Products for Natural Hair...Only the BEST of the BEST please!

I've been natural since 2004 (meaning my hair is free of any chemical relaxers or color) and it's been quite a journey that was mostly unintentional although largely worthwhile and beneficial! I was wearing extensions quite a lot which eliminated the need for me to relax my hair and what I discovered was that during the absence of the chemicals, my hair grew like a weed! One day I met a woman with an amazing head of long/straight hair who informed me that her hair was all natural. I was a non-believer at first (I'm stubborn) because her hair was straighter than most ladies with relaxers. But my hair was becoming too thick for me to continue on with my extensions so I decided to visit the salon that was performing these miraculous changes to her hair, before succumbing to the creamy crack once more. That salon was called "Too Groovy" and I was instantly hooked! Aside from having the best salon & spa service in Atlanta, the results were unbelievable! So I frequented the salon regularly for 2 years before I learned to create the same magic at home. I also had to work up the nerve, my hair was fabulous when I left the salon and I just couln't imagine creating the same results at home.

It's been a year since I've been maintaining my own hair and I can finally claim success! So as a result, I would like to do a 3-part series on natural hair based on my own experience, in hopes that it may help others. I'm not a hair stylist in the least but being able to make my own hair beautiful feels great and has saved me a lot of $$.

First I'd like to start off discussing the best products that you can use for your hair. I know that's important to everyone and something I always want to know from others. Personally, I've been through an expensive trial and error session and it's only today that I finally feel like I have the best product line-up offered for curly locks. The right product combination and usage really makes a huge difference in your results at home and you can go from healthy hair to haggard hair in just 2 sittings.

In my next post, I would like to detail the best way to achieve a blow out/physical change. I do a weekly blow out because my scalp is oily (plus I work out) so I need to wash my hair very often. What used to take 3 hours is now down to 2....and the results are better and healthier. It's important not to over-straighten your hair because your curls will start to diminsh. It's called "thermal re-conditioning"...but more on that later.

Lastly I would like to discuss good vitamins & daily supplements that you can take to encourage hair growth. Plus tidbits on how nutrient deficiencies and other variables can contribute to hair loss.

Now without futher adeiu.....

Product #1 Organic Shampoo for the scalp (a clarifyer)

Product #2 Organic Shampoo for the hair (a moisturizing treatment)

Product #3 Organic Conditioner (to be used in combination with a 30 Minute Steam Treatment)

Product #4 Organic Thermal Heat Protection (helps to prevent blow dryer heat damage)
Product #5 Organic Silk Essentials (silkens/softens the hair almost instantly)
Product #6 Organic Aveda Brilliant Anti-humectant (keeps natural hair straight on humid days)

Product #7 Aphogee Two-Step Protein Treatment (to be used only every 6 - 8 weeks if you have breakage)

Product #8 Creme Hairdress *optional* (for added softness)

Styling Tool #1 Denman Brush
Styling Tool #2 FHI FHI Heat Nano Weight Pro 1900 Turbo Dryer
Styling Tool #3 FHI Heat Platform with Nano Technology
Styling Tool #4 Steam Hydration Machine

Styling Tool #5 Silk Hair Wrap/Silk Pillow Cases (used to protect hair when retiring for the night)

The Best Brands for Natural Hair:

Design Essentials

Aveda

Bumble and Bumble

Aphogee (for protein treatments only).

Additional Brands worth mentioning are Nioxin's Shampoo's/Conditioners/Thermal Heat Protectant (for thinning hair) and Paul Mitchell's Tea Tree Scalp Clarifying Shampoo for those who need something stronger.