This is a series for those who haven’t worn their hair natural in a long time or want to get serious about their curls. It can be daunting and confusing to go on this journey, but you don’t have to worry! I’ll be covering the basics of curls and help you kickstart your journey.
Read the rest of Curl Basics.
Curl Basics #4 gave a starter kit of tools/accessories for curly hair. This article is now looking at must have products for curls. These products are great to start off with because they are all natural and filled with essential minerals, oils and vitamins. With ingredients to help growth, restore and nourish, you definitely don’t want to miss out on this list!
Shampoo
Shampoo is important to cleanse your hair. If you’re hesitant toward shampoo, then keep these things in mind:
1) You might be using the wrong shampoo.
2) A good shampoo will leave your scalp feeling refreshed, kind of like how your skin feels after a cleansing face mask. Look for shampoos that are packed with essential oils and nutrients.
3) Use the right one for your hair type/thickness/texture.
If you’re still not sure, then try out a hydrating shampoo. Eventually, you’ll get the hang of how your hair responds to different products and what products work best together.
My favourite shampoo: Flora & Curl African Citrus Superfruit Shampoo
Conditioner
Conditioned curls are the key to definition, softness and manageability. Curls are delicate and are prone to dry out and frizz up much more than straight hair does. This is why conditioning is so important for curly girls.
My favourite conditioner: Flora & Curl Rose Water & Honey Cream Conditioner
Deep protein treatment
Protein helps to thicken and restore your hair. This is not only important for girls in transition, but also throughout all of your hair journey. Deep protein treatments are great for overall hair health and strength. If you’re unsure whether a treatment has protein in it, look out for words like: thicken, repair, restore, strengthen, reconstruct and/or of course protein.
My favourite: Alikay Naturals Avocado Cream Moisture Repairing Hair Mask
Clarifying wash
A clarifying wash is a must have for all curly girls. It can be overlooked by beginners because it’s a very foreign concept to those who don’t wear naturally/have curls. A clarifying wash is essentially a deep cleansing wash that acts a detox for your hair. Depending on your routine, hair type, lifestyle and product usage, it’s good to use these roughly monthly. Clarifying washes come in shampoos, masks and even oils! If you’re unsure if the product is clarifying or not, then look for these words: clarify, detox, deep cleanse, reset and/or refresh.
My favourite: Flora & Curl Coconut Mint Curl Refresh Clay Wash.
Gel/foam
Most girls opt toward gels. Since gels are much more common than foams, it would probably be easier to find a gel you like. These help to set the curls and add to the definition. If you’re not sure which is for you, check out this article on Gels Versus Mousses/Foams. Regardless of your choice, we offer both gels and foams.
My favourite gel: Flora & Curl Sweet Hibiscus Curl Defining Gel
My favourite foam: Flora & Curl Sweet Hibiscus Curl Volumizing Foam.
Styling cream
A styling cream is a must-have for all curly girls. They nourish and soften the hair while giving it definition. They also help give the curl bounce. Styling creams are very diverse and there are many different types that act to accomplish different goals, such as hold, shine, hydration, etc. Keep in mind that how you apply your styling cream matters just as much, if not more.
My favourite styling cream: Flora & Curl Sweet Hibiscus Curl Activating Lotion.
These great products will set you off to a great start and help to ensure that your curl progress takes off quickly. If you’re unsure, I linked my favourites to each product to give an idea on where to start.
Still unsure? Feel free to reach out and email me anytime!
Read the rest of the series → here.
