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Comparing Natural Hair Products

The BEST Products for Natural Hair

Natural hair products are an important, yet confusing part of any natural hair journey.

There are so many options to choose from – leave-in conditioners, deep conditioners, gels. How do you know which products you need? And how do you know which products will work best for you?

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to have a million products in your arsenal. You don’t need to blow the bank to have a solid natural hair routine.

In fact, the best natural hair routines are simple and non-complex.

Below you’ll find our most helpful tips when navigating the fun (yet intimidating) world of natural hair products, including our top recommendations for all hair types.

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What To Look For In Natural Hair Products

Despite what most people think, not all natural hair products are made the same. And depending on your natural hair type and porosity, your product needs will differ from one natural to the next. Listening to your fave influencer isn’t enough – here’s what to look for in natural hair products, including tips to help you understand which natural hair product will work for your hair type and hair porosity.

The Best Products for Low Porosity 4c Hair

an image of olaplex no 3 hair repair as one of the best products for low porosity 4c hair

Choosing the best products for low porosity 4c hair should be an intentional process.

For 4c low porosity hair, having a solid arsenal of go-to products can be the difference between healthy hair and dry hair.

You don’t need a million and one products. Investing in 3-4 high-quality, moisture-rich products and tools will take you further than using a whole range of products that may not work for you.

Here’s what you need to know!

Here Are The Best (And Most Affordable) Curl Defining Products for 4c Hair

an image of TGIN miracle repair protective leave in conditioner showing curl defining products for 4c hair

It’s simple, really: the best curl defining products for 4c hair are ones that are moisture-rich (aka water-based!), hella conditioning, provide ample slip and lock in all that glorious moisture.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not hard to pop and define 4c coils. Here’s how!

The Best Conditioners For Dry Natural Hair

redken all soft conditioner showing best conditioner for natural hair

Conditioners are the unsung heroes of wash day.

Simply put, the best conditioner for dry natural hair is one that is rich and slippery, makes your hair incredibly pliable and lubricated, and reduces friction in your strands.

Here are the best conditioners for natural hair!

8 Quality Leave-in Conditioners To Nourish Your 4c Coils 

an image of TGIN miracle repairx protective leave in conditioner for 4c hair

Using a leave-in conditioner for 4c hair can, in many cases, make or break your entire natural hair regimen.

Think about it: leave-in conditioners are the first leave-in stylers you apply to your hair after wash day.

When choosing a leave-in conditioner for your beautiful 4c hair, you must understand your specific hair needs This is especially true for 4c coils that are more prone to breakage due to the tight curl texture.

Here are the best leave-in conditioners for 4c hair!

Here Are The Best Shampoos for Healthy, Clean Natural Hair 

redken all soft shampoo against a blue background showing the best shampoo for natural hair

Shampoo is a non-negotiable in any solid natural hair routine. Clean hair is the only clear path to healthy curls and coils – in other words, dirty hair is not healthy hair! Opting to forgo shampoo will result in negative adverse scalp and hair issues such as constant dryness, chronic buildup and scalp inflammation, which can lead to hair loss.

A well-formulated shampoo will not dry out your hair. Here are the best shampoos for natural hair!

The Best Heat Protectant On The Market For Natural Hair

an image of Chi Silk Infusion showing the best heat protectant for natural hair

Using a heat protectant when heat styling natural hair is a non-negotiable. Heat protectants are designed to protect your coils from the harsh heat of your tools, keep your hair from reverting and encourage a sleeker, silkier look. Here is the best heat protectant for natural hair!

Here’s Why You Need A Hooded Hair Dryer For More Moisturized Coils

an image of the red by kiss 1875 hooded hair dryer showing the best hooded hair dryer

Having a hooded dryer for natural hair at home may seem a little extra, but the benefits of investing in a hooded hair dryer cannot be overstated. Not only does it make your wash day experience more of a self-care experience (and less of a chore), but it will do wonders for the look, feel and overall hydration levels of your natural hair. Here’s how!

The Best Natural Hair Gifts For That Special Natural In Your Life

a photo of a girl in braids receiving a Christmas gift

Looking for the best natural hair gifts for that special natural in your life? We’ve collected some of the latest and greatest natural hair tech, products, home goods and lifestyle products that will show your natural-friend just how much you care. These products will also make a great Christmas gift for the holidays.

The Best Silk Products for Natural Hair

an image of a silk pillowcase for natural hair

We can all agree that cotton is not a natural’s friend. Sleeping directly on cotton will suck the moisture out of your hair, reducing the longevity of your style and increasing the likelihood of breakage. Using silk bonnets, silk pillowcases and even silk scrunchies for natural hair can significantly improve the overall look and feel of your coils.

Here’s the science behind using silk for natural hair, including our fave silk staples.

