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 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.
Thank you so much Dominique for sharing your favorite products, I have 3 of them so far! Yay 😀! Did you mean avocado oil instead almond oil? The picture shows a bottle of avocado oil. If so I have 4 of your favorite products! Haha. I’m going on Amazon now to get the rest of it! The video “how to relax your hair at home” and now this article… you just made my day 😊
Quick question: do you know a good product to dye relaxed hair? I’m starting to have white hair and thinking of dying it. My hair is black. I use the temporary dye products since I just need to cover my edges, but I will have to consider something permanent in a couple of months I think..😩
Thanks again, appreciate the help!
Ida
Hi how often should I relax my hair
Hey Dom, where do you buy the Keracare products? I also live in Ontario and I’ve only seen them on amazon, but they cost an arm and a leg!
Author
Hi Shay! I got mine from HQ Hair…which is a British site. They were pricey – but not as bad as Amazon. Good luck! xo
I read the previous posts and went out and got the joico moisture set and the Aussie 3min miracle today 🤦🏻♀️ Do you recommend I return those and get the Kera Care ?
Author
Hi Lisel! I would keep them. They are gentle protein conditioners and you should try using them monthly. Conditioners that are specifically marketed as “Protein conditioners” should be used with a little care. Give them a try. If your hair feels dry and hard after, stop using…then deep condition afterwards with something very hydrating and moisturizing and proteiN-FREE. Good luck!
Hi! New to your blog and loving the content! What brand do you use for your relaxer? I have been doing at home relaxers and have been using the Optimum Care Defy Breakage No-Lye Kit.
Author
Hi Kirsten! My stylist uses Silk Elements Relaxer with argan oil. When I relaxed at home a few weeks ago, I used ORS Regular relaxer. It was amazing. Loved it.
Hi, Dis you like the Optimum Relaxer. I have suffered so much hair loss and damage that I’ve decided to start doing my own relaxers. With my research, I came across the Optimum No lye relaxer and thought this would be better than a lye relaxer.
I’m so glad I found your page! Life saver if I’m honest!
So I big chopped 3 years ago and I finally accepted that natural hair is NOT for me, I know some people will take it the wrong way but I just prefer it when my hair relaxed.
I’m going back to relaxed hair I really want to care for it the rigth way this time and your blog is really halping me out!
Thanks you
Author
Hi Aciria! I’m SO GLAD we found each other! Thrilled my tips are helping you! And look – it’s your hair…you can do what you want with it. Don’t feel pressured by anyone. xoxoxo
I simply love you…. Well as for me… I pretty have a long relaxed hair but when my old friends see my hair, they are always shocked that my hair is cutting and so on….I actually don’t take care of my hair…. But I came across hairlicious and you and some other YouTubers and I really want to start taking care of my hair… My problem is as a beginner… I need to know the basic thing I need… products to get.. cos there are so many products and I don’t know where to start from… Thank you
Hi Dominique!
I hope you stay safe and healthy.
Quick question: do you consider the super skinny serum from Paul Mitchell as a top coat for hair? I just read an article about top coat hair. Thanks,
Ida
I’m looking for shampoo/conditioner that will detangle knots in my wet hair
Great! Thank you for sharing the above-listed products. I have been searching for such a blog for a long time. Please keep posting!
Author
Hi Nia! Thank you so much for reading the post! I’ll keep at it. Apologies! The last few months of the year have been insane.
Thank you Thank you Thank you for putting this blog together. I have 4c ( I think) relaxed hair and my ends snap off with friction against just about piece of clothing in the winter and I spent all summer trying to get it healthy. They’re videos on relaxed hair care but its nice to have more in depth articles on it. Thanks again!
Thanks for the information on all the products to use for relaxed hair!
What product do you suggest to use to relax gray hair?
Oh wow. it’s very surprising that I didn’t even know about relaxed products for my hair. I love all of this. thank you for sharing this.
Hey Styledomination I love you on youtube. Above was also a nice read, just quick question…you mentioned almond oil as one of your staples for your hair but the bottle on display in the picture says avocado oil. So have you been using avocado oil all this time and mistaking it for almond oil or have you been using almond oil but the picture posted was a mistake?
Author
Hi Angela! I use both and you’re right. That was a mistake. That avocado oil is so old that I wanted to use it up and grabbed it accidentally for this shoot. I prefer the almond oil. The almond oil I have been using is a bit thicker. Coats better!
This blog is so helpful!
Hi, I relaxed my hair for the first time a week ago. I love my new hair it’s long and thick. And i’m from Ghana.Thanks
I used to use the Kera care Humecto conditioner. I discovered it was drying to my hair. My hair was breaking at the ends. I decided to try the Kera care Moisturizing conditioner for color treated hair. That conditioner has much “slip.” My hair breakage has lessened every week I use it. It is much more moisturizing. I figured if it was for color treated hair, then it should be right up my alley since I relax my hair. Both chemical processes can result in dry hair.
Hi, What do you think about Oribe products? Have you tried it? I have 2 products that are in my rotation Olaplex & Design Essential, I’m thinking about adding Oribe to my list but I’m not sure which of their products I should use.