My natural hair journey has been a bumpy one but, after trying nearly 100 different products for natural hair (78 to be exact!), I think I am finally getting to a point at which I have some definite staple products for my type 4 hair. My main hair concern has been, and still is, moisture retention, so most of these products are geared towards that.
PRE-POO
I'm still not convinced that pre-pooing is necessary so I do it intermittently, but discovering the 'Aloe & Coconut Water Detangle & Conditions Pre-Shampoo' from African Pride's Moisture Miracle line has definitely made it something I enjoy. It helps to detangle and add moisture to my hair before washing, so it's worth it.
SHAMPOO
I don't have a favourite shampoo, as long as it's sulphate free, I'm good. The one I've been using recently and have been enjoying is The Body Shop's 'Ginger Anti Dandruff Shampoo' (contains sulphates). I don't have dandruff but I sometimes suffer from an itchy scalp (usually when a product contains castor oil, which I am deathly allergic to) and I find that this shampoo helps to calm the itch.
CO-WASH
I don't co-wash often at all but when I do it's with As I Am's 'Coconut Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner'. It has slip, leaves my hair feeling clean and it doesn't dry my hair out. For those of you who follow the curly girl method, this co-wash is silicone free.
CONDITIONER
This is another step I'm not sure is required (I deep condition with every wash), but I sometimes do it straight after shampooing to detangle, and on the two instances that I don't deep condition - after a co-wash and when I wash my hair on holiday. The only real property I require for this product is slip because I usually follow it up with a deep conditioner, but I still opt for a moisturising one as I try to tackle moisture with every step. The Body Shop's 'Banana Truly Nourishing Conditioner' is perfect for this purpose. If you don't mind silicones, then Aussie's '3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Treatment' is a great alternative.
DEEP CONDITIONER
By far my favourite product for moisture retention, I am a sucker for good deep conditioner and have several staples. In no particular order:
1. Shea Moisture 'Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque': Best all rounder for moisture, slip, price and ease of access.
2. Shea Moisture 'Mangongo & Hemp Seed Oil High Porosity Moisture Correct ('Moisture Seal' in the UK) Masque': If you love thick products this is for you, but it's slightly harder to find.
3. Camille Rose Naturals 'Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Mask': This is the most pricey on the list but definitely worth it.
4. TGIN 'Honey Miracle Mask': Honey is always a winner when it comes to deep conditioner and this product did it just right.
5. Giovanni '50/50 Balanced Hydrating-Calming Conditioner': This has been a staple of mine for years now and I've written about it before. It's consistency is the thinnest on this list but the slip with this is unmatched and curls are instantly revived. I've used this as a co-wash and it works great that way too.
6. Design Essentials 'Coconut & Monoi Deep Moisture Masque': When I first put this in my hair I absolutely hated the feel of it, it felt like I'd covered my hair in PVA glue! But once I rinsed it out?! Bay-bee! Moisturised bouncy hair! Definitely not the conditioner for detangling but a great product nonetheless.
LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
Another product that I'm still not convinced is absolutely necessary, but my go-to simply out of habit, is the Kinky Curly 'Knot Today Leave In/Detangler'. Please note: I have never used it to detangle.
MOISTURISER
I have always loved a good lotion and I find them to be great refreshers. As stated in a previous post, I love the Shea Moisture 'Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk', but another good one is the Lotta Body 'Moisturize Me Curl & Style Milk'.
BUTTER
I have two butters that I swear by - Camille Rose 'Almond Jai Twisting Butter' (more moisturising) and Kera Care 'Butter Cream Everyday Moisturizer' (more defining). The latter contains castor oil so I have to make sure it doesn't make contact with my scalp AT ALL but it's still a fave. I clearly like living on the edge. Lol!
The only other products I use are oils, which I don't think require recommending and a gel (ECO Styler 'Professional Styling Gel - Olive Oil') for when I feel like I need a more sleek look.
I hope that this list is helpful to others who have been blessed with low porosity type 4 hair and to any other hair type who is struggling with moisture retention. If you do have any other suggestions, please pop them down in the comments, not only because I'm a product junkie and love to try new things, but because it could help someone else out too. Don't forget to like, share and subscribe!
Not Rude, Honest
xx
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