We don’t all have the same hair type or hair needs. Even siblings do not have the same hair type or structure, that is why it is very important to know what to look out for when picking products for your hair. What works for Titi may not work for ChiChi. The primary purpose of needing to get hair products for your natural hair is to find what works for your hair and also, to be able to use them in the best way possible. Your hair in whatever stage has two major needs: moisture and protein. So, the products you use on your hair should be able to ensure that your hair is moisturized and protein-enriched (if your hair does not have any protein sensitivity).
Here’s a checklist that will help you make the right choice when purchasing hair products:
Know your natural hair texture and porosity
Your hair texture and porosity are very crucial elements in determining what products you use in your hair care routine. Hair texture refers to the natural shape of your hair strands. Hair texture is broadly categorized into 4: straight, wavy, curly, and coiled. Hair porosity tells you how well your hair is able to absorb and retain moisture. Hair porosity is mostly determined by genetics but it can also be affected by chemical processing, exposure, and heat treatments. The biggest determinant of what products to use on hair is hair porosity. For example, low porosity hair is prone to build up from deep conditioners rich in protein, which can leave hair feeling stiff and straw-like and consequently leading to hair breakage. To avoid this, use protein-free deep conditioners. Low porosity hair requires products that will attract and retain moisture in the hair and emollient-rich moisturizers such as coconut oil, shea butter, and jojoba oil. Shop our range of carrier oils here
Pay attention to the ingredients, especially the first five.
If the product you want to purchase has a bunch of words you can’t pronounce easily or a bunch of numbers, that product would most likely not do you much good. You should look for easy to read ingredient lists. In fact, the first ingredient in your product list should be water (usually listed as Aqua). The first five or six ingredients are the ones that have the most effect on your hair. Other ingredients are sometimes added just for marketing purposes and serve no real purpose in the formulation. Other ingredients you may see asides from water may include, hydrolyzed wheat, aloe vera juice, silk protein, keratin, glycerin, stearyl alcohol, and sodium lactate to mention a few.
If you have allergies or are trying to avoid certain ingredients, then you should pay special attention to the ingredient list.
Understand your hair’s health
The products applied to your hair are also determined by hair health. Unhealthy hair would need products to help repair some of the damage done by excessive use of heat, lack of moisture, harsh hair care habits, and chemical damage. Some signs of healthy hair include:
Shiny and lustrous looking hair
Minimal shedding and breakage
Excellent elasticity of hair that bounces back when stretched lightly
Hair density is even from root to tip
On the other hand, unhealthy hair is characterized by:
Dull looking hair
Split ends
Tangles
Weak hair that snaps easily
Excessively dry
Hair loss and thinning
To repair damaged hair takes some time, good nutrition, and the right products. Some products used in the treatment of damaged hair may include deep conditioning masks such as the African Naturalistas Deep Conditioning Mayonnaise to strengthen hair, hair oils, and hair butter to seal in moisture like the African Naturalistas Coconut Oil and Castor Oil for thinning patches.
You can use the African Naturalistas moisturizing shampoo on a regular basis to thoroughly clean hair without stripping it of its natural oils and the African Naturalistas leave-in conditioner to keep hair soft and moisturized.
Consider the price point of products
You don’t have to spend your last dime on hair products. There are a lot of affordable natural hair products out there, take your time to pick the right ones for you. Research before you splurge on products. If possible, try sample products before making a purchase. A lot of products have reviews online, so consider the reviews before making your purchase. Some products have a lot of hype around them but are sometimes not worth all the hype. And when you find a good product that your hair loves, stick with it! Don’t go running after the newest product on the shelves.
Understand how to use the products properly
You need to create a routine or regimen that works for you. This routine should include wash days and deep conditioning days. The products you use in your hair care routine must address the two most critical needs of hair: moisture and protein. To be honest, you might need to experiment a bit with different products to find the best fit for your hair. You would need a moisturizing shampoo, typically used weekly and a clarifying shampoo used once a month to remove product build-up. A great moisturizing deep conditioner is an absolute must after your wash to maintain soft hair. Protein conditioners are needed in a high moisture hair care routine, necessary for rebuilding hair strands. However, if your hair is dry and breaking, you may not need a protein conditioner at the time as it would only further make your hair brittle and feel like straw. If you are not entirely sure, you should consider a balanced deep conditioner like the African Naturalistas Deep Conditioning Mayonnaise that has the right balance of moisture and protein content.
Other products to include in your hair care routine include leave-in conditioners, water-based moisturizers, and natural oils to seal in moisture. All these can be found in our range of hair care products.
Weather
Have you ever heard some people saying their hair always cuts during the dry season? Or that when they traveled abroad, their hair saw great growth? Seasonal changes may require you to change the products you use since seasons are different. For example in humid weather conditions, products containing glycerin may cause natural hair to become frizzy. In the same way, the right products in the dry season may not work for you as it would in the rainy season.
You may need to use new products for at least four weeks to fully understand how they interact with your hair. Create a hair care regimen that works for you and your hair. Have a budget for the products you wish to purchase and understand what each product should do. You can check out any of our pre-packaged hair care regimens here.
There! Have you found this useful? Do share and tell us how you picked the right products for your hair.
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