Learning how to take care of natural hair can feel like a struggle.
There are many moving parts to a natural hair routine, and it can be quite overwhelming when creating one for the first time.
When we don’t have a solid and sustainable natural hair routine implemented, we can fall into dangerous traps such as subscribing to a “more is more” mentality.
This can look like purchasing too many products and over-moisturizing our hair (which, yes, is a thing!).
Although there’s nothing with experimenting with new products, this approach can cause more damage to our hair (and our wallets!) long-term, if we’re not careful.
Simply put, the key to creating a natural hair routine is focusing on two things: simplicity and consistency.
A simple natural hair routine doesn’t have the space for a million products because you use what works. Capitalism and consumerism tell us we need to have a million products in our routines to have healthy hair, and this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Consistency is the second piece of the puzzle. Nothing is worth doing if you are not consistent, and this principle also works with natural hair.
Whether we want to see more growth, more moisture or more definition, all we need is a simple routine that we implement consistently, and we’ll be guaranteed to see results.
Here’s the tea on how to take care of natural hair, broken down on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
How To Take Care of Natural Hair: Daily
On a day-to-day basis, it’s all about listening to your hair.
Learning how to take care of natural hair daily is a skill that you will refine as you go along on your natural hair journey, so don’t worry if you are new to this and don’t have solid footing yet.
Here are some general tips to guide you on daily maintenance of natural hair.
Avoid Too Much Manipulation
Manipulating natural hair comes in many forms. But on a daily basis, our biggest problem are our own fingers!
Many of us absent-mindedly play with our hair throughout the day. Whether that’s picking at our ends, twirling our coils around our fingers or obsessively fluffing, our fingers can be quite the busy-bodies!
Unfortunately for us, our fingers snatch and absorb the precious moisture from our hair, increasing dryness.
Try to keep your hands out of your hair as much as possible. If you really want to play with your hair, rub some olive oil or coconut oil into your palms prior as a buffer.
Sleep With A Satin
Sleeping with satin (or silk) is a non-negotiable!
Cotton pillowcases rob the moisture from our curls, leaving our hair dry and lifeless the next day. Even sleeping with cotton for one night can cause dryness, which then accelerates breakage.
You’ll also notice that your styles won’t last as long.
Satin and silk will keep the moisture where it belong – in your hair! This will allow you to retain your style for much longer and reduce the potential for breakage, split ends and single-strand knots.
Natural Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
Best for ALL NATURALS
A silk pillowcase is the most effective way to protect your natural hair at night. This pillowcase is made from mulberry silk, the highest quality silk on the market today. Comes to a wide variety of colours to match your bedroom aesthetic (with a cotton underside for affordability). Use code THECURLMARKET15 for 15% off your purchase!
Re-Moisturize (if needed)
This is the part where, as naturals, we need to learn the art of listening to our hair, a skill that many of us haven’t achieved.
Our hair will tell us what it wants. If it feels dry before your next wash day, spray some water on it and re-moisturize using a rich and hydrating leave-in (if you don’t know, a spray bottle is so so handy for naturals – and they’re super affordable!).
If your hair is still feeling juicy and moisturized by the time you reach wash day, feel free to push back your washing your hair until it feels dry. The choice is yours!
Fine Mist Spray Bottle
Best for ALL NATURALS
Water is imperative to moisturize natural hair. When your hair feels dry, it’s not craving more products, it’s craving water. She’s thirsty!
Rather than getting any old bottle for your hair, get yourself a spray bottle where the water is ejected as a mist rather than a stream.
Your coily hair will be able to absorb water as a mist because the particles are smaller.
The best part? It’s affordable AF.
How To Take Care of Natural Hair: Weekly
On a weekly basis, your hair is most likely dry and dirty, and begging for a moisture re-up. The key: a thorough wash day routine!
Moisture starts with wash day, so let’s get into what a proper wash day looks like.
Weekly Detangling Session – pre-poo treatment
Detangling natural hair is an inherently damaging process. Naturals have a genetic predisposition to fragility – the tighter our curl pattern, the likely we’ll experience breakage.
Weekly detangling is the perfect middle ground to ensuring that our coils remain tangle-free, and breakage-free. Looser curl patterns (Type 2 and 3) can detangle twice a week.
The best time to detangle your hair? During the pre-poo stage.
Pre-poos, which are treatments prior to shampooing, has two benefits:
- Acts as a barrier between your hair and the shampoo, as shampoo is an inherently stripping and drying process; and,
- Reduces time spent in the shower.
You don’t need to go out and buy an expensive pre-poo treatment. DIY pre-poos are just as effective: mix in your go-to conditioner (make sure it has slip), olive oil and a couple drops of your fave essential oil (rosemary oil is the best for hair growth!).
Apply the mixture to your hair in sections, spray some water on each section, and slowly detangle.
Allow the treatment to sit in overnight, or a couple hours after your shower – whatever works for your schedule!
Wash Day
Once a week, you should complete a full wash day routine to keep your hair clean and moisturized, and your scalp healthy. This is a critical step when learning how to take care of natural hair: if you master the wash day process, you’ve pretty much mastered being natural!
