Here's how 4 natural hair influencers care for their curls, and the products they swear by
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Bianca Renee; Lacy Redway; Nia Pettitt; Joyjah Estrada; Insider
- For people with curly hair patterns, there are a huge variety of methods for cleansing, conditioning, and styling.
- We talked to some curly influencers to get the rundown on how they care for their crowns.
- Check out their routines, and the products they swear by, below.
Taking care of curly and coily hair requires a lot more attention than straight hair. In a world that's just starting to learn how to appreciate curly and coily hair, it's helpful to see how others celebrate and take care of their crowns.
We spoke to a handful of curly hair influencers who are sharing their knowledge and experiences with their followings across the internet. Each of them shares their wash day routine, styling steps, and some of their favorite products to cleanse, moisturize, and define their hair.
Here's how they do it:
Bianca Renee
With her first YouTube uploads in the early 2010s, Bianca Renee is one of the early curly YouTubers paving the way for naturals. As of now, she's a self-proclaimed wash-n-go girl who likes to keep her routine quick and simple. She's really big on knowing what's in her products and only uses products that are sulfate, paraben, and silicone free.
Ulta
I clean my hair and clarify my scalp using Curlsmith's Wash & Scrub Detox Probiotic shampoo, focusing more on the scalp than the lengths of my hair. I use this time to give myself a scalp massage, which promotes hair growth. The shampoo gives me a nice clean feeling without stripping my hair of its natural oils. The scrub texture is super fine so it's a great exfoliate that isn't too harsh.
Ulta
Then, I condition and finger detangle with the Not Your Mother's Apple Matcha Green Tea & Wild Apple Blossom Butter Masque, leaving that on under a shower cap or heated cap for 15 minutes. The conditioner is my absolute favorite hair mask. It smells amazing, is super moisturizing, and if affordable.
Rizos Curls
To style my hair, I first apply the Rizos Curls Curl Defining Cream to my damp hair. I smooth in the products using the "praying hands method" to smooth down frizz, then scrunch upwards for definition. The defining cream is from a woman-owned and Latina-owned brand. It works great even on its own and gives a soft, bouncy yet defined look. It's a perfect styler if you don't like that "crunch" feeling.
Ulta
Then I apply the Pattern Beauty Strong Hold Gel to create a cast that will keep my curls defined and frizz-free all week long. I smooth and scrunch this in as well. The gel has great hold and keeps my curls defined. I always recommend using a gel for a wash-n-go style to assure that it will be easy to refresh all week long, especially if you live in a humid area. I also love that this gel comes in a huge jar and is Black-owned by the amazing Tracee Ellis Ross.
I let my hair air dry to about 85% or until a light cast is formed, then diffuse my hair upside down for a quicker dry and maximum volume.
Lacy Redway
Lacy Redway is one of the top celebrity hairstylists, who has worked with talent like Naomi Campbell, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shadidi, and Amanda Gorman. She started braiding classmates' hair in middle school, kept a love for doing hair, and eventually became a professional stylist. For Redway's wash day, she focuses on using the right shampoos and conditioners to help lock in moisture. After all, wash day is so important because it's a change to create the best foundation to help styles last longer.
CVS
On my wash day, I like to finger detangle before applying the product. My first step is using Nexxus Curl Define Ultra-8 Pre-wash Treatment before I shampoo. I apply the Pre-wash Treatment right out of the jar, applying it all over my strands to help soften my hair up before shampooing. The new Nexxus Curl Define range is specifically designed to restore your hair from within and is infused with a blend of silk protein.
Pro tip: Wear a shower cap over your strands for 15 minutes with the Pre-wash Treatment in your hair – the natural heat from your scalp will really help soften strands and make your following steps much smoother!
Target
After washing out the Pre-wash Treatment—depending on my mood or the needs I have for my hair that week—I will grab a shampoo and conditioner or co-wash next. I use The Nexxus Curl Define range to complete my weekly wash process. I use the Shampoo and Conditioner. When the conditioner is on, I typically like to finger detangle again before rinsing it out.
Target
Once I've rinsed out the conditioner, I use TRESemmé Effortless Styling Repair & Smooth Multi-Tasking Styler to help with frizz. I don't apply a lot because I typically don't mind little imperfections in my hair once it's dry, but I add a little just to help my strands with the elements outside (like wind) from expanding too much. I then use my fingers and massage the product into my strands and finger coil in areas that may appear straighter than others. I typically air dry, but if I'm in a rush I'll grab my diffuser to help set the product into my strands.
Nia Pettitt (aka Nia the Light)
Nia, who goes by Nia the Light, is a curly hair influencer and executive. She runs a salon in London that specializes in wavy, curly, and coily hair. And she just published a self-love-themed book. Nia keeps her hair routine very simple. Ever since a huge chop three years ago, she has become more mindful of what products she uses and how she works them into her routine.
Aveda
I always start with a shampoo to thoroughly cleanse my hair. Usually I do a double cleanse to remove any build up. Currently, I'm using Aveda's Nutriplenish Shampoo.
Aveda
Then I use a conditioner, like Aveda's Botanical Intensive Repair Mask, to detangle with my fingers. I love to use a brush to get any tangles I might have missed in the back while letting the conditioner work it's magic for 2-3 minutes.
Sephora
For styling, I typically style whilst I'm in the shower. That way, my hair is soaking wet as I rake and scrunch products in my hair, including Living Proof's Curl Cream and Evo Hair Foam. I then diffuse till my hair is big and fluffy!
Joyjah Estrada
Joyjah is a Belize-based curly influencer and YouTuber who practices self-love by celebrating her freckles and curly hair. She likes her wash-n-go routine to be quick and effective. Depending how oily her hair is, she sometimes uses a gentle cleanser or starts with a conditioner. At the end, she loves to style her baby hairs, which she considers an art form.
Ulta
If I decide to use a cleanser, I wet my hair then apply the Carol's Daughter Wash Day Delight Water-toFoam Shampoo on my roots. It has micellar technology that gently attracts and lifts away build up without stripping your hair. I use my fingertips to activate the foam as I massage my scalp. Then, I rinse and let the lather run out of my hair.
Target
Next, I detangle my curls using a conditioner and a wide tooth comb. I cycle between my favorite conditioners, including the Suave Naturals Moisturizing Curl Conditioner and Not Your Mothers Tahitian Gardenia Flower & Mango Butter Conditioner. They both are super moisturizing with amazing slip, making detangling super easy.
Carol's Daughter; Amazon
Carol's Daughter4-in-1 Combing Creme
For styling, I always start by distributing a leave-in conditioner all over my soaking wet hair. Water based leave-in conditioners are my favorite because they're lightweight. This means no matter how much product I use, my hair will not feel oily or weighed down. I cycle between the Carol's Daughter 4-in-1 Combing Creme and Garnier Curl Nourish Leave-in Treatment.
Amazon
After a leave-in, I freeze my curls in place using a gel or custard. Right now I really love using Carol's Daughter Curl Shaping Cream Gel. Before drying, I wrap my hair with a cotton t-shirt or a microfiber towel and gently squeeze all the excess water. This saves a lot of air dry time. To finish, I let my hair dry in front of a fan. Very occasionally, I use a diffuser.