One of the most popular myths about natural hair is that natural hair is hard to maintain. Most people hear this and they grab every hair products they can lay their hands on in a bid to make their hair easier to manage. Well, sorry to burst your bubble. Just as your skin will be irritated and break out when you use too many skincare products, your hair can also get irreparably damaged when you use too much or too harsh hair products. Maintaining your natural afro hair is hard if you’re not giving it what it needs.
If you’re starting out your natural hair journey, you don’t need a long list of hair care products. A few basics are just fine. This is why we have a compiled a simple list of essential hair products and tools that natural hair beginners must have.
Basic Hair Tools and Products for Beginners with Natural Hair
1. Wide-Toothed Hair Combs
If you are tender-headed, wide toothed hair combs are highly recommended because they’re designed to detangle your natural hair without pulling your hair strands. The wider teeth means that the pressure on your hair strands is less, reducing the risk of breakage and damage. Combs with smaller teeth will stress your hair follicles and pull your hair out.
So when washing or styling your hair, make sure you’re using a comb with wide teeth. This will help to detangle your hair without breaking it or pulling at your roots.
2. Detangling Brushes
Detangling hair brushes are designed to glide through your locks without causing breakage. They help to evenly distribute the natural oils in your scalp and prevent breakage from tugging on knots and tangles
Natural afro hair is best brushed with natural boar bristles or soft paddle brushes that don’t snag the hair. Natural bristles help to evenly distribute oils from the scalp along the length of each strand. This helps improve hair health and manageability. They are also gentler on natural afro hair as they won’t tug or pull during brushing. Natural boar bristle brushes work well for styling natural afro hair too.
3. Shampoos and Conditioners
Natural hair can be particularly prone to dryness and tangles so including shampoos and conditioners to your hair care routine is important. Shampoo helps to cleanse the scalp of impurities without stripping away natural oils that are essential for healthy hair. Conditioners contain moisturizing ingredients that help to soften, detangle and nourish the hair. This can make blow-drying and styling much easier as well as prevent breakage caused by friction during brushing.
Many shampoos and conditioners contain additional ingredients such as proteins or herbal extracts that can further help to nourish your hair. Using shampoos and conditioners regularly will also reduce the need for more intensive treatments like deep conditioning or hot oil treatments.
Shampoos and conditioners are must-haves for keeping natural hair healthy because they reduce frizz and help lock in moisture.
4. Natural Hair Oils
Introducing hair oils into your regular hair care routine is an effective way of keeping your hair hydrated, nourished and healthy. Natural oils like jojoba oil, almond oil and coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft and restore its moisture balance. Thus helping to prevent split ends and breakage. Natural oils also contain vitamins, antioxidants and minerals that help to protect the hair from damage caused by heat styling and environmental pollutants.
Using a few drops of oil in your daily routine can go a long way towards improving the condition of your hair. Natural oils can be used on both wet and dry hair before styling, or even after styling for an extra boost of hydration. They can also be used as a deep conditioning treatment when massaged into the scalp and left for 30 minutes or more. Natural oils are lightweight and can be easily absorbed into the scalp and hair, so you don’t need to worry about your hair feeling greasy or weighed down.
5. Heat Protection Sprays
If you plan on using heat styling tools such as hair straighteners, hot combd or flat irons on your hair, then a heat protection spray is essential. Heat protection sprays help to protect the strands from high temperatures, preventing further damage.
Afro hair is vulnerable to heat damage due to its delicate structure. Without proper protection, even a single pass of hot tools on your hair can cause irreparable damage. That’s why it’s essential to use a quality heat protection spray before styling. This lightweight mist instantly works by creating a barrier between your hair and the damaging heat, while also adding a glossy sheen.
A heat protection spray will also help to hold your style longer and make it look more polished. Many of these sprays are even enriched with nourishing ingredients like argan oil, so you get the added benefit of hydrated strands as well. Choose a heat protection spray specifically made for your hair type, and you’ll be sure to reap the benefits of using it. It’s worth it for healthier, better looking locks.
Key Takeaways
Protip: Never brush or comb your hair from the roots. Start from the tip and work your way down.
Protip: When using any product on natural hair, it’s important to read the label and make sure that you’re using products specifically designed for your hair type.
Protip: It’s much easier to detangle your natural hair when wet.
Protip: Washing your hair with hot water can dry out your hair and irritate your scalp. Lukewarm water is just fine.
Conclusion
Having the right tools and products for your natural hair is essential in order to keep it healthy and looking its best. Natural hair brushes, combs, oils, and heat protection sprays are just some of the items you should have on hand when starting out with natural hair care. With these items in your arsenal, you can be sure that your locks will stay strong and beautiful for years to come!
