Defined curls WITHOUT styling products? Yeah right...no really, YES this IS possible. Can we normalize styling products being used to achieve an awesome look, but not to be shackled to just to leave the house looking decent?
Through my transition from being relaxed to natural (didn't do a big chop) I used only two products the Restorative Hair and Scalp Serum + Intensive Hair and Scalp Tonic. I've used them as leave-in treatments, detanglers, curl defining products, no rinse overnight treatments, curl refreshers, and more. I strongly believe being natural shouldn't mean spending a small fortune to look decent, spending days doing hair (or waiting for it to dry), or not being able to live life fully because "my hair". SIDE NOTE: these are the same two products I used when my hair was relaxed.
After 2 years of the pandemic, I had an appointment to even out my afro. I knew it would be cut, the goal was for a more even continued grow out. I have never used styling products on my coils, no gel, no curl cream, no mousse, no nothing, and asked to keep it that way because my coils had been thriving for years w/o them. I actually took product with me and asked for it to be used. Unfortunately, while I was told they would, none of my requests were honored.
After I washed the styling products out because the itch was really aggravating my scalp, all that was left was product damaged curls. My coils were gone, my hair had NEVER felt so DRY, looked so FRIZZY, and my hair would just stand straight up...all signs of damage. Two things had happened, my cuticle had been opened...so hair couldn't hold moisture, it looked frizzy, and WOULD NOT curl to save it's life. I had also lost elasticity, this is what helps curls and coils curl without that basket of styling products.
What's in products does this? Hidden alcohols, silicones, and the fragrances that have us smelling like pineapple, coconut, mango tropics, to name a few. I don't name any particular products because it's not really a brand issue, more an ingredient issue, and so many brands have similar base ingredients and then add a sprinkle of something unique (more often for marketing than your experience).
To repair my coils I returned to exclusively using the Restorative Hair and Scalp Serum + Intensive Hair and Scalp Tonic, using the leave-in conditioning treatment technique on wash days and the no-rinse overnight treatment in-between wash days (same technique on dry hair and w/o the shower cap). Products are absorbent, making them perfect for regular use w/o the concern of build-up on hair and scalp. BONUS, products help decongest scalp reducing excess oils, flakes, and build up, helpful for dry flaky scalp issues like dandruff, eczema, psoriasis, and to keep scalp fresh and clean between wash days.
A little goes a long way, prior to the damage I was using three finger tip lengths of serum for all of my hair and scalp...a little goes a long way. When I was repairing damage I had to use a bit more than usual for about a month and a half, and then was able to return to normal amounts. Consistency is key. I had tried a few styling products because the damage was so bad, but they kept drying out my hair and I knew they would prolong the problem.
[WATCH: "HOW TO" LEAVE-IN CONDITIONING TECHNIQUE]
The coils have returned, I still use ONLY the Restorative Hair and Scalp Serum + Intensive Hair and Scalp Tonic, and I'm still looking for another stylist. In the mean time I know Love & Snow got me.