by
Black Girl With Long Hair
by Nicole Harmon of HairLiberty.org
Shampooing is an essential part of a healthy hair regimen. It can either set the stage for moisturized, detangled hair, or lead to breakage and tangling. Check out Nicole’s 6 do’s and dont’s and her recommended shampoos.
1. Do start by rinsing your hair with warm water for about 3 minutes. The extra rinsing time will loosen up product residue so you can use less shampoo.
2. Don’t comb your hair while you shampoo. Stretching and pulling creates unnecessary stress on your strands. Save detangling for when the conditioner is in.
3. Do choose a shampoo that contains gentle ingredients if you prefer to wash your hair multiple times per week due to frequent exercise or an oily scalp.
4. Don’t pile hair on top of your head. Apply the shampoo by smoothing it in a downward motion.
5. Don’t underestimate the power of a high-quality shampoo; it can make all the difference.
6. Do shampoo your hair at least once a week. The health of your scalp determines how fast your hair grows. A healthy scalp is clean, flake-free and not itchy.
All of the shampoos recommended below are sulfate-free and safe for color-treated hair.
1. L’Oreal EverCreme Intense Nourishing Shampoo
You can’t beat the price of this shampoo for the quality. A very small amount of product creates a rich, easy to spread lather. Make sure to look for the word “Intense” on the label.
2. Giovanni Colorflage Daily Color Defense Shampoo
This shampoo combines sulfate-free detergents cationic conditioners, and “copolymers” which all help hair dye
last longer.
3. Free Your Mane Sulfate Free Hydrating Shampoo
Free Your Mane products were designed with natural coils and curls in mind. This shampoo lathers quickly and contains a high level of conditioners.
4. Carol’s Daughter Chocolat Smoothing Shampoo
The Chocolat Smoothing Shampoo is the newest and best shampoo in the Carol’s Daughter line. It’s similar
to the L’Oreal EverCreme shampoo, but it contains more conditioning ingredients.
5. CURLS Creamy Curl Cleanser
This cleansing cream is a great choice for those who prefer to wash daily because it contains very mild cleansers. It’s definitely worth a try if co-washing doesn’t agree with your scalp.
6. Joico Smooth Cure Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Smooth Cure is Joico’s newest line of products for frizz-prone, curly hair. The sulfate-free shampoo includes all the important key ingredients along with hydrolyzed keratin to protect your hair from friction as you lather.
Ladies, what is your shampoo of choice? And what are your shampooing do’s and dont’s?
Nicole Harmon is a Cosmetic Chemist and the Founder of HairLiberty.org. She has received rave reviews for her seminars on ethnic hair education and science. She’s on a mission to help the Product Junkies of the world save MONEY, sort through marketing HYPE and buy SMARTER!
55 Responses
I personally use Pro Naturals!! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/3f8e27e42aabf72d940c6e99d77464217ebec2bc5dac35b5d24c8e630940eabe.jpg
Currently my favorites are Yes to coconut.
I really love l’oreal’s EverSleek smoothing shampoo. It’s sulfate free and marketed toward’s relaxed hair, but it’s great for my natural hair. I like to use As I Am Coconut Cowash instead though. It’s a lot less harsh. I don’t agree with shampooing once a week though. I shampoo once a month but I use conditioner 1-2 a week.
Are those shampoos in order of best?
My favourite shampoo to use is any of the Dove Anti Breakage shampoos and conditioners. This is mostly because when I was growing out my perm I decided not to do a big chop but rather trim it when necessary. The Dove helped prevent my hair from splitting like crazy. In result I never had a hard time growing out my perm.
@kendalblake
I am avid Chagrin Valley shampoo bar user. My favorite poo bars include the Babassu Marshmallow, Olive Babassu, Neem & Tea Tree Oil, and Cafe Moreno. I rotate the bars using a particular bar in 2 week intervals. My scalp is happy and my hair is growing well.
Anyone using Mane and Tail
L’Oreal EverCreme has me GONE!! I’m hooked! I’m thinking of buying in BULK that stuff is so boss!!!
I know!! I’m SUPER excited!!! 🙂 Finally a shampoo that makes my hair feel all FUZZY AND WARM inside.. In a GOOD way!!!!
i have 4a/4b hair
-jessicurl cleansing cream>>>lots of slip and my hair feels really moisturized>>>this is a winner for me!
-giovanni smooth as silk – same as jessicurl but it has silicones (the good ones)
-kinky curly come clean – ok but my hair feels dry/coarse after (might try adding olive oil to this one)
-giovanni tea tree shampoo – same feeling as kinky curly
-keracare natural textures cleansing cream – sitting in the cabinet #on deck next!!!
*smooches*
One n’ Only argan oil moisture repair from shampoo from sally’s
I’ve always wanted to try Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose shampoo and conditioner. I’ve heard it was really intense with the moisturizers, and very gentle on the hair. I think I’ll try that next since my product junkie supply of shampoos and conditioners is almost depleted.
