Angela and Sabrina . Angela and Sabrina .

Protein-Moisture Balance: Additional Information and Product Recommendations

MOISTURE.png

By now, you’ve probably seen my video on why curly hair needs both protein and moisture, and how to find the right balance for your hair to maintain its health and elasticity.

If you haven’t, no judgement! Just take a few minutes and watch it here. (add link!!)

Back? Great! As promised, I’m here to help with some additional resources. Let’s start with a quick outline:

PROTEIN!

  • Needed for structure

  • Provides shape & strength to the hair shaft

  • Forms the cuticle

    • Hair’s protective outer layer

    • Keratin molecules overlap to protect more vulnerable cortex & medulla

      • Swells open when in wet/humid conditions to allow moisture to enter, then closes when dry to seal it in

      • More space between keratin molecules = higher porosity hair

  • Sources:

    • Diet!

    • Product ingredients

      • Hydrolyzed plant proteins

      • Keratin

      • Collagen

      • Amino acids

MOISTURE!

  • Needed for elasticity

  • Provides shine, bounce, resilience against breakage

  • Fortifies the cortex

    • Second layer of hair strand beneath the cuticle

    • Also contains the melanin responsible for hair color

  • Sources:

    • Water!

      • Provides hydration

    • Emollient ingredients: actually seal hydration into the cortex by closing pores in the cuticle!

      • Oils (almond, argan, castor, coconut, etc)

      • Butters (shea, cocoa, etc)

      • Silicones (YUP that’s why they’re used in products!)

And now for some helpful GRAPHICS!

Originally found here - this site is FASCINATING and worth a visit if you want to go deeper into the science!

Originally found here - this site is FASCINATING and worth a visit if you want to go deeper into the science!

Protein-Moisture Graphic A.jpg
Protein-Moisture Graphic B.jpg

OKAY now that we’ve seen some pictures, let’s talk products! I’ve compiled a list of protein-rich and protein-free products and treatments below so you can build your own product arsenal and find what balance of protein and moisture works best for you. Remember, this is to give you a starting place, so don’t be afraid to deviate from the list and read some product labels on your own!

Check it out and feel free to add your own suggestions and favorites in the comments!

CLARIFYING SHAMPOOS & RINSES

Cake Beauty The Sugar Reset

Flora & Curl Coconut Mint Curl Refresh Clay Wash

Renpure Clarify & Shine Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

Eva NYC Deeptox Salt Shampoo

PRE-POO/OIL TREATMENTS

Righteous Roots Oil

The Innate Life Herbal Hair Mask

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Oil

African Pride Aloe & Coconut Water Pre-Shampoo

African Pride Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils

PROTEIN TREATMENTS

DIY Gelatin Treatment: click HERE for the video & recipe!

ApHogee Two Step Protein Treatment

Shea Moisture Yogurt & Manuka Honey Protein Power Treatment

BOND BUILDERS

Olaplex No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector

Fanola Fiber Fix

DEEP CONDITIONERS

With Protein:

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

Hask Hair Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner

Mielle Organics Babassu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner

Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Hair Mask

Without Protein:

Ecoslay Banana Cream Deep Conditioner

LoveHair UK Intense Moisturising Hair Mask

Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Mask

Macadamia Deep Repair Masque

PROTEIN-RICH STYLERS

Cake Beauty The Curl Friend

Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream and Heat and Humidity Gel

Curls Blueberry Bliss Leave-In and Curl Control Jelly)

Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls

Ouidad VitalCurl+ Styling Gel-Cream

Bounce Curl Light Creme Gel

TreLuxe ReFlex Serum & Hi! Definition Gel

PROTEIN-FREE STYLERS
Curls Creme Brule Whipped Curl Cream

Bounce Curl Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner and Avocado & Rose Oil Clump & Define Cream

Camille Rose Signature Collection (Moisture Milk, Twisting Butter, Curl Maker)

Cake Beauty The Curl Whip

Ecoslay Orange Marmalade (no added protein) and Jello Shot

LUS Brands All-In-One

JessiCurl Spiralicious Gel

So that’s the post! I know finding the right balance of protein and moisture for your curls can be confusing and frustrating, but the more you can identify the signs of what you need and which products work for you to fill those needs, the easier it will get. Thanks for stopping by!

xxx Angela

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Angela and Sabrina . Angela and Sabrina .

Welcome!

Hi there, friends! Welcome to The Fit Curls Blog!

While you will see more videos than blog posts from me, sometimes a written format is just better. So, on this page you’ll find deep dives, hair experiments, and companion posts to my more scientific videos.

Stay tuned for more!

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