Natural Hair Bloggers Share Their Holy-Grail Products

By Taylor Bryant

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Beauty bloggers and vloggers have been at the helm of the natural hair movement ever since it took off. Naturalistas, transitioners, and the simply curious turn to their tutorials for guidance on curls and coils: I know I have.

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As a beauty editor, I know far too well the spoils that come with being in the industry — one of which includes a shit-ton of free products to try out. And these ladies do, too. But with all the swag that comes in, there are only a select few products worthy of sticking around. Which ones stay in the rotations of our favorite natural hair bloggers?

Click through to see their holy-grail picks. In fact, some of these are so adored they showed up on more than one blogger’s list — we’ll let the curly girls tell you why they’re awesome.

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Priscilla, ShineStruck


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“I have tried so many edge-control pastes, but this is my all-time favorite. It really slicks down my edges, without leaving any greasy residue. It’s also water-based and works well with wash-and-gos. I find that it gives my curls even more definition.”

CURLS Blueberry Curl Control Paste, $17.25, available at Amazon.

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“This stuff right here is amazing! It’s lightweight, and the ingredients are very nourishing for your hair. I love that it has peppermint oil and Jamaican black-castor oil, which are great aides for hair growth.”

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Leave-In Conditioner, $10.99, available at Ulta.

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“This cream is everything! I have really dry hair — especially being that it’s color-treated — and it makes my hair so soft! It’s a blend of natural oils and essential oils, which smell so good. This product is amazing for twist-outs and braid-outs, especially.”

Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine, $16.99, available at Target.

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“This product serves a dual purpose: as a clay mask for hair, but also as a facial mask. It has detoxing properties and the ability to pull dirt and oil off your hair and skin. I like to use it combined with pure aloe vera juice, and [this resets] my scalp — it pulls all the dirt and impurities.”

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Deep Pore Cleansing, $8.11, available at Amazon.

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Nikisha, Urban Bush Babes

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“Elucence Volume Clarifying Shampoo is a must-have for me and a staple in my hair routine. It clarifies my hair — removing any product or buildup, like mineral deposits from my hard water — while exfoliating my scalp, which promotes healthy growth of new hair and leaves it full of volume.”

Elucence Volume Clarifying Shampoo, $9, available at Amazon.

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“Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar is something I’ve been using for years to clarify my hair. I mix it with water to make a hair rinse, and it never fails to give my hair a lot of volume and shine. It’s also a must after using my shampoo bars!”

Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, $11.43, available at Amazon.

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“Aloe Juice is always my hair and scalp’s best friend. It acts as a sealant and adds moisture to my hair and scalp. I always use this throughout the week, especially if my scalp and strands are feeling dry.”

Fruit Of The Earth Aloe Vera Juice With 99.8% Aloe, $6.44, available at Walmart.

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Fran, Hey Fran Hey

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“The smell alone sold this conditioner for me. But most importantly, I love how easily it melts my knots and tangles, and how buttery-soft my hair feels afterward. The manuka honey and mafura oil leave you with incredible shine, too. Another plus is how easily accessible it is, sold at Target, CVS, and Walgreens.”

SheaMoisture Community Commerce Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Conditioner, $9.99, available at Target.

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“After using the conditioner, I love to follow up with the deep-treatment. The two make the ultimate tag-team for some serious curl hydration. My scalp tends to get really dry and itchy, but I haven’t had any issues whatsoever since using this line of products.”

SheaMoisture Community Commerce Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque, $11.39, available at Amazon.

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“I love wearing hats, but it can be hard rocking them over my curls. Braid-outs and twist-outs help me pull off those cute looks. And this butter is perfection for making it happen. Your curls get a nice, smooth, and shiny stretch.”

Oyin Whipped Shea Luxurious Healing Butter For Head To Toe, $11.99, available at Oyin Handmade.

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“I’m obsessed with the fresh lemongrass scent. So perfect for these warmer temps. The spray is really light but effective, so I tend to carry it around in my bag when my hair needs a quick and moisturizing pick-me-up. The perfect product for really active naturals on the go.”

Alikay Lemongrass Leave-In Conditioner, $18.45, available at Amazon.

Read More About Natural Hair Bloggers Share Their Holy-Grail Products On Refinery29!