It wasn’t long ago that black women rocking kinks and curls were hard-pressed to find quality products. Thankfully, today there is a virtual sea of shampoos, conditioners, and stylers made for natural hair of every texture. We tested options familiar and new, including lines from actor Gabrielle Union and Vernon François, the stylist behind Lupita Nyong’o’s red-carpet looks. Read on for our favorites.
1. Camille Rose Naturals Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse
Everything from Camille Rose, a product line formulated by a vegan mother of five, smells good enough to eat. This delicious cleansing rinse removes product buildup from the hair and scalp without stripping moisture. $11, camillerosenaturals.com
2. Flawless by Gabrielle Union Oil Treatment
The Being Mary Jane star’s five-oil blend feels more like a serum and doesn’t weigh hair down. This prod works best when used sparingly on wet hair to lock in moisture on freshly conditioned tresses or applied more generously to dry hair as a pre-shampoo treatment. $25, flawlesshair.com
3. Kinky-Curly Knot Today
This beloved leave-in conditioner is a curly girl favorite for a reason. The detangling power of Knot Today is nothing short of miraculous. And the best thing about it—once you’ve worked it through your hair, obliterating tangles and knots, there’s no need to rinse! ?$12, kinky-curly.com
4. Mixed Chicks Curl Sculptor
Although the brand name suggests their products won’t work well for coarse or kinky hair, Mixed Chicks offers several different styling products that work with a range of textures. This jelly moisturizes, holds, and battles shrinkage, making it a great choice for wash ’n’ go looks. $10, mixedchicks.net
5. Vernon François Curl~ Conditioner
Who knew a liquid—yes liquid—conditioner could moisturize and detangle with the strength of its thickest and creamiest competitors? Vernon François, apparently. This conditioner comes in a spray bottle making it easier to work into dense, tightly coiled hair, braids, and dreads. $33, us.vernonfrancois.com
BY SABRINA FORD
ILLUSTRATION: LOVEIS WISE
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