Maybe you’re stuck in a product rut. Maybe you’ve got some go-to favorites but are looking for something new and amazing for the summer. Maybe you’re now transitioning and are looking forward to trying out new hair products and figuring out what your hair’s needs are. Either way, here I am to enable all you product junkies! Here are the latest, greatest products for natural kinks and curls. Some I have tried. Some I have not — yet. But either way, I wanted y’all to be up on the new new! Without further ado… the New Hair Products You Need To Know About ASAP!
Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair
I’ve enjoyed Cantu products in the past — check my 2008 review here! I’ve always seen Cantu as a good drugstore option for bellas on a budget looking to give their hair moisture and life. Now the brand has expanded to include products specifically for natural textures. The new Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair line is awesome AND affordable! I’ve tried several of the products from the new line, and I really like the Coconut Curling Cream. And the Coconut Milk Shine & Hold Mist is what my hair never knew it needed! Water, glycerine, shea, aloe vera, jojoba, coconut oil and milk. My hair is drinking this stuff UP. Their site is under renovation so I’d advise you visit your local Walmart or Walgreens if you want to check them out in person.
Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave In Conditioner
Full disclosure: years ago I tried a few Ouidad products and they didn’t work for my particular texture. I know the product line is super popular with many curly ladies, but I assumed that their products weren’t formulated with my grade of coarseness in mind, all based on this one experience I had several years ago. Then I was sent some new Ouidad products, intended for kinky hair. I got the Climate Control defrizzing shampoo and conditioner, the heat and humidity gel, and the product I’m loving the most of the bunch, the Moisture Lock Leave In Conditioner. I like it after I’ve emerged from the shower with damp, detangled hair. Ingredients include castor oil, green tea extract, and prickly pear cactus extract to draw moisture from the air. And have you seen Jill Scott’s self-directed video for Blessed?
She makes me want to try that Botanical Boost refreshing spray!
CLEAR Ultra Shea Scalp and Hair Beauty Therapy.
Is America ready for another mass market hair product? It better be, cause Clear is now here! Already insanely popular in 42 countries, now Clear is making its American debut — check out the New York Times story about it. Expect to see Heidi Klum vamping all over your magazine pages and in-store displays! And while you’re checking out those packages and making the mental assumption, “these products aren’t for my texture,” it turns out you’d be wrong. Clear also has a product line dedicated to multi-textured African American hair, and it’s not about tackling texture – it’s about hair HEALTH for a change. A refreshing change, I might add!
When Clear’s spokesperson, the handsome and lovely celebrity hairstylist Oscar James came to Chicago recently, we met up and he shared a little about the brand. “Women are spending all this money on skincare for the eye and the neck….why not the scalp? Moisture is the key to maintaining your hair’s health. You need to nourish your scalp with moisture,” he said. And he’s right! I really like these products so far! The product is intended to work for relaxed AND natural hair, so if you’ve been looking for a gentle cleansing shampoo that will leave your hair feeling soft and not stripped, check out the Clear Facebook page at Facebook.com/ClearUltraShea. And BTW, Oscar James is a TOTAL SWEETHEART — click here to follow him on Twitter! Love him!
Ojon Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy
Ojon is one of my favorite hair luxuries, and it’s been a beloved part of my Sunday afternoon beauty ritual in years past. That jar of Restorative Hair Treatment is the way, the truth and the light for my tresses! And now Ojon’s released a NEW hair therapy treatment. I cannot WAIT to get my hands on Ojon Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy. Natural oils infused into “3 hair-reparative phases: Amber, Crystal and Red.” That includes ojon oil from Central America, Rouge Oleifera extract from the fruit that surrounds the Ojon nuts, plus Tahitian Monoi oil, marula oil, Kalahari melon oil, Kuikui oil, and Ximenia oil. Wowza. Intended for sealing hair cuticles, and locking in moisture for coarse, dry hair, it can be used as a styling oil for shine on dry hair, or to protect damp hair from the elements or heat damage. Relaxed and natural bellas, keep an eye out for this hotness. I’ll have to do a full review once I’ve tried it myself!
Carol’s Daughter Transitioning 1-2-3.
I’m sure by now you know that Carol’s Daughter has devoted themselves to transitioning haircare — there’s the Transitioning Movement website (which many of my blog buddies are contributing to)! And there are also Carol’s Daughter transitioning products, dedicated to helping new naturals gain stronger, thicker, healthier hair. For new newbies there’s the Transitioning 1-2-3 set, which contains a low-lather cleanser, scalp spray, and anti-breakage treatment. Ingredients include biotin to assist in hair growth. I transtioned a decade ago so I can’t truly speak to the products in that regard, but I do love the idea of the scalp spray — like an astringent for your scalp! This will be glorious in the summer months, I tell you!
Wen Re-Moist Intensive Hair Treatment
Today I’ve got a photoshoot in a couple of hours. Yesterday my hair was crispy and crunchy and tangled with a whole bunch of fairy knots at the end. Today my hair is moisturized, detangled, and scented with lovely lavender. What did I do? I used the Wen Re-Moist Intensive Hair Treatment overnight and put my good ol’ stocking over it to keep it in place while I slept. This morning I washed it with regular Wen cleansing conditioner and detangled it all thoroughly. Right now my hair is SOFT, detangled, shiny, and happy. I love the Wen haircare system, especially the Fig Cleansing Conditioner.
If you’re looking to try a variety of new natural hair products at once, I can’t recommend curlBOX enough! The packaging is exquisite, and different brands are included every month. For me it’s extra awesome cause most of the items come in travel friendly sizes, and my summer travel schedule is kicking into overdrive soon, so you know my curlBOX goodies will be in tow! You can click here to follow them on Twitter for the latest scoop, and you can click here to sign up. (Image via the curlBOX crew!)
Those are my latest hair discoveries! See anything you want, need, or MUST try? Tell me which you’re most intrigued by! And if you’ve tried anything new and amazing recently, tell a bella!
oldfaker
Thank you, thank you, just what I needed. Products to revamp my hair routine for summer. Right on time. Thanks
askvivi
Interesting article! I love argan oil because it has tons of benefits and itβs super light on my hair, not greasy. I use Pro Naturals Moroccan Argan Oil hair treatment and my hair is shinier, stronger, healthier and longer π
Sheena
Cantu makes natural hair products? Uh oh, must find! Been loving their oil sheen spray for years!
bella
I love argan oil too! will check that product out. Thanks for sharing!
jamie
hey if your looking for organic hair care products visit my etsy page! my sister and i have over a dozen completely organic topical products!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JPSignatureOrganX?ref=si_shop
bella
you are welcome! π
Monique
thank you for the info, very useful, I am using a good product too which has helped me a lot, it’s Pro Naturals Moroccan Argan Oil which protects the hair, makes it stronger and keeps it smooth, shiny, frizz less and healthy. π
DiJah
Saw the CANTU naturals line in Walgreens and passed on it. Wasn’t too sure about the ingredients. So I went ahead I picked up my safe product >> Shea Moisture curl enhancing smoothie
Mothers Love
I absolutely love the new line of Cantu Shea Butter. I use the coconut cream as a moisturizer and it quench’s my daughters natural hair so well. I use it as well, its a perfect moisturizer for my relaxed hair.
Marissa
These are excellent products that are on the market. Good choices.
Aihebhoria Peace
I’m really interested in the products u’ve listed..but how do i get them in Nigeria?