It’s been three years since my last roundup, and I’m often asked what my current favorite products are. So I’m sharing an updated list of my favorite natural hair products. Since that last post, I’ve tried, and fallen in love with, tons of new natural hair products!
Emoji-key:
- βπΎ means they’re Black owned
- π©πΎ means they’re Black-woman owned
Pre-shampoo
Disclaimer: I didn’t include a “conditioner” section to this favorites list because I typically use them for pre-shampoos.
Inahsi Naturals: Soothing Mint Moisturizing Conditioner π©πΎ
This is my favorite conditioner to use for pre-shampooing because the slip is amazing thanks to the aloe. It also feels refreshing and stimulating on my scalp thanks to the mint, and smells amazing!
African Pride: Moisture Miracle Pre-shampoo
You probably remember this one from my 2018 list, and it’s still in my rotation. With aloe vera and coconut water as the main ingredients, this pre-shampoo makes detangling SO much easier for me. My hair feels moisturized and soft, and it really sets the tone for my entire wash day.
Read my review of the African Pride Moisture Miracle collection.
Shampoo
Design Essentials: Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo βπΎ
This is the first shampoo to honestly leave me speechless. It has a thicker consistency than most shampoos Iβve tried and lathers easily, so a little goes a long way. Since I detangle during the pre-shampoo and deep conditioning steps, Iβm unsure if this shampoo is easy to detangle with. I do, however, feel like my hair is very moisturized after every use of this shampoo.
Bask & Bloom: Rhassoul & Bentonite Clay Shampoo Bar π©πΎ
Probably the best multi-purpose product, this is my go-to shampoo when traveling because it’s great at cleansing my scalp. And since it’s a shampoo bar, it doesn’t count as a liquid when traveling. You can also use it as a facial cleanser.
Inahsi Naturals: Soothing Mint Gentle Cleansing Shampoo π©πΎ
I’m obsessed with the cooling and tingling sensation that the mint provides in this shampoo. I truly feel like I’m pampering my hair, and it’s amazing at cleaning my scalp without leaving it dry.
(use code curlyhairadventures for 15% off your Inahsi Naturals order)
Deep conditioner
Bask & Bloom: Brahmi Root Hair Masque π©πΎ
This mask is LIFE, I mean, the ingredients speak for themselves. From marshmallow, yucca, and burdock root, to avocado oil, raw honey, and hydrolyzed wheat protein. This was also my first introduction to Ayurvedic herbs! My curls feel soft, moisturized, and strong after every use. Detangling with this product in my hair is an absolute breeze, and the smell is amazing. The consistency is thick β and y’all know how much I love a deep conditioner with a thick consistency. I also love that it just melts into my hair. I HIGHLY suggest you sit under a steamer or hooded dryer for extra moisture. Trust me, your curls will love you for this!
Design Essentials: Almond & Avocado Wash Day Deep Moisture MasqueβπΎ
This might be the thickest masque I’ve ever tried, and I love that! It’s also very creamy, so a little goes a long way. My hair always feels soft after rinsing this product out, and it smells amazing.
SheaMoisture: Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque
Another product from the 2018 list, I’ve been using this masque since I started my natural hair journey. And it’s definitely going to stay in rotation, as long as the formula doesn’t change. It’s moisturizing, makes detangling very easy, and contains a small amount of protein. Also, I love the thick consistency, so I don’t need to apply a lot to my hair.
Protein treatment
Hydratherma Naturals: Amino Plus Protein Deep Conditioning Treatment π©πΎ
Before this product, I’ve only used one protein treatment consistently (see SheaMoisture Protein Power Treatment below). I’ve tried other treatments but wasn’t thrilled with them. Either they left my curls feeling hard, stiff, and dry, or didn’t strengthen my hair. But the Amino Plus Protein Deep Conditioning Treatment moisturizes and strengthens my hair at once. In fact, I’ve used this treatment more than once a month and my curls felt balanced with protein and moisture.
Sheamoisture: Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein Power Treatment
This is my staple protein treatment when all else fails β no need to fix what isn’t broken, right? Since my hair has high porosity, it pretty much loves any product with protein in it. This protein power treatment is no different. In fact, I use this treatment more than once a month because it’s also very moisturizing. It’s hard to come across protein treatments that not only strengthen your hair but also leave it soft and moisturized. But this product does just that, and I can detangle using this product with no issues. Although the jar is small, this product is thick in consistency, so a little goes a long way.
