I Have 4C Hair And These Are The High Street Products Which Really Work

Controversial statement: I love wash days. Be it a long de-tangle in front of a great TV series or swapping my favourite drying-time tips with fellow 4C hair girls and guys - I love it all. But up until a few years ago, when it came to buying products for afro hair to aid my wash day love affair, I was often left in one of two potential scenarios.

Option one: a densely packed hair shop coupled with tense customer service, which unless you lived in a diverse neighbourhood- which I did not - also required a pilgrimage-like trek to get to. Option Two: standing for what felt like hours in drugstores and supermarkets looking for a 4C-friendly option before giving up and deciding that washday could wait until my online order arrived.

Thankfully, over the past few years the tide has begun to change, with more and more high street stores and supermarkets now offering ranges for all hair types. In order to get the full picture of the 4C landscape, I spoke to Julian Addo, founder of Adwoa Beauty and Sharley Viola, textured hair care specialist and lead educator for Curlsmith, to share their thoughts on this.

How different does the high street look now vs a few years ago?

'For far too long, the beauty industry has treated Black consumers like an afterthought, now they have options that are made with them [in mind],' explains Addo. It’s a shift, she says, that has ultimately begun to benefit 'all sorts of people that have tighter textures.' Although having accessible options is something we should expect from beauty in 2024, Addo says that the difference on the high street now versus a few years ago is also due to more widespread information about what it takes to keep 4C hair healthy. 'At the end of the day, our world is much more diverse than before and is scheduled to be even more diverse in the next 10-20 years. Having hair care options for all curl textures is not just vital, it's good for business.'

What should we be considering when shopping for 4C hair on the high street?

Viola says: 'Having products designed for those with 4C hair that are readily accessible really is about helping consolidating shopping needs. Navigating high street shopping can be daunting due to the variety of brands available, but there are few steps you can follow to make the process easier:

1. Know Your Hair: It is crucial to understand your hair type, including porosity and texture. Using an online process like The Curlsmith curl quiz, is a great place to start.

2. Check Ingredients: Read product labels carefully to ensure they work for the type of hair journey you are on. So, if you have unprocessed hair, look for products that are free from ingredients such as sulphates, silicones, drying alcohols, and parabens.

3. Plan Your Routine: Consider your hair care routine and identify the essential products you need, such as shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner and styling products. Having a clear idea of what you require will streamline the shopping process.

4. Visit your local drugstore: High street staples like Boots now offer trusted curl care brands like Curlsmith, with a range of products tailored for all curl types – including 4C hair – which makes it easier to find suitable options with confidence.

There’s no doubt that there’s still some progress to be made in terms of full shelf inclusivity, but for now, these are some of the products I actually buy (and use again and again on my 4C hair).

Shop: My High Street Shopping List For 4C Hair