Healthy hair is beautiful hair. And for Black women, wash day is often a sacred act of self-care, since our kinks, coils, and curls require a little more TLC. In our new series Wash Day Diaries, we’re asking influential women to break down exactly what goes into their routines so you can learn their tips, tricks, and products that work for your texture and style.
Life in quarantine has made me realize a number of things. I had no idea how much trash I produce daily until I found myself confined to my apartment, with cardboard boxes and kombucha bottles piling up at an ungodly rate. You can listen to Justin Bieber’s Changes many more times than you’d ever imagine, if you only put your mind to it. And even your favorite person in the world (yourself included) can drive you mad after 100+ days spent with them and them alone. But one thing I already knew before life turned upside down seems to ring truer than ever: the transformative power of wash day.
When I was in an office every day, wash day was reserved for lazy weekends and Monday mornings when I was feeling especially ambitious. I figured lockdown would be an ideal time to care for my hair more—that hair masks would abound on account of having so much extra time on my hands. However, with nowhere to go, so much uncertainty, and a disheartening news cycle, I found myself drifting further and further into the ether, losing motivation to care for my curls because there was no one to even notice their definition or bounce anyway.
When Michelle Obama spoke on struggling to find the motivation to work out due to “low-grade depression,” I could relate. What first sounded like the perfect opportunity to turn in and take a breather from the hectic day-to-day instead left me floating, wondering “what’s the point?” about rituals that once kept me sane.
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Throwing my hair up in a bun and forgetting about it resulted in knots that were painful to get through (even in the shower), but I did it over and over again as days seemed to blend together. Time slowly became a construct, and washing my hair felt like an undertaking that was worthy of a trophy. The gag is I always feel worlds better after pushing myself to just get in the damn shower and rinse up. When the water falls over me, it washes away so much more than oil and product residue. It’s a chance for renewal, a moment of peace and quiet, a comfortable silence. It blocks out the noise of incessantly heavy headlines and thoughts that quarantine will never end, and leaves me feeling more calm in the process. And of course, it revives my curls something major.
As I grapple with this new normal and climb out of the hole I slowly spiraled down into over the past five months, a few great products are getting me through. Granting yourself extra care right now is honestly revolutionary, especially when watching the news only makes you want to reach out and help other people. But that doesn’t mean you should shelve the acts of self-care that make you feel like yourself. After all, showing up as our best selves means we can do better work for those who need it most.
Ahead, the wash day heroes that have gained a spot in my shower caddy for life in quarantine—and beyond.
Detangling
Tangles and knots. We hate to see it. They’re the scary monsters that keep me from washing my hair even though I know it’s time to. Thankfully, DevaCurl’s life-changing Wash Day Wonder Pre-Cleanse Slip Detangler is actually a match for them. It makes your strands extra slippery and easier to work through, whether you’re finger-detangling or using a wide-tooth comb. The benefit of finger-detangling is you can get a better feel for what you’re dealing with (less chance of damaging your hair in the process), but sometimes I just need a good comb to get the job done.
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Cleansing + Deep Conditioning
Thank goodness for Bread Beauty Supply. The Black-owned hair-care brand launched in July, and the products are up to par as is the on-point packaging. Leave it to the Gentle Milky Hair Cleanser to instantly wake you up (it smells like a divine mixture of lemon muffins and Froot Loops). I usually skip cleansing altogether, but this product changed that. It feels amazing on your scalp and creates a bit of suds without leaving your hair feeling stripped and brittle. And then there’s the Creamy Deep Conditioner. It’s ~thicc~ and rich but not heavy; you only have to leave it on for five minutes, but I usually walk around with my hair up in a towel to really let it sink in. Never letting these two gems go!
Styling
In my book, Tracee Ellis Ross can do no wrong, and the same goes for her hair-care line, Pattern Beauty. It’s so clear to me that Ross made the line with care, backed with real experience as a curly-haired human. I have this leave-in conditioner in a jumbo pump bottle that’s heaven-sent, and it’s become my go-to to lock in moisture post-wash. The gel has a slightly creamy but bouncy consistency that never leaves my curls crunchy, and these two together have simplified my styling routine. Thank you, Tracee, for giving the girls what they want.
Diffusing
The price tag on this hair dryer might take you aback at first, but if you’re looking for salon-level diffused curls at home, this is your ticket. Since I literally have nowhere to go, I usually just let my hair air-dry these days, but if I’m looking to go the extra mile, the Supersonic Hair Dryer never disappoints. The high-tech beauty gadget comes with a diffuser attachment that kind of looks like a satellite and measures up to its next-level, futuristic design. If E.T. had hair, he’d almost certainly use this. Your other dryers could never!
Erin Parker is a commerce writer at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @erinhaveadream.
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