Natural hair is supposed to be low-maintenance – so why do so many naturals feel as though their lives revolve around caring for their hair? These 10 basic tools will cut your styling and maintenance routine in half!
When it comes to managing natural hair, particularly kinkier textures, time is not always on our side. Basic maintenance – pre-washing, detangling, clarifying, deep conditioning, moisturizing, styling – can take a full day, and even bleed into the next!
The following ten essential tools will help you shorten your maintenance while allowing you to achieve a variety of styles and preserve your hair’s health.
- Wide-tooth comb. If you don’t already have a wide-tooth detangling comb, you need one, ASAP. Even if you’re a die-hard finger detangler, this tool will make the detangling process easier, and address any knots or tangles your fingers may have missed. Just be very gentle, and always detangle when hair is wet and slippery. And speaking of slippery…
- Detangling product or spray. Pulling at tangled hair that isn’t slippery with product can be extremely damaging. A detangler, whether it’s your favorite conditioner or a standalone product, is a lifesaver. It can also cut the detangling time in half.
- Microfiber towel. Microfiber towels absorb excess water quickly, and don’t cause friction that can damage tresses and cause frizz.
- Spray bottle. A spray bottle is a great tool because it allows you to customize your moisturizing spray – you can add a few drops of oil to a mixture of water and leave-in conditioner and refresh your curls, or add a bit of extra moisture before setting or twisting your hair. Just remember to use all of the product in the bottle and clean it out before the next use to avoid mold and spoilage.
- Hair claw clips. These tools are fantastic for holding sections of the hair out of the way during moisturizing, detangling, and styling.
- Silk or satin pillowcase. These help reduce friction while you sleep, since silk and satin aren’t as abrasive as cotton on the strands.
- Silk or satin bonnet. When the weather’s too cold for a cool satin pillow, having a silk or satin bonnet is essential.
- Hair diffuser. While it’s always best to air dry hair, sometimes it’s too cold outside to do so safely and comfortably. A diffuser is a great tool for making quick work of damp hair while preserving curls.
- Edge control. Slaying those edges can make a boring style elegant, and a good edge control product can hold the style down for hours.
- Seamless hair elastics. Whether you’re rocking a puff, a ponytail, or pony puff, seamless hair elastics are essential. These are bands that hold your hair securely without the metal clamps that can snag and break your strands.
AK Hair & Healing provides a suite of styling services for relaxed and natural clients. For additional details about our philosophy, please visit our information page.