Black Kids' Natural Hair: Our Favorite Products, Tools, Accessories, Books, and Videos

It's been awhile since I've given you an update on all of our hair faves! It's been over a year since I've done this. Ugh! Thankfully, my Facebook and Instagram followers were kind enough to remind me that it's time for some natural hair talk. So, here goes! 

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If you're new, we have four children, all of whom have a different hair type, and if we're honest, very different personalities, needs, and preferences. Figuring out what works is an ongoing journey, including what products to use (and in which order), which tools are the best, which accessories my kids prefer, as well as our favorite hair books and videos.

I am not a natural hair expert, and I urge you to seek tutorials, stylists, products, accessories, books, videos, and tools from Black owned businesses. I'm not here to teach you how to cornrow, for example.

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I'm simply here to share with you what works well for us, and some of our favorites. I regularly post my kids' latest hairstyles, tools and products we like, and favorite books on Facebook and Instagram. I hope you'll hang out with me there! 

NOTE: I SHARE ALL OUR FAVES WITHIN THESE PARAGRAPHS: VIA LINKS AND PICS (OF BOOKS). IF YOU CLICK ON THE LINK OR BOOK IMAGE, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO READ THE DETAILS, CHECK OUT REVIEWS, AND DECIDE IF YOU'D LIKE TO PURCHASE.

Hair Styles

My big girls have only had one braiding appointment since March (!!!) 2020 due to Covid-19. I do hair every Saturday and Sunday. I've been posting all our styles which range from very simple--taking twenty minutes or so--to much more intricate. The goal for my big girls is that their style lasts from weekend to weekend, since school is back in session. The baby's hairstyle tends to last longer, as it's usually protected by beads.

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Hair (and Skin) Products

We used to snatch up and try every new hair product we could get our hands on, but that was getting expensive. I ended up giving away so much to other friends with Black children, because as we all know, not every product works on on every head of hair. In fact, most products don't work out. We believe in buying Black-owned, natural hair products. Currently, I'm using Camille Rose Naturals products on all my girls. Our absolute fave is the moisture milk.

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My son gets all the leftover products since he doesn't have a preference and his hair is in a short, bald-fade. He often uses Curls products, plus the coiling sponge. We love the Curls Creme Brulee most of the year, but we use the Blueberry Bliss in the summer. For shampoo and conditioner, we prefer Coconut Curls by OGX. 

On the topic of hair products, I'd also like to share with you our favorite skin products. We use Burts Bee's lip balm on our lips: natural ingredients and no scent or flavor.  For skin, everyone in the family uses Alba lotion. We buy the mega jug (a gallon) and refill our smaller bottles. We prefer this scentless lotion, but there's also a coconut option.

Hair Tools

I've posted several times that I'm a huge fan of this detangling brush. It works better than any other brush or comb we've tried, especially on my tender-headed daughter. I love this tool because it's cleanable, it's sturdy, it's adjustable, and it's relatively inexpensive (considering you don't have to constantly replace it like you do with the cheaper brushes). Be sure to read the directions when you receive it.

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Besides this, we use a basic rattail comb for parting and occasionally a detangling comb. 

Hair Accessories

We have jumbo beads (and a beading tool--oh yes, I use one), GabbyBows (they NEVER fall out!), terry cloth ties, non-damaging rubber bands, ballies, etc. My big girls rarely wear accessories anymore, but my preschooler does. We also bought a big set of colorful bows that have lasted forever and are excellent quality.

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Buying the set allows for consistency and saves money--instead of purchasing individual bows at stores on a whim. We use sleep caps for the baby from Africa Sleeps, and my girls wear cheap bonnets from whatever store we grab them at! 

Hair Videos

I learned to cornrow using this video on YouTube. I recently learned (finally!) how to add weave to braids using this video. We mostly stick to banded box braids. We really need to perfect cutting our son's hair. We've had limited hair appointments due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Hair Books

There are so many excellent hair books for Black kids, with more and more coming out all the time! 

How to Make Hair Styling Time Enjoyable for Your Black Child (Without Relying on an I-Pad or Tablet)

Four kids, four very different responses to hair styling.  Oh, and did I mention, it's been almost a decade of hair styling?!?   

My oldest:  so easy.  Not tender-headed AT ALL.  Give her a snack-cup and she'd sit as I learned to part, band, braid, and bead.

But my second daughter, oh my.  She was SO tender-headed.  To the point where she and I both wanted to just cut her hair.  Yeah, I said it.  Cut it ALL off.  It was just excrutiating from start to finish, for both of us.  I was in tears as much as she was, feeling like I failed as a mom.  But we stuck it out, and eventually she began to outgrow her inability to tolerate hair sessions.  

My son is a strong sensory seeker, but haircuts and hair styling can be a challenge.  We are pretty particular about how his hair is simply because it needs to be simple and practical.  I explain our hair care routine for him extensively in this prior post.  

My toddler isn't easy-peasy, but she's not very tender-headed either.  We stick mostly with puffs and finger coils for now, with occasional free-hair days in between.  

In our almost ten-years of styling, there's been much trial-and-error.  I am thankful for our tried-and-true routines, and I hope they help you, too:  

1:  Watch affirming movies.

I love showing my kids movies like Roger and Hammerstein's Cinderella starring Brandy, Whitney Houston, and Whoopi Goldberg.  The variety of hairstyles (Whitney's afro, Whoopi's dreds, Brandy's curls) can be a great talking point during the movie.  And I dare you not to sing "Impossible" the whole week long after watching!   