Leave- in conditioner
Bask & Bloom: More Moisture Cream π©πΎ
I’m not sure what my life was like before this leave-in, seriously, this product is everything. I LOVE how thick and creamy it is, and the smell is amazing! Also, the amount of definition and shine I get with this leave-in alone is unbelievable. My curls love all the ingredients in this product, from aloe vera juice to avocado oil and so much more!
TrΓ©Luxe: Untie the Knot Leave-in Conditioner π©πΎ
Another product I’ve been using since 2018, it’s my favorite leave-in during the warmer months. Since the consistency isn’t thick, it feels so lightweight on my hair. But, interestingly enough, it also isn’t thin either. It’s like a lotion-y type of consistency if that makes sense? So you don’t need to use it a lot, but it won’t weigh down your hair either. This leave-in also makes detangling easy. I love the smell, it’s like a cinnamon spice type of fragrance and makes me think of the holiday season.
Inahsi Naturals: Aloe Hibiscus Leave-in Conditioner & Detangler π©πΎ
I use this leave-in as a detangler for pre-shampooing and a leave-in when styling. But it says you can use it “daily or several times a week” to moisturize and refresh your hair. The slip from this leave-in is incredible and helps strengthen your hair with the avocado and coconut oils.
(use code curlyhairadventures for 15% off your Inahsi Naturals order)
Cream/Gel/Mousse
Bask & Bloom: Essentials Silky Aloe Curl Pudding π©πΎ
Hands down, Bask & Bloom’s Curl Pudding and the More Moisture Cream are my FAVORITE. Following up with this Curl Pudding after the cream makes my hair feel insanely moisturized. This Curl Pudding has a whipped type of texture and applies like butter. It feels so light and fluffy but heavy at the same time, so use sparingly. Most times, I question if I need to even follow up with an oil since this product seals in moisture. Also, between this Curl Pudding and the More Moisture Cream, my braid and twist-outs come out SO defined.
Bask & Bloom: Curl Mousse π©πΎ
The Bask & Bloom Curl Mousse has made me a believer in hair mousse. I’ve always been under the impression that mousses were meant to make your hair stiff. So, I’ve steered clear of them in the past. However, this mousse is surprisingly moisturizing, gives a great hold, and leaves my hair shiny. And it didn’t leave my hair feeling hard or crunchy once it dried.
TrΓ©Luxe: Curl Supreme 4-in-1 Hydrating Creme π©πΎ
I honestly use this creme with just a sealant oil in the colder months because it’s thick in consistency. I love how my curls immediately start to clump when applying this product, and my curls always look so defined. It also has a nice, light, floral scent.
African Pride: Moisture Miracle Gel n’ Cream
Another styler I love to use as a standalone product. The Gel n’ Cream, gives my hair great definition from the gel, but also amazing moisture from the cream. It literally clumps my curls as soon as it’s applied. Since it’s thicker in consistency, I like to use it during the colder months and seal with oil.
Inahsi Naturals: Rock Your Curls Curl Enhancing Cream π©πΎ
And yet another styler I love to use as a standalone product. This cream is thick and provides moisture and definition. Since its consistency is thick, I like to use it during the colder months and seal it with oil.
(use code curlyhairadventures for 15% off your Inahsi Naturals order)
Oil
SharNaturals: Fresh Herbs and Ayurvedic Oil π©πΎ
This is my primary oil – I’ve been using it for about four years now. I incorporate it into different steps in my wash day including pre-shampooing, hot oil treatment, and as a sealant. The Fresh Herbs and Ayurvedic oil can be used for scalp massages and promotes hair growth. The ingredients are also amazing, from fresh herbs like lavender, basil, rosemary, sage and thyme. To ayurvedic powders like aloe vera leaf, amla, brahmi, turmeric, neem, and ginger root.
Bask & Bloom: Stimulating Herbal Oil π©πΎ
Another great multi-purpose oil. Like the SharNaturals oil, I use this one for hot oil treatments and as a sealant. I use this one when I want a lighter oil as the SharNaturals oil can be a little heavier.