Is Rice Water Worth The Hype? Here’s What You Need To Know, According to Science

an image of rice in a bowl for rice water

Rice water for hair has made quite the name for itself as a “miracle hair growth recipe”. While nothing in life can grow your hair overnight, many naturals claim that their hair has significantly improved in elasticity, shine and definition, as well as length retention, after using it. There are also some naturals have experienced adverse effects to using rice water, such as dryness, breakage and shedding – the polar opposite of healthy hair. Let’s get into the science behind rice water for natural hair.

The Top 5 Deep Conditioners for 4c Hair

deep conditioner for 4c hair

Having a deep understanding of the best deep conditioners for 4c hair is imperative to keep dryness and breakage at bay. 4c hair can be healthy, hydrated and happy, just like other hair types. And the best deep conditioners for 4c natural hair aim to do just that! Here are the best deep conditioners for 4c natural hair.

The Best Products for Protein Sensitive Hair

an image of TGIN miracle repairx deep treatment masque for protein sensitive hair

Protein sensitivity is a relatively under-researched topic in the natural hair world. Many naturals often cite adverse effects after using protein treatments and protein-based products, such as brittle, stiff hair. Protein treatments are meant to strengthen the hair, not dry it out. If this sounds like you, you may be “protein sensitive”. Here’s what you need to know about protein sensitivity, including the best products for protein sensitive hair.

How To Use Olaplex on Natural Hair

an image of Olaplex for curly hair

Olaplex has been made quite a splash in the natural hair community over the past couple of years. A salon-grade brand, Olaplex’s mandate is to repair, protect and strengthen all hair types for visibly noticeable results. Many naturals wonder, as the brand is not targeted directly to coily hair, if using Olaplex for curly hair is worth the hype. Here’s everything you need to know about using Olaplex for curly hair.

The Real Tea On Using Clay Masks for Natural Hair

an image of the indian healing aztec clay mask

Using clay masks for natural hair, although quite popular in the natural hair community, is a relatively new concept in the modern beauty world. Many naturals swear by clays for detoxifying, detangling and defining their coils, but, just like all things in life, there is a right and wrong way to use clay masks. Here’s the ultimate guide to using clay masks for hair, including which clay is best for your hair type and porosity!

The Best Camille Rose Products for Type 4 Naturals!

an image of Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk with a yellow flower

Camille Rose hair products are well-known and well-loved in the natural hair community. Boasting a “natural is best” approach to their ingredients and product formulation, this brand has become a household staple in almost every natural’s arsenal. And although their products target curly-coily hair, it’s important to understand which of their collections will work with your hair type, porosity and strand width. As such, here are the top Camille Rose hair products for Type 4 hair!

The Top 8 Nourishing Protein Treatments for Natural Hair

an image of a black girl with curly hair in a field of sunflowers

Fact: having a protein treatment in your routine is essential for breakage-free coils. Unlike deep conditioning, where the aim is conditioning, moisturizing and softening the hair, natural hair protein treatments are to strengthen and support the cortex and cuticle layer, which helps to strengthen the strands, reduces breakage and increase elasticity.  Not all protein treatments for natural hair work the same, so it’s important to create a protein regimen that caters to your porosity, curl texture, hair width and density. Here’s the skinny on the best protein treatment for natural hair!

The Best Leave-in Conditioners for Natural Hair in 2021

an image of soultanicals knot sauce showing the best leave in conditioners for natural hair in 2021

Not all leave in conditioners for natural hair are formulated the same. Some are formulated with moisture in mind, containing a plethora of film-forming humectants and conditioning agents to soften and moisturize the hair. There are some that contain varying-sized proteins that aim to promote strength in the hair’s cortex, increasing the hair’s rigidity. And then there’s everything in between: products that are moisture-protein balancing, are heat protecting, fill in cuticle gaps, etc. It can be overwhelming trying to navigate the expansive world of natural hair products, especially leave-in conditioners, but we got you! Here are the best leave-in conditioners for natural hair in 2021.

Is Mielle Organics Rice Water Collection Worth The Hype?

an image of the mielle rice water collection clay masque in some clouds

Since the brand’s inception, Mielle has focused on providing high-quality natural hair products for curly-coily naturals. With the successful launch of their first line of products, the Advanced Line formula, Mielle has grown to be a household-name brand, finding success in their subsequent launches. Here’s our take on the Mielle Organics Rice Water Collection and what products you should grab from the collection (if any). 

The Best Products for High Porosity Natural Hair

an image of the best products for high porosity hair_aphogee, mielle and shea moisture

When it comes to choosing the best products for high porosity hair, there’s a lot that needs to be taken into consideration. High porosity strands are sensitive, so the products you choose will make or break your high porosity hair routine. In particular, high porosity needs products that are restorative, strengthening, conditioning, and moisturizing to reduce friction between the strands and help fortify the cuticle. Here are the best products for high porosity hair!

