Hey Naturals,

Here are my mane tips for SHAMPOOING. Before educating myself, I chose my shampoos based off its scent (crazy but I love me some smell goods). I know that’s sounds horrible but I didn’t have a clue. So here are some tips for shampooing your crown and some photos of my hair during a shampoo session.

When shampooing, focus on the scalp. Black hair is known to have lower amounts of sebum (your hair's natural oils) therefore the cleansing properties in a shampoo can be harsh on your hair and strip all the essential oils from your hair leaving it very dry.
Use a moisturizing shampoo for your more frequent washes. If you choose to shampoo your hair once a week, a moisturizing shampoo is the better option. This shampoo is gentle on your hair and doesn't strip your hair of all natural oils. However this should be used for a light cleaning. If you notice your hair needs something more heavy-duty due to product build-up, you should opt for a clarifying shampoo. I personally choose to wash my hair about every two weeks but in between washes, I co-wash (using conditioner instead of shampoo). Co-Wash Conditioners contain cleansing agents and these light-weight conditioners do not leave much film on the hair shaft and can be easily washed away.
Choose a sulfate & silicone free shampoo. By choosing the right shampoo, you can decrease the chances of your hair being extremely dry from washing & increase the long-term health of your strands. Sulfate-based shampoos include detergents that vary in stripping/cleansing power. You may see Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) & Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) which are types of sulfates you may notice in popular shampoos. Another ingredient to steer away from are silicones which do not benefit your hair either. It coats the outer layer of your hair, making your hair appear to be frizz-free and more polished when in reality it is preventing moisture & protein from entering. So pretty much just stay away.
Never comb/detangle your hair with shampoo.
Keep trying until you find the right one! Not every shampoo is for everybody. So I would continue experimenting until you have found what does work for your hair. You may even have to switch products as your hair grows.

Experimenting may sound scary so I listed below my three favorite shampoos so far. I have had some shampoos that left my hair feeling like freaking sand-paper & I immediately tossed them. However these three right hurr was like love at first sight (especially my #1). So try it and please share your experience! I also put some pics of my hair with only Shea Moisture Shampoo in. My curls popped instantly and my hair didn’t feel like all its natural oils had deserted my head.

My fav shampoos thus far

1. TGIN Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo.