MY TOP 15 PRODUCTS

Hey guysss!
So I was actually very reluctant to do a post on my favourite products because different products work for different people – what may work for my hair may not necessarily work for yours. What I don’t want is you guys running out and spending your life’s savings on hair products only to find that they don’t work lol! That being said, the best way to find what works for your hair is TRIAL AND ERROR so, to an extent, you do have to go through that process.

So I’ve picked out my top 15 products. I am the biggest product junkie in the worlddddd so this was really hard for me to do lol. These products work very well for my hair and they’re products that many other people seem to love as well:

1) Coconut Oil
If you follow Nature’s Locks on Instagram (if you don’t, you should!), you’ll know that coconut oil is my favourite thing in this whole entire world. Honestly. I use it on my hair, my skin, my food etc. It has so many healing properties. Aside from being one of the few oils that can actually penetrate the hair (the molecular structure of coconut oil is such that it can penetrate the strand, but no need for the science here lol), it also contains vitamin E, helps with hair loss, reduces frizz, can help with dandruff, strengthens the hair, reduces protein loss and softens the hair. Do make sure to get PURE cold-pressed/virgin coconut oil to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients. I could go on and on for days about the benefits of coconut oil but let’s move on!

2) Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
This is another fave of mine! Apple cider vinegar is great for clarifying the scalp and hair. I use this instead of shampoo when I have some around. I simply mix about 1/3 ACV with 2/3 water and spray it all over the scalp and the length of the hair. I massage my scalp and leave it on for about 20-30 minutes then I continue with my usual hair routine. It is the perfect remedy for an itchy scalp and dandruff. Some people use it before or after shampoo but I use it instead of shampoo and it works very well for me. It also helps to give your hair shine and makes your curls/kinks pop! BONUS: this is also an excellent toner for your face when mixed with water. I use it on my face after washing my face and before applying moisturiser.

3) Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
An amazing product by the fantastic Shea Moisture line. I am yet to come across a single person who doesn’t like the Curl Enhancing Smoothie. It is super moisturising and softening and I think it smells really good!! It works really well on my very thick hair. I usually use it on my braid outs and twist outs for hold, moisture and definition but it also works pretty well on wash and go’s. Shea Moisture is a fantastic line – they leave out all the nasty products that are bad for your hair, such as parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin etc etc and I’d say that it’s probably my favourite natural hair line.

4) Giovanni Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture Conditioner
This is probably my favourite leave in conditioner. It’s organic and it doesn’t contain harmful ingredients, such as parabens and sulphates. I’ve found it to be very moisturising for my usually very dry hair and it defines my curls pretty well. You do have to make sure you seal though because I’ve found that, when I don’t seal, my hair gets pretty dry after 2-3 days. I use this for my wash and go’s, braid outs/twist outs and even when I’m straightening my hair.

5) Aloe vera (juice/gel)
I loveeee aloe vera! It is so moisturising and so good for your hair and scalp. I make a moisturising spray using water, aloe vera juice and a little bit of leave in conditioner and it does wonders. It really softens the hair. Aloe vera gel is also good as a styler to achieve hold in your style without using traditional gels that dry your hair out. For a thicker sealant, I often mix aloe vera gel, shea butter, and coconut oil together. Some people with finer hair also use aloe vera juice as a sealant as it is lighter than most oils and acts as a moisturiser and a sealant. Do make sure to get pure aloe vera gel/juice to make sure you’re getting the real stuff! I also use the gel as a toner on my face. TIP: Keep your aloe vera juice in the fridge to keep it fresh for longer and so that it seals the cuticle when you use it.

6) Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO)
JBCO is the ultimate remedy for your edges (as well as being an anti-bacterial and anti-microbial)! After wearing braids and tight buns for years, my edges were a little messed up. Applying JBCO to my hairline every night completely thickened my edges and helped to grow the hair back. JBCO is also great for thickening your hair – try applying it to your scalp a couple of times a week and see how it goes. I also add it to my deep conditioners to make them more moisturising. BONUS: it is fantastic for growing and thickening your eyebrows and eyelashes if you need that.
Word of caution: it is super thick and gloopy and it doesn’t have the greatest smell in the world (you can try adding some essential oils to cover the smell).

7) Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner
This is a great leave in for if you have fine/thin hair as it is a spray. I use this leave in usually to revive my style or to add extra moisture when my hair starts to get dry a few days after washing. It is just a great way to moisturise and prolong your style without having to rewash your hair. It is also totally natural, acts as a heat protectant and has UV protection to protect your hair from the sun.

8) Kinky-Curly Knot Today Natural Leave In/Detangler
This is a fairly new favourite of mine. I used to hear sooo much about this product but I just never got round to purchasing it until July of this year and I wish I’d bought it earlier. It makes my hair super soft and it is an excellent detangler – like it practically melts my tangles away. That being said, because my hair is super thick and usually pretty dry, I usually use it with the SM Curl Enhancing Smoothie or another cream/leave in and obviously a sealant, particularly when it’s cold. For people that have finer hair, you should be fine using just the Knot Today and a sealant.

9) Shea Butter
Shea butter has a special place in my heart right next to coconut oil! I love it! It is so softening and is an excellent sealant (especially for those that have thick hair). Shea butter contains vitamin E, which has many healing properties. I also use shea butter as a body moisturiser. Make sure you get pure, raw shea butter, not that fake stuff!

10) Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter
This product is pretty similar to the SM Curl Enhancing Smoothie in the sense that it is a thicker moisturiser for your hair. But, let me tell you, IT SMELLS AMAZING! It actually smells like cake or pudding or something. It literally makes you want to eat it lol (please don’t!)!! I use it for twist outs/braid outs and it is super moisturising and provides a nice, medium hold.

11) Tresemme Vibrant Naturals Conditioner
This is a great conditioner for cowashing. It is so thick, moisturising and has a lot of slip, which is so helpful when detangling. I also add it to my deep conditioners sometimes. I know that there are people who use this as a leave in but I’ve never tried that. It’s one of my favourite products and it is pretty cheap considering it comes in such a huge bottle.

12) Shea Moisture Yucca & Baobab Anti-Breakage Masque
Yet another contribution from Shea Moisture! I actually love all the SM deep conditioners (out of the ones I’ve tried) but this is probably my favourite. It is formulated for ‘fine, thin hair’ but I use it on my thick hair and it works just fine. It softens and moisturises the hair and I definitely notice less breakage when I use it regularly.

13) Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste 
This is the product I use to slick down my edges. My hair is very unruly at times and there are very few products that can actually hold my edges down: this is one of them. It is super thick and has strong hold. It does cause a bit of build up so be careful of using it too often without washing your hair.

14) Organix shampoos/conditioners
I just looooove the Organix line! Even though I don’t really use shampoo, when I decide to, I use Organix shampoos. Their shampoos are sulphate-free, meaning that they cleanse without stripping your hair of all moisture like most shampoos do. The conditioners provide so much slip for detangling and are very moisturising. There are so many different types of Organix shampoos/conditioners so take your pick on which one you want.

15) EcoStyler Gel
Now I don’t really like using gel because most of them make my hair crunchy and hard but I don’t have this issue with EcoStyler. Depending on which one you decide to buy, the hold varies but I’ve definitely found that my styles last longer when I use it. It also doesn’t dry my hair out like most gels do. A little goes a long way so you don’t need to buy it very often. I also use it to slick down my hair sometimes when I want to wear a neat bun or ponytail.

So I know that was pretty long – I initially wanted to do 10 products but I just couldn’t cut down the list! One thing I must say is that YOU NEED TO FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU! Like I said earlier, natural hair does come down to trial and error. If you have a product you’re using already that is working very well for you, please don’t just throw it away but do try different products (within reason lol!)

Feel free to comment below/email with any questions and follow on Instagram for more tips!

Tara xXx