There are so many new and emerging hair care brands on the market now in response to the natural hair movement. Along with the new brands, there is a resurgence of some old school hair products that were popular when I was a kid. I recall attending a natural hair event, and during a panel discussion with hair stylists, someone asked about some of the old school products. She mentioned that as a child, her hair was not relaxed, and her hair was thriving – even though the shampoo had sulfates and there was a lot of Blue Magic grease
It made me wonder, were the hair products we used back then all that bad? Do old school products have any use in our healthy hair regimens? Let’s talk about three products that might not be as bad as you think:
#1 – Hair Grease
Most of the hair grease brands from back in the day were petroleum based, and that’s why most people take issue. But as far as being used as a sealant, it can serve the same purpose as any other heavy butter or oil. Apply a water-based spray or leave-in conditioner first, then apply the grease as you would any other oil or butter. Since grease is heavy, be sure to use a clarifying shampoo
#2 – Curl Activator
I received a jar of curl activator gel
#3 – Oil Sheen
Oil sheen
At the end of the day, at it’s core hair is hair. While textured hair has some unique properties and hair care needs, most of the basic hair care principles still apply. If you aren’t insisting on using all-natural or organic ingredients in your hair products, these oldie but goody old school products can still be a part of your healthy hair care regimen.
I use curl activator and occasionally grease on my hair. They work well and give my hair great results.
When I used petroleum based products like grease, vaseline and baby oil, my skin was horrible. I suffered from dry flaky irritated skin on my body, my face was extremely oily, with constant flare ups of severe, painful cyctic acne.
In three years of being natural, focusing on using natural ingredients and DIY ing many of my hair, face and body products I have experienced a complete turnaround in the health and appearance of my hair and skin. I’ve also become more aware of whats in the food I eat and focused on clean eating and overall wellness.
If these products work for you then continue using them. I am happy with the results I’ve gotten by using natural ingredients and avoiding unnecessarily processed items on and in my body. To me, its worth any additional expense, and I have found that it is not that expensive and can be cheaper in many cases.
Queen Helene’s protein deep conditioner. I can find a tub as big as my head for $5 or less and you can’t tell me there’s a better product under $25.
Ditto on the Queen Helene deep conditioner. Also Luster’s Pink Oil Moisturizer.
Thank You so much for this article. Since I always wear my hair short (by choice) I have never given up my Hawaiian Silky curl activator and the 14-1 product they carry. I try not to use a lot of products that are bad for natural hair but I focus that more on my shampoo and my conditioning regimens along with my rinses; but certain things are just perfect for my natural hair and I definitely have no problem adding them in to my regimen. Stops me from going broke for hair products.
Love this article. I can’t live without my pink oil mositurizer. It works for me and my girls.