11 Products That Will Keep You Looking Flawless as You Transition to Natural Hair
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Managing transitioning hair is a lot like dating. It requires the patience of a kindergarten teacher and you need to connect with a variety of prospects (beauty products) before lo and behold, you meet your match. Talk about stressful!
We've read endless reviews of shampoos, deep conditioners, and leave-ins equipped with moisturizing and detangling qualities for ladies embarking on the journey from relaxed to natural hair. While it's important to nourish your kinks and curls to prevent breakage, avoid jumping on the product-heavy bandwagon.
"Women who are transitioning must understand the importance of maintaining the balance of moisture and protein," says Noël Reid-Killings, celebrity and master hairstylist of Noël New York Salon. "New naturals aren't familiar with their natural texture and tend to gravitate towards moisturizing products unnecessarily. What's often seen as dry hair is really just a coarse hair texture. Over moisturizing can be dangerous and cause more tangling with the relaxed hair, leading to breakage."
As you get acquainted with your new tresses and find the right system for your routine, it's time to consider styling essentials and must-have products to make everyday maintenance much more manageable. Hot tools for occasional straight styles, a feel-good detangling brush for wash days (finally!), and vibrant head wraps that can make a three-days-old twist-out look bomb are just a few of our favorites for transitioning hair.
Click through for more details on these and a few other gems you'll want for your arsenal if the big chop wasn't for you. You're one step closer to happy transitioning tresses!
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Amika Accomplice Dryer
Why you need it: DIY a salon-style blowout using the Amika Accomplice Dryer, which features tourmaline that produces negative ions and far-infrared heat as a frizz-fighting solution. Its combo of three temperature settings and two speeds gives you as many styling options as any hairdresser. Don't let its minimalism fool you: it has 1800 watts of power, so it's practically impossible not to achieve a smooth style.
Shop it: Amika Accomplice Dryer ($200)
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The Wet Brush
Why you need it: This is a staple for any transitioning beauty and makes detangling a breeze. Forget spending hours locked in the bathroom with a head full of knots. Part hair into sections, then brush your relaxed ends, working your way up to the roots. We found that using this approach with the gentle bristles of this tool is pain-free and results in very little breakage.
Shop it: The Wet Brush ($10)
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Bio Ionic Eternity Wand
Why you need it: Curly styles are a great way to keep new growth under wraps. This clipless, ceramic wand creates ringlets in a flash, while the natural volcanic rock mineral it's infused with keeps strands hydrated.
Shop it: Bio Ionic Eternity Wand ($120)
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L. Erickson USA Firenze Interlocking Turban Headwrap
Why you need it: Let this chic leopard-print headband be your savior on days when your edges won't cooperate. This silk beauty is comfy to wear all day and adds fun flair whether you're dressed up or down.
Shop it: L. Erickson USA Firenze Interlocking Turban Headwrap ($48)
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Drybar The Tress Press Styling Iron
Why you need it: Drybar, the beloved blow-out salon, has created the solution to getting frizz-free hair at home. This styling iron heats up to 450 degrees and its sleek, round frame offers versatility. Use it to straighten, or flick your wrist to add easy curls.
Shop it: Drybar The Tress Press Styling Iron ($150)
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All Caps Shower, Sleep, & Spa Cap
Why you need it: We swear by All Caps, especially if you're sporting a protective style. It makes showering so much easier! This roomy, adjustable cap goes beyond your standard drugstore version by keeping weaves or braids dry from roots to ends. We also adore its reversible feature — just turn its waterproof exterior inside out and apply your favorite hair mask for an overnight treatment. And its microfiber terrycloth band means there won't be any unsightly sleep lines on your forehead in the morning.
Shop it: All Caps Shower, Sleep & Spa Cap ($52)
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Gold 'N Hot Conditioning Heat Cap
Why you need it: This heat cap will be the highlight of your next wash day. It's equipped with three heat settings and a washable interior liner, making it a surefire way to nourish strands when an intensive conditioner is in order.
Shop it: Gold 'N Hot Conditioning Heat Cap ($40)
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Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase
Why you need it: You'll sleep like a baby knowing this mulberry silk pillowcase is helping to retain your hair's moisture. (It also does double-duty by keep dry skin at bay while you snooze.) Choose from 10 colors, ranging from pink to black, so you won't have to sacrifice your bedroom's style for your strands.
Shop it: Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase ($79)
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Creme of Nature Argan Oil Perfect Edges
Why you need it: When it's time for a sleek ponytail or updo, use this light styling gel to tame your edges. There will be no signs of residue after several hours and the argan oil will keep your strands moisturized. We're stoked that it's available in a travel size for touch-ups at work or before a night out.
Shop it: Creme of Nature Argan Oil Perfect Edges ($5)
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Xtava Time to Shine Steam Straightener
Why you need it: It's been a while since we've found a hot tool that instantly leaves hair with a healthy sheen, and Xtava's Time to Shine Steam Straightener gets the job done. Fill its water tank and wait for the light steam to revive dry hair. Choose from two heat settings (350 degrees or 450 degrees) for lustrous locks. And an added bonus: it comes with a heat-resistant storage case so you'll always know where to find it.
Shop it: Xtava Time to Shine Steam Straightener ($49)
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The Wrap Life Head Wraps
Why you need it: When you're not in the mood for battling lousy weather (or are just having the worst hair day), be bold and wrap your mane in these pretty prints from The Wrap Life. These handmade wraps come in a slew of patterns, so the styling possibilities are endless. Check the site's tutorials for cute ways to get your wrap on.
Shop it: The Wrap Life Head Wraps ($24)
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