Recently I did a pre-poo treatment (for the first time) of olive oil & tea tree oil, and covered my head with a plastic cap for a little while. My hair was so freaking soft, and my scalp felt refreshed… I couldn’t believe it. Then I washed it. I read that the oil serves as a barrier so that sulfate shampoos won’t completely strip your hair. It really worked, so I’ll be doing that once a week from now on. Maybe I’ll substitute different oils also.
BTW I can’t wash my hair without sectioning it off first. My hair mattes very easily, if I don’t section I’ll leave the bathroom looking like I have one giant dread lock. LOL
I shampoo my hair every 2 weeks. I dont have time to mess with my hair every week, I have a life. But I do rinse my hair with warm water between washes.
I love my own shampoos, hands down! Wash Day’s Muddy Water and Build-up Buster.
I like those names :-)!
I may try the Shea moisture moisture retention line if the chargrin valley soaps dont work well (hard water and all that)
I use 3 sulfate free shampoos:
Hair Rules (got these free but won’t be purchasing..too expensive)
Shea Moisture Hair Thickening shampoo
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus shampoo
Hey dear i was really upset due to various shampoos but after reading about these recommended product i am feeling relax and will apply properly. I think L’Oreal EverCreme Intense Nourishing Shampoo is best one. Thanks
hi this is sanjana i need to hair bath everyday why because i have dandruff i dont know how to remove dandruff from my hair i had to use so many unknown shampoos thanks for giving a recommended shampoos for hair.
Hello, Sanjana! I’m sad to hear of your problem with dandruff. One thing that helps me is to mix together 4 tablespoons of Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and 1 or 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Stir it until it is completely mixed together, then put it on your head to cover all the dandruff. You can spread it all over your head and on your hair. Then cover all your hair and your head in a plastic shower cap, or you can use a plastic grocery bag and tie it on so it doesn’t fall off. Then wrap a towel around your head on top of the plastic to make your head warm. Leave it for half an hour, up to an hour. Take everything off your head, rinse your head very well to get the yogurt out of your hair, then clean your head with a gentle shampoo or conditioner. I like Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo for my shampoo and Suave Professionals Almond + Shea Butter for my conditioner. I did this once a week or once every two weeks and it helped me with dandruff.
You can also try some tea tree oil. Just use a little at the beginning to see if it helps without making more problems. Be careful with the tea tree because some people cannot use it.
I use Yes to Carrots shampoo. It’s great and sulfates, parabens free!
Took me a while to find a shampoo I like but i’m happy to say I now have 2 staples that I cannot do without. I use Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo and Curls Cleansing Cream. Both shampoos give me this clean feeling after 1 wash, my hair is well moisturized and for some reason I see my curls when I use the Curls cleansing cream..they pop! I would add Keracare Naturals cleansing cream to this list (it reminds me of Curls Cleansing Cream) but I had the smell. Matter of fact, I like the Keracare Naturals products but that perfumey scent has got to go!, but yea…Shea Moisture & Curls for me 🙂
I also use Aussie Moist Shampoo but it is not my staple, and i’m not even sure about the ingredients but I use it as my “cheapie” shampoo for when I henna my hair and need a shampoo to use to get the green out. It’s the big bottle, and I got it for $7 on sale at Walgreens. My hair feels good after using it as well but it’s not all natural so some might not wanna give it a try, but it works for me. I once ran out and picked up Cream of Nature Argan Oil shampoo because the naturals rant & raved about it and it made my hair so tangled and brillo pad-like..Ugh!
Chargin Valley shampoo bars (monthly) and a homemade rhassoul clay (bi-monthly) are my hair washing staples. Other than that I just rinse my hair.
Another Shea Moisture’s Moisture Retention shampoo user. It’s moisturising, doesn’t tangle my hair and smells lovely. Thinking about getting As I Am Coconut Cowash Cleanser or another one of the Shea Moisture shampoos.
I condition first with coconut milk/coconut oil then wash hair with Bentonite clay mixed with ACV. It cleanses, detangles and defines my curls without stripping my hair.
How do you wash with the bentonite/acv? I usually just slather it on, leave it then rinse.
I use an 8oz plastic color applicator bottle. I fill the container half full of vinegar and mix in 1 or 2 tsp of the bentonite clay. It will get bubbly and have an almost foam-like consistency. (You may have to double the mixture depending on how long your hair is) I saturate my entire scalp and hair with the bentonite/acv, let it sit for 5-10 minutes then rinse thoroughly with regular water. I apply this without bothering to rinse out my pre poo conditioner first. And I can do this while my hair is in mini two strand twists with no problems rinsing or styling afterwards. This method works great on my fine 4b hair.
The bentonite clay/acv mixture will also work in a plastic spray bottle. I dilute it with water and use it as a hair rinse in between washes.
Thanks. I would give this I try. I love the bentonite/acv. U do this monthy?
I wash with bentonite/acv at least once a week. However, I may do a quick rinse with it once or twice between washes because I exercise and sweat alot. I always follow up with a modified version of kimmaytube’s leave in(knot today + aloe vera), then seal with oil and a cream moisturizer (loc method).
