Brown Girl Haircare: Routine & Must-Have Products Pt.1

 

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته أختي  مرحباً

Soo.... you want healthy hair and you're trying to boost hair growth and thickness? Maybe you're a new natural girlie looking for advice on what products to buy or trying to figure out your wash day routine. Or maybe you’re just on the hunt for some new products to try out. I got you, Uhkt!

 Stay tuned as I break it all down in my Brown Girl Haircare Routine & Must Have Products Series.

I went natural in 2017, and it’s a moment I’ll never forget. As a brown girl growing up in America, I did what many girls with thick, kinky, so-called "untameable" hair did—I relaxed it, or as we say, permed it. My hair was either straightened or in braids, and I had no idea that beneath it all, I had a gorgeous curl pattern of my own. Truthfully, I never even thought my natural hair could be beautiful.

Going natural wasn’t popular in my community. As brown girls, we’re often told, whether directly or indirectly, that our hair isn’t beautiful in its natural state. That couldn’t be further from the truth. After countless YouTube tutorials, Pinterest boards, and blog posts, I finally got the hang of this natural hair thing—full of trial and error, some product wins, and plenty of fails. But now, I’ve got a solid list of products I love and a wash day routine that works for me. 

First, there’s a common myth in my community (American African) that dirt helps our hair grow. This is completely wrong! In fact, you should be washing your hair more often, not less. This is the key to healthy hair and one way to promote and help with hair growth. I wash my hair once a week (or every 10 days if I'm super busy or feeling lazy, haha), I start with a pre-poo treatment. Then, I wash my hair 2x, deep condition it, and style it in either flat twists or mini twists as a protective style.

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First, I start with a pre-poo treatment, usually a mix of oil, conditioner, and herbal powder. Here’s a sample recipe:

• ¼ Cup of Almond Oil

• 1 Cup of Conditioner

• 2 Tbsp of Amla Powder

Combine these ingredients and apply them to your hair. You may need to adjust the amounts depending on your hair length. Detangle your hair, put on a cap, and leave this mixture in for at least an hour or longer. (Use this time to do some housework or run errands for the best results!)When it comes to powders, I’ve tried and absolutely love Henna Sooq's selection. They offer everything from Amla, Brahmi, and Bhringraj to Aloe Vera, among others. You can check out their full range of powders on their website: Henna Sooq Alternatively, you can also find similar powders at your local Indian grocery store.

Next, it’s essential to use a good sulfate-free shampoo. Personally, I like to use a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove any buildup, and for my regular wash days, I stick to a moisturizing shampoo. Occasionally, I’ll follow up with a conditioner to restore moisture, but most of the time, I go straight into deep conditioning. This is when I detangle my hair, using my fingers along with my new favorite tool—the UNbrush. It’s been a game-changer for my Type 4 hair!

I section my hair into four parts and apply the deep conditioner from roots to ends. Then, I twist each section into two-strand twists and cover my hair with a cap (or, honestly, a plastic grocery bag—it works just as well!). I leave it on for a few hours before rinsing it out.

The last step is LOC time, which stands for Leave-In Conditioner, Oil, and Cream. After applying these products, I style my hair in protective styles like twists or braids. Each night, I oil my scalp with a gentle massage, and I add leave-in conditioner in the morning.

Here’s a list of products I recommend:

• Shampoo: Mane Choice Alpha Collection Soft as Can Be 3-in-1 Moisturizing Co-wash and Leave-In Conditioner. I love the scent, and it has great slip for detangling. I mainly use this for washing, but it can work for any step. I also really enjoyed the shampoo from the same collection; both leave my hair feeling clean yet moisturized.

 Carol's Daughter Wash Day Delight as a perfect clarifying shampoo. My hair felt super clean after using it. However, while it claims to have slip, I would disagree—this is definitely one of those shampoos that requires a pre-poo treatment to avoid completely drying out your hair. I would strongly suggest following up immediately with a moisturizing product, as this shampoo leaves no moisture behind

   

As I Am Long Luxe Pomegranate & Passionfruit Strengthening Shampoo
This shampoo is amazing! It left my hair feeling clean, smelling delicious, and moisturized. After a few washes, I definitely noticed that it strengthened my hair. A solid 10 out of 10, would highly recommend. The lather? Perfect—chef’s kiss!

Mane Choice Do it Fro The Culture Shampoo This shampoo transformed wash days from a chore into a treat.It had slip which is rare in a shampoo but much appreciated. This smell was sweet but not to much and it was also gentle on my 4C strands. Left my hair squeaky clean with moisture—hard to master both, but Mane Choice nailed this one.If you have 4c hair or kinky natural hair girl buy it, it's worth it!

Dark and Lovely Au Naturale definitely deserves a spot on this list. I’m usually not a huge fan of co-washes, but their Clumping Curl Clay Wash had me in a chokehold for all the right reasons! Hands down, this left my curls moisturized to the max and left it squeaky clean. To be honest the whole line had me in a chokehold but unfortunately, Dark and Lovely completely discontinued this line, but you can find it on eBay—just buy at your own risk.

Inshaa Allah, next week I’ll be sharing Part 2 of my hair care routine and a full breakdown of my favorite Conditioners and Deep Conditioners. I’ve tested out a variety of products from my stash, and I can’t wait to dive into the ones that truly stood out. From intense moisture to slip that makes detangling a breeze. I’ll be highlighting the products that delivered results and why they deserve a spot in your routine. Stay tuned for all the insights—you won’t want to miss it!