I do not like coconut oil heavy products and products with overpowering scents which I know can subjective to each and every nose. This criteria can make it an absolute nightmare when it comes to finding natural hair products. They are usually heavily scented and coconut oil can apparently fix relationship problems amongst many other things.

I am not fussed about every single ingredient, all that silicones versus silicones-free debate is essential but can be such a buzzkill. I stay away from coconut oil because I am protein sensitive and coconut oil leaves my hair feeling too hard. In the end, if a product makes me happy, I’m not bothered unless it is poisonous or from an unrenewable natural source.

Fickle should be allowed in hair care because I overthink almost everything else; food ingredients, thread count, silk versus satin, the varying tastes of water due to its spring source, what Obama is doing now and so much more. I can wash out a hair product and my hair will grow back.

These are the questions I ask myself whenever making a hair product purchase:

  1. Does it make my hair feel great and absorb the product?
  2. Does my scalp itch afterwards?
  3. Is it worth the cash per application?

I love the Shea Moisture 10 in 1 Renewal Complex system. I have only tried the shampoo and deep conditioner and I cried when the shampoo poured out by mistake and I had to get a new one. What an absolute waste of up to 7 washes, it was a very sad day. The shampoo in this range cleanses my hair and scalp very well and my hair does not feel like straw afterwards and the deep conditioner leaves my hair feeling soft and strong. It could be the shea butter, biotin and marula oil that it is infused in it.

The standard after wash conditioner I trust is the Tresemme Naturals Conditioner which is either being rebranded or out of circulation. Does any know what’s happening with that? Is it now the new Perfectly Undone?

The Mane Choice’s Co Wash, Detangler and Leave-In Conditioner is great for me as a leave in. My hair just feels great and my lazy natural vibes just can’t put my finger on it. When I am looking for a more affordable moisturiser, it will always be the Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Anti Breakage Leave-in it smells good and sinks into my strands.

Every natural girl needs a buttery creamy pot of goodness to go over the leave in conditioner and after 4 years of trial and error, only 2 make the cut and they are absolutely worth the price and UK brands, infused with all the black girl magic you can think of. The first one is from Superfood Lx and it is called SuperfoodLx Intelligence Advanced Hair Nutrient Complex; everything in the black pot of luxury is edible and it just works for my hair and I always just need a dab to twist a section of hair. It leaves my hair soft and shiny. Paula has keeps updating the range and now has Hair Vitamins and you can find her stuff at The Prince’s Trust around London Liverpool Street Station.

The other pot is tiny and never runs out. I have had this since 2 Christmases ago and I have used it as generously as it will allow in between my protective styling and I can’t seem to finish it. It is a love hate relationship for a recovering product junkie. Klerissa has whipped up every beautiful oil into this Curly By Nature Nourishing Gloss Balm and it used it to twist up my hair. It melts on my fingertips and leaves it shiny and soft too. I absolutely love it and still complain whenever I see her but it just won’t run out.

My scalp deserves a whole book on its care as it’s the primary reason I cut off all my hair in the first place. I have tried a few things which feel minty, cooling and great when applied but within minutes, my scalp starts sniffling again and I have to wash my hair midweek just to calm it down. Fortunately, I am in the clear now, courtesy a not-yet released Hair Oil from Equi Botanics and that’s all I have to say on the matter. It passed the ultimate test by allowing to me skip wash day for 3 weeks. For a girl who needed mid-week washes to sleep peacefully, that’s definitely a score. Happy Scalp, Happy life.

What have you got in your natural hair arsenal? I may leave product junkie rehab just to try what you have!

Thanks for reading

Vesta

Find Vesta on her blog Chocolate N Curls:

http://www.chocolatencurves.com

Stockists

Buy the Shea Moisture superfruit complex 10-in-1 renewal system shampoo for £10.99 from Boots

Buy the Shea Moisture superfruit complex 10-in-1 renewal system conditioner for £10.99 from Boots

Buy the Mane Choice’s Co Wash, Detangler and Leave-In Conditioner for £13.75 from Naturalistic Products

Buy the Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Anti Breakage Leave-in for £4.48 from Amazon

Buy the SuperfoodLX Advanced Hair Nutrient Complex for £21 from SuperfoodLX

Buy the Curly By Nature Nourishing Gloss Balm for £24.99 from Curly By Nature