Your Top 5 products! Day 2: Send ‘em in!
So, BGLH readers recently asked J, Shari and I — who all have very different textures — to list our top products. J kicked us off with her list below, and Shari and I will post ours in the coming days… but there are a VARIETY of textures represented by the women who follow this site and I want you to get in on this.
The instructions are simple:
Submit a photo of your hair (Note: Hair must be healthy. Hair texture must be evident in photo)
Describe your texture
List your top 5 products (feel free to elaborate!)
Say where you’re from
We need to have our product game on lock as we head into the winter so I will be posting entries as I receive them throughout the day. Submit them to blackgirllonghair@gmail.com with “Top 5″ as the subject! Alright ladies, get to work!
Repeat offenders are welcome! Submit even if you’ve been profiled before 
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First entry is in! I will be organizing them by hair type so it’s easier to compare and contrast
Alicia from New York
Texture description: “My hair is very curly and wavy around the front/top, sides, and back/nape area of my head, but the middle has a much tighter curl pattern. In the front of my hair the left side has a looser curl pattern than the right side. The middle likes to dry out and do its own thing (I call it my ‘nappy patch’) and I really have to baby it and keep it moisturized in order to minimize breakage.”
Top Products:
1. Coconut Confidence by Peace, Love and Sunshine Products: This is an awesome mix of coconut oil and shea butter that my hair loves! I use it for wash-and-go’s, twist-outs and braid-outs, and also to seal my ends. Its the bomb!
2. Herbal Essence Hello Hydration: I use this as a wash-out conditioner and also as a leave-in conditioner to define and moisturize my curls. Its great for wash-and-go’s and works well with my Coconut Confidence.
3. Miss Jessie’s Stretch Silkening Cream: I love this stuff! It smells great and really helps to define and stretch my curls. It has great hold and also works well with my Coconut Confidence.
4. Pantene Relaxed and Natural Breakage Defense Mask: This is the best deep conditioner I’ve ever used (and I’ve been natural my entire life)! I leave it on for about an hour or so and when I wash it out the tangles just melt away.
5. Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Gel: Nothing lays my edges down and makes my hair shine like this wonderful gel. I only use it when my hair is in a ponytail/puff and never on the length or ends of my hair; just on the outside/perimeter/edges. I have used this gel for years and it has yet to do me wrong. I want to try some “natural” type gels, but Fantasia has just been so good to me!
Texture description: “I’d describe my hair as combination hair (waves, coils, curls) and I guess afro/curly fits.”
Top Products:
1. Giovanni Direct Leave-In: A little goes a long way
2. Joico- K-Pak Reconstruct Liquid Reconstructor: A foaming/mousse-like thing that is amazing for fine/fragile hair. I use it for roller setting.
3. IC Fantasia Gel: Saves me daily when I don’t have time to wash my hair before work when I’ve just frizzed things up at the gym and my hair isn’t long enough yet to brush back smoothly without some help.
4. Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship (even though my hair is short): Extreme slip and moisture.
5. Mixed Chicks Leave In
Tia from Raleigh, North Carolina
Texture description: “It’s a mix of all the types. My nape is very loose, soft, and grows fast-I have to cut in inch every month so it doesn’t look like I have a rattail. My right side is way curlier than my left side. The sides are the same length when straight but look lopsided when curly. The middle of my head is super dry, kinky, and tightly coiled and grows very very slow. This area get more attention when moisturizing.”
Top products:
1. Suave Tropical Coconut Conditioner: Does a great job when co-washing, I also leave a little in for wash-n-gos and my hair stays soft all day
2. Dudu Osum Black Soap: I use it to clean my scalp. I get the clean feeling without the dry feeling
3. Shea Butter (raw)/Olive Oil: My favorite cold weather combo. It’s like my protective shield from the harsh winter air.
4. Coconut Oil: I just tried this and everything I heard about it was true, it has moved itself into a regular spot in my favorite product list
5. LeKair Cholesterol Plus: When I use this I mix in some peppermint oil, olive oil and whatever else my hair is craving at the time. I never use this product without “making it my own.”
Texture descrption: “I have several different textures (primarily 3c/4a), so if I had to sum my hair up, I’d say afro curly.”
Top Products:
1. Black castor oil: My hair LOVES castor oil. Whenever I put in on the ends of my hair, they curl up and my hair is extra moisturized!
2. Hairveda whipped cream: My hair loves this stuff and guess what’s one of the top ingredients? Castor oil! I use this as one of the products when I twist my hair wet.
3. Hairveda whipped gelly: Another fav of my hair. I use this after I apply the whipped cream. My hair is really soft and needs a product that can provide hold, but not make my hair hard.
4. Oyin handmade burnt sugar pomade: Another one with castor oil among the top ingredients. This stuff is awesome when used to lay may edges down. I wet my hairline, apply the pomade, tie a scarf around the it, and viola!
5. Anita grant’s cafe latte: This stuff works wonders. I bought it when my hair was shorter and couldn’t quite get the hang of it, so I gave one jar away. When my hair got longer, I decided to use it to re-twist my dry hair at night. What a discovery! When I took my hair down the next day (mind you, I got rained on the prior day) I had the most defined and supple curls ever. This product is a must for me!
Texture description: “I would describe my hair as Afro-Curly. The back section tends to be drier than the front. I also have a lot of shrinkage.”
Top Products:
1. Hairveda Amala Cream Rinse: This is the only product I’ve found that cleanses my hair without stripping it. It’s similar to a co-wash.
2. Praital Silk Worm Conditioner: This is a rich, thick Dominican conditioner. I love Dominican conditioners in general.
3. Hairveda Whipped Cream: A rich, thick lotion that adds moisture and softness. It is very reasonably priced.
4. Blended Beauty Natural Hair Oil: This softens and nourishes my hair. It is not greasy and absorbs into the hair very easily.
5. Kinky Curly Curling Custard: I love this! It defines my curls and has a great hold to it.
Texture description: “Super tight ringlets.”
Top Products:
1. Carol’s Daughter Tui Leave In Conditioner: Light, leave in conditioner that I use after the shower. It leaves me smelling like Mother Earth. (Which is my favorite scent.)
2. Carol’s Daughter Lisa’s Hair Elixir: I use this when I am going to detangle my mane. I put a dab on my hands and work it into my dry hair and then go about the arduous task of combing my hair. I also use this after washing and conditioning my hair as a way to replenish some of the oils that I have just washed away.
3. TreSemme Flawless Curls Extra Hold Mousse: Inexpensive mousse that is perfect for defining curls. It is quick drying and it does not contain alcohol. It does leave curls a little on the crunchy side, but the definition it gives curls in impeccable.
4. Paul Mitchell Super Sculpt: One of my all time favorites. It kind of has a slimy consistency. It is just the right amount of thickness and the results are amazing. It holds, defines, and doesn’t leave curls crunchy. It is also PERFECT for achieving that slicked back, chignon look.
5. Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam: Another great foam that holds, defines, and leaves curls soft. I use this one and the other mousse primarily in the winter months. Both Paul Mitchell products can be used on wet or dry hair.
Tamika in St. Lucia (originally from Jamaica)
Texture description: “My hair texture is schizophrenic, but don’t we all have that challenge. Looser curls at the front and back and straight, but coarser in the middle. The middle usually just stands up regardless of what I do, it feels like a bad relaxer in the middle if I do not moisturize enough.”
Top Products:
1. Castor oil without a doubt: Refer to Jenteel’s post. Ditto on all she said. I am super excited a bottle cost less than $2 US here in St. Lucia. I’ll be stocking up before I leave. I use it to deep condition, as grease, to seal the ends of my twist and mixed with water for a spritz. I’ve been spending a lot more time at the beach and castor oil helps after the sun, sand and salt!
2. Coconut oil (cold pressed & unprocessed): Also fairly inexpensive in the islands. I use it to grease my scalp and mixed with water for a refresher/spritz. Also for my skin.
3. Suave conditioner in coconut or the one on sale: I use this to wash my hair.
4: Miss Jessie’s Curly Buttercrème: This works for me right out of the shower to keep my ‘fro tamed. It is pricey and gets mixed reviews but it works for me. I especially like the look and feel when I am in an hurry and rub a little through my wet air and go.
5: Honey: I use honey to deep condition with castor oil or as a ‘gel’ for a little hold. And no…I do not get eaten by ants.
Marsha from Brooklyn, NY
Texture description: “My hair is comprised of two textures. I have 4a in the back (gets curly with product) and then middle and front is a tight 4b (no visible curls, well maybe if I work at it with some gel…lol). So I would describe it as beautifully kinked!”
