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

Jasmine Williams
Jul 17, 2024
black hair products

Protective styles have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, but I have a few black hair products that help me maintain my natural hair. I've tried so many brands over the years to the point that I can predict how my hair would respond to something new.

What I love the most about the products I'm sharing with you is the fact all hair types can use them! Everyone needs a good shampoo, moisturizing hair mask, and other daily products that make their hair shine — so why gatekeep? Here are 6 of my favorite Black hair products to try right now!

Amazon

Donna's Recipe Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Moisturizing Shampoo

Out of all the shampoos I've tried, this Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Moisturizing Shampoo works magic on my hair. It instantly softens my coils and helps make detangling a breeze.

Also, it doesn't strip the hair of any moisture because it has sweet potatoes, cinnamon, and vanilla in it. I love gourmand scents so I have to remind myself that I can't actually eat this shampoo — that's how good it is.

P.S. My fiancé and toddler love it too!

Amazon

African Pride "Feel It" Formula Strengthening Mask

I don't know what I was expecting when I first used this mask, but my goodness! It makes my hair feel so soft as soon as I put it on, and I've found that my coils start bouncing the more I let it absorb into them.

It has peppermint, sage, and rosemary in it — three things that create a nice tingling sensation that doesn't feel overpowering.

It sounds too good to be true, but I honestly think this Strengthening Mask has contributed to my hair's growth underneath protective styles. I've seen less breakage and shedding since I've started using it, not to mention my hair doesn't feel super dry anymore.

Amazon

BESTOOL Curly Hair Brush Set

I've learned that good hair tools matter regardless of our hair types, so I have to share this brush set!

Although I will finger detangle my hair while washing it, I know nothing beats using a detangling brush. This ensures that I'm not yanking my hair out because other brushes have proven to be too harsh for my hair.

There's also an empty mister spray bottle and scalp massager included in the set. I use the scalp massager during wash days for the most part, especially when my scalp feels itchy.

As for the spray bottle, I usually will add a little water, leave-in conditioner, and a few drops of oil to it when I feel like my hairstyle looks a look flat and lifeless.

Amazon

Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

I swear by Mielle's Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil when I need a quick pick-me-up. It's free of parabens — a must — and helps tackle issues I typically run into with my natural hair. From keeping my scalp moisturized to repairing split ends, it truly makes my hair feel refreshed.

It has a blend of over 30 essential oils that surprisingly don't weigh my hair down which I'm grateful for. Heavy products tend to sit on top of my hair and create even more dandruff so I appreciate this oil!

Amazon

Camille Rose Rosemary Water Daily Strengthening Mist

Oil isn't the only thing I use on a daily basis. Sometimes I find that leave-in conditioners can weigh my hair down, so I've started using this Daily Strengthening Mist.

It's designed to nourish the hair while strengthening it — hence the name. It has rosemary and peppermint oils in it, making it the perfect companion to Mielle's Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil.

Amazon

PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross Curl Gel

This curl gel is great for anyone who wants defined curls without the crunchy side effect that comes with other gels. Your curls will also have a ton of volume and will look extremely moisturized thanks to aloe vera, coconut oil, and cacay oil.

Side note: It does have a light scent of neroli, rose, and patchouli.

Looking for more amazing beauty recommendations? Be sure to check out our storefront for more of our faves!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Header image via Amazon

I Finally Found The Best Curl Cream To Enhance My Subtle Waves – Here’s My Review

I’ve never claimed to have curly hair. Sure, I’ve caught a little ringlet here and there, but having a full head of curls never seemed like it’d be a reality for me. That was until I found this life-changing curl-defining cream! Turns out, with the proper product (and plenty of guidance from self-proclaimedTikTok beauty gurus), I could rock more ringlets than I ever thought possible.

Read on for my full review of my new favorite curl cream for defined curls!

Meredith Holser

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!

Meredith Holser

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

Meredith Holser

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

Meredith Holser

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.

Amazon

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).

Amazon

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.

Interested in trying new beauty products? Subscribe to our newsletter for more editor-tested product reviews!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

hair productscurly hairhair tipsproduct reviewhair careeditecombeauty

8 "Old School" Western Movies Every '1923' Fan Needs To Watch

No films today can quite measure up to old school Western movies, which transport audiences back to a time of dusty plains, rugged landscapes, and larger-than-life heroes.

These timeless classics, which were often set in the wild frontier of the American West, have helped shape much of modern filmmaking and continue to influence storytelling today.

That's why old school Western movies are more than just a genre; they're a piece of Hollywood history. Here are eight of the most iconic films that still deserve to be rewatched today.

Scroll to see all the old school Western movies you should definitely watch!

Stanley Cramer Productions

1. High Noon (1952)

High Noon, which came out in 1952, depicted themes of duty, loneliness, and moral courage. It followed lawman Will Kane, played by Gary Cooper, who intends to retire and start a new life after tying the knot with his wife, Amy.

However, his plans are derailed when he learns that a dangerous outlaw named Frank Miller is returning to town to get revenge. Will has to decide whether to flee or face Frank himself.

