1 Year In: Favorite Products For My Locs *Updated*
Left to right: Self Cut System, Puff Cuff, Grace Eleyae: SLAP, The Wrap Life: Renew Bandie in ‘Cider’
Now that I’m a year into my loc journey, I finally feel comfortable sharing the products I’m using on my interlocks. The reason I held back on sharing is because I’m very new to wearing my natural hair and I did not think it was my place nor was it responsible to talk about products without evidence that they were working on my hair. Even now, I still want to preface my sharing by saying, these products have helped me get to this point and in no way mean they’re the ones you should use on your hair. My hope is for this to be a launchpad for research and/or conversations with your loctician. For this review, I broke my favorite products into 4 categories: shampoos, mists, maintenance and style. Get into them below:
SHAMPOOS
Suave’s Daily Clarifying Shampoo — $1.99
Rating: ★★★★☆
This was one of the shampoos recommended to me by my loctician. I also watched many YouTubers who use/used it on their locs. The cost can’t be beat, it lasts a LONG time (still on my first bottle a year later) and my hair feels squeaky clean when I’m done.
Purchase at: Target, CVS and similar storesTrader Joe’s Tea Tree Shampoo — $3.99
Rating: ★★★★☆
This is another shampoo recommendation from my loctician. It’s another clarifier that offers a nice smell and tingle when you wash with it. I always follow up my Suave shampoo with this one for an additional deep clean and the finishing scent. The natural ingredients were also a great sell.
Purchase at: Trader Joe’s, AmazonCarol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Shampoo (Rose Water) — $10.99
Rating: N/A
This product is new to my routine but I wanted to share this one just because it’s my first time introducing a slightly more hydrating shampoo to wash day. After a year of just the two above, this one clarifies and moisturizes at the same time. So far, my locs love it. I plan to circle back here and give it a rating in a few months.
Purchase at: Target, CVS and similar stores; Amazon
MISTS
Continuous Spray Bottle — $9.99
Rating: ★★★★★
You will wonder why you ever used or purchased any other spray bottle. This is simply the baddest one around and it sprays just enough in a perfect burst every time. Order this now!
Purchase at: AmazonDistilled Water — $0.99
Rating: N/A
In between washes, I mist my hair with this when my hair feels dry and when I’m doing a braidout outside of my washday routine. This vs. tap water helps me avoid spraying any harsh minerals into my locs. Add it to the continuous bottle mentioned above and thank me later.
Purchase at: Any grocery storeAloe Vera Juice — $8.72
Rating: ★★★★★
This is another natural moisturizing liquid that I spray onto my hair when needed. I love how my hair feels after it’s applied.
Purchase at: AmazonRose Water — $14-20
Rating: ★★★★★
I love rose water for the days when my scalp feels itchy (I never spray this on my actual locs.). Anyone with new locs understands how much this is needed! #IYKYK. It’s a scent you’ll either love or hate, so if you can, go to a beauty supply store and see if you can do a spray test before purchasing a full bottle. They might also be cheaper there as well.
Purchase at: AmazonPersonal Affects LOXXset™ — $8.25
Rating: ★★★★☆
My loctician used this on my relaxed ends during my interlocks establishment. It’s an all natural formula that I believe really helped my ends stay together and promoted them to settle into the process of locking. I use this on my ends every time I do a braidout or twistout.
Purchase at: Personal Affects
“My hope is for this to be a launchpad for research and/or conversations with your loctician.”
MAINTENANCE
Self Cut System Travel Mirror — $69.95
Rating: ★★★★☆
This is the best mirror system I found for my current bathroom and trust me, I searched high and low. I wanted something that would let me see the back of my head and other angles when I maintain my hair and also during styling. The Self Cut System was designed for men who cut their own hair but works just as well for the purposes I just shared. It hangs from any door, is lightweight and easy to store when not in use. I LOVE it and don’t think I’d be able to do my hair at the level I want to without it. While not perfect, I’m pleased with my purchase especially since I caught it on sale. *wink wink*
Purchase at: Self Cut System or AmazonMicrofiber Towel Wrap — Price Varies
Rating: ★★★★☆
I have several brands of these that work GREAT as the first towel I apply to my hair after a wash. The first is by Lovife and it comes in a two pack for $8.99. The other by Muaves is far more expensive but so beautiful and can be worn on an errand while your hair dries. These go a long way to get your hair to a damp state quickly by absorbing a lot of water in a short time but not being harsh on your hair like a regular bath towel. I took one star away because I don’t think my locs would get completely dry with just this product.
