I used to believe that tools were unnecessary luxury items within haircare. Now, I definitely would tell a new natural that there are certain tools in which you need to invest for easy natural hair care.
As a veteran natural, I realize how much simpler caring for my hair could have been with just three tools.
There are so many options out there, but I am referring to the tools that make a true difference in the state of the hair and the ease of caring for your hair.
1
Hooded Dryer
Get you a hooded dryer!
Whether you choose a blow dryer soft bonnet attachment, a table top dryer, or free-standing hair dryer is less important.
I use my hooded dryer to speed up the drying process for all of my hairstyles. Meaning, I use my dryer anywhere from 52 to 104 times a year!
A hooded dryer can be used for deep conditioning or to simply dry your hair style faster.
Not all hooded dryers are created equal. I do find that how the heat is distributed in the dryer makes a difference in how moisturized the hair feels once dry.
Price does seem to matter. My higher priced dryer distributes heat very differently than the alternatives I have owned over the years. This means that my hair dries faster and more evenly with my more expensive dryer than the mid-price tabletop alternative I used to own.
2
Detangling Brush
Yes, finger detangling is the naturalistas best friend, but the detangling brush is a serious time saver.
I’ve spent considerable time trying many of the hairbrushes on the market. Over time, I found that gentle detangling is possible for a low price with a brush.
Most detangling brushes can be found in store, and are created to loosen tangles without ripping through the hair. There is always room for user error, but as long as you detangle on wet slippy hair, your hair should be fine.
My current favorite is the Kazmaleje Paddle+Comb, second place would be my Original Wet Brush. However, there are many great options on the market.
3
Thermal Heating Cap
As a low porosity natural, I find it important to use heat when deep conditioning my hair.
I have a hair steamer that I love and adore, but you could get away with using a heating cap. My Thermal Heat Cap has been a staple in my regimen for many years.
The use of heat when conditioning allows the ingredients in the product to work a bit deeper. Thus improving the health of my hair while supporting easy detangling.
Microwaveable heat caps are especially easy to use and the care of the cap is a cinch. For less than $20, you can level up your conditioning routine and the health of your hair. Plus, I have yet to need to replace my cap in 10 years.
Honorable Mention
As a low porosity natural, the hair steamer is a luxury haircare item that does make a significant difference in the health of my hair.
However, the hair steamer is the more expensive, but better alternative to the heating cap for the high porosity natural. Therefore, not exactly essential.
Why?
Regularly steaming wiwithll strengthening conditioners will prove to be more useful than a heat cap for a high porosity natural. The steam is a better alternative for binding the strengthening ingredients to the strand than heat alone.
There are countless other tools on the market to help with natural hair.
However, I find these three/four haircare tools to be game-changers in a healthy natural hair care routine.
If you want to be a lazy natural then get these tools to make caring for your hair even simpler.
