6 Nourishing Black Hair Products That Are Perfect Everyday Essentials For All Hair Types

I owe my newfound confidence with curls to none other than the SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream, which they claim is their “#1 curl defining hair cream product for thick, curly hair.” It’s meant to reduce frizz, smooth your hair, and facilitate soft, bouncy curls.

I honestly tried this product on a whim, not expecting it to any of those things for me. I mean, I definitely don’t have thick, curly hair naturally. But, knowing I’ve spotted a few curls in my hair here and there, I thought there wouldn’t be any harm in at least giving it a try. I thought it’d be nice to be able to style my hair heat-free, especially in summer. The worst that could happen is I invest a few dollars in the curl cream, and if it didn’t work, I could pass it off to one of my friends!

The Results!

My first trial with this curl cream was not successful by any means. I ignored any instructions the packaging had to offer. Call me a rule-breaker!

The first go-around, I had applied a quarter-sized amount to the ends and mid-sections of my hair (post-shower) after it had dried a considerable amount. This was not the move, since it appeared to really weigh down my locks and surprisingly, added a weird texture that felt thick and oily. (Which, side note, shouldn't have come as a surprise since the cream has both coconut and neem oils in it).

The second, third, and fourth trials were really where I started to find my footing with the SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream. I slowly found that using a small amount of the product (pea-sized squeeze) worked best for me, especially on mostly-wet hair.

I would part and brush my towel-dried hair straight out of the shower, then “scrunch” the product into my wet locks as evenly as I could. From there, I wouldn’t dare touch a brush again. I would simply scrunch my hair incrementally to guide my curls as they dried, also making sure to push up around my root area for volume. And voila, they stayed in place! I had curly, bouncy, and smooth semi-curly hair.

Meet My Curly Hair Power Duo

I can’t give the curl cream total kudos to my ideal curls, though. After my hair would dry a bit using the SheaMoisture Smoothie, I would use a light layer of the amika Smooth Over Frizz-Fighting Treatment Mask to further eliminate frizzy flyaways (of which I have many), and it helped define my curls even further. Might I say, ‘power duo’?

I actually bought a 3.2-ounce tube of the SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream fromTargetfor a little under $4 since I wanted to start small and see if it worked for me, but you can also snag a 12-ounce tub of the same product on Amazon for $11 (originally $13, so buying it from Amazon is a better value).

Tips For Using Curl Cream

If you don’t have naturally curly hair and want to give this curl cream a try, my best advice is to go very light with the amount you apply. I definitely recommend putting it exclusively on wet hair, ideally after you shower or drench your second-day hair with a spray bottle. From there, brushing or running your fingers through your hair is a no-go, as I found it disturbs the formation of the curls.

SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream

The SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream has earned 4.5/5 stars from shoppers on Amazon and a 12-ounce pot is currently on sale for $11 (was $13).

amika Smooth Over Frizz-Fighting Treatment Mask

The amika Smooth Over Frizz-Fighting Treatment Mask has earned 3.8/5 stars from shoppers on Amazon and a 6.7-ounce bottle currently goes for $32.

Redken Extreme Length Shampoo

This shampoo provides a gentle clean all while supporting hair growth with biotin, letting you locks get longer and stronger. Strengthening your strands with this pH-balanced formula will also help prevent damage!

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo

This shampoo's infused with rosemary and biotin, both of which are helpful ingredients in promoting hair growth. It smells amazing and doesn't strip the scalp or strands of their natural moisture. It's also one of the most affordable hair growth shampoo formulas out there at $10 a pop!

Kitsch Rice Water Shampoo Bar

This all-natural shampoo bar cleanses, moisturizes, and nourishes hair in a single use. It's friendly on the hair, too, since it's made without sulfates or parabens. Finally, it's good for the environment compared to traditional bottles: the packaging is compostable and plastic-free!

Vegamour Gro Revitalizing Shampoo

This shampoo encourages hair growth by targeting the source: the scalp. It's formulated with a unique blend of biomimetic peptides and caffeine that helps nourish and stimulate the scalp for a healthier hair environment overall. This will set a great foundation for stronger, longer, thicker, and shinier hair.

OUAI Volumizing Shampoo

This bougie bottle has biotin, hydrolyzed keratin, and chia seed oil at the forefront to deliver "essential nutrients" to the hair, resulting in more growth, less frizz, and less damage. Plus, it's sulfate-free!

Kerastase Densifique Shampoo

You've heard of hyaluronic acid in skincare – now, it's in hair care, too! This fancy formula includes it to encourage more body, volume, and fullness to your locks.

milk_shake Volumizing Shampoo

This delicious-smelling shampoo gently cleanses your scalp and hair for a thicker appearance.

Pura D'Or Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo

As an Amazon #1 best-seller, this hair growth shampoo + conditioner combo made with all natural ingredients remedies thinning hair. The formula is also geared toward better scalp health, moisturizing it to create a better environment for stronger, thicker, healthier strands.

Avalon Organics Therapy Biotin B-Complex Thickening Shampoo

This shampoo cleanses your hair "from root to tip" with a nourishing blend of biotin, saw palmetto, quinoa protein, and vitamin E. Your hair will feel so loved by this bottle, since it's formulated without parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances.

Dersie Batana Oil Shampoo

This shampoo invigorates the scalp with a natural, nourishing mix of batana oil, biotin, caffeine, castor oil, rosemary oil, tea tree oil, ginger extract, and more. Giving your scalp some TLC will naturally encourage faster hair growth and healthier locks!

1. Swap Sour Cream for Greek Yogurt

Get that creamy tang without the extra fat. Greek yogurt is packed with protein, lower in calories, and often contains probiotics, which are great for your gut health. Greek yogurt is delicious in dips, dressings, or even dolloped on tacos or (my favorite) grilled salmon.

2. Use Olive Oil Instead of Butter

For sautéing or drizzling, EVOO adds heart-healthy fats and antioxidants. It’s a flavorful upgrade that also supports better cholesterol levels than butter. Just make sure to cook it at a lower heat, under 430 degrees is recommended.

3. Choose Whole Grains Over Refined

Trade white rice or pasta for brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat pasta. Whole grains are higher in fiber — and the secret to a healthy Mediterraneandiet — keeping you fuller longer and supporting digestive health. Cauliflower rice and spaghetti squash are also healthy alternatives to white rice and pasta and you get the added bonus of an extra veggie in your meal.

4. Swap Mayo for Avocado

Avocados, an excellent source of healthy unsaturated fats, make a great swap for traditional mayo in baking and preparing your favorite sandwich. Avocado oil mayo is also a healthy alternative and you'll taste nearly no difference.

5. Add Veggies to Everything

I shred cauliflower or carrots into my daughter's pancakes to give an extra nutrient boost. Sneak in shredded zucchini, spinach, or cauliflower rice into sauces, casseroles, or even baked goods. Swap hearty mushrooms, beets or eggplant for burgers too. It’s a simple way to eat more fiber and vitamins without changing the dish, or taste, too much.