Anyone that was born with – or has had to deal with – Afro hair, knows how complex this texture of tresses is. With complexity sometimes comes frustration. Many Black women will spend the majority of their lives trying to figure out their hair. In the process of figuring it out, a lot of money will be spent. In fact, Black British women spend six times more on hair than their white counterparts, yet we only make up around 4% of the female population.
Granted, Black women that are lucky enough to sport Afro hair are often more than happy and willing to invest on the creme-de-la-creme of hair in order to keep their crown in tip top condition. However, the problem is that spending money on a product doesn’t necessarily mean it will be good for it.
Whether kinky, coily, wavy, straightened or naturally-textured, Afro hair has unique needs, requiring a bespoke regime to ensure optimum results and hair health. From masks that boost moisture levels to creams that define curls and detanglers that work on the most complex of knots, we called in the experts to recommend their all time favourite products that have been specifically formulated for textured hair.
SKIP TO: Our experts | Shampoos | Conditioners | Masks | Detanglers | Leave-In Conditioners | Co-Washes | Oils | Hair Butters | Curl Definers | Blow Drying Protectant | Hair Gels & Edge Control
Meet the experts:
To help define the best of the best for Afro hair, we asked an esteemed panel of hair experts for their picks:
- Vernon François: global hairstylist, brand founder of Vernon Francois Hair and the visionary behind the hair of A-list clients including Lupita Nyong’o and Serena Williams.
- Charlotte Mensah: Founder of Charlotte Mensah and award winning Celebrity Hair stylist
- Subrina Kidd: hair stylist at Hair By The Collective and an expert in styling and treating textured hair.
- Ateh Jewel: award-winning beauty journalist
- Keysha Davis: Award-winning journalist and editor of Black Hair Magazine
- Julian Addo: Founder of Adowa Beauty
- Judy Koloko: Founder of The Steam Bar
Guess what? You’re not really supposed to grease your scalp every day. Put the Blue Magic tub down!
Keep scrolling to discover the ultimate product guide to treating, styling and caring for textured and Afro hair with recommendations for co-washes, shampoos, conditioner, masks, leave-in conditioner, detanglers, oils, blow-dry protectors, hair butters, curl definers, the lot...
1. Shampoos
It’s the foundation to a comprehensive hair care regime, which can prep hair for any treatments that follow, so it’s important to choose a good shampoo. The best shampoos will provide a thorough cleanse of strands and scalps, without stripping the hair of essential moisture. Luckily, our panel of textured hair experts have whittled it down to fast track your search…
Subrina's shampoo of choice is the Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo, £24.50, Look Fantastic. “I love this shampoo because it is just so hydrating. It still cleanses thoroughly, but is still moisturising," says Subrina. Keysha recommends the Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil Shampoo, £24, Net-A-Porter. “This rich, creamy cleanser leaves my thick, coily hair feeling smooth and nourished, priming it for styling,” While hairstylist Mimi Kone says: “I always go for Keracare Hydrating and Detangling shampoo because as soon as you apply it into the hair it instantly soften it and the hair feel less dry and more hydrated and moisture.”
2. Conditioners
Rich, moisture-restoring nourishment is the name of the game when it comes to choosing a conditioner for textured hair. Luckily, there’s a plethora of expert formulas, packed with natural oils and intelligent ingredients that promise in-shower results. Here are the experts’ favourites…
Ateh's go-to? The Aveda Dry Remedy Conditioner, £27, Look Fantastic. “This leaves hair feeling silky soft with Organic jojoba oil and makes your bathroom smells like a spa.” Charlotte rightly picks her own product, the Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil Conditioner, £24, Net-A-Porter, which she carefully created to really cater and enrich curls and coils. “It’s a rich creamy formula that nourishes each strand by replenishing lost moisture. Plus, it replenishes and protects the hair from further damage from styling and heat tools,” she says.