Even in mini two strand twists, bentonite will define my curls at the ends of my hair. Once my hair gets to the length I want with shrinkage, I will definately use bentonite/acv as a wash and go.
Shea Moisture works well for me!
i use a bar of goat milk soap (cuz i can use it on my body too). then finish with a good conditioner. ( i like softsheen’s moroccan oil. i used to LOVE the breakthru line and it really worked for me, but it is discontinued.) other times i used a natural saponified olive oil bar of soap in my fave scent. i like that those get my hair and body clean with out making either feel squeaky and they smell really great.
I love seeing what every one uses! Thanks for commenting, ladies!
I use Wen Clensing Conditioner myself with great results! 😀
I use the Shea Moisture brand for my hair. I think it works pretty well. My hair feels clean and moisturized.
Agree with another poster – Aubrey Organics is awesome. The Honeysuckle one was recommended by several YouTubers when I was transitioning and I found it excellent for getting hair clean but being very mild and non-stripping. One good clarifying shampoo that isn’t stripping is the Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle. I use that once a month as a complete “reset”.
Hey Ladies, my favorite so far is “curls unleashed: sulfate free shampoo” by organic root stimulator. My hair has never felt so moisturezed after being washed.
Also, I would suggest putting your hair into sections so it’s more manageable; I wash my hair every 2 weeks but I do a co-wash every week that makes up for any dryness that may have occurred 🙂
Why shouldn’t you pile the hair on top of your head? Minimise shrinkage?
Doing so would encourage tangles which would lead to excess breakage.
I’m kind of concerned that I don’t see Mane’n’Tail on here, haha. Is there something I should know?
I use Aveda’s Curly shampoo for my weekly shampoo but recently found the As I Am Coconut Co-wash and I love it. I used it while I was on vacation because I needed to wash everyday between the pool & ocean – my hair was none the wiser and didn’t dry out like it normally does when I use shampoo everyday.
in general ladies, how do you think shea moisture’s moisture retention shampoo would work on drier 4c hair?
my scalp likes to be cleaned a good deal, but my hair seems to love a little build up (like day 4 hair is the best)..
thanks ladies!
I believe i’m a 4b/4c and I use the moisture retention shampoo and my hair loves it! I swore off shampoos that lather because they made my hair dry and brittle-like, but I decided to give the moisture retention poo a chance being that I was also using the mask and I must say it is now a staple for me. My hair does not get tangled, it is well moisturized, and my hair feels squeaky clean but not stripped. You will love it
I would like to second that! The Moisture Retention Shampoo is the truth!!! My type 4 hair loves it!
I’ve grown fond of good ol’ black soap, which I buy from a local African store. I find it to be both mild and effective. I usually follow up with a nicer-smelling deep conditioner though 🙂
Giovanni 50/50 when my hair isnt grungy.
Aveda Shampure once a month to clarify.
How do you ladies feel about Oyin Handmade’s Shampoo and Conditioner?
I’ve used Shea moisture rentention shampoo and loved it.
Right now, I’m using the L’oreal shampoo (#1), and I love it. It smells soooooooo good, and lather’s really well. My hair feels clean, but not too squeaky. I tried the SAS by Giovanni and hated it.
* Shea Moisture’s Moisture Retention Shampoo
* Giovanni 50/50 or
* Dr. Bronner’s (diluted w/ Aloe Vera juice)
I deep condition my hair before I shampoo. I have definitely noticed a difference in my hair with look and feel.
Terrasentials!!!
I use Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo. I shampoo once a week (every 5-7 days). Before shampooing, I detangle my hair with conditioner and put my hair into 12 twisted sections. Then, I rinse the conditioner from my hair while massaging my scalp, apply diluted shampoo to my scalp via an applicator bottle, massage, rinse and go on with the rest of my hair care routine. This method works well to get my scalp clean, prevent my hair from being stripped and lessen breakage.
I use Elucence shampoo, whenever I’m not using the clay.
I use Shea Moisture Shampoos. I like all of them.
Oh dear, I break number 2 a lot. I found that with some ‘slippy’ shampoos (namely Giovanni 50/50 and the yellow Shea Moisture shampoo), I am able to detangle with ease (the comb just glides through). Is there something going on, on a molecular level that I should know about?
Thanks for the tips! My all time favorite shampoo is Miss Jessie’s Super Slip Sudsy Shampoo. My 4b hair is tangle prone (despite all the techniques I use to keep my hair from tangling while washing) and this shampoo has pretty much alleviated that. It has amazing slip and smells like apples. I love it so much I stocked up on a few bottles during last years bogo.
I alternate between a variety of Aubrey Organics shampoos. I also add coconut oil to my shampoo, to “soften” it. I then apply my shampoo/coconut oil to my scalp while my hair is dry and then wash my hair. While the water is soaking my hair I massage my scalp and then continue through my hair. This method has done wonders for cleaning my hair and scalp.
I use Kera Cara Sulfate Free hydrating shampoo.
same here! sulfate free and detangles too, whoop :p