The Ultimate Prime Day 2023 Natural Hair Shopping Guide
As many of you may know—Prime Day is quickly approaching (July 11-12). We often get asked what are the “best” products to use for natural hair. We’re excited to share that Black Girl Curls officially has an Amazon Storefront where you can shop recommended hair products, tools, accessories and more. Below is the ultimate Prime Day 2023 shopping guide for all things natural hair.
* Note: This Amazon Storefront does contain commissionable links
Shop Black Girl Curls Amazon Storefront
The Five Product Rule
A few years ago, when clients came into the salon we would invite them to bring their products with them for an evaluation. Bins, bags, and boxes of products that just weren’t going to deliver the results the client was looking for. Occasionally though, a client would have awesome products that they just didn’t know how to use.
We cut through the product nonsense with what we call The Five Product Rule. These are the core five products that every natural should have in their collection. The goal is to streamline what is actually necessary for successful hair care and eliminate the rest which saves money and time for naturals everywhere.
What Are the Five Products?
All Purpose Shampoo
Moisture Conditioner
Base Gel
Topper Gel/Cream/Foam
Twisting Styler
#1: Shampoo Product Recommendations
Shampoo should be used to cleanse the hair of sebum, sweat components, desquamated stratum corneum, styling products, and environmental dirt. We typically recommend that individuals cleanse their hair every 7 to 10 days, with an average lifestyle.
We introduced something known as The Shampoo Spectrum—which ranges from most cleansing to least cleansing. Below are recommendations from each shampoo category:
Clarifying Shampoos
Designed to remove buildup from product and environmental sources allowing the bare hair strand to be exposed. These types of shampoo are important in all routines but the frequency of usage should be determined by how dirty your hair and scalp is
A clarifying shampoo we typically tend to recommend in the salon is Malibu C Un-Do-Goo Shampoo. Due to its strong PH level—it should be used sparingly as it can be harsh on hair that does not have build up.
All Purpose Shampoos
Have the ability to remove dirt, oil, buildup and environmental debris on a regular basis
An all purpose shampoo we typically recommend in the salon is AG Balance Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo. We would recommend using this every 7 to 10 days, with an average lifestyle.
Moisturizing Shampoos
Are considered more conditioning, less cleansing. This category of shampoo contains less strong surfactants more emollients and humectants in the formulations
A moisturizing shampoo we typically recommend in the salon is Innersense Organic Beauty Hydrating Cream Hairbath. This shampoo is suitable for any combination of Essential Elements.
#2: Conditioner Product Recommendations
Conditioners reduces the swelling, shuts the cuticle down and leaves a layer of protection on the hair. It is a viscus emulsion made up of emollients, humectants, lipids, vitamins, and other ingredients with a lower ph (3.5-5.5) that encourages the cuticle to close.
“Conditioner IS your sealant. Let that sink in. Common conditioner ingredients include: emollients, humectants (glycerin, sorbitol, urea, aloe vera etc), lipid layer and protein.”
Conditioners
Choosing the right cleanser and conditioner for your hair’s needs is based on the Essential Elements of your hair, your lifestyle, and your budget
A conditioner we typically recommend in the salon is AG Boost Apple Cider Vinegar Silicone-Free Conditioner. This conditioner is suitable for any combination of Essential Elements and is very creamy when married with water.
#3: Gel Product Recommendations
We often use botanical gels for wash and go styling with additional water, dried under a hood dryer to provide a set that can last 4+ days depending on Essential Elements, styling technique and desired finish.
“Botanical gels typically contain herbal extracts and humectants (such as aloe, flaxseed, okra, pectin or marshmallow root) that are used to promote water retention in your hair by pulling moisture from the air and adding it to your hair.”
Gels
Gels typically give a very defined, firm hold that reduces volume
A gel we typically recommend in the salon is Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic Curl Stimulator. This is an aloe (humectant) based gel that is a great beginner gel that requires the use of a LOT of water.
#4: Twist & Define Cream Recommendations
The formula of twist & define creams can look similar to that of buttercreams, but have one distinct difference—they have one or more holding ingredients in them that help to retain the form of the set from wet to dry. They are great for setting twists, braids, coils, and updo’s.
Twist & Define Creams
Are great for setting twists, braids, coils, and updo’s
A recommendation that we like to provide for twist and define creams is KeraCare Natural Textures Twist & Define Cream. This cream performs best on wet hair.
#5: Foam Recommendations
We use both volumizing and styling foams for different types of styling.
The word volumizing in this category of styling products is often a misnomer. They don’t tend to create additional volume but have very light formulations that create hold without weight.
Volumizing Foams
Have very light formulations that create hold without weight
A volumizing foam that we love to use in wash and go styling is AG Cloud Air Light Volumizing Mousse. Our co-founder, Aishia, has coined the phrase “lived in wash and go” where you can get day 5 hair—with definition + volume, on day one, using a product combination that includes AG Cloud.
Styling foams are the workhorse of styling products for professionals. We could literally do everything we needed to do with a styling foam. And even though we aren’t particularly crazy about the new trend of using styling foams for wash and go’s, it can work.
Styling Foams
Styling foams are used to set twist, rod, braid, roller, and bantu knot sets from wet to dry
A styling foam that we love to use in The Doux’s Mousse Def Texture Foam. Styling foams have a heavier effect and stronger hold in their formulation than volumizing foams.
#6: Nighttime Hair Accessories
Oftentimes, we get asked what is the best way to preserve your natural hair at night. Honestly, your nighttime accessory of choice will come down to personal preference and sometimes, your hair length. Check out this blog post for more information.
Nighttime Accessories
The most popular option amongst naturals is a Buff, which is a long tube made from a breathable and moisture-wicking microfiber
Want specific video tutorials with step-by-step instructions on how to use the hair products listed in our Prime Day shopping guide? Find them and more in our Wash Your Damn Hair Styling & Product Guide.
This guide is a beginner-friendly resource to help naturals master their signature style and take the guesswork out of product selection. Use the coupon code STYLE15 at checkout for $15 off your digital copy! This offer expires next Wednesday 7/12 at 11:59 PM EST.