Meanwhile Mimi says: “I love KeraCare Humecto Crème Conditioner 8oz, £8.45, Look Fantastic. It has been my go to conditioner for my clients with Afro and curly hair who haven’t had any keratin.” For best results, leave the conditioner on hair for at least 10 minutes and watch it work its magic.
Keysha's rec is the Dizziak Deep Conditioner, £22, Cult Beauty. Aside from the impressive blend of natural ingredients, it’s the heavenly smell that sets this conditioner apart: “the citrus scent of this enriched conditioner is just one of the reasons why I continually go back to it during wash day,” she says.
It’s the moisture, nourishment and the scent for me. This Maui Moisture Smooth & Revive+ Vanilla Bean Conditioner, £5.99, Boots has a supple blend of vanilla, cocoa and kukui nut oil. With aloe vera as its main ingredient, it does an excellent job at taming dryness in Afro hair, making it way more manageable to detangle.
3. Masks
An essential in every textured hair regime, a hair mask is not only an intensive treatment to restore vital moisture but it can also provide a moment of much-deserved pampering. From bounce-boosting treatments to oil-based creams, here’s our round up of the best masks for textured hair.
“The Big Hair Deep Conditioning Clay Mask, £20, Big Hair is a great home-care treatment. The Moroccan Rhasssoul Clay helps reduces dryness while removing toxins and product build up. It leaves hair soft and moisturised," says Subrina.
“I’m a huge fan of Bouclème and love the Bouclème Intensive Moisture Treatment, £29, Look Fantastic. It’s great for leaving my 4C coils bouncy and moisturised with softening marula oil. I put it on before hitting the steam room for a deep treatment,” says Ateh.
Containing pure Shea Butter, Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Hair Masque, £7.99, Superdrug penetrates deep into the hair shaft to repair damaged and chemically-treated hair, making it one of Mimi's go-tos.
Another favourite is the Osmo Intensive Deep Repair Mask, £9.49, Amazon, which is very effective in restoring curls – by nourishing and moisturising the hair scalp to tip. It works best by applying it to partially dried hair from the scalp down the hair shaft, wrapped with a hair cap or cling film (adding heat is a bonus) and left for 10 minutes for maximum results.
“The Steam Bar’s Scalp Saviour Mask is the jewel to our crowns. It's an exfoliating, balancing and hydrating mask for natural and textured hair. It contains wondrous ingredients including shea butter, carrot seed oil, avocado oil, and castor seed oil to replenish the scalp and nurture strands,” says Judy Koloko.
4. Detanglers
Anyone with curls can understand that the struggle is real when it comes to de-tangling, but there’s no denying that a good comb-out results in beautifully separated and defined curls and hair that gleams with health. These tried-and-tested detangling products help to make the process a little more manageable (and a little less painful!).
“The Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush, £12.99, Naturalistic Products is easily adaptable on all hair types! For best results, use the brush during conditioning treatments,” says Subrina.
“This Charlotte Mensah Paddle Brush, £22, Net-A-Porter has been a game changer. I used to spend hours detangling both my twin girls' hair, now it’s done in 10 minutes with no fuss or yelps,” says Ateh.
This brush makes wash days something curly haired curls should look forward to! With extremely flexible teeth, as the name suggests this is the ultimate detangling brush that will reduce tension on your tresses and protect it from intense shedding. It glides through the knots more smoothly that other brushes, making the process pain free and saving you a whole lot of time.
5. Leave-in conditioners
If your hair is prone to dryness, it can cause it to look brittle and dull as well as compromising your curls. A good leave-in conditioner acts as an extra layer of protection to help to safeguard against dryness, providing a dose of lasting nourishment that keeps hair hydrated until your next wash. Our expert panel reveals their favourites…
“This non-sticky, non-heavy, day-to-day Vernon François Leave-In Conditioner, £14.17, Net-A-Porter defines kinks, curls, coils and waves without weighing them down,” says Vernon.
