Favorite Products

Keturah Orji
Jul 31, 2020
4 min read

Updated: Aug 1

This is the blog y'all have all been waiting for... my favorite hair products! While I don't think this blog is worth the hype because there's nothing special about the products I use, it seems like a lot of my friends have been excited about reading this one. (I do love when Youtubers make videos of their favorite products so I kinda empathize with the hype.)

Along with the product name, I will highlight the first few ingredients in my products and bold the beneficial ingredients that I mentioned in my Moisture Maintenance blog. Also scroll down to the bottom of the blog for a surprise... my friend Gentrix convinced me to do it and she edited the entire thing, so y'all can thank her!!

Pre-Poo

Homemade: Coconut & Olive Oil Mixture

I stir some olive oil into coconut oil to soften the coconut oil. No specific measurements, just combine until you like the consistency of the pre-poo.

Shampoos

Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) Shampoo

Water, Decyl Glucoside (cleanser), Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Fragrance (Essential Oil Blend), Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Panthenol

Melanin Haircare Black Soap Reviving Shampoo

Water, Decyl Glucoside, Shea Butter

DIY Black Soap Shampoo

Water, Black Soap, Oil

*I have yet to find a shampoo that I love enough to be loyal to, but these two shampoos are what I use most often.

Conditioners/CoWash

Shea Moisture JBCO Conditioner

Water, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol

As I Am Coconut CoWash

Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coconut Oil

Deep Conditioners

Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Hydration Masque

Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Coconut Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Shea Butter, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol

Shea Moisture JBCO Treatment Masque

Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Coconut Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Glycerin, Shea Butter, Stearyl Alcohol

Leave-in Conditioners

Shea Moisture JBCO Leave-In Conditioner

Water, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol

Stylers

Aunt Jackie's Curl La La

Water, Propylene Glycol, Shea Butter Fruit, PEG-150 Distearate, Cetyl Alcohol

*I used this product when I first started doing twist outs while my hair was still short. I haven't used it since then because I discovered Shea Moisture products, but I loved it!

Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Coconut Fruit Juice, Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Shea Butter

Murray's Beeswax

*I ONLY use this for mini twists or braids, when the style will kept in for an extended amount of time. It's extremely thick, has a great hold, and helps to stretch your braids/twists.

DAX Coconut Oil Grease

I don't use this on my scalp often because it can clog your pores. Instead I use it directly on my hair strands as a sealant, not as a moisturizer.

Butters

Whipped Shea Butter

Raw Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, JBCO, Jojoba Oil

*I make mine myself, but you can buy some from Wild Seed Botanicals

DIY Mango Butter

Pure Mango Butter, Cocoa Butter, JBCO, Jojoba Oil, Almond Oil

Gels

Wetline Xtreme Gel

Shine n Jam

*If I am trying to lay my edges I use this, but tbh nothing lays them for long. They are untameable and I love and appreciate them as they are. Comment below if y'all have any product suggestions for my edges!

Oils

Jojoba Oil
Tea Tree Oil
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Almond Oil
Coconut Oil
Olive Oil

Protein Treatments

Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment & Balancing Moisturizer

*Remember that protein overload is a thing, don't do protein treatments too often.

Honorable Mentions

*These are products I HAVE NOT used but I have heard so many positive reviews from Youtubers that I feel comfortable recommending them.

Giovanni Deeper Moisture Conditioner
Giovanni Leave-In Moisture Conditioner
Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner
Kinky Curly Knot Today
Kinky Curly Curling Custard
Mane Choice 3-in-1 Co Wash, Leave In, Detangler
Melanin Hair Care Products - (I have now tried and love!)
Camille Rose Products - (I have now tried and love!)

DIY Products

**Naptural85 is the OG for sharing homemade recipes for products so visit her YouTube channel if you're looking for more DIY ideas.**

Black Soap Shampoo

Water, Black Soap, Jojoba Oil -- this can be harsh, start with minimal black soap

Deep Conditioner

Option 1: Basic conditioner, Mayo, Honey, Oils of your choice
Option 2: Ripe Avocado, Greek Yogurt, Oils of your choice
Option 3: Banana, Honey, Greek Yogurt, Oils of your choice

Gel

Flax Seeds (I have never made my own gel, but I've seen many Youtubers successfully boil flax seeds for their Wash n Go)

Protein Treatment

There are many DIY recipes that involve Greek yogurt, egg, henna, or coconut milk which do have great amounts of protein, but those ingredients don't penetrate the hair well. You can try one of the DIY recipes online and see if they work, but it may be best to just buy a product. If you decide to buy a protein treatment, make sure it has hydrolyzed protein like the Aphogee treatment I recommended above.

Black Owned Brands

*As my products finish I will be trying out some new ones and focusing on only buying from black owned brands. Here's a list if y'all are interested in doing the same!