There's also the lovely "I Love My Hair" video from Sesame Street (I have that song memorized!)---though I'm not sure you'll want to watch it on repeat for the duration of the styling session.  

My kids LOVE popcorn, and it's an ideal snack for hairstyling sessions (easy to vaccuum up) and isn't sticky.  We usually pop mass batches on the stove (big family life), flavor with a little bit of butter and pink sea salt.  But sometimes we'll get the kids Boom-Chick-A Pop:  the light kettle corn flavor is the favorite.  

2:  Read hair books.

Keep all your hair books in a tote or basket that you can get out during hair time.  The tote can easily be stored, and the hair books, read during styling time, makes them special.  

There are so many excellent books for Black boys and girls on hair with more options coming out often.  I list our favorites for boys here and for girls here.  Another option is to purchase Black hairstyle magazines to flip through.  

Children who can read can practice reading aloud to you, or younger kids can listen to an older sibling read aloud to them.  

3:  Play with sensory toys.

For kids who need sensory input during hair styling sessions, yet you need them to hold mostly still, I recommend letting them sit on a wiggle cushion or a bean-bag chair.  There are also some fantastic fidget toys that keep your child's hands busy without compromising the necessity for them to sit while you work.  

Another option is to create a sensory box that fits on your child's lap.  Fill the box with sensory materials depending on his/her age and ability.  Great options include different fabric scraps, felt, colorful pipecleaners, ribbon, yarn, pom poms,  etc.  If you opt for the pipecleaners, kids can string pony beads onto them.  (I avoid allowing kids to play with a rice bin, slime, or cloud doh during this time, simply because in my view, it's too risky for there to be a spill or for hair to get into the materials.  However, Play-doh, like this sparkly version, may be a good option.)  

For younger ones, the "touch and feel" board books are a lot of fun.  Some touch-and-feel board books include Disney's It's a Small World series, any of the DK books, and the Bright Baby touch-and-feel.   Lift the flap books like those by Karen Katz and these (my toddler's favorite!) are also a great option.

4:  Encourage participation.

I have my girls put their beads of choice onto beading tools while I'm parting, banding, and braiding their hair.  I also offer hair product choices (like, which scent do you want?).  Or if we're using Gabby Bows, I have them unsnap the ones they wish to have in their hair and line them up for me.  My baby enjoys holding the different combs and hair product bottles.  You can also purchase dolls with style-able hair so your child can work while you do.  

Letting your child explore the different materials you're using is a way to create a positive and hands-on hair experience.  

5:  Offer empowerment, pride, and affirmations.

I take hairstyling sessions to be an opportunity to affirm my kids, their skin, and their hair.   I tell them how awesome it is that they are Black:  their hair can do so many things!  I give them options between two styles and let them choose.  When they get their hair braided with extensions, they have say-so in the length, the color (we often add color!), and the style.  They choose their beads or barrettes.  I keep a hand mirror near by so they can see how their style is progressing and admire the finished style.  

This isn't a stand-alone way to make the hairstyling session enjoyable, but it is definitely the most important and can be combined with the other routines.  

What are your tablet or I-pad - free tips for making hair styling time more enjoyable for your child?

Our Son's Hair Routine, Favorite Hair and Skin Picture Books, and Haircut Questions

As a mama of three daughters, I often focus on resources to empower them.   After all, girls are stereotypically the ones who struggle with their appearance.  And when you're raising girls of color like I am, their appearance intermingles with culture, racism, colorism, and history.

But today, I want to share our favorite children's picture books that empower our Black sons to love their skin and hair.  Click on the perimeter of the book to learn more and purchase.  Click on the center to pin on Pinterest.  




And now, our son's hair routine!  Again, click on the perimeter of the image to check it out on Amazon.  Click on the center to pin on Pinterest.  

We typically wash and/or co-wash with this shampoo and conditioner.  I love the light scent! 


We moisturize with Curls leave-in.  This one smells like cake batter.  In the summer, we like to switch it up and use the Curls blueberry leave-in.   


Then we create defined coils using this coil sponge.  It's so easy to use and quite inexpensive! 


How often does our son get a haircut? 

Our son gets his haircut approximately every 3 weeks.  Because of his sensory issues, more frequent haircuts are difficult.  But with patience, time, and finding the right barber, haircuts have become increasingly more successful!  

Wouldn't it make more sense or be easier for us to cut his hair at home?  

It would be easier, but it wouldn't provide him with the cultural experience and growing competency I believe a Black child needs.  Having a Black barber is incredibly important!  We have found a barber who takes appointments.  His shop is a quiet, calm space (because of the appointments) that seems to meet the needs of our child and set our child up for success!  

Why not try a longer hair length or different style? 

We keep our son's hair very short (a 1 on the sides and a 2 on the top), in a fade style.  This minimizes the amount of time haircuts and styling takes.  It also fits him!  

As he gets older and can handle some of the hair care on his own, we will give him more freedom to choose his style.  But for now, we are making sure his hair cutting and styling experience is as positive as possible, given his sensory issues, by keeping hair short and simple, while still culturally appropriate.   

I can't wait to hear from you!  Your favorite hair products, your favorite hair-and-skin books for boys, and your son's hair routine!