Starting a healthy natural hair journey can be a frustrating process if you do not have the right products and techniques. Once you find products that work for your type 4c hair, you will find your hair care regimen to be enjoyable – as it should be.
Truth is, there is no magic potion or overnight method that can give you long and healthy natural hair. If embracing my natural hair has taught me anything, it is patience. It is so easy to get caught up in the spiral of YouTube natural hair tutorials that make you buy every product under the sun.
If you’re just starting out with your natural hair regimen or just looking for some guidance, here are three must-have products for 4c natural hair. I wholeheartedly believe in keeping it simple and remaining consistent with your routine. This allows you to get into a routine that feels manageable and attainable because let’s be real here – nobody has time to dedicate an entire day every week to tend to their hair.
The last thing you want to do is get discouraged by overwhelming yourself and trying to adopt a routine that doesn’t fit your lifestyle or align with your hair care goals. Once you have read this post, take a look at this simple natural hair routine that I shared. It has been really helpful with keeping me consistent and focusing on the basics.
Essential Products for 4c Natural Hair Care
1. Moisturizing Shampoo Works Best for 4C Hair
Type 4 natural hair tends to be more prone to dryness and breakage. I recommend using a moisturizing shampoo as it cleans thoroughly without stripping your hair of its natural oils. Speaking from experience, shampoo may actually be the least important product on this list. You don’t need to overspend to get an expensive shampoo. A simple shampoo such as this one will work just fine.
You don’t need to shampoo your hair weekly. If you must, I recommend that you alternate between co-washing and shampoo if you feel the need to wash your hair weekly. There are two options for co-washing. You can use a regular conditioner in the same way that you would use your shampoo. Alternatively, you can use a cleansing conditioner such as this one.
When selecting shampoos and conditioners, I try to ensure that I choose products that are sulfate and paraben-free. Sulfate is known for stripping the hair of its natural oils which breaks down and weakens the hair follicles. Parabens are preservatives that extend the shelf life of shampoos and conditioners. They are known to cause hormone dysfunction, particularly estrogen in women.
2. Use a Deep Conditioner Every Time You Wash Natural Hair
My absolute favorite part of wash day is deep conditioning because this is the most important step. If there is one product I’d encourage you to splurge on, this would be it. This step will transform how your hair feels days after wash day. If there is anything you take away from this post today, it is this part. You need to use a deep conditioner EVERY TIME you wash your hair.
Deep conditioning nourishes your hair from the inside out. It moisturizes your hair follicles at a deeper level than the traditional conditioner while promoting strength and hair growth. Natural hair myths have taught us that water is bad because it shrinks our hair when in fact water is all your natural hair wants.
Shrinkage equals health. If your natural hair reverts when water is added, this means your hair is absorbing all the moisture you are providing it.
I started using deep conditioners more consistently in early 2018 and I’ve since noticed that my curl pattern is more defined and my natural hair has become more manageable. I find myself not re-moisturizing as often during the week. I might now only moisturize a couple of nights a week (if that) versus every night.
How to Deep Condition Natural Hair
The best way to maximize your deep conditioner is to sit under a hooded dryer or to use a deep conditioning cap. This process allows for maximum absorption of the deep conditioner into your hair strands. Think of it like steaming your face with warm water to open up your pores.
This deep conditioning blow dryer attachment is similar to the one I use and is a cheaper alternative to a hooded dryer. The neck strap is a bonus feature that keeps it from slipping off.
If you prefer a deep conditioning option that allows you to move around and multitask around the house, this deep conditioning heat cap is really good. You just pop it into the microwave for one minute to heat it up.
3. Leave-in Conditioners Are a Must
As a kid, I remember getting my hair washed and the final step before being styled or braided consisted of my hair being lathered with Blue Magic hair grease. To this day, the smell of it brings back so many memories – mostly painful ones.
Needless to say, I’ve come a long way from petroleum-based greases that don’t moisturize your hair but simply sit on the surface of the hair strands.
Applying a leave-in conditioner (conditioner that is formulated to be left in the hair) allows for a continuous moisture barrier to prevent dry hair and friction. For a bonus step and maximum moisture, apply your favourite oil after your leave-in conditioner to seal in the moisture.
Incorporating these three essential products for 4c natural hair into your routine is a great start to building a regimen that works for you. I’ve broken down a simple hair care routine in this post that will be a great starting point for beginner naturals. Most importantly, listen to your hair. Make note of how it reacts to new products and adjust as needed.
[…] I mentioned in my previous post, deep conditioning is an essential part of the wash day process. Deep conditioning reduces breakage […]