15 Products I Use on My Relaxed Hair, Whether I'm Blow Drying or Air Drying

Mizani True Textures Cream Cleansing Conditioner ($26) is a low-poo conditioner meaning it's a conditioner that also cleanses — a.k.a. co-washes — in lieu of a traditional shampoo. Some shampoos can dry out relaxed hair, but this product's very moisturising and also frizz-fighting, thanks to the combination of coconut, marula, and olive oils inside.

Kérastase Discipline Sulphate Free Smoothing Shampoo ($35) is a gentle shampoo that won't strip already dry, damaged, or chemically processed hair as it washes. This sulphate-free, keratin-safe product is more powerful at cleansing a scalp than a traditional co-wash, but it still leaves hair more manageable, soft and, of course, clean.

For hair that hasn't seen water in a while, this Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Happi Scalp Scrub ($36) really tackles dirt, dead skin cells, and other buildup by using an alpha-hydroxy-acid blend more commonly found in skincare. Scalps are left incredibly clean and marula oil adds back in some necessary moisture (though the plant-based scrub isn't too harsh or overly drying anyway).

Because chemical processes (like relaxers and colour treatments) can make hair more brittle, these styles often benefit from an intense moisturising treatment to bring back necessary hydration. This Kiehl's Since 1851 Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Pak ($25) is tops because it strengthens weakened, dry hair so that it looks shinier short-term, but also makes it healthier in the long run as using it frequently helps prevent damage moving forward.

While the Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask ($36) is a top-rated deep conditioner meant to be used once a week, this Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair!™ Strength + Moisture Leave-In Spray Hair Mask ($28) is much lighter for more frequent use, as needed. The spray is especially good at detangling before braiding to air-dry, and also boosts shine with a formula rich in argan oil, algae, and biotin.

This deep conditioning Kérastase Discipline Oleo Relax Anti-Frizz Mask ($62) can work de-frizzing miracles on thick, unruly hair as the rich cream softens with shorea butter as it seeps in. Plus, a little goes a long way: Oleo Relax products were discontinued a few years ago, so I stretched out what I had left as long as I could. Once I saw this mask return, I've never been without it.

Since relaxers can leave hair more susceptible to heat damage, it's key to keep styles protected before reaching for hot tools. This Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Ageing Rapid Blowout Balm ($30) features an age-control complex to strengthen chemically-treated hair that's been weakened over time, plus cuts down on blow-drying time, too.

Similarly, this Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Ageing Smoothing Anti-Frizz Blowout Butter ($34) also offers heat protection, but that also includes a proprietary climate shield complex to fight humidity that may traditionally lead to frizz. Of course, it's also got the brand's amino-acid-rich caviar extract to help smooth the hair shaft for sleeker styles with less breakage.

This leave-in Mizani 25 Miracle Cream ($22) adds hydration with coconut oil, whether hair is air-dried or blow-dried (and there's heat protection inside if choosing the latter). It's also great for summer as there's UV protection in there, too.

Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat and UV Protective Primer ($13-$28) packs in a blend of six oils to help condition coarse, chemically processed styles fresh out of the shower. But, while that's all great, this product also refreshes, smoothes, and protects already-dry hair at any time necessary.

This Bumble and bumble Bb. Curl (Style) Anti-Humidity Gel-Oil ($30) works well with milder chemical relaxers that still result in curls post-shampoo and scrunching. When summer humidity hits, its blend of nourishing oils and cupuacu butter really defines and holds curls without a crunchy finish that some gels offer, and leaves hair shiny, too.

The sulphate-free Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo ($24-$58) can actually nudge out curls in chemically straightened hair as it cleanses and hydrates. Among the moisturising ingredients like shea butter and avocado oil, there's also tomato fruit ferment which helps hair dry evenly so curls form more uniformly (instead of parts of the hair drying faster or frizzing up first).

Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Shea Curl Defining Conditioner ($24) works to bring definition to frizzy curls and adds in lightweight moisture with sweet almond oil. This product can also be lightly rinsed out (so some product stays in as an impromptu leave-in), or mixed with coconut water to spritz and scrunch after hair's fully dried.

There are also no stripping sulphates in this argan-oil-packed Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream ($14-$34). The cream helps activate curls, but also features hydrolyzed vegetable protein to coat split ends and restore smoothness.

Mizani True Textures Curl Enhancing Lotion ($17) is a lower-hold styling product that helps curls form, but leaves more of a softer finish than a gel or oil. Because it's lightweight, this lotion won't weigh hair down so it turns limp or its curl pattern loses definition.

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