Remember: moisture starts with wash day so it’s important not to skip any steps.
In a nutshell, your wash day routine should look something like this:
- Pre-poo
- A pre-shampoo treatment to prep your hair for shampoo
- Use this time to detangle (if using a slippery conditioner)
- Shampoo
- A critical step for all naturals – simply co-washing (using only conditioner) is not enough!
- If possible, have two shampoos in rotation: a moisturizing shampoo (sulfate-free), which are gentler for weekly use; and a clarifying shampoo (or a clay mask) which are best for monthly deep cleaning
- Shampoo should be used at least once a week on all hair types
- If you have Type 4b and 4c hair, shampoo biweekly with a co-wash session in-between
- Focus your efforts on the scalp – do not shampoo the whole hair, as this can be drying for natural hair
Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo
Best for TYPE 4
This shampoo is one of the most moisturizing shampoos on the market – and this is an understatement! If you’re pre-pooed properly, your hair will feel soft and supple after shampooing with this product. Key ingredients such as honey and panthenol promotes moisture retention and hydration throughout the shampoo process. A must try for Type 4 naturals!
Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Deep Cleansing Shampoo
Best for TYPE 3 – 4a
This is a great shampoo if you have low porosity natural hair, but also great if you have scalp issues such as flakiness, dryness/oiliness, or itchiness. It contains tea tree and willow bark extract, which will calm the scalp and assist with skin turnover, which is essential if dealing with any of the above scalp issues.
- Conditioner
- Contains emollients to soften the hair after the shampoo and reduce frizz
- Use a conditioner with slip for light finger-detangling (if needed)
- If Type 2-3b, can skip this step and go straight to deep conditioning
- Deep conditioner
- Includes delivery agents that brings moisture deeper into the hair cuticle
- Repairs and restores the hair for the week to come
- Must be used every time hair is washed and shampooed
- Look for deep conditioners fortified with plant-based ingredients such as aloe vera, honey, and plant-based oils
Best for TYPE 4
A cult favourite deep conditioner, This deep conditioner contains essential plant-based oils and butters loved by all naturals: manuka honey, mango butter and aloe vera, and also includes innovative ingredients such as hemp seed oil and blue-green algae. And it smells like mint chocolate chip!
Thank God It’s Natural Honey Miracle Hair Mask
Best for TYPE 4
One of the most superior ingredient list of any deep conditioner on the market. The ingredient list is short and simple and formulated with primarily juicy plant-based ingredients. Honey is the SECOND ingredient, meaning that you’ll truly feel the softening effects from the honey after rinsing. Jojoba oil and aloe vera, the third and fourth ingredients respectively, are incredibly beneficial for moisturizing natural hair. A must have for coilier textures!
Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque
Best for TYPE 2-3b
The OG of deep conditioners. It contains deep sea kelp and shea butter to provide deep hydration right into the hair shaft. This mask is great for looser curl patterns. For best results, use in the shower after shampooing (in replace of a regular conditioner) for 15 minutes.
- Moisturize and seal
- Use high-grade, quality moisturizing products to keep the hair moisturized until the next wash day
- In general, follow the LOC method for high porosity hair and LCO method for low porosity hair
- Liquid (L)
- Must be water-based – either a leave-in conditioner or just water
- For Type 2a-3b, choose a light-weight leave-in spray or water
- For Type 3c-4a, opt for a leave-in milk or light cream
- Oil
- Use sealant oils to lock in the moisture – examples include castor oil and olive oil
- For looser curls, use light-weight oils such as argan oil
- For tighter coils, opt for thicker oils such as castor oil or shea butter
- Cream
- Used for additional moisture
- Great for twist-outs and braid-outs
- Can be skipped for gel
- Gels
- Prioritizes definition and shine
- Hair must be moisturized first prior to applying
- Great for wash and go’s
- Liquid (L)
Thank God It’s Natural Daily Moisturizer
Best for TYPE 3c-4
No other moisturizer exists on the market quite like this one – not only does it have amazing slip, but it’s rich formula with shea butter and vitamin E will help flatten your cuticles and promote hydration all week long.
Shea Moisture Curl and Style Milk
Best for TYPE 2-3b
A light-weight, hydrating leave-in moisturizer. Perfect for Type 2 and 3 naturals with loose curls and waves. Be light-handed when applying and focus on your ends for more volume and curl definition.
Camille Rose Almond Jai Twisting Butter
Best for TYPE 4
If you’re looking for a setting cream for your twist-outs and braid-outs, look no further: this twisting butter is so rich and creamy, your hair will feel supple and soft after taking down the style. Olive oil plays well with this product!
Earthtones Naturals Curl Enhancing Jelly
Best for TYPE 4
A Canadian-based brand, Earthtones Naturals focuses on holistic, natural ingredients – and this gel is no exception. Its formulated with some ingredients such as aloe leaf juice, panthenol and sea kelp to define your coils until wash day!
