Hair care products

[thelaundryfairyhaswings]

I really hope I am OK to post in this section. If I have upset anyone then I am truly sorry- that definitely wasnt my intention. If I am not OK to be posting here then let me know and I will ask to have it moved. I'm also a long-time user, just name changed for this because of the sensitivity.

I am part of a network of people supporting people in my local area. These people (female) are asylum seekers and generally come with absolutely nothing. One of the projects we do is support people with things like clothes and toiletries.
We've had several requests recently for hair masks/hair oils/scalp oils/leave in conditioners/combs/hair accessories for afro hair. Because this isn't something we would usually stock, we tend to buy it as and when.
I know Afro hair needs special products, and specific ways and methods of looking after hair that are unique to people with Afro hair. Please can anyone help me to help my ladies and find suitable products and accessories. Where would be a good place to look? Unfortunately there is very little available locally so it's an online job. Are there any good brands, or brands to avoid? I wouldn't want to buy the wrong things or things that would actively damage hair.
I personally use solid shampoo bars (proper ones, not the ones sold by Lush et al) but would these be completely the wrong thing to use?

Thank you so much in advance.

Not quite sure where issues of ‘sensitivity’ arise here? Is it a secret that women seeking asylum have hair (unless they’ve shaved it off) they want to take care of? Surely you haven’t name changed because you’re afraid of being attacked (locally or online) for assisting them?

It also seems a pity there are apparently no black women amongst your philanthropic / professional group. I wonder where in the UK you must be - Cornwall, or the Hebrides? If you’re planning to continue this work my best piece of advice to you would be to encourage some British black people to relocate to your area - or at least to become part of your working group.

As to your question - my hair is short, so I don’t use many products. Currently:

A relatively expensive Briogeo shampoo that smells amazing and makes my hair and scalp look and feel wondrously clean. It isn’t a specifically ‘Black’ product, and I have no idea of the race of anyone else who might use it.

Extra virgin olive oil (generally mixed with an essential oil) for moisturising. Again, I couldn’t tell you whether a different person would want to use this.

As to whether solid shampoo bars will be suitable - that really depends on the specific product and the individual user! You are presumably working with people with a variety of nationalities, hair types, religions (or none) and preferences - so it would be sensible to offer a wide variety of products and ask each individual what they would prefer.

Sensitivity- there has been a lot of backlash recently to asylum seekers being housed here. Not going into specifics because its fairly unique to my location and would definitely out me. However its along the lines of the usual right-wing nonsense combined with far too much of a 'get orf moi laaaaand' type approach. Its very much monocultural where I live and there are a lot of rumours based on misunderstanding. The best one I have heard is that asylum seekers get a £250 'welcome to England' payment. Absolute bollocks by the way.

Thanks for your tips about a wide range of products. Most of the ladies have very low levels of English but there are always ways and means to communicate- and you don't always need English to do so.

You probably will want to buy a range of products as we have a range of different textures and conditions to cope with. To keep it relatively simple have a look online at Superdrug who stock a range of hair care targeted at black women.

Patene Gold Series was developed by black hair care specialists (I believe) and is an affordable (usually on 2 for 3 deal) good quality range.

There are other affordable offerings such as;
Creme of Nature
As I Am
Mielle (not cheap)
Shea Moisture (not cheap)
Cantu

Filter by afro hair or at least coils and waves or something similar. If stuck, PM me.

Superdrug is a good shout, they have various products and ranges
Imbue
Aunt jackie's
Vatika hair mask

All on the cheaper side

If you wanted to browse some products for ideas of prices, I shop here a lot and you can look by product type and price which might help

https://www.kiyobeauty.com/collections/hair/Masks

Also it might be worth joining a FB group like this. Most of us have a stash of stuff we have tried once (I do!) and would be happy to donate
Stuff like I've tried a hair mask that was too heavy for my hair or I didn't like the scent etc

https://m.facebook.com/groups/286044582118258/?ref=share

I forgot about Kiyo @Kyse ! Good call. I used the site all through lockdown to purchase Soultanical products.

Oh their stuff smells so good I'm a sucker for sweet smelling things

So good! I've not bought anything for ages and really shouldn't...damn you for mentioning it lol

Oops
I struggle with my hair, it's really fine and needs loads of protein
My uncle and cousins have much tighter coily hair but I'm on the wavy side. Just realised this was in the black MN section so I'll slope out
(My great great grandad was black which is where the hair comes from)