I suppose there is hardly anyone who’s oblivious to the heavyweights in the natural hair care industry. Tropical Isle Castor Oil, Aphogee Hair Reconstructor, and EcoStyler are all household names, but there are some products that have been operating under the radar. Today we put a spotlight on little-known gems that have been holding their own in the hair care community.
1. Wild Growth Hair Oil
If you happen to frequent hair care groups on social media, you will know that this is one of the most talked about oils right now. It’s a two bottle system; one comes in a white bottle with green writing and the other in a yellow bottle with red writing. Each has a slightly different composition and different purposes. The white bottle should be added to conditioner and the other is for daily massage into the scalp. Persons who use it have been raving about getting results in a short time as the products when used every day consistently stimulate thick hair growth. Both bottles will run you somewhere between 30-50 dollars on Amazon. Some vendors even pair it as a package deal with African Shea butter*.
2. Elongtress Fancy Oil
Of course another product that is a hidden gem is our own Elongtress Fancy Oil. With a blend of natural oils scientifically proven to combat hair loss and stimulate growth, the formulation is dedicated to the restoration of damaged hair. Though relatively new on the market, it is becoming a staple in the regimen of many who have tried it. If you don’t mind smelling like tropically inspired deliciousness, you can choose from one of four oils: Strawberry Shake, Vanilla Caramel Cupcake, Watermelon Burst or Coconut and Almond. We believe in a little while this will become.e one of the heavy hitters, as patrons have been stunned by the potency of this oil, evidenced by the results they get as it relates to the growth and feel of their hair.
3. Ettenio Scalp Restore
This is an oil made from pure authentic Jamaican ingredients. It is said to stimulate growth by reviving follicles and addressing scalp issues. Persons who have suffered severe traction alopoecia and those who have battled bald spots for years are singing the praises of this one. Ettenio has a busy summer trying to widen their borders with visits and events in the UK, US and islands in the Caribbean so keep a lookout for they may just pop up somewhere near you.
4. Via Natural Revitalization Cleaning & Preparatory Shampoo
This shampoo is formulated with DHT blockers to help stop excessive hair loss dead in its tracks. It boasts the capacity to unclog pores for deeper clean, without drying the hair out. We know that DHT is that hormone that is responsible for unusual hair shedding, so a shampoo that targets that is worth a shot.
5. Neocell Super Collagen
Neocell Collagen has been getting great reviews as a great supplement for hair skin and nails. Collagen is a structural protein which means it helps to keep the skin firm and the hair strong. It strengthens the hair from within, helping the strands to bulk up so that they don’t grow out thick and brittle. It is great for those who want to increase volume. It also fights free radicals which would slow down the effects of them on our hair so it doesn’t look weathered. A bottle o the capsules can run you $15 on Amazon, but if you go by the reviews it is well worth it.
6. Virgin Hair Fertilizer
The hair fertilizer credited with rapid growth and dandruff fighting and strengthening capabilities has the goodness of peppermint oil*. It is recommended specifically for afro textured hair but may be used for other hair types. Judging from the chatter on social media about this product, it’s guaranteed to do what it says. It does have petroleum in it, but after the study on comedogenic ingredients in products, more people seem open to including petroleum based products in their regimen. In the name of experimentation, we will be giving this a try soon.
7. Nutrine Garlic Conditioner
Nutrine Garlic Conditioner has awesome reviews on Amazon and comes in at a reasonable price of $9. What’s so great about it? It cuts down hair fall or excessive shedding, acts as a great detangling agent during wash day and for a garlic conditioner, the smell is actually pleasant. That’s according to reviews from persons who use the product. It comes in two forms: a bottle and a jar. The formulation consists of water, hydrogenated castor oil, panthenol and aloe vera. So far, the ingredients list doesn’t look half bad.
8. Hask Henna n’ Placenta
I remember using the old version of this – the one without the henna- way back in my teens before I knew anything about healthy hair care. I got great results on the first use back then. This is promoted as a cruelty-free product hair mask for brittle hair. As a past customer, I can say I saw great results after my first use. Other customers report stronger hair that had better moisture retention. The formulation combines neutral henna with natural placenta and amino proteins suited for all hair types.
9. Beauty Formulas Henna Intensive Treatment Wax
This particular product from Beauty Formulas is a game changer for me. I later found out that it was only one in a wide range of hair masks by the company. I stumble across it and thought, It couldn’t hurt, my hair is already shot from postpartum shedding. Well, I have to join the choir and sing the praises of this one. After the first use, I was pleased. It shouldn’t come as a surprise since henna is awesome at strengthening hair as it acts like a protein. It had excellent slip, detangle like a boss and improves the feel and manageability of the hair post wash.
10. Rise n’ Shine Aloe Vera Spray
This aloe vera spray is fast becoming a favorite because it’s multi-purpose. It may be used as a sunblock, skin moisturizer, after shave, humectant and leave-in conditioner*. The fact that it is 99.75% cold pressed aloe vera leaf juice means that all the goodness you could get from the actual plant is contained in this bottle, which has a spritzer to evenly distribute the mist over your hair. It is not of the thick gel-like consistency you may be used to but this is actually a good thing since it would be more quickly absorbed into the strands. If I didn’t have the plant growing in my backyard I would be ordering. It comes at a cost of $12.34 on Amazon but since I would be getting at least three products in one, I’d say it’s a steal.
11. Dr. Miracle Cleanse & Condition Deep Conditioning Treatment
The Dr. Miracle Tingling Intensive Deep Conditioning* Treatment packs a power punch though it comes in a small packet. The tingling sensation makes you feel like you can tell the exact moment the product starts working, but it isn’t just all in the feels, it literally goes to work on your scalp to rejuvenate your follicles and promote hair growth. Used by itself or mixed into something you whipped up in the kitchen, it promises results you can both feel and see.
12. TreeActive Daily Hair Growth Nourishing
TreeActiv Daily Hair Growth Nourishing Spray can be used as a leave-in for damaged hair, split ends treatment and to reduce frizz. Tea tree oil*, distilled water, biotin, silk amino acids, keratin and vitamin B5 are just a few of the ingredients. It is non-GMO, paraben free and vegetarian. You’ve got to admit, it does sound promising.
13. Silk 18 Natural Conditioner for all Hair Types
When we hear the word silk most of us think smooth, luxurious softness and immediately we associate it with the fabric; so imagine the bells that go off in our heads when we hear of a conditioner that has 18 different silk amino acids. It reportedly cuts down on frizziness, dry hair, reduces static and promotes sheen. Some of the ingredients are water, aloe vera juice*, hibiscus, green tea, argan oil, shea butter*, jojoba, vanilla extract, and pomegranate. Once again, if you have been with us for a while you will understand what each ingredient listed is capable of.
Even if you already have your staple products, it doesn’t hurt to know what’s out there since that knowledge may come in handy later. Besides, sometimes experimentation allows us to discover that we were missing something all along. Everyone is different and it’s possible that if you try one of these you may not get the great results that others have gotten. On the other hand, your results may be even better! The choice is yours.
