HHJ starter hair products-Shampoos and Conditioners

Starting your hair care journey can be a real nightmare especially when expert HHJers list the must have products and you happen to have little or no access to some of this. Ok you are probably saying how about online shopping I hear ya. Fact is that if you are a woman who has to go to work 5 days a week then do some grocery shopping, go out have some fun, mind your kids and a host of other activities and still look fabulous, finding your first buys can be tiring. When you want to start your hair journey you need it to fit into your already existing plan as no one is gong to invent an eight day of the week for your new activity. Check out my hair products I was able to find in the local stores/online. A lot of these were purchased in shops I would already visit as part of my regular routine so all totally fuss free. This covers my shampoos and conditioners.

Please note that I am not a hair scientist or anything of that sort, at least not yet :) I have only done research into what is and isn't good for african hair and purchased products based on that knowledge. Also note that no two heads are the same so even if it doesn't work for someone else it might work for you. I agree that the popular/expensive/hard-to-find products might work best but for a start don't throw your money away. First understand the basics so you can make an informed decision


First things first I read so many blogs, watched vlogs etc and trust me you could get yourself bankrupt if you become a product junkie. Just stick to the basics for shampoos and conditioners i.e.

1. Regular shampoos
2. Clarifying shampoo
3. Instant conditioner for co-washing
4. Light Protein deep-conditioner/ treatment
5. Moisture deep conditioner
6. Leave in conditioner

Above is a picture up of the shampoos and conditioners I have chosen to begin my hair journey with (Note there are others not pictured here that were my first mistakes of purchase due to excitement on my HHJ). UPDATED list below. Picture Update to come soon

Shampoo-Moisture
Rain forest Moisture Shampoo for Dry Hair- No Silicones No Sulphates, No Colourants No Parabens 
Where to Buy: The Body Shop
Cost: €9.95 Yay suits the budget
Why did I choose this: I read a  lot on how sulphates weren't too good for our hair as it strips the moisture and goodness out of your hair. At the same time its not saying that sulphate shampoos cannot be used at all. My hair is very thin and gone through some serious relaxing over the years so I chose this not to deprive my hair of any more nutrients it has lost.
How will I use this: I will be using this for my weekly wash

Shampoo-Clarifying
REDKEN hair cleansing cream shampoo

Where to Buy: Any Peter Mark Salon
Cost: €16
Why did I choose this: I live in an area with hard water and needed something that wouldn't strip al the goodness out f my hair but still clean out any mineral deposits and product build up
How will I use this: This will be used once a month as my clarifying shampoo. I would still follow up with a moisture shampoo to replenish any lost moisture


Instant Conditioner
Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisture and Shine Conditioner
Where to buy: Boots, Tesco, Dunnes, Super Valu and the list goes on any local drugstore and super market really
Cost: €3 approx for 200 ml  No need to break the bank to get this one :)
Why did I choose this: Ok I confess on this one, it was mentioned on nearly every other bloggers page even the white sisters wear by this one.Plus Herbal essences is a brand on nearly every shops shelf and I love easy to find products
How will I use this: I intend to use this as an instant conditioner in case I decide to cowash my hair during the week or on a weekend I don't really have time to deep condition. But will avoid getting to a habit of not deep conditioning every week

Deep Conditioner - Moisture
Motions CPR treatment conditioner
Where to buy: Any African hair shop stocks Motions products
Cost: €7 approx
Why did I choose this: Reality was I was unable to find any of the popular ones people listed on their blogs. But the protein treatment of this brand was highly spoken of so I thought to partner up on my conditioners  If you are one of the anti-mineral oil people then you  may look away now and skip to the next product :) IT had mineral oil but I also researched and found that it may not be too bad as it will be washed off eventually. I will be adding some natural oils like coconut oil and avocado oil when using this to ensure no damage is done.
How will I use this: I will apply this after my washes and apply heat by means of a heated cap or cover the hair with cling film and wrap with a hot towel. Replaced with conditioner below. Review coming soon once I can try a different product


Avlon KeraCare Humecto Creme Conditioner
Where to buy: www.pakcosmetics.com. Some hair salons
Cost: €9 approx
Why did I choose this: This line of products has got very good reviews across several blogs and the ingredients match my exact neeeds
How will I use this: I will apply this after my washes and apply heat by means of a heated cap or cover the hair with cling film and wrap with a hot towel.


Deep Conditioner- Protein
Motions CPR Protein reconstructor
Where to buy: Any African hair shop stocks Motions products
Cost: €7 approx
Why did I choose this: This is another copy cat situation. It was listed as amazing on many blogs, I walked into the African shop and it was there and didn't hesitate to purchase. It was that simple. When I came home and read the ingredients it made sense why there was a rave about it. Another reason was that motions can be found in nearly every African hair stockists so why put myself through any other stress trying to locate some unusual product that probably has pretty much same ingredients as this
How will I use this: I will mix this in with my moisture condition and apply after my washes when my hair needs protein. I will then proceed to apply heat by means of a heated cap  or cover the hair with cling film and wrap with a hot towel.

Leave in Conditioner
Naked Style Little Miracle Leave in conditioner
Where to buy: Boots
Cost: €3 approx
Why did I choose this: Another shocking experience trying to locate highly approved products here. So I embarked on my label reading exercise and in fairness to my fiance he pointed this to me on the shelf. Key words I was loving "97% natural", "Silicon free" and "Shea butter".
How will I use this: I will be applying this after rinsing out my deep conditioner Replaced with two items below


ApHogee Keratin And Green Tea Restructurizer
Where to buy: www.pakcosmetics.com. Some hair salons
Cost: €6 approx
Why did I choose this: This line of products have also got great reviews  I also like that it is a protein based leave in so that I could add this if I feel my hair needs it.
How will I use this: I will be applying this after rinsing out my deep conditioner. I will rotate or combine with my other leave in conditioner depending on how my hair feels. Probably make more use of this on my touch up day as well as the first few washes after that since relaxing breaks down the protein bonds

ApHogee ProVitamin Leave In Conditioner
Where to buy: www.pakcosmetics.com. Some hair salons
Cost: €4 approx
Why did I choose this: This line of products got great reviews.  It also contains wheat germ il which is packed with ceramides. Yep I have jumped on tje creamide band wagon. THis ingredient is midway through the ingredient list so don't get too excited about its content in the product
How will I use this: I will be applying this after rinsing out my deep conditioner. I will rotate or combine with my other leave in conditioner depending on how my hair feels. This will 

Tiny but useful tip. If you are unsure, ask for a sample or buy the smallest pack and try it out first. Let your hair talk to you and tell you what it likes.

Happy shopping and be sure to let me know what yo found ;)