Kinky Curly Curling Custard
Best for TYPE 2 – 3b
This gel is a cult classic. Long before the plethora of hair gels for natural hair, this gel was holding it down for the curls. Great for looser curls (Type 2 and 3) looking for hold and definition. Be light-handed when applying and focus your efforts on your ends to get the curl definition without losing volume.
Wash Your Pillowcase/Bonnet/Scarf as Needed
Let’s be real: when’s the last time you washed your bonnet?
Your sleeping satins, whether it’s a bonnet, pillowcase or scarf, can harbor bacteria and dirt throughout the week. This will transfer to your hair and scalp – gross!
Be sure to wash your items weekly to keep sanitary.
How To Take Care of Natural Hair: Monthly
Monthly maintenance of natural hair is all about a reset. We do a lot to our hair on a daily and weekly basis, so it’s important to press the reset button on our curls and give our hair a bit of a break.
Dust Your Ends (if needed)
Your ends are the oldest part of your hair. As a result, they contain the most breakage, are the most porous, and overall are the most damaged section of hair.
If these damaged ends aren’t trimmed, they can split up the hair shaft, causing unnecessary breakage.
Take stock of the state of your ends at the end of every month. If you’re noticing that your ends look wispy, thin and contain some split ends, take a pair of shear scissors (never use household scissors) and lightly dust these areas.
Remember: you don’t have to cut your hair every month, but it’s good practice to look at your ends consistently and see if you need any trimming.
Shear Hair Scissors by Utopia
Best for ALL NATURALS
These scissors by Utopia are professional grade shears, made of 100% stainless steal for long-lasting durability. Natural hair is fragile AF so they won’t cause additional breakage to your sensitive coils. Best of all – they’re affordable AF!
Clarify Your Scalp
Shampoo is a critical part of any natural hair routine, as we’ve established above. A chronically dirty scalp can lead to scalp inflammation, follicle damage and dermatitis.
Your scalp is the birthplace of hair, and thus should be taken care of!
On a weekly basis, using a gentle shampoo will keep the scalp clean and the hair moisturized. But once a month, it’s important to use a clarifying shampoo to really get in your scalp and clean it out.
These shampoos usually contain sulfates, which are known to be too harsh to be used on natural hair weekly. But using them once a month (with a pre-poo treatment done before as a barrier) will not dry out your hair.
Another cheaper and more holistic alternative is using a clay mask. Clay naturally pulls toxins from the hair and scalp, and once you rinse it out, your hair will be defined and dirt-free.
To do a clay mask:
- Mix water, clay, oil and apple cider vinegar in a non-metal bowl and mix with a non-metal utensil
- Apply the mixture on pre-detangled hair in sections, focusing on the roots and ends. Leave on for 20 minutes.
- Wash off with lukewarm water. Allow the water to wash off the clay and do not touch your hair until the clay is removed.
- Apply a generous amount of conditioner to the hair and lightly finger detangle. Deep condition and style as usual.
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
Best for TYPE 4
The dominant clay in this mask is bentonite clay, which is known for its ability to attract and suck out impurities in the hair and skin. Using this once a month, mixed with ACV, will lift dirt left over by your sulfate-free shampoo. You’ll notice lighter, softer and more defined coils after using it!
Protein Treatment
Did you know that curls and coils are made up of protein?
Keratin, a unique protein made by our bodies, keeps our coils bouncy and elastic. Without it, our curls would be straight, limp and lifeless!
Lifestyle (diet and nutrition) and traumatic hair care practices such as detangling and styling can wear the protein from our hair, resulting in curls that don’t curl as they used to.
As a result, we need to keep up with regular protein treatments to keep our protein levels nice and balanced.
Here’s how to do a protein treatment:
- Complete your wash day routine. Instead of deep conditioning, apply your protein treatment in sections.
- Leave on for 15-20 minutes
- Wash off with lukewarm water and follow up with a moisturizing deep conditioner for balance.
- Moisturize and style as per usual
Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor
Best for ALL NATURALS
This protein treatment is AMAZING for a protein up-keep. Your hair will be defined and bouncy immediately after washing it out.
For looser curls and waves – apply in the shower every 3 months for 2 minutes. Only apply where your curls are most pronounced.
For Type 3c-4c, use on a monthly basis for 15 minutes.
Give Your Hair A Break
Natural hair is inherently fragile. The waves, bends, kinks and coils in our hair all represent potential areas of weakness. The tighter our curl pattern, the more fragile our hair!
Protective styling is a great way to give your hair the break it needs.
For one week out of the month, it’s great practice to put your hair away in a low maintenance protective style (dutch braids, bantu knots, cornrows, etc.) to allow your hair to rest from a month’s worth of looks.
Final Thoughts on How To Care for Natural Hair
Learning how to care for natural hair may seem complicated, but the most important takeaway is this: listen to your hair.
Paying attention to your hair and learning what it needs is a subtle art that even the most seasoned natural struggles with.
But if you can refine this skill, combined with a strong daily, weekly and monthly routine, you’ll notice healthier, more moisturized curls.