“This Bouclème Curl Cream, £19, Look Fantastic is my standard go to," says Subrina. "It’s lightweight, and truly suitable for a wide range of textures and curl patterns. I love that you don’t need to habitually reapply – you can alternate every few days. Love it for a wash and go, finger coiling or twist out with a little oil. It contains shea butter, but it's so lightweight.”
Hair stylists Mimi Kone and Charlotte Mensah both rely on Keracare Natural Textures Leave In Conditioner, £5.74, Sephora to provide lasting moisture to hair – thanks to a blend of botanicals that nourish hair while still wet, while argan oil promotes optimum hair health. “Keracare leave-in conditioner really helps to nourish and condition, leaving hair moisturised,” says Charlotte.
“This Cantu Coil Calm Detangler, £7.49, Superdrug is perfect for keeping my hair hydrated and tangle free in-between wash days. It’s light, effective and works well when cocktailing with other products from the brand,” says Keysha.
6. Co-washes
Co-washes not only save time in the shower, but also offer a gentler way to wash hair and safeguard against the dryness that can occur with stripping shampoos. GLAMOUR finds out which ones the experts recommend.
“I’m not a huge fan of co-washes as I always prefer to have a sudsy, squeaky clean wash, but this As I Am Dry and Itchy Scalp Care Olive and Tea Tree Oil Co-Wash 454g, £13.45, Look Fantastic comes pretty close to a traditional shampoo. The peppermint and tea tree oil ingredients provide the scalp with a cool, nourishing cleanse,” says Keysha.
“The Bb.Curl Custom Conditioner, £28.50, Liberty is laced with Brazilian oils to help curls looking juicy. You can use it as a co-wash or as a leave in treatment – and it's totally customisable,” says Ateh.
“This Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Cleansing Conditioner, £11.99, Superdrug is sulphate-free and blended with agave and shea… it deeply moisturises and detangle curls,” says Charlotte.
“The Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Comp Conditioning Co Wash, £6.99, Sephora gently removes impurities and product build up, while infusing vital moisture. It’s the best," says Mimi.
7. Oils
Finding the perfect oil for your hair is no mean feat. Too thick and it becomes greasy, but too lightweight and it doesn’t offer enough moisture. Luckily, we’ve called in the experts to recommend their favourites to aid your search.
This ORS Olive Oil Sheen Spray, £4.86, Look Fantastic is an African mum bathroom cabinet staple, and that’s because it does what it says on the can. It gives the hair a glossy sheen so it's perfect for styling, whether you have your hair up in a bun, loose or you can spritz it over your weeks-old box braids to restore that week-one shine.
“Hands down at the moment my favourite is the Aveda Dry Remedy Moisturising Oil, £31, John Lewis. It’s lightweight, absorbent and moisturising," recommends Subrina.
“Packed with naturally-sourced Manketti nuts to deliver moisture without weighing the hair down, my Charlotte Mensah Manketti Hair Oil, £48, Net-A-Porter instantly improves shine and combats frizz," says Charlotte.
“I love the fact that this Moroccanoil Treatment, £32.85, Moroccanoil is a classic hair staple and is so light in consistency, pure and multi-purpose. I use it as a heat protector, to seal my hair, and as a hot oil treatment,” says Keysha.
8. Hair butters
To deeply nourish dry or coarse hair, there’s nothing better than a hair butter. Here, we asked our panel of experts for their top picks.
“The Camille Rose Naturals Curlaide Moisture Butter 240ml, £12.50, Look Fantastic is a great moisturiser to inject my hair with nourishment when it’s feeling a little dry and unloved. It’s blended with quality natural ingredients including shea moisture, coconut oil and castor oil, which results in a rich buttery textured cream that exudes quality," says Keysha.
“This SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie, £12.99, Boots is perfect for looser thirsty curls and helps to keep them hydrated," says Ateh.
“This Carol's Daughter Coco Creme Enhancing Butter 12oz, £12.99, Superdrug shields hair from everyday wear and tear and boosts natural shine," says Charlotte.