Purchase at: Amazon and MyMuavesConair T-shirt Towel — Price Varies
Rating: ★★★★★
This towel gets the job DONE. It offers the same turban/wrap feel of the microfiber towel mentioned above but is a thinner cotton material, similar to a t-shirt hence the name. I get zero lint from this and it dries my locs down perfectly with my no heat process.
Purchase at: AmazonEvolve Satin Wide Edge Bonnet — $4.97
Rating: ★★★★★
I will NEVER own another bonnet and pray I can find this in a jumbo size when my locs got longer. This bonnet keeps your edges laid down but is still gentle on your hairline. It does not put that ugly crease on your forehead like some bonnets do. Most of all, it’s just so comfortable. Upgrade your life and get you two or three.
Purchase at: AmazonNo-Metal Hair Elastics — $12.99
Rating: ★★★★☆
This pack of 500 elastics has been perfect for my braid and band during my wash day routine. I prefer them over rubber bands any day. I took one star away because they’re a bit thiner than I expected, otherwise they get the job done.
Purchase at: Amazon
STYLE
Puff Cuff — Price Varies
Rating: ★★★★★
This is easily the best tool I’ve ever used to get my hair in a ponytail/updo. There is ZERO tension and the level of comfort is second to none even for all day wear. I have them in every size except for the original and if my hair swells anymore, I may have to grab me one of those too. I couldn’t recommend them enough and can’t believe I ever lived without them.
Purchase at: PuffCuffGrace Eleyae SLAP — $24
Rating: ★★★★★
SLAPS (Satin-lined Caps) have been a staple of my loc journey from the very beginning. You can sleep in them or wear them out as the satin protects your hair from dryness and lint. While I prefer the original version, there’s an adjustable option for bigger heads or heads with more hair. I have them in every color and they’ve gotten me through hundreds of virtual meetings. What are you waiting for?
Purchase at: Grace EleyaeHeadwraps + Headbands + Bandanas — Price Varies
Rating: ★★★★★
Admittedly, these products were a part of my creative expression long before my loc journey began. At one time, I wore a headwrap everyday for weeks/months straight. I love them and they fit into my loc journey beautifully. They’re the perfect accessory and I have them in every color, pattern, fabric and cut. My favorites are from Fanm Djanm (headwraps + bandanas) and The Wrap Life (bandies + headwraps).
Purchase at: Fanm Djanm and The Wrap LifeBaby Tress Edge Styler — $15
Rating: ★★★★★
We all have that toothbrush, you know which one I mean. THAT one we save just for laying our edges. Well please hear me when I say it can’t do it like the Baby Tress Edge Styler. It’s an all-in-1 brush, comb and pointed tip for the perfect defined loops if that’s how you get down. I don’t always seek out laid edges, but when I do, I’m using this tool.
Purchase at: Baby TressWrap-A-Loc Hair Tool — $21.50
Rating: ★★★★★
So far, this is my absolute favorite way to curl my interlocks! This tool comes in 3 sizes with 20 individual styling tools per pack. I purchased in size medium after reviewing their sizing guide. I install on sections of 7-8 locs that I mist with water before applying. They not only produce beautiful heatless curls, you can wear them in a separate style before removing! That’s two looks in 1 application. Wrap-A-Loc is reusable, gentle on hair and for me worth the price. For reference, I have 291 locs and used 26 to achieve this look.
Purchase at: Wrap-A-Loc
BONUS
Nature’s Bounty Supplement — Price Varies
Rating: ★★★★★
I started taking “Nature’s Bounty Extra Strength Hair, Skin and Nails” after my consultation. I’d watched a lot of loc journey videos on YouTube and also spoke to my loctician about some of her other clients on supplements. This happened to be one of the most popular ones and it’s been good me. Please note, your hair will grow faster everywhere. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Purchase at: Most grocery stores or pharmacies; Amazon
This was a long one but I’m excited to finally have it all written out somewhere. I plan to revisit this list every year or whenever I have something new and worthwhile to share that I’ve tested. I’m still on the hunt for the right edge control and a good water based leave-in conditioner to name a few. Until then, tag me or let me know if you try any of these and love them as much as I do.
