The 35 Very Best Natural Hair Product on the Market
Your curls never had it so good.
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Satin bonnet? Check. Vent hairbrush? Done. An extra-large bottle of conditioner? Of course! No natural hair journey is complete without these essentials, but there's a laundry list of other strand-saving products your hair needs to flourish. With summer approaching—and the looming debate about what protective style to install next—there's no better time to stock up on the best products that'll meet all of your hair needs.
But with a new hair launch every week, how do you even shop for natural hair products anymore?
According to celebrity hairstylist Xia Charles, you should consider your hair type and current needs first and then make your shopping choices from there. "Some companies will state the hair type and/or porosity that their products and lines are most compatible with, and from there you can find what’s best suited to you," says Charles. "For example, if your hair is type 4 and you experience a lot of breakage, you may want to find a product that helps retain length and strengthen the hair shafts."
It's important to pay attention to the ingredients listed on product labels. "DMDM hydantoin a formaldehyde used in some shampoos and conditioners as a preservative has been proven to cause skin irritation and hair loss," Charles says. Of course, you should also stay away from drying alcohol-based products. "Some alcohols often used in hair products as thickening agents can make your hair extremely dry. Dimethicone, although used to treat skin irritations, is a silicone added to some hair products that can cause unnecessary buildup if not used in moderation," Charles adds. You should, however, invest in products with natural ingredients such as moisturizing vitamin E and aloe vera.
As a self-professed natural hair product hoarder, I scoured the web (and my bathroom cabinet) to find the best natural hair products for every hair type, length, and concern.
As you'll see a few times on this list, protecting your curls while you sleep is critical for your curl health. Grace Eleyae's Slap Cap is lined with satin to help cut back on breakage while you snooze or even on a grocery store run.
Taliah Waajid Protective Styles Healthy Hair Under There Bamboo, Peppermint & Avocado Conditioning & Restoring Serum
Taliah Waajid designed the most soothing and nourishing treatment to apply to your hair when in a protective style. The peppermint cools the scalp and relieves any irritation and itching.
This moisturizer smells good enough to eat, but the monoi, mango and shea butter, and babassu oil in the leave-in are strictly meant to deeply nourish hair. The ingredients impart moisture and sheen and can be used on your body or your man's beard, too.
Darling hair is easy to use and comes in a variety of styles and colors that can help you achieve whatever protective style. you desire, from box braids to 30-inch ponytails.
Formulated with aloe and coconut water, Charles uses this detangler and moisturizing cream to "refresh and nourish my natural hair when braiding," she says. The moisturizing cocktail nourishes the hair to keep it soft and healthy in between styles.
A favorite of Xia Charles, this pre-poo is "great for after you take your braids out" and need to detangle before going in with shampoo. The treatment breaks down build-up on both the hair and scalp and makes your hair manageable for wash-day.
Jamaican black castor oil is an age-old remedy for healing hair and skin, but its more well-known use is for hair growth. This nutrient-rich mist can be used to refresh your scalp and nourish your hair when wearing a protective style.
No natural hairstyle is complete without perfectly swooped baby hairs. This double-sided edge styler from Baby Tress comes with a mini brush on one side for smooth and easy styling, and a comb on the other to create more intricate designs.
If you want to give your hair the very best of the best, look no further than Meraki Organics. The Rose Quartz multi-purpose oil serves as a facial oil and as a nourishing sealant for your hair. What's more, the oil—as well as every other product in the brand's lineup—is all infused with gemstones to channel different energies.
GIRL+HAIR Under Hair Care Nourish+ Nourishing Leave-in Conditioner
If you're not protecting your hair while it's in a protective style then what's the point? Girl + Hair makes it easy to keep your hair hydrated and strong under braids, twists, and weaves, with its Under Hair Care system.
Carol's Daughter Coco Creme Coil Enhancing Moisture Butter
Carol's Daughter's Moisture Butter has an impressively hydrating formula of beeswax, coconut oil, and a variety of seed butters. Try it to add residue-free definition on twist-outs.
This Knot Sauce is everything and then some for melting away tangles. Formulated with hair-softening blue malva herb, broccoli seed oil, and coconut nectar, the detangler glides smoothly onto strands, seeping deep into the cuticle to loosen every snag and knot.
Treat your hair to a luxurious thirst-quenching mask with coconut oil and seed butters (mango, murumuru, illipe) that will leave you feeling like you just left the salon.
Mielle Organics Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner
Just a few pumps of this moisturizing leave-in treatment are all you need to take your hair to the next level; it's thiccc at first, but as you work the product through your strands, hair becomes bouncier and shiner.
Twist-outs come out juicer when you show a little extra love to your ends. How extra? How about a nourishing blend of castor oil, soybean oil, and tea tree oil? All three oils work together to prevent damage, strengthen your hair, and promote growth.
You'll never want to touch another bottle of shampoo after using Curls' Curl Wash. The thick, creamy texture is full of vitamins to fight against hair breakage and damage. Plus, it legit smells like a bowl of fresh pineapples, so there's that.
Looking for extra volume to create some of your favorite hairstyles but don't want to commit to a sew-in or a wig? Curly clip-ins will be your best friend. Just snap a few pieces throughout your hair to add an extra oomph to your twist-outs or up-dos. (These ones look particularly natural.)
Detangling your hair without any water can cause a lot of breakage—not to mention a prolonged wash routine. Cut your wash day in half by grabbing a spray bottle and dousing your hair with water (or a mixture of water and conditioner) to loosen up any knots before adding shampoo.
Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Any oil with peppermint listed as an ingredient is sure to give your scalp a soothing, tingly feeling. Not only does it stimulate circulation in the scalp, but this biotin-infused oil also promotes hair growth.
A common rule of thumb for many naturalistas (next to drinking lots of water to help keep hair hydrated is to protect your hair with a satin/silk bonnet or pillowcase. Silk pillowcases prevent friction against your hair and help to retain the natural oils in your hair.
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