10 Products Your Low Porosity Hair Has Been Waiting For 

an image of a bunch of Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-in Conditioner

Fact: low porosity hair struggles with moisture absorption. Due to the flat and tight cuticles, your (v expensive) products tend to sit on top of your hair, causing product buildup. As such, your low-po hair requires lightweight, penetrative and highly moisturizing products to encourage absorption. Here are the best products for low porosity hair to achieve happy, hydrated coils!

The Best Gel For Natural Hair

an image of camille rose aloe whipped butter gel_the best gel for natural hair

Gels have a bad rep in the natural hair community for being drying and flaky, but properly formulated gels can lock in moisture effectively to make your curls pop and shine all week. Here are the best gels for natural hair for your wash and go’s, twist outs and other natural hairstyles!

How To Deep Condition Natural Hair

Black Natural Curly Hair Woman Sunset Background

Learning how to deep condition natural hair may seem intuitive, but many naturals are not deep conditioning optimally enough to keep moisture locked in all week. Deep conditioning is more than just doing a hair mask – it’s a science that consists of knowing your hair type, porosity, and product formulation. Here’s how to deep condition like a seasoned pro to keep your coils happy and hydrated.

Best Shampoo for Low Porosity Natural Hair

Black Natural Curly Hair Woman Sunset Background

Shampoos must be a staple for low porosity naturals. Because low porosity coils are flat and tight, product buildup rapidly occurs on because products tend to sit atop the hair strands instead of penetrating. To combat product buildup (and the dryness that comes along

The DevaCurl Scandal

Black Natural Curly Hair Woman Sunset Background

DevaCurl has been a prominent and visible natural hair brand for the last decade, however many of their long-standing customers (including their affiliated influencers) have recently expressed that DevaCurl products have damaged their hair. Here’s the scoop of the DevaCurl scandal and what you need to know.

DIY Natural Hair Masks

diy-natural-hair-masks

Let’s be real – natural hair products can be quite expensive, and sometimes inaccessible. But nothing’s more accessible than making your own DIY natural hair products at home. Many moisturizing, rich ingredients can be found right in your kitchen! Here are our fave recipes

Worst Ingredients for Natural Hair

worst-ingredients-for-natural-hair

Not all natural hair products are made the same. Product formulations vary across the board, and in some cases, the ingredients are subpar and cannot support the fragility of natural hair. Brands will often use these subpar ingredients to meet their bottom line, rather than quality ones.

Must Have Tools for Natural Hair

worst-ingredients-for-natural-hair

Having a strong and solid natural hair routine is more than just having an arsenal of products. The quality of your natural hair tools will make or break your routine. Some of these tools facilitate the absorption of your products, while others provide the hydration your curls need to remain strong. Here is the utlimate list of natural hair tools you need in your routine!

The Best Oils For Natural Hair

worst-ingredients-for-natural-hair

Natural hair loves oils, but not oils work the same way. Some oils are able to penetrate into the hair shaft and repair damage and breakage from the inside out. Some sit at the surface level, and are best as sealants. Some are great for high porosity natural hair, some are better used on low porosity naturals. Here’s a deeper look into the wonderful world of hair oils for natural hair and which oils are best for your hair porosity and type.

Hair Vitamins for Natural Hair

worst-ingredients-for-natural-hair

Social media is ladden with hair gummies, vitamins and lollipops that are unsafe and unregulated. Nutrition is a vital part of a solid and well-rounded beauty routine, but it’s important to understand which vitamins are best for natural hair and why. Here are the best vitamins for natural hair!

Aphogee Two-Step Protein Treatment Review

worst-ingredients-for-natural-hair

Protein treatments work to replenish our protein levels in our hair, which can slowly weather away due to environmental conditions and mechanical wear. The Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment and Two Minute Reconstructor are both top contenders in replenishing your protein levels. Here’s how to use them!

The Best Leave-In Conditioners for Natural Hair

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Leave-in conditioners are a crucial part of your natural hair routine – they lock in precious moisture from the previous wash day, prevent split ends and single strand knots, and keep your coils soft to the touch. Here are the best leave-in conditioners for natural hair!

The Best Deep Conditioners for Natural Hair

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Deep conditioners are 100% necessary in any natural hair routine. Moisture that is lost to the environment and our fingers are replenished by the hydrating ingredients of the deep conditioners. Here are the best deep conditioners for natural hair!

Natural Hair Shrinkage

worst-ingredients-for-natural-hair

Did you know that natural hair types can shrink up to 75% of its original length?! Natural hair shrinkage indicates healthy, balanced hair but sometimes we just want to show off our tresses. Here are 5 actionable things you can do to combat shrinkage (without compromising health!).

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Learning your curl type is an important step in learning how to take care of your natural hair. It can help you understand what products will work best for you, how often to shampoo, how to style your natural hair, and other key information.

This quiz will give you the lowdown on exactly what your curl type is, so you'll never have to wonder again ♥

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