The 13 Best Products For Transitioning Hair In 2023
Transition your hair seamlessly with high-quality products that nourish your hair.
Alicia Igess JonesHairstylist
Expertise: Hairstyling
Experience: 20 years
Alicia Igess Jones is an accomplished and award-winning stylist with over two decades of experience in hair design. She is the owner and founder of Urban Tangles, a hair and makeup studio focusing on makeovers. She, along with her team, has... more
Shiboli ChakrabortiCertified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
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Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce edito... more
Oyendrila Kanjilal Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 2 years
Oyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience,... more
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Changing your hair from chemically processed curls back to its relaxed state needs some time and patience. But do you know that there are certain products for transitioning hair that can help you traverse the change more naturally? These products nourish and strengthen your hair stimulating their natural growth. They also also help protect your hair from breakgae and further damage during this transitioning phase. While these products do their work on your hair, you need to follow a regular haircare regimen and give it some time before you see the visible results. If you are not sure where to start from, have a look at the 13 best transitioning products listed below to help you know more
In This Article
13 Products For Transitioning To Natural Hair
1. Best For Detangling:Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner
Image: Kinky Curly Kinky-Curly Knot Today is a leave-in conditioner and detangler that helps detangle your hair, smoothen the hair cuticles, and remove knots painlessly. This natural hair care product is great for wavy, curly, and kinky hair, especially after you have removed a hair extension or braids or if your hair is in a transitioning process. You can use it as a regular leave-in conditioner as well for frizz control. Check out this video to know more about this product.
Pros
- Keeps the hair soft
- Defines curls
- Reduces frizz
- Sweet, floral fragrance
- Moisturizes the hair
- Improves hair texture
- Contains natural ingredients
Cons
- Might make the hair crunchy.
Pro Tip2. Best Paraben-Free:Carol’s Daughter Curl Styling Bundle
This is a set of three products that includes Mimosa Hair Honey, Pracaxi Nectar Curl Twisting Custard, and Black Vanilla Edge Control Smoother. Mimosa Hair Honey is a shine pomade that moisturizes your scalp, controls frizz, conditions the hair and helps new growth management. The Pracaxi Nectar Curl Twisting Custard is for enhancing your curls and making them pop with a good curl definition and not losing any moisture. The Black Vanilla Edge Control Smoother helps smoothen dry and brittle edges and replenishes moisture. These three products are like a complete hair care regimen for your transitioning hair and curl retention. Before buying, have a look at this video for more details.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- No artificial colors
- Petroleum-free
- Pleasant fragrance
- Works for all types of curls/kinks
Cons
None
3. Best For Split Ends:Best Hair Butter: As I Am Double Butter Cream
Image: As I Am This butter is supposed to act like a moisturizing cream for your hair. It is a blend of natural butters, like shea butter and cocoa seed butter, and oils like coconut, sweet almond, and wheat germ oils. It helps control frizz, reduce dryness, and lock in moisture, which is very important for transitioning hair. It contains panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) that helps with split-end repairs and makes your hair strong. Watch this video to know more about the product.
Pros
- Contains natural ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- No harmful chemicals
- Makes hair soft and manageable
Cons
- Expensive
Quick tip4. Best Moisturizing:Aunt Jackie’s Knot On My Watch Instant Detangling Therapy
Image: Aunt Jackie's This is a leave-in conditioner that works to detangle kinky hair and keep it manageable. You can also use it if you are transitioning from relaxed hair to natural curls. It feels silky and instantly detangles knots and curls and keeps them moisturized. It is easy to apply and spreads easily all over your hair. If you do not wish to use it on your entire hair, you can apply it on the edges to prevent brittle and dry hair. It is a great addition for transitioning hairstyles.
Pros
- Softens the hair
- Works on all types of curls/kinks
- Doesn’t weigh the hair down
- Doesn’t make hair greasy
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Petroleum-free
Cons
- Might make the hair sticky.
Pro Tip5. Best Curl Enhancing Cream:Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
Image: Cantu This is a moisturizing curl activator cream. It is a shea butter-based moisturizer for your hair. It helps smoothen your curls and enhances each strand to make your curls appear more pronounced and not just a bunch of hair. It keeps the hair frizz-free and is perfect for all hair types, including transitioning hair.
Pros
- Mineral oil-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Phthalate-free
- Gluten-free
- Delivers volume and bounce