The movie builds a sense of urgency and isolation, as well as provides commentary on the nature of heroism, showing how even people who claim they stand for justice can fold when confronted with personal risk.

Warner Brothers Entertainment

2. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

In 1948, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre followed two down-on-their-luck oil workers, Dobbs and Curtin, who team up with a miner named Howard to search for gold in the Sierra Madre mountains. Yet, after they literally strike gold, paranoia creeps in, and the group's bond starts to unravel.

While this film is a classic Western, it also doubles as a psychological thriller and features a lot of unexpected twists that will capture the attention of even modern viewers.

20th Century Studios

3. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Paul Newman plays Butch Cassidy in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the leader of a group of bank robbers. Meanwhile, the Sundance Kid, portrayed by Robert Redford, is Butch's loyal partner, and together, their lives get tougher as banks become increasingly harder to rob.

So, they turn to train heists, but even though the new scheme is successful at first, it soon leads to deadly consequences. They become the most wanted men in the West and get caught up in thrilling escapes and shootouts.

20th Century Fox

4. The Gunfighter (1950)

Released in 1950, The Gunfighter provided a fresh take on the classic Western hero. Gregory Peck starred as Jimmy Ringo, a notorious gunfighter who returned to the town of Cayenne to reconnect with his estranged wife and son.

But since his reputation precedes him, Ringo finds himself facing some people who want revenge and others who wish to make a name for themselves by killing him.

The plotline offers a more somber view of the consequences of being a gunfighter, which challenges the glorified image of the Western hero.

United Artists

5. Stagecoach (1939)

Stagecoach follows a group of passengers aboard a stagecoach, one of whom is Ringo Kid, played by John Wayne. Ringo is an escaped convict who wants revenge for the murders of his family members.

It's true that the movie's portrayal of Native Americans is outdated today. Nonetheless, Stagecoach marked a significant moment in John Wayne's career and remains a popular favorite among Western enthusiasts.

Paramount Pictures

6. Shane (1953)

Shane tells the story of a mysterious drifter named Shane, played by Alan Ladd, who gets involved with two homesteaders, Joe and Marian, as they face harassment from a land developer. After the developer's intimidation tactics get more violent, Shane decides to stay with Joe and Marian's family to protect them.

This film defined the archetype of a strong anti-hero, with a main conflict of violence versus the desire for peace. It also has beautiful cinematography.

United Artists

7. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)

Unfolding against the backdrop of the American Civil War, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly follows three men who get tied up in a race to discover $200,000 buried in gold.

A bounty hunter, a convict, and a mercenary each hold a piece of the puzzle, but none of them has all the information they need to pinpoint the treasure. So, despite their ruthlessness, there are some moments of cooperation that arise out of necessity and set the stage for a showdown.

Clint Eastwood, who portrays the bounty hunter, delivered a poignant performance, as did Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef.

20th Century Fox

8. My Darling Clementine (1946)

Finally, My Darling Clementine, directed by John Ford, portrays the famous events surrounding the O.K. Corral shootout. It centers on Wyatt Earp, played by Henry Fonda, who becomes the Marshal after the brutal killing of his younger brother James.

Spoiler alert: Wyatt ultimately learns that one of the Clanton brothers was responsible for James' death. This leads to the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Looking for more movie & entertainment news? Follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!

entertainmentmovies

The 10 Best Shampoos For Longer, More Luscious Hair

Dreaming of longer, thicker, and healthier hair? The right shampoo can do more than just clean your scalp and strands – it can be the first step to achieving your hair growth goals!

The best shampoos for hair growth are formulated with ingredients like biotin, keratin, and argan oil, and omit damaging sulfates, parabens, and silicones. Whether you’re battling hair breakage, thinning, or just want an extra boost in volume, it’s time to pick up a reliable hair growth shampoo.

Learn more about growing your locks and get ready to unlock your hair’s full potential with these 10 best shampoos for hair growth!

Amazon

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!

Amazon

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!

Amazon

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!

Amazon

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.

Amazon

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!

Amazon

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.

Amazon

milk_shake Volumizing Shampoo

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

Amazon

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.

Amazon

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.

Amazon

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!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more beauty product recs!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

hair carehair productsshampooeditecombeauty

Everyone's "Crying" Over This 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Ending Theory: "I'll Never Get Over It"

The Summer I Turned Pretty fans, we finally have an update on our favorite show! Prime Video just announced that season 3, starring Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, and Gavin Casalegno will be coming in July — and that this season (which has 3 extra episodes, FYI!) will be the show's final season. But while fans weren't too surprised by the announcement (Jenny Han only wrote three books, after all), there's one detail of the official season 3 poster that has TV fans in a tizzy.

Keep reading for a breakdown of the craziest The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 theory yet — and don't forget to check out the first look images!

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' fans can't wait to return to Cousins

The official TSITP account posted the poster for season 3 on March 7, confirming the next episodes were dropping in July. "Summer is just a season away," the caption reads. "The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 premieres this July on Prime Video."

