Black hair care is a special type of care. And these seven must-have products will work overtime to keep your protective hairstyle fresh…even on vacation.
Imagine you’ve just had your hair braided, or put in some other protective style for your upcoming vacation. You want to make sure it stays relatively fresh while you’re on the go. This, of course, requires quite a bit of planning.
What about if you’re already on vacation? You’ve just worked up a sweat after a long jog on the beach, followed by a swim in the sea. After a shower and a nice nap, you look in the mirror. Your once pristine, protective style is now frizzy, thanks to the elements. Now what?
As most of us know, Black hair has a special set of requirements and how often you wash it depends on your hair texture. Those with tightly coiled hair (like the 4C category), usually follow a different routine. According to Curl Centric, “everyone’s scalp produces oils, no matter their hair texture. In the scalp, there are sebaceous glands, which are responsible for producing oils. These natural oils keep hair hydrated, shiny, and most importantly, healthy.”
For people with straight hair, the oils can easily move through each hair shaft. These people may wash their hair daily or every other day. On the other hand, it’s harder for those oils to penetrate tightly coiled hair, making it susceptible to damage. Excessive washing can also contribute to this. Not to mention that unless it’s wet, it can be a challenge to comb.
Here are 7 must-have products to maintain your go-to protective hairstyle while on vacation.
African Pride Black Castor Oil Gel
It’s all in the name! The African Pride Black Castor Oil Gel is infused with coconut oil and is free of potentially harmful components, such as parabens and sulfates. It works to nourish the scalp and can be applied on dry or wet hair. Add a small amount of gel to your hair and proceed with your style of choice. The gel works to tame frizz, and users give it a 4.5 rating out of five stars.
One user couldn’t give this product enough accolades. “It smells great!” she said. “It holds well in dry hair- no flaking, and not heavy on the locs. It moisturizes your scalp and works wonders for your edges! Why didn’t I find this one sooner?”
You can purchase the African Pride Black Castor Oil Gel individually or get a pack of three.
Goiple Edge Control Wax
Goiple Edge Control Wax is infused with castor oil, olive oil, aloe vera, and glycerin. This product won’t irritate your scalp. The wax also comes with a hair edge brush and an adjustable edge band.
One user said, “I have coiled 4c hair, and this worked! I’m an all-natural hair African American and was impressed! Edges stayed laid through 90 degrees, and most overnight with no white flakes. Will def buy again!”
Satin Bonnet
When you’ve just come from sitting in the hair salon for hours, the last thing you want to do is fall asleep without something protecting your protective style.
This lovely satin bonnet from the Edoneery line is available in multiple colors and won’t dry your hair out. It’s adjustable, so you won’t have to worry about it moving while you sleep.
Most users say that it stays put all night, and the hairstyle underneath remains fresh.
Shea Moisture Jojoba Oil
Amazon recommends Shea Moisture Jojoba Oil for folks with 4A, 4B, and 4C types. One user wrote, “the dropper is great for distributing oil between tracks, cornrows, parts of box braids, etc. The oil releases tension and stops itching almost immediately. It’s wonderful during those first couple of days when your protective style may be still tight.” It’s also quite good at alleviating itching.
Shea Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner Set
The Shea Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner work together as a team to clean and provide your hair with the moisturizing it needs. It’s best suited for people with curly hair, as well as those with color or chemically-treated hair. The Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie is a curl-defining hair cream that works as both a leave-in conditioner and a styling product. It controls frizz and smooths thick, curly hair for a soft, silky look and feels.
While this product works well for curly hair, it still works wonders for people with straight hair. There were reviews from Amazon users who found the value in the products as well, making this the perfect set to use before going into a protective style.
African Pride Kids Shampoo and Conditioner Set
The African Pride Shampoo and Conditioner Set will help make Black hair washing and style processing a bit easier. Though geared towards children, adults can use the set as well. These products are highly recommended for Black hair that tangles easily.
Amazon explains, “the shampoo gently cleanses and instantly de-tangles,” while the conditioner “restores shine and softness.” It has a 4.5 out of five-star rating.
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Oil
Mielle Organics Oil is a great addition to your hair care routine, no matter what texture you’re working with. The scent is pleasant, while the oil itself is both biotin-rich and free of parabens. It’s lightweight enough for daily application and after your wash day. Moreover, the product is made “by women for women.”
