My Textured Hair Is Bone Dry—So These 10 Products Are Key to Moisturized Twist-Outs
I swear by these stylers.
While there are plenty of challenges that come with wearing natural, textured hair, one thing is for certain: the versatility is unmatched. Boho braids, Marley twists, wash-and-gos, afros, coily pixies; the options are endless. And yet through it all, I consistently find myself returning to the trusty twist-out. The classic protective style is relatively low-lift, can be easily accessorized if you choose to wear it out and about, and, when unraveled, is great for providing stretch and minimizing shrinkage. (More recently, and more personally, it also helped me conceal a pretty nasty bout of stress-related trichotillomania—a story for another day.)
Precisely because of this lengthy list of benefits, I’ve been regularly twisting out my hair since going natural nearly 15 years ago. I’ve tried countless products during that time, and nailed down a pretty trusty routine: Shampoo, deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner, and styling products, with hair masks and refreshing products thrown in as needed. And I’ve developed some strong opinions about the top products for each step.
These are my favorite products for creating twist-outs on my very, very dry type 4 hair.
Start With Shampoo
Regardless of styling plans, when your hair is as bone-dry as mine, a shampoo that cleans without stripping or drying is essential.
I’ve used this shampoo for years, since long before I was ever a beauty editor. It does a phenomenal job of ridding my hair of any buildup, without leaving it feeling dry.
The formula for this one includes resurrection flower, which has moisture-retention properties, and vitamin E-rich sunflower seed oil. The result? A shampoo that will leave your hair feeling softer and shinier after you use it.
Deep Conditioners + Hair Masks Are Key
I’ll admit it: Sometimes I’m lazy and opt for a traditional conditioner. But I undoubtedly get my best results after using a deep conditioner—and, about once a month, a hair mask—to really amp up the moisture and give my parched strands some TLC.
Going in with my hair mask.
Another longtime fave, this deep conditioner features fatty oils like pumpkin seed and prickly pear that help improve softness and elasticity, the latter of which is crucial for a great twist-out. Plus, it smells absolutely divine.
The star ingredients in this Beyoncé-approved hair mask are bioactive keratin ferment (a blend including lactobacillus, hydrolyzed wool keratin, and honey) and hydrolyzed rice, both of which target breakage. Add a little steam or heat to this one to really feel the effects.
Lots of Leave-Ins
Put the “L” in the “LOC” method with a leave-in conditioner. This step is crucial for locking in moisture and detangling.
As a beauty editor, it is quite literally my job to try new products… and leave-in conditioner is one of the toughest categories for me to do so, because it is so hard to take this one out of my rotation. The super simple mix of almond and oat milks with lemon juice acts as the perfect primer for styling products.
Don't Skip Styling Products
When applying styling products, you want your hair as wet as possible. In my experience, this can be achieved in one of two ways: By adding them straight up in the shower, right after your leave-in (which is what I usually do), or by keeping a spray bottle on deck while you style after.
The Doux’s music theme is fitting because this brand releases nothing but platinum hits. This moisturizing mousse leaves my hair so soft, with noticeable definition and minimal product buildup.
This curling gel is my go-to when I’m looking for maximum definition. It’s ideal for wash-and-gos, but I find it adds that extra something to my twist-outs, too. (Curls. It adds curls.)
Reach for Refreshers
In the week and a half (or, keeping it 100, sometimes two weeks) between wash days, I use a few key products to retwist my strands and add a little shine to my unraveled hair.
With type 4 hair, you want to minimize dry manipulation as much as possible. This spray is perfect for a quick hit of hydration ahead of retwisting.
This rich formula is perfect for thick, dry hair (which, hi, hello, it's me). Just the tiniest amount warmed in my hands provides a subtle mid-week touch of luster.
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