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Once you have started your curly hair journey you might start noticing what your hair likes and needs.
One of the things transitioning hair likes and needs is protein. How much and how often will depend on each individual but since there is heat damage to contend with, the odds are that some amount of protein will be beneficial.
The reason protein is important is because it helps replenish your hair from the inside out, helping to fill in the gaps of damage created by heat and as a by product it will help make your hair look curlier.
There are 3 types of hair classified by porosity (not the topic of this post, but I want to give you a small idea). Low porosity hair is hair that doesn’t need a lot of protein, in fact protein can have a negative effect for this type of hair. Medium porosity hair can handle protein well without detriment. High porosity hair needs a lot of protein, usually heat damaged hair is high porosity; but don’t just assume that because you have heat damage you will have high porosity hair as this is very individual.
I’m writing this post with the assumption that high porosity hair = heat damage but that is not always the case. If you want more details on porosity leave me a comment and we can discuss the topic further on a separate post.
My hair is low porosity now so I no longer use any of the products I’m listing except for the shampoo and sometimes the gel, just an FYI.
Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo: This is a sulfate free shampoo that will leave your curls clean without stripping them, while cleansing the scalp very well. It can be used as often as you like or feel you need to.
Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner: This conditioner will prepare your hair for your deep treatment mask as it will help you detangle your hair before applying the intense repair conditioner. It’s an optional step in your routine, but I highly recommend it.
Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque: This Masque will intensely repair your hair by helping in filling in the gaps in your curls created by heat damage, you can leave it on for 30 minutes covered with a plastic cap then rinse fully and proceed to style.
Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave In Conditioner: The leave in conditioner will help maintain moisture and hydration to your locks. How to use: On soaking wet hair, divided in 4-6 sections, apply a small amount of the leave in conditioner, you can then follow up with a gel.
Eco Style Black Castor & Flaxseed Oil Styling Gel: I used to love this gel during my transition, it contains the perfect balance between protein and moisture. The protein that this gel contains is Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, any product with this ingredient contains protein. How to use: Once you have applied your leave in conditioner apply in small sections using your fingers either in a hand praying motion or raking them through your strands.
I hope this list of protein rich product basics can help you in your journey; if you are unsure as to whether or not a product contains protein, look for the word “hydrolyzed” which usually accompanies protein. Also look for products that are repairing or strengthening as this usually means they contain protein.
Your Shopping List:
- Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo
- Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner
- Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque
- Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave In Conditioner
- Eco Style Black Castor & Flaxseed Oil Styling Gel
The Hair Lab 