Which gel is best for relaxed hair?

Brandy says:

December 4, 2020 at 9:00 pm

This article was very helpful. Thanks

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Luci Johnson says:

March 15, 2021 at 10:54 pm

Thank you for you amazing intel. I for one have battled dry, brittle, proned to damage hair for years. Upon recently applying a relaxer at home myself., I then combed the web after experiencing scalp irritation due to removing an full sew-in install. I had a few oils on hand but decided to use Argan oil. Your information is totally spot on and very detailed.

It’s great to know that I haven’t made tons of mistakes, just used a few too many products.

Thank you a-gain.

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Desires says:

October 28, 2021 at 11:35 pm

Sis… “ The need can range from two weeks to 3 months,” now you know 2 weeks is way to soon for a touch up. I had to look to make sure you were black LOL.

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Denise says:

January 12, 2022 at 4:45 pm

Thank you Amber. This was helpful. Very informative. Now that so many are turning natural it’s not easy to find my necessary hair products on the shelves. So I have been winging it and my hair is falling out as a result of my neglect. I will begin my shopping on-line for the better products for relaxed hair before I go bald!!!

When I got serious about taking care of my relaxed hair and really achieve my hair goals, I decided to take a long look at the haircare I was using. Many weren’t moisturizing enough – plain and simple. Others contained too many drying alcohols.

We all know that relaxed hair needs a lot of care, as the relaxer treatment is a harsh one. As it breaks down bonds in the hair to achieve that straight look, it simultaneously leaves hair more prone to dryness and breakage.

Don’t worry though – I got you. The products below are ones that I have been using for a while that have proven to be rock solid. From great moisturizers to conditioning superstars, the products below will ensure that you not only retain length, you boost your hair’s healthy hapiness factor.

Luster’s S-Curl Curl Activating Moisturizer

This product was is a game changer for me. Extremely mositurizing and hydrating, it transformed my ends…helping me retain length and reach length goals that I had set for myself.

With its nice mix of argan and olive oils, it also helped me keep my regrowth soft and manageable while I waited for a hair relaxer. Thanks to this, I was able to stretch my hair longer than I ever had before without experiencing breakage.

Almond Oil

Simple and effective, almond oil has been a great sealant for my hair. I use my almond oil after applying the Luster’s moisturizer. The oil helps to seal in moisture, keeping your hair soft and hydrated, thus reducing frizz, tangles and breakage. The combination of moisturizing and sealing has single-handedly changed my hair for the better.

Keracare Anything

Let me tell you…I am soooo happy I found this brand! I will admit, I was using a few products that contained protein which I felt, led to protein overload. This left my hair feeling a little dry and crunchy. Hair breakage is something I am NOT HAVING, so I switched my shampoo and conditioner to Keracare.

Keracare is an all-star in the black haircare community and I can see why. The Hydrating Detangling Shampoo is gentle and doesn’t strip hair. This shampoo also promises to detangle hair, which I felt it did quite well.

The Humecto-Creme Conditioner is thick and rich, and makes detangling very easy. Pro Tip: add Haitian black castor oil to this conditioner, apply to wet hair in sections (spreads better), cover hair with plastic (plastic bag or cling wrap), and add heat (either via hooded hair dryer or heat cap). Your hair will be left feeling incredibly soft, bouncy and hydrated.

The Keracare Detangling Conditioning Mist is bae. I love it. After conditioning and t-shirt drying my hair, I spray this onto my tresses in sections. It immediately takes care of any detangles and leaves my hair feeling super soft. It also works well as a heat protectant. I definitely noticed that my ends seemed more smooth after using this product.

Blue Magic Hair and Scalp Conditioner

There is a reason this hair grease is a favourite of my Mum’s. This old school favourite does an excellent job of moisturizing a dry scalp. Great hair starts internally (take your vitamins and eat healthfully, people) and at the root level. It’s hard to grow healthy hair if your scalp is dry and suffering.

Two or three times a week, I section my hair and add a little of this literal magic to my scalp. I up the frequency directly after a relaxer too as I find the process dries out my scalp. Despite being a “grease“, it doesn’t leave your scalp feeling greasy or dirty, just moisturized and happy.

This product also protects your hair from “relaxer run-off” – over processing of already relaxed portions of your hair as relaxer is rinsed out of your hair. I apply my Blue Magic to the last five or so inches of my hair to protect those relaxed ends from any potential overprocessing damage.

Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo 2

Since many of the products geared towards relaxed hair can be a bit heavy, I make sure to “strip away” all of that build up once a month. This allows my hair to reap the full benefits of deep conditioners. Also, when you clarify your hair, it’s shinier, bouncier and lighter. Moisturizing products will do a better job if there is no build up getting in the way.

If you are suffering from protein overload, using a clarifying shampoo is the first step to recovery also (the shampoo will strip away the protein paving the way for a good moisture session).

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector

My hair changed for the better after I incorporated this wildly popular bond builder into my haircare regimen. After relaxing and shampooing my hair, I add this treatment all over, which leaves my hair incredibly smooth and manageable.

You are supposed to apply this treatment to damp, “dirty hair” actually, but I feel the way I have been using after relaxing has really helped the quality of my hair. I generally use this product once a month after a relaxer, and have noticed that it lessens any frizz and boosts shine.

You should definitely consider adding this to your regimen if you are suffering from dry hair.

ORS Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner

This is pretty much the only protein-based conditioner I use (I feel I’m a little protein sensitive). This conditioner is gentle and effective, with great slip. It does a solid job of detangling hair, and providing that boost of protein damaged hair needs.

Assess your protein needs first, though…and I would not recommend using this product as a weekly deep conditioner (could lead to protein overload). If used correctly, it can lead to beautiful healthy hair.

Starting now, I will only be incorporating a protein conditioner once during relaxer treatments to determine if protein has been leading to breakage I had been recently experiencing.

Indigo Luster Gloss

This product is my absolute favourite pre-flat-ironing spray. Containing no alcohols, water or oils, it leaves hair extremely shiny and soft after flat-ironing. It also makes hair tangle-free, especially when using the “comb-chase method” when flat-ironing.

If you like the look of a classy bun, spray a little of this glossy liquid serum onto hair after styling for the shiniest bun you have ever seen. Smells great too – think “strawberry creamsicle”.

Paul Mitchel Super Skinny Serum and Pureology Hydrate Shine Max Serum

Serums are a fantastic way to moisturize your hair if you are wearing any “straight/flat-ironed styles”. They won’t make your straight hair revert, leave your hair very shiny and moisturize without that greasy feeling.

After flat-ironing (which I don’t recommend you do regularly due to it causing heat damage), smooth a dime-sized amount of either or these serums to your dry hair. I usually add a little serum to the ends of my straight dry hair every other night.

Both of these serums are rock solid, doing a great job of adding a little moisture and creating silky, shiny looks.

These products have really helped me over the years and I am confident they will help you too. Let me know what your favourite relaxed hair products are in the comments!

Dominique Baker

Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.

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