Now that it’s warming up, it’s time I give my flat iron a break and rock my head full of thick and natural curls. However, my flatiron isn’t the only thing moving to the back of my beauty closet, because my shampoo usually goes with it. Yes, it’s time to break out my co-wash products.

What is a “co-wash”, you may be wondering”? Well, co-wash is short for conditioner wash and it’s the go-to method for curly hair ladies to cleanse their hair without stripping it of any moisture from shampoos. Some people may be shocked to know that conditioners have enough ingredients to clean your scalp, but without all the ingredients that suds up your hair. The ingredients that causes shampoo to lather and suds are the usual culprits that strips your hair of its natural oils and moisture.

When I first started researching how to maintain my naturally curly hair, co-washing was one of the first things I incorporated into my life. The conditioner of choice for me back then was Suave Coconut conditioner, because it did a great job at cleaning my scalp and moisturizing my hair. Plus, it was super cheap and super effective. That was also the first time I discovered my hair’s BFF, coconut oil. What a time.

However, a lot has changed in the past 10 years. Now there are more brands that create products exclusively for curly and wavy hair. Also, some of the mainstream brands have created lines for us curly hair girls, too. Therefore, most (if not all) of these lines include a product that is exclusively designed to co-wash your hair. Some have added and/or removed certain ingredients that allow you to thoroughly clean your scalp and hair, but without stripping process. Curls need all the moisture it can get at all levels of their hair regimen.

If you are having a hard time moisturizing your thick, wavy, and/or curly hair, you might want to embrace co-washing. It’s one of the best things I’ve done for my hair.

Co-Wash Products To Try

• DevaCurl No-Poo Decadence Cleanser – Devacurl products has become of my favorite brands, especially their Decadence line. My current go-to co-wash product is their One Condition Decadence Conditioner, but their new No-Poo Decedence Milk Cleanser is amazing. I just tried it this past weekend and I was floored with my results.
• dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse – Before co-wash products, us curly hair chicks would use apple cider vinegar to help clean our scalp of product build-up. Now, there’s an ACV rinse that also infused with oils and other moisturizing ingredients.
• Pantene Pro-V Color Preserve Cleansing Conditioner – This is a great product for us curly girls who dye our hair. This co-wash cleanses and conditions without stripping your hair of moisture or color.
• Shea Moisture Superfruit Multivitamin Conditioning Wash – My sister’s hair is more wavy than curly and this is the only product she uses when she just wants to wash her hair and go. It’s really gentle and moisturizing. Plus, it’s another great product to use is you have color-treated curls.

by