Are you a newly natural trying to find those must haves? Do you know someone who is newly natural and would benefit from this list? Is this the third or fourth time you've tried doing natural but it's just not working for you? Lucky for you, I've been newly natural and I have been natural for two years. Here is a list of my essentials for curly hair.
For the rare occasion that your hair needs a boost to either get you to your next wash day or for a quick reset to do a last-minute style (provided your hair does not weigh down easily). Co-washes are not shampoo re-placers, so use wisely. My favorite is the Shea Moisture Superfruit Multi-Vitamin Conditioning Wash w/ Marula Oil and Biotin.
2. A shower mirror
Hear me out, if you have a lot of hair and you do your own hair most of the time, I highly recommend a shower mirror. This helps me with detangling my hair in the shower and styling my wash-n-go. Mine is in the picture below and will be linked here.
3. Clips
Depending on your hair, these will help with styling. For me, it helps with detangling and styling. Below are the ones that I like to use.
4. A definition technique
For those who think their hair might not be coming out right, maybe it's not just the product. Maybe you need to find a definition technique. I use my fingers, but others use a Denman brush (pictured below).
5. A go-to washing and styling set.
Though I love products, I have a go-to set of products that I always use for washing and styling. After some serious trial-and-error, pictured below are my staples based on my hair type and desired results.
6. An ability to take pictures
No, this is not conceited. If you want healthy hair and you cannot tell if anything is changing with products you are trying or whatever, I highly recommend taking pictures. This way, you can see which results you like best and how your hair is doing.
7. A hair journal
I kid you not, this one is for the product junkies. If you love experimenting like I do, it does not hurt to write down the results and how you like the product. Below is an entry from mine.
8. Humor
You will have fails. Sometimes, more fails than success. You need to have humor about it, you'll laugh at it anyway.
9. Go-to up-do
Either a ponytail or a bun, every curly girl needs a go-to up-do for when their hair is getting a little old. Mine is a high puff, as pictured below (that was a good one, by the way).
10. Water
Your body needs water, your hair needs water. You literally need water. Drink some water!!
11. Confidence
Going natural is not easy. You will need to have some confidence, especially if you are starting from scratch.