And fans immediately flooded the comments cheering for Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah. While some users admitted they were already "crying," others range from "Prepares to defend Conrad for one last summer" to "WHERE ARE ALL THE JELLY SUPPORTERS COME ON GUYS WE NEED TO STAND UP FOR WHATS RIGHT." And even a very passionate, "If she doesn’t end up with Conrad this will go down as the worst show ever because I’LL NEVER GET OVER IT."

Even Spotify's Instagram picked a side by commenting, "team conrad we have WAITED for this day."

But some eagle-eyed fans picked up on one detail about the poster that's different than season 1 and 2: Belly's by herself.

@thesummeriturnedpretty

We'll always have summer ☀️

♬ original sound - the summer i turned pretty

While the poster for The Summer I Turned Pretty season 1 features Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah with the summer house in the background, and the main poster for season 2 features the trio sitting on the beach, The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 poster features Belly standing by herself in front of a bush of hydrangeas. Because, y'all, Belly is in bloom.

She's not the same girl she was at the start of the series — and even if she still has a ton of questions about life (don't we all?) she has way more confidence. She's not lost.

And could the fact Belly stands alone on the poster be a clue to the end of the series? "this poster screams belly choosing herself in the end and I’m all here for it!" one X user tweeted.

@_cooper_koch_ The summer I turned pretty season 3 Belly and Conrad 😍 #foryou#pourtoi#fyp#edit#tiktok#viral#thesummeriturnedpretty#belly#conradfisher @Christopher Briney ♬ Gorgeous - Taylor Swift

Although I will point out Belly's yellow dress actually made its rounds on social media last year when videos of Lola Tung and Christopher Briney filming together went viral. So we'll have to tune in this July to figure out who Belly ends up with for sure ;).

Meet The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Cast before it premieres on Prime Video in July 2025!

pop cultureentertainmentthe summer i turned prettytv

The Beatles Movies Cast Is Finally Here!

Austin Butler as Elvis truly changed Hollywood, because now, not only are we getting Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan and Selena Gomez as Linda Rondstat, but Paul Mescal is also one of the actors leading the upcoming biopics about The Beatles. Each movie, from director Sam Mendes, will focus on a different member of the band — and their unique points of view — but will intersect to “tell the astonishing story of the greatest band in history,” per Variety. And it'll be “the first binge-able theatrical experience,” according to Sony's Tom Rothman. But the best news is that we finally just got the full cast.

Here's everything you need to know about Sam Mendes' Beatles movies, starring Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Barry Keoghan, and Joseph Quinn.

Who is playing John Lennon in The Beatles movie?

Eric Charbonneau/Sony Pictures via Getty Images

John Lennon will be played by Harris Dickinson in the new movies about The Beatles! Director Sam Mendes confirmed the casts for his Beatles biopics at CinemaCon 2025. “We’re not just making one film about the Beatles — we’re making four,” Sam said at the convention. “Perhaps this is a chance to understand them a little more deeply.”

Here's the full cast:

  • Harris Dickinson as John Lennon: The Beatles' founder and one of the lead vocalists.
  • Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney: pianist, and one of the lead songwriters and singers for The Beatles.
  • Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr: The Beatles' drummer.
  • Joseph Quinn as George Harrison: lead guitarist of The Beatles.

Is there a new Beatles movie coming out?

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Yes, director Sam Mendes is developing four movies about The Beatles — one for each member of the band. Each individual movie will tell a story from the perspective of one member (including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, and George Harrison).

“I’m honored to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time, and excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies,” Sam Mendes told Variety.

How many Beatles films are there?

Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images

We're going to be getting four new Beatles films from Sam Mendes and Sony, which are currently slated for April 2028. But you can actually see the real members of The Beatles in a few movies! The band appeared in the following movies:

  • A Hard Day's Night (1964)
    • Help! (1965)
      • Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
        • Yellow Submarine (1968)
          • Let It Be (1970)

          Where can I watch the new Beatles biopics?

          Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

          Each of the four movies will be released in theaters, thanks to Sony Pictures Entertainment, and they're currently scheduled for April 2028.

          “You have to match the boldness of the idea with a bold release strategy,” Sony Pictures chief Tom Rothman told The Hollywood Reporter. “There hasn’t been an enterprise like this before, and you can’t think about it in traditional releasing terms.”

          Who is playing Paul McCartney in The Beatles biopic?

          Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

          Paul Mescal is playing Paul McCartney in the new Beatles movies, and during Gladiator 2 director Ridley Scott actually revealed the casting last year! When asked if Paul Mescal was starring in his next film The Dog Stars, Ridley told filmmaker Christopher Nolan, “Yes. Maybe. Paul is actually stacked up, doing the Beatles next. So I may have to let him go.”

          While Paul Mescal's involvement in Sony's upcoming Beatle biopic quartet (say that five times fast) has been around the rumor mill, the news is finally confirmed by the movie studio.

          Check out I'm Drooling Over Jeremy Allen White's First Look As Bruce Springsteen for more biopic movie goodness.

          This post has been updated.

          pop cultureentertainmentmovies