditioner I’ve tried. It leaves my hair hydrated, soft, and easy to detangle. The 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Leave In Treatment contains many oils that my hair loves (e.g. coconut and sweet almond). It also has protein, which my high porosity hair likes (e.g. Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein and Hydrolyzed Keratin).
Scent: Anything with coconut makes me weary as I don’t normally like the smell of it. Even though my hair and body love it. This leave-in, however, smells amazing. It’s a light coconut milk smell that, I find, goes away once the product has dried.
Consistency: As mentioned before, this leave-in is very lightweight. It looks like coconut milk to me and is very watery. This is my favorite spray when refreshing my curls mid-week, or during the warmer seasons when thicker leave-ins can weigh my hair down.
Lottabody Moisturize Me Curl & Style Milk
Lottabody has been with me through the struggle, y’all, basically since myΒ transitioning days. I always find my way back to their products as they’re inexpensive. The amount of moisture my hair receives with this Curl & Style Milk is unreal. It provides shine and helps define my braid out’s. Also, the pump provides so much convenience as my hands always get slippery in the detangling/styling process.
Scent:Β For some reason, the Curl & Style Milk has always smelled like something cherry-flavored to me. It isn’t a strong smell, but it’s noticeable. Fortunately, the smell goes away once applied to your hair. So don’t freak out if you’re not crazy about the initial smell.
Consistency: The Curl & Style Milk is VERY thick, it reminds me of lotion. I prefer to use this product in colder weather when my hair needs a thick product for moisture.
Favorite Styling Creams/Gels
SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
Having used this product for years, I really can’t picture my natural hair routine without it. It’s a great styling cream that helps define my braid-out, gives my hair shine, and keeps my hair moisturized. I get no flakiness once my hair has dried with the product.
Scent: It has a tropical-type of smell to me. It isn’t an unpleasant smell, but I can see it not being a favorite for some. Luckily, the smell goes away once applied to your hair.
Consistency: The Curl Enhancing Smoothie has a creamy texture and a medium consistency. It isn’t watery, but it also isn’t extremely thick.
Lottabody Shape Me Custard Gelee
Another product that has been with me since my transitioning days. I don’t normally use gel, due to the fear of crunchiness or flakiness, but this product does none of that. My set styles (e.g. braid/twist out, etc.) come out extremely defined and soft. This 7 oz container is also fairly inexpensive.
Scent: Like most of the Lottabody line, the custard gelee smells fruity. It isn’t a strong smell and it doesn’t linger once applied.
Consistency: The custard gelee has a gelatin feel and is somewhat sticky. A little goes a long way when styling.
6 comments
Hello..I stumbled across your blog and I have to say I love it! You’ve provided me with so many tips and products I didn’t even know about. I do have a few questions. How often should you use clarifying shampoo and how do you know when to use it. Also I am in the military and find myself using a lot of gel and pulling my hair back a lot causing the front portion of my hair to be a lot straighter than the rest. Do you have any suggestions or ideas on how I can revive the front of my head and styles I can do to relieve some of the tension and stress I put on my hair?
Hi Theda, thank you for leaving a comment! I’m so happy to know my blog has been of help to you! I’d be happy to answer your questions, and please let me know if you have any additional questions/comments!
In regards to how often you should use a clarifying shampoo, it varies for person-to-person. While I shampoo my hair weekly, I only use a clarifying shampoo maybe twice a month (maximum). But this all depends on how my hair feels. I’d clarify if:
But of course, there’s other reasons you may need to use a clarifying shampoo. You just have to be aware of the changes in your hair in regards to look and feel.
And for the hair in the front of your head, it could be straighter for a few reasons:
I hope this was helpful! ?
I have 4c hair and I’ve recently used the Shea moisture jbco shampoo and conditioner. Im new to the natural hair journey. After the wash my hair felt kinda dry and wasn’t as soft as my first use. Should I switch to another product?
Hi Cindy!
If your’re willing, I’d say give it one more try and maybe dilute the shampoo with water (1 part water, 1 part shampoo in a spray bottle) before applying to your hair. If you’re still noticing that your hair isn’t responding well to the JBCO shampoo & conditioner I would definitely suggest finding another shampoo & conditioner.
I hope that helps! ?
I find it very hard to keep up with legit blogs and discussions on websites… Do you also don’t his, have these conversations on YouTube or IG because I’d love to subscribe or follow you on one of those or both.
Hi! I do have an IG page, it’s @curlyhairadventuresblog. Also, you can subscribe to my newsletter where I send email updates once a month!