Self-Care Sunday is all about you—but every bit of you, including your natural hair. It’s easy to get caught up in a protective style for long, forgetting to take care of your curls or coils.
That’s why we’re bringing you this guide to the best products for giving your hair the love it deserves. Learn more about our must-have self-care Sunday natural hair products below.
Pre-pooing your natural hair
A “pre-poo” is a treatment done on natural hair that prepares it for the shampoo process. This treatment can perform different things, depending on what you are pre-pooing for:
- Helps restore moisture and natural oils that your shampoo strips away.
- Provides a protective layer for your hair, preventing it from being “over-cleaned”.
- Makes your detangling process easier.
- Prevents breakage.
Best oils to pre-poo with
The type of oil you use to pre-poo your hair is completely up to you. Just make sure to get unrefined oil because they contain most of their nutrients:
- Avocado
- Castor
- Olive
- Jojoba
- Almond
- Argan
- Coconut
How to pre-poo with oils:
- Section off your dry hair while warming up the oil of your choice.
- Apply the oil evenly throughout your hair, focusing on your ends because they are the driest.
- Gently finger-detangle your hair before going in with a wide-tooth comb.
- Apply a silk bonnet or cap and let the oil penetrate through.
- Rinse with warm water.
Store-bought pre-poo products
For some people, it is easier to pre-poo with store-bought treatments. These can also aid in hydrating, strengthening, and detangling your natural hair. If this is you, here are some great products:
- The Mane Choice: Heavenly Halo Herbal Hair Tonic & Soy Milk Deep Hydration Pre-Poo
This product is great for detangling and moisturizing your hair before your shampoo. Its formula is perfect for all hair types and made with no sulfates or parabens. - Mielle Pre-Poo Treatment with Mongongo Oil
This pre-poo treatment not only softens and moisturizes your hair but also conditions your scalp with almond oil, sacha inchi oil, and mongongo oils. Many people have said that it makes their wash day an enjoyable process.
Pre-pooing with a cheap conditioner is also another option.
- Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner with Avocado
This conditioner helps moisturize and its thick formula gives your detangling process more slip. On the plus side, you get a bigger bang for your buck.
Shampoo products
Clean hair and self-care are besties. Regularly shampooing your natural hair not only helps you maintain it and increase growth, but also promotes healthier skin. The shampoo you use will depend on your hair type, but all natural-haired women should focus on using a sulfate-free shampoo on their curls and coils.
Here are some of the best shampoos and their benefits:
- Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo
With the addition of Jamaican Black Castor Oil, this shampoo helps moisturize and refresh your hair. The apple cider vinegar helps clarify your scalp and locks, promoting a healthy body of hair. - TGIN Moisture Rich Sulfate-Free Shampoo
TGIN shampoo doesn’t contain harsh ingredients that strip your hair of its natural oils. This shampoo gently and efficiently cleanses your scalp and hair. Vitamin B5 is infused to prevent breakage. - Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo
This shampoo is perfect for dry, weak hair. Besides it smelling amazing, it is also infused with biotin to promote hair growth. The mint leaves your scalp feeling cleaned and refreshed. Coconut and babassu oils are added to the formula to promote moisturized, stronger hair. - As I Am Curl Clarity Shampoo
This shampoo’s name is befitting. This shampoo is great for removing build-up and other impurities. While it’s tough on dirt, it also helps moisturize your curls and coils.
Deep Conditioner Products
You have made it to the final step in your natural hair self-care routine. This step should never be skipped, especially if you want healthier, stronger natural hair. Dry hair tends to break off or create irreparable damage. It is important to protect your hair with the right deep conditioner.
Depending on your hair porosity, you should choose from lightweight conditioners to thicker ones, like a hair mask. Here are some good products to start with:
- TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask
This deep conditioner is perfect for when you’re looking for a conditioner that provides extra slip. This sweet-smelling conditioner repairs dry, brittle hair and promotes a healthy shine.
- Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioner
Infused with blue-green algae, this conditioner aids in strengthening natural hair. Its buttery formula packs moisture into each strand, leaving your hair healthier and shinier.
- Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Hair Masque
Sometimes, you have to pay a bigger buck for an amazing product. This 5-in-1 conditioner hydrates, repairs, and softens your natural hair in just minutes. You are guaranteed to feel a difference after just one use.
- Jane Carter Solution Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner
This nourishing conditioner contains ingredients like rosemary and mullen extracts, perfect for locking in moisture. It helps maintain your natural hair and creates a healthy shine.
After you have pre-pooed, cleansed, and deep conditioned your hair, be sure to protect it. At this time, you can choose to style your hair or put it in a satin or silk bonnet.
Taking care of your hair may seem like a tedious, drawn-out process. The right products can help make things easier. Be sure to try out different ways you can pair these products for your self-care routine.
Your curly, kinky or coily hair can never have too much moisture and hydration. These things are key in promoting growth and preventing unnecessary breakage.
Remember, taking care of your natural hair is the ultimate definition of self-care.