I've been natural for well over a decade (I was 18 the last time I got a relaxer), but I'll admit that it took me several years after ending my relationship with chemical straighteners to really narrow down a natural haircare routine that works for me. In the early days of my natural hair journey, my wash days took forever, I thought that heat had to be avoided at all costs, and I used to think that I could get by just by putting some coconut oil or styling butter in my hair and calling it a day. Needless to say, I unlearned those behaviors after a few years of trial and error.
As of late, my natural hair routine—more specifically, my twist out routine—consists of a weekly wash and condition, a blow out (more on that later), and a lineup of cleansing, conditioning, and styling products that all moisturize and define my type 4 curls while keeping them looking fresh for days at a time.
Read ahead to get a look at my current twist out routine.
Hydrating Shampoos Are Essential
Curly hair is prone to dryness, so when picking out shampoos, I make sure I'm sticking to hydrating formulas that are good at getting rid of any product buildup that might be sitting on my curls and scalp without drying out my hair.
This is one of my favorite drugstore shampoos, and I've been loyal to it for years. I can buy a bottle of this for under $10, and because a small amount can really go a long way (a dime-sized amount will give me the best lather), I never have to worry about buying another bottle for at least a few months.
When I want something a little more luxurious, I reach for this. It's infused with hyaluronic acid in order to add moisture back into the strands while you shampoo, and I only have to use a small amount to get a good cleanse.
A Good Conditioner Is Even More Important
When I don't have time to deep condition, these conditioners get the job done just fine. I start by washing my hair as soon as I get in the shower before adding in conditioner and letting it sit while I do the rest of my shower routine.
This has become a new addition to my haircare lineup ever since I got my hair professionally colored back in October. Before I used this, my colored hair would dry out so easily and it would feel rough and course even after a deep condition. Now, my hair is softer and more moisturized than ever.
I'll be honest: this was a fan-favorite product on TikTok long before I finally decided to try it out, and once I did, I immediately understood the hype. Before trying this, my hair had been experiencing some dryness, but once I rinsed this out of my curls, my hair was noticeably softer.
Blow Out Essentials
I usually fall victim to single strand knots that end up making length retention impossible, and I've found that this issue shows up less when my hair is stretched, which is why I like to do twists on blown-out hair. These are the products that make that process a breeze.
This Dyson hair dryer is a big investment, but it dries my thick hair in just 20 minutes, and I never have to worry about frizz or flyaways afterwards.
Before blow drying my hair, I always like to throw a small amount of this onto each section. It's a serum that has a slightly oily texture (but it doesn't make your hair or scalp feel oily) and not only does it add shine back to the hair, it provides heat protection as well.
My Styling Must-Haves
Once my hair is washed, conditioned, and all blown-out, I reach for these to prepare my hair for twists and to ensure that my curls will be frizz-free for multiple days.
Once my hair is all dry, I like to add a leave-in conditioner for some extra moisture. This one softens my hair and hydrates without leaving behind flakes or buildup.
This is another one of my favorite leave-in products because it has a milky texture that doesn't feel too thick on my hair. It also comes in a bottle with a spray nozzle, which helps me feel like I'm more in control of how much product I'm applying.
If I had to pick just one mousse to be loyal to forever, it'd absolutely be this one. It's a foam that transforms into a water-like consistency once you rub it in and apply it to your hair, and it doesn't harden or flake when it dries. I usually divide my hair into small sections and add a small amount to each before twisting it up.
I love the texture of this custard! It looks like a gel, but once you scoop it out of the jar, it sort of melts into your fingers and turns into a soft consistency that doesn't flake up or harden once it dries down on your hair. Once my hair is already twisted, I like to add this to the ends of my twists to secure them and keep them from unraveling while I sleep.
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