Saibh Downes shares the routine and products that she uses to keep her Afro looking cute.
During the apocalyptic times of lockdown number one, I binned my straightener after years of singeing my hair. After some reflection in my isolated state, I finally felt ready to start loving my natural hair.
The availability of Black haircare products in mainstream Irish beauty retailers is a recent phenomenon. Afro hair products are more accessible than ever before. However, finding the right products to repair and maintain my curls was a struggle.
After two years of trial and error, I think I finally have it down.
I have learned that a solid wash-day routine is fundamental. A 'shampoo-and-go' - using a sickly scented generic strawberry and candyfloss product - is basically haircare annihilation (trust me).
Afro haircare is a process that requires numerous steps and for some, a lot of patience. Let me break it down.
These are the products that I use, and how I use them:
Step 1: Wash
Kerastase Curl Manifesto's Bain Hydratation Douceur, €23.70 (was €25.70) AllHair
Although not specifically intended for black hair, the Kerastase Curl Manifesto range caters to those with curly, coily and kinky hair. Enriched with manuka honey and ceramide molecules, the formula is designed to delicately cleanse your hair whilst retaining optimum levels of hydration.
Most hairdressers say a doubIe wash and rinse is best, so as the compliant consumer I am, I comply with this rule of thumb. I can assure you that this shampoo won't abandon your hair in its hour of need or leave it in a highly dehydrated and vulnerable state - akin to a two day hangover. This product will quench your hair's thirst.
Step 2: Mask & Moisturise
Shea Moisture's Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Hair Treatment Mask, €14.45 LookFantastic
A lot of YouTube research (a.k.a. watching the hair tutorials of unnaturally upbeat LA beauty bloggers) led me to the American brand, Shea Moisture. Founded in 1912 by the Sierra Leon woman Sofi Tucker, who sold beauty products enriched with shea butter (a butter extracted from the nut of the African shea tree), their products contain no sulfates, silicones, parabens or phthalates. You may now breathe a sigh of relief, this brand really knows black hair. I trust them.
Shea Moisture's Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-in Conditioner, €14.45 LookFantastic
Every so often, a leave-in deep conditioning mask is necessary. However, leave-in conditioner is non-negotiable.
Step 3: Style
Denman D3 Brush, €9.69 Boots & Cantu's Define & Shine Custard, €7 McCabes
This brush is everything. Of course, the products you use are important, but the tools you use to style makes all the difference.
The Denman acts as a no-heat curling tool – manipulating your strands to produce the most gorgeous ringlet possible. This brush made me fall in love with my natural hair.
To style with the Denman, I like to use curling cream or custard. Remember, these are different from conditioners; they are intended to help you achieve the best style of curl.
Step 4: Aftercare
Jamaican Mango & Lime Jamaican Black Castor Oil Mango Papaya, €7.15 (was €8.95) BeautyBay
Do not neglect the scalp. Using castor oil is an aftercare method that I truly see results from. This scent brings me right back to my time spent in Uganda as a kid. This multi-use oil nourishes those roots and edges, promoting growth of the hair follicles.
