Haircare Products You Need

You’ve probably heard this before: “to make your hair thrive, you need the right products.” This statement is enough to drive people to jet to the store or frantically browse online shops in search of every hair-healthy product under the sun. But ‌you don’t need all the products you see advertised on TV and online. So, which ones do you actually need? That’s what we’ll help you out with in this article. 

A Gentle Yet Effective Shampoo

A few of the hallmarks of good hair include shine, manageability, and hydration. You can’t have any of these if your hair is gunked up in buildup, dirt, and scalp oils on a long-term basis. You should cleanse your hair regularly if you want it to be healthy - but not just any shampoo will do.  

Most shampoos on the market contain one or more of a class of ingredients called sulfates. These sulfates are strong cleansers that leave your hair squeaky clean, but often cleanse a little too well, leaving your hair desperate for moisture and prone to breakage.  

Instead of sulfate-laden shampoos, opt for a sulfate-free shampoo that’ll get your hair clean without stripping it of all moisture. Shop around at your local beauty supply store or big box department store for shampoos that say “sulfate-free” or “gentle.” With gentle shampoos, you’ll still have to check the ingredient list to ensure there are no sulfates. 

A Moisturizing Conditioner

Even if you use a gentle shampoo that doesn’t strip your hair to oblivion, you should always follow that up with a moisturizing conditioner. You’d think that all conditioners are moisturizing and perform as they should, but that’s just not the case. Every single conditioner formula is unique and behaves differently depending on your hair and scalp chemistry. So, it’s not enough to choose a conditioner that says it’s hydrating or moisturizing on the packaging. 

Opt for a conditioner that has water listed as the first ingredient and is full of oils, vitamins, and butters. Avoid conditioners that contain alcohols, parabens, or artificial fragrances, as these could do more harm than good. 

Note: There’s an ongoing debate surrounding the necessity of deep conditioners (ultra-hydrating conditioners). Our advice is to only use a deep conditioner when your hair feels like it’s still thirsty for moisture after your regular wash-day routine. It’s unnecessary, and can even be detrimental to your hair, to use it when your hair doesn’t need it. 

A Daily Leave-in Conditioner

Most of us find that our hair gets dry in between wash days, and that’s a normal thing. The effects of conditioner only last for so long. And that’s where daily leave-in conditioners come in. They enable you to give your hair a quick dose of moisture before you head out for the day, on your lunch-break, or before you hit the hay. No hair product lineup is complete without a leave-in. We urge you to choose a water-based, moisturizing spray leave-in that’ll leave your hair feeling and looking amazing. All you’ll need to do is spritz your hair a few times and be on your way!

Hair Styling Necessities

In addition to the basics, you’ll need to get your hands on one or more of the below styling necessities. 

• Styling serum - To smooth and silken your hair for sleek styles. 

• Blow dryer - To save time when drying your hair. 

• Heat Protectant - To prevent heat damage from heat styling. 

• Wide-tooth combs and boar bristle brushes - For gentle, effective styling. 

So, there you have it - everything you need to know about your hair product essentials. We hope you found all the information you were looking for. Good luck! 

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.