Top products:
1. Aubrey Organics: I love most of the line, but I would have to go with the Island Naturals Conditioner and GPB Protein Conditioner.
2. Oyin’s Honey Hemp conditioner: I would not be able to detangle my hair without it. I use it as a leave-in.
3. Karen’s Body Beautiful Hair Mask: the best daggone deep conditioner on earth. It costs a pretty penny but lasts a really long time
4. Smooth & Shine Activator Gel: This is a new favorite of mine. I’m trying to stay away from certain chemicals and this one was the only activator gel I found without them. This thing makes my hair so SOFT!!!!
5. Oyin’s Juices & Berry Spray: I cannot even begin to tell you how much I live for this stuff. It’s a moisturizing spray with the best scent. I spray it in mostly every day on my twists and braids and when I unravel them…WALAAA!
**An honorable mention goes out to Taliah Waajid’s Herbal Conditioner and Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream. Oh, my hair loves anything with glycerin and sulfur in it!
Texture description: “Kinky, and very very tight coils. Every now and again I might see a very curly strand but it’s very very very rare. My hair is definitely a z pattern but it has very little wave when wet. When well moisturized, it feels like a little cotton ball. When dry it feels like straw. Although my hair looks thick and durable…it is very prone to breakage. Too much heat, too much styling, too much combing will cause my hair to snap.”
1. Coconut Oil: This stuff is the bizness!!! I use this primarily for hot oil treatments (mixed with a little Castor oil and Vitamin E oil and a few drops of basil essential oil), in my homemade spritz (which is mostly water, coconut oil, and veggie glycerin-summer and spring or conditioner-winter and fall), and as a sealant. Its the best thing since sliced bread….for me at least.
2. L’Oreal Pro Vive for Dry Hair: Thanks to those top Ten Conditioners by Rachael, this has become a staple. One day I was in the grocery store and as all PJ’s do, I decided to look on the shampoo aisle and saw that this stuff was on sale. I bought two bottles and since then it’s been a wrap. It smells great and helps out ALOT with detangling. It also makes my hair very soft.
3. Taliah Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier: Next to my own spritz, this is my fave. I use it all the time for 2, 3, 4, and etc day hair. It’s great for a refresher for twists, twist outs, cornrows, wash and go’s, etc. According to the bottle it is mainly used for those who are transitioning for those who need to soften the two textures of relaxed and natural. But whatever works, right? It gives my hair great sheen. *sidenote* If you want to use this as on an “out” style (i.e. twist outs) It’s better to spray on first then take it down. If u spray after taking hair down, it may mess up the pattern of the twist out.
4. Shea Butter: This stuff is great as a sealant. I use this when I do twist or braids.
5. Castor Oil: I love this stuff!! As stated before, I use this as a hot oil treatment with coconut oil. I pour this mixture of the two all over my hair and scalp, detangle hair with a wide tooth comb, put a plastic baggie on my head, wrap with a hot towel fresh out the dryer over the plastic cap (because I don’t own a hair dryer this is the next best thing), and leave on for at least 30 minutes. Voila’, Nice supple like hair. It also makes the texture of my hair POP, too. I am convinced that the knockout combo of these 2 products have made my hair stronger and longer.
**Honorable Mention goes to Veggie Glycerin, which makes my hair soft and attracts moisture to my hair which is much needed in the south in the summer time; Oyin Shine and Define, which is also a back up for twists, bantu knots, braids, etc; Olive Oil, which is used in replacement of the coconut and/or castor oil; and Organics Root Stimulator Olive Oil Conditioner-also a great detangling conditioner.
Texture description: “I have yet to see hair that is nappy as mine on naturals I see walking about. And I have pretty good nap-dar.”
Top Products:
1. COCONUT OIL: I love it. I get the Spectrum brand at Whole Foods–virgin, unrefined. I use it every single day–probably about a teaspoon. Before I wash I melt about a tablespoon in a bowl, mix it with olive oil and rub it into my hair all over in sections. After a few hours, I wash it out.
2. Carol’s Daughter Some of Marguerite’s Hair Magic: It smells delicious…nice and sweet and soft. It leaves my hair really moist and soft.
3. Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner: Stuff is bomb. I use it for my weekly co-wash and leave it in while I comb out. I never rinse it out (I know this doesn’t work for some people, but it works just fine for me). The next day my hair is super soft 
) Throughout the week I don’t use conditioner as a moisturizer; I use the above mentioned products.
4. Lustrasilk Olive Oil Cholesterol: (No Heat cap Necessary). This stuff is good for nappies on a budget…and super nappies who just want a really good hair moisturizer. This stuff is my crack. And I don’t feel bad using a lot of because it costs $2.89 for 20 oz. It leaves my hair really soft and touchable.
5. Just For Me Detangler: Don’t laugh.
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Let’s keep this going! Send your top 5 products in!
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BGLH now has a forum! Check it out HERE.
Courtney, my hair is just like yours. You should check out my other ‘hair twins’ Mwedzi on fotki and Amina on her blog coup de coeur. There are plenty of people with hair like ours!
I agree with your choices (even the detangler lol), especially coconut oil which has become my staple.
yeah courtney – im your hair twin too — ill be submitting mine after I get some work done!
It is very much appreciated that you went by hair texture. Great
Jc- It’s so strange to have you write to me directly. I spend so much time trolling blogs–including yours–that I forget the writers are real people. That’s nice
) Anyway, I’m glad to know that you have a similar texture. Sometimes, I feel a little alone–like I have the nappiest of the naps. I easily get curl envy. It seems like looser-curled nappies have more flexibility. Maybe it’s just that now I’m in a rut.
lina4–I can’t wait to see your products. It’s always fun seeing what works for other people, and I love changing my line-up every now and again. Can’t wait to see pics of what I’m sure is beautiful hair.
I used to think I was the only one with that crazy spot at the middle back of my head where the hair just won’t go the same. It’s soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo freakin frustrating. Does anyone know what causes it and what can be done.
hey Courtney, i feel you. i have the same naps and if not nappier. your hair is beautiful, i would love to try some of these products.
NaturallyHappy – I have the same problem! The middle section of my hair has crazy tight curls, dries out very quickly, and breaks off easily. It is so frustrating! I try to be more gentle with it and keep it moisturized to minimize the breakage. Beyond that, I don’t know what to do with it!
Emgke is working that purple lipstick by the way!
I found this immensely helpful, esp Courtney’s section. Thanks for arranging this by texture.
lol Courtney – yep I’m a real person! I think because I’m African and grew up in Kenya, seriously everyone had the same texture as you and me (I don’t Kenya has a population circa 24 million people?).
I think your style rut and curl envy can be overcome by a healthy dose of fotkis (go to sera252, lina (her fotki is actually linked up – fab hair!!) and mwedzi). Seriously these women can singlehandely make you rethink hair texture and see that our hair is great hair.
I don’t know why I love Mwedzi’s fotki so much. I think it is because she has the same shrinkage devils that I do. So much hair and it can shrink to an inch!
Also, you can definitely try some accessories (which is why I love Amina at coup de coeur). These don’t have to be for hair directly but things like earrings, necklaces etc, can make your feel much better even when you are struggling with you hair.
I definitely recommend the simpler hairstyle like Leila’s bun (yeah L I finally found your fotki!!! Your hair is growing like crazy!). Remember if your hair isn’t long enough, you can still just pin it back with several clips, put on a cute headband and just leave it to grow.
I love Emgke’s (I thought her name was Marsha. If I’m not mistaken, I’m subbed to her on youtube) hair texture. It most closely resembles mine.
Leila
, i’ll like to see you fotki too.
lol
Yeah Courtney, I am in the same boat as you are in. I love Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter. It never fails. As does Coconut Oil.
Happy to see my girls from brooklyn..I thought I was the only one here…I tend to be a BIG fan of KCCC it works great in my hair with cocount oil, but does nothing for my daughter…she pretty much is set with just cocount oil and water. when I twist her hair I put Eco or KCCC on the ends so it doesnt come loose. I also see that many people have one side that is much curler then the other I too have this problem. I was that it is because the side u sleep on is strong. not sure it this is true but thought i put it out there great pic ladies
This.is.FAB.
I have 4a/4b hair and I am looking for a great moisturizing leave-in conditioner. Does anyone know of a great one? I am thankful for all the tips that the tightly curled ladies have given me from this site. It really helps because this is the closest to my own hair type.
Thank you in advance