Here at Grazia Daily, we’ve always loved curls. Big ones, small ones, tight ones, loose ones, ones that refuse to be tamed and those that bounce neatly – we’ll take the lot. However, having any kind of hair that’s not poker straight and naturally swoosh-ready can be a little trickier when it comes to maintenance. We know that constant salon visits and sampling every spray, spritz and oil going can be tiresome (and not to mention, a little tough on the bank balance), so we've rounded up the best products on the market for Afro hair for you.
To help us along the way, we asked Tippi Shorter, Aveda Global Creative Director for Textured Hair to break it down for us. “Hair from African decent tends to be the most coarse yet fragile type of hair due to its curls and coils. Natural oils aren't able to saturate strands as they would on straight or wavy hair, so Afro hair needs products which are especially designed to inject moisture into the hair,” she told us. “In my experience, it’s also worth steering clear of silicone-based products which can not only sit on the hair and weigh it down, but also be sticky and attract dirt. Silicones may smooth and add shine but they do not moisturise hair.”
10 Hot Products For Afro Hair
1 of 10Vita Coco Coconut Oil, £10.00
Great when used as a hydrating, and you can also moisturise your skin with it. What's not to love?
2 of 10Redken Smooth Lock Butter Treatment, £21.25
A treat for dried out hair, this mask seals in moisture and helps replenish the hair cuticle.
3 of 10Aveda Dry Remedy Moisturising Conditioner, £24.50
The holy grail - hydrating but not sticky - this lightweight conditioner makes curls a doddle to work with.
4 of 10John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Enhancing Oil, £9.99
When used on damp hair, this dual-action formula banishes frizz whilst keeping every curl intact and defined.
5 of 10Moroccan Oil Treatment, £31.85
A cult classic that exploded onto the mainstream, this oil is used by top hair bods like Errol Douglas. Use on damp hair to add nourishment and shine, but be warned - a little goes a long way.
6 of 10Mizani Fiberfyl Essential Strengthening Fix, £9.55
You may not think you need a 'styling primer cream', but if you're bothered by hair breakage or otherwise damaged hair, this baby could be your dream ticket. Formulated with 2% filloxane and ceramides to restore and protect damaged hair, this acts to build stronger strands with every use. Don't style without it.
7 of 10Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Heat Protection Serum, £4.99
A must-have before heat treatment, this humble-looking bottle cares for Afro hair like no other. Once again, use sparingly for a shiny finish.
8 of 10TRESemme Max The Volume Creation Hairspray, £5.99
Jamie Stevens, celebrity stylist, three times nominee for Hair Stylist Of The Year and Afro Hairdresser Of The Year Finalist', told us about this product "With many women embracing hair's natural texture, this variant will help boost the volume of your 'fro but keep it under control! It's ultrabrushable so apply to roots, lengths and ends of dry hair, then brush it through for a big hair look that holds – before you finish, work it into the roots and work in with your fingers for extra oomph."
9 of 10LUSH H'Suan Wen Hua Hair Moisturiser, £9.75
A pre-wash treatment formulated with egg protein to feed the hair, and avocado and banana oils to condition and protect.
10 of 10Joico Curl Creme Wash Sulfate Free Co+Wash, £13.95
Eliminate the need for stripping shampoo with this cleansing conditioner formulated especially for tight, curly hair types.
When it comes to home-care, Charlotte Mensah, the current Afro Hairdresser of the year recommends moisturising hair daily. ‘I cannot stress how important this is for Afro and coarse hair which soaks up moisture like a sponge.” In addition, Charlotte recommends taking caution when it comes to blow drying too: “It’s essential to use heat protection and blow dry hair in small sections. Don’t overload the hair with product and use a fork attachment on your hair dryer and a paddle brush; this will be invaluable. Overuse of heat also tends to increase dehydration so air-drying or a roller set can be an amazing alternative and help keep your hair in the best possible condition.” Oh, and of course, Charlotte advised regular, 6-8 week trims and to keep shampooing to a minimum -“Shampooing strips natural oils, so this can actually exacerbate the problem further – if you exercise a lot, just rinse your hair with cold water rather than shampooing daily”.