Visit any beauty supply store, pharmacy, or big box store today and you’ll notice that there’s no shortage of hair care products for naturally curly and coily hair. It’s fantastic to see, considering that not long ago, hair products that actually worked for natural textures were few and far between, and it took a lot of trial and error and creativity to find the perfect combination of products and ingredients to maintain and style natural hair. As a self-proclaimed product junkie, I have tried so many different brands over the years, and most of my favorite products are made by Black-owned companies. It makes sense, after all, who knows our hair better than we do? So I want to take this opportunity to show some love to my favorite Black-owned hair brands.
Eden BodyWorks
First on the list is Eden BodyWorks, which has been one of my favorite brands for almost ten years. Founded in 2004 by Jasmine Lawrence (when she was just 13 years old), Eden BodyWorks offers a wide range of hair care products made with clean ingredients that nourish all hair textures. Some of my favorite products from this brand are the Coconut Shea Cleansing Conditioner, the Papaya Castor Conditioning Hairdress, and the Peppermint Tea Tree Clarifying Shampoo. In addition to using quality ingredients, Eden BodyWorks also offers its products at very reasonable prices, which makes them budget-friendly.
The Coconut Shea Cleansing Cowash is a gentle cleanser ideal for co-washing between regular shampooing. It leaves my hair feeling soft and clean without drying it out and the scent is refreshing without being overpowering.
The Papaya Castor Conditioning Hairdress is a pomade that has a consistency similar to traditional hair grease but without the mineral oil or petroleum base that most hair grease is made from. As the name suggests, castor oil is one of the key ingredients, which has many benefits for moisture retention. I like to layer it on top of my leave-in conditioner for an extra juicy twist out.
The Peppermint Tea Tree Clarifying Shampoo is made with (you guessed it) peppermint and tea tree oil as its main ingredients, which are both great for dry scalp. This shampoo removes dirt, oil, and product build-up without stripping your hair. I love the cool tingling feeling it creates and I always get that squeaky clean feeling without feeling like my hair is totally dried out and tangled when I’m done shampooing.
Eden BodyWorks has multiple lines that address various needs (dry scalp, damaged hair, etc), so there’s something for everyone among their offerings. I think they make some of the best products for natural hair.
Camille Rose Naturals
Next up is Camille Rose Naturals. I’ve been using Camille Rose products for almost as long as I’ve been using Eden BodyWorks. The first product I tried from this line was the Curl Love Moisture Milk and I was immediately hooked. Since then, I’ve incorporated many other products from this line into my routine. Here are just a few of my favorite Camille Rose products.
The Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Moisturizer is a great deep conditioning treatment that softens and conditions hair and makes detangling a breeze. In addition to coconut water, this conditioner is also made with aloe vera juice, argan oil, and cocoa butter which help revive dry, damaged hair. It’s like a spa treatment for your curls.
The Aloe Whipped Butter Gel is one of my favorite styling products. It has a silky, slightly thick consistency that I love and it’s so moisturizing, it can double as a moisturizer and styler. I love using it for twist outs. It offers a soft hold and since it’s a butter-gel hybrid, it does not flake the way some gels tend to.
The Lavender Fresh Cleanse is a moisturizing shampoo that’s also great for detangling. With a heavenly lavender scent, this shampoo leaves my hair feeling soft and clean and the fact that I can detangle my hair with it is an added bonus. It’s also one of the cheaper Camille Rose products, at just $8 a bottle.
Pattern Beauty
The youngest brand on this list, Pattern Beauty is the brainchild of Tracee Ellis Ross, who has been #hairgoals for many curlies for years. Pattern is a higher-end hair care brand, which means the products aren’t cheap, but in my opinion, they’re worth it.
The Pattern Leave-In Conditioner is hands-down my favorite product in this line. I use it after I wash my hair as you would a traditional leave-in conditioner, but it also works great as a refresher in between washes. I like to dampen my hair with water and apply a small amount in sections to refresh my curls. It’s made with ingredients like jojoba oil and castor oil in addition to biotin to soften and strengthen hair. If I could only use one product from this line, this would be the one.
Pattern’s Cleansing Shampoo is perfect for when you need a deep clean. A little goes a long way, which is great considering the $20 price point. It’s made with ingredients like matcha green tea, aloe vera, and panthenol to soften and strengthen hair while it cleanses. I love it because it cleans well but my hair never feels rough or dried out when I’m done.
The Pattern Beauty Curl Gel is a great styler for both wash-and-go styles and twist outs. It has a creamy consistency that glides easily into the hair and provides a soft but firm hold. I like how soft, shiny, and defined it makes my hair look and feel. It’s made with aloe, glycerin, and coconut oil for added moisture and shine.
While there are many other Black-owned hair products and brands not mentioned here, these are just a few of my favorites from the top three brands that I use most often. I mention some others in a previous post I wrote, 10 Great Natural Hair Products Under $10, as well as in my post on my favorite natural hair products. With so many great options, it’s a difficult list to narrow down, but I think these are some of the best hair products for natural hair made by Black-owned companies.
What are your favorite Black-owned hair products? Let me know!