Mimi recommends: “This Keracare Natural Textures Butter Cream 227g, £10.70, Look Fantastic contains shea butter, cocoa butter, amla & shikakai (ayurvedic) botanicals, argan and abyssinian oils to hydrate and keep hair healthy."
9. Curl definers
Whether you’re looking to wash and go, twist and define, or up the shine factor, these expert-approved defining products offer the perfect solution to all your curl woes.
“This Paul Mitchell Foaming Pomade, £24.05, Look Fantastic gives maximum definition and shine, which is both lightweight and tangible. My tip if you want to switch it up for a straight look is to do a wrap set (it’s a more sustainable way of protecting your hair from heat damage or tension)," says Subrina.
“The Twisted Sista Foaming Curl Pomade, £8.99, Sephora is great for a wash and go and twistout/braidout or Bantu set. It's super lightweight with a natural shine. While it's great for fine to medium hair textures, I have also used it on thicker textures which are coily and kinky for a great twistout. The beauty of this product it’s not greasy and makes your hair so tangible," says Subrina. “Love it!”
“I love this Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer, £23.50, Look Fantastic because it intensifies curls, tames frizz and increase shine," says Charlotte.
“This Bouclème Curl Defining Gel 300ml, £17, Look Fantastic is a gel-based curl definer that’s extremely light in formula and gives my 4c type coils a more elongated curl definition than normal. It smells amazing, and leaves your curls soft and crunch-free too," says Keysha.
10. Blow drying protectant
A good protecting hair product can not only safeguard against heat damage from your heat styling tools, but it also helps to lock in moisture and protect from environmental aggressors and UV rays. We’ve asked the experts to recommend their go-tos.
“On the rare occasions I blow-dry or heat style my hair, I can always rely on the Keracare Silken Seal 120ml, £14.45, Look Fantastic to adequately protect my strands while also emitting a healthy shine," says Keysha.
Boasting a pro-keratin formula, the Kérastase Discipline Fluidissime Spray, £29.05, Look Fantastic helps to strengthen hair as well as protect. “It’s a great multi-tasker. It really helps to improve shine as well and protecting against heat damage,” says Ateh.
“This Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray, £29, Look Fantastic provides three layers of protection – against UV rays, up to 400 degree heat and against dryness – providing an instant hydration boost for dry hair," says Charlotte.
“I love this Oribe Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray, £46, Space NK. It's luxurious, lightweight and mist like. It protects, softens and it leaves the hair with body and a gorgeous natural shine. I’ve been using it religiously for 4yrs! Don’t get me started on the smell! Just divine," says Subrina.
11. Hair gels & edge control
The wand of this Schwarzkopf got2b Glued for Brows & Edges 2 in 1 Wand Gel, £5.30, Amazon makes for a great applicator, which means you can style your baby hairs quickly.
Another cult favourite is the Ecostyle Olive Oil Styling Gel, £6.99, Amazon – best used with wet hair to slick down buns or define curls. It's ideal as it dries with no white cast, so you can apply the product generously.
For Julian, her go-to curl gel is her Adwoa Beauty Baomint Moisturizing Curl Defining Gel, £27, Sephora: "I formulated this unique product as a cream/gel hybrid. I couldn't find a gel to define my kinky curls without my hair feeling dry to the touch after a few days, so I created one. Our gel is truly magical and a blend of rich butters and oils that hydrate hair but also allows my wash and style to last all week. I just refresh daily with our oil blend and keep it moving. Like all of the products in our baomint collection, the gel also promotes hair growth; it is truly unlike any gel on the market.”
For all the extra hold without looking like a burnt crisp, the Ampro Shine 'n Jam Gel Extra Hold, £9.99, Amazon can slick back the coiliest of curls in an instant, once applied to wet hair.
This Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Edge Gel, £6.95, Sephora controls baby hairs with ultra hold, leaving you with a glossy and smooth finish. It is also formulated with rosemary, mint and biotin which promotes hair growth. A win-win.
For more from Glamour UK Beauty Writer Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona
