Everyone uses different products, has different washing methods, clip their ends differently, use this vitamin to help promote hair growth, etc. This has to be the question most frequently asked though..
"What do you use in your hair? Like how do you get it like that?"
I will be sure to keep you posted with what I use & no longer use but here's to it all..
Shampoo
Silk Elements Mixed Silk Gentle Cleansing Shampoo:
I love this because it's not heavy at all. I don't worry about too many suds, it's very affordable & guess what? It gets my hair clean! The smell honestly could be slightly better. IMO it kind of smells like the free sample shampoo's you would get from the HOJO on family vacations back in 1989 but it's just the shampoo so I get over it. It has a floral scent but it's not overbearing especially since I'm going to use conditioner next. If you want a Shampoo that will last as well, I would highly recommend this shampoo.
Where it can be purchased: I personally purchase mine from Sally's Beauty Supply. The regular price is is about $7.99 with a Sally's Card $7.19 however, the entire Mixed Silk line constantly goes on sale. I usually purchase them when they go on sale for 2/$10 and in addition to that, I also received a free gel as well during this past promotion. (Review on the Mixed Silk Curly Gel coming soon as well as the Mixed Silk Nourishing Deep Conditioner. Some swear by the deep conditioner, which I also picked up so let's see how this goes).
Conditioner:
- Herbal Essence Hello Hydration:
Now I know what some of you may thinking, nothing about this screams natural homegirl, but it works! They didn’t name it hello hydration for nothing! When I tell you this keeps my hair very moisturized and gets my curls all extra curl-i-fied. Love it! It smells very good as most Herbal Essence Products do, very tropical & you kind of escape for a sec with your eyes closed kind of like the original HE commercials (but not that extreme, with the moans etc. That is OD extreme) It just makes you feel good about your hair & def hydrates your hair & keeps it that way. The conditioner is blue which is slightly weird as it washes out blue but obviously it doesn’t stain or anything. Just get it, natural or not. Point, blank period.
Where it can be purchased: Anywhere. Walmart, Target, drugstores, grocery stores, wherever they sell hair and beauty products. I usually purchase mine wherever they are on sale and look out for coupons as well (Hello…) The 12 oz can cost you as little as $2 and some change & the 23.7 fl ounce under $5. Great steal loves!
- Aussie Moist Conditioner:
Surprise Surprise, yes another non-natural product conditioner. Moisture! So important when it comes to keeping natural hair healthy & so much easier to manage. Another steal that smells so amazing, with a semi thick consistency.
Where it can be purchased: Just like the Hello Hydration you can pick this up anywhere your lovely heart desires. Also very affordable and check for those sales My Dear! These fly off of the shelves.
- Cantu Shea Butter-Leave in Conditioning Repair Cream:
Yall!! I have been using this since the very beginning of
My transition and deciding that I wanted to go natural. Pure crack! I love it, a little definitely goes a long way and I use it with just about E-V-E-R-Y wash.. I find that my hair is less likely to be frizzy, it is conditioning for my hair anyway & I’m less likely to have breakage when I use this product. It smells delicious with a slight hint of shea butter leaving a nice shine to your hair as well & it’s thick but not too thick at all. Honestly this jar lasts me for months because as previously mentioned, you don’t need a lot.
Where it can be purchased: I see this at just about every major store as well but I purchase mine at Walgreens for about $5 usually when they go on sale for BOGO, awesome deal. I’ll do my best to keep you all informed when they go on sale.
Moisturizers & Oils:
- Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie:
I have been using this product ever since it first released about a year ago at Walgreens and I remember because I purchased it when my homegirls and I took a road trip to ATL they were BOGO at the moment. Ever since, I am addicted!
I have read & seen reviews but I think that people have it all wrong. With the words curl enhancing in the title, they assume that they are going to put the product in and bam, curls will magically appear. No, no, & NO! Enhance means to improve and for me, this product does all that it says it would which is hydrate, strengthens the hair, and definitely adds shine. This is meant for thick & curly hair which I so have so if you ever try it & it’s sitting around send it right on over this way and I will be more than happy to see to it that your money doesn’t go to waste. I use it for twist outs, adding moisture, sealing my ends or keeping them moisturized, you name it Doll, I do it.
Where it can be purchased: Shea Moisure products are purchased online of course, at Target to name a few but I purchase mine at Walgreens when they have the BOGO sale. In that case, I get 2/$10 unless I run out then I suck it up and pay the $10 for one. Love it that much, but you better believe I hold onto the receipt in hopes of the BOGO sale coming up within the next 30 days, yes Ma’am! lol
Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Strengthening Elixir:
I purchased this over a year ago and was not impressed in the beginning but I recently picked it back up again & love it. I have a difficult time keeping my scalp moisturized so when I do twist outs, Bantu knot outs etc. I spray this on my scalp before I release my do & massage it in. It feels niiiiiice… It also can be used to add mega shine to your hair and keep it moisturized as well as sealed. This is not a heavy oil at all. Some of the highlighted ingredients include sea kelp, argan oil, and shea butter, love them. The smell is different but I’m assuming the sea kelp is behind that but it is not a bad smell. Also you don’t need a lot, remember it is an oil.
Where it can be purchased: Online, Target, but guess where I get mine… Walgreens. Duh.
Gel:
- Eco Styler Olive Oil Styling Gel:
This is a crowd favorite. I love it because it does not really flake in fact it’s the most moisturizing gel that I have ever used. I tried the Argan oil & I feel that it made my curls pop a little more –vs- the olive oil but the argan also flaked some, which I am not fond of. No flake & moisturized for $500 please. It has an excellent hold and does not smell bad, there is a light fragrance that you don’t really smell once dry anyway.
Where it can be purchased: Many drugstores sell this but I purchase my huge jar (32 FL oz lasting for months) from Sally’s Beauty Supply. Regular price $4.79 but with my Sally card $4.29 unless I find it on sale, which I constantly look for. This product is such a staple as it spruces up just about any bad or good hair style that I have going on. I have a small jar that I keep in my car as well purchased from CVS usually for $2 and some. It’s that good.
If you have ever tried any of these products or currently use them, know a secret with using them, give me feedback! I’m interested in hearing your takes on them or suggest (INEXPENSIVE) staple products. I hope this helps as I receive this question often in regards to what I use & I will keep you all up to date, Girl Scouts Honor. Much Love & Blessings Dudes & Dudettes. xoxo
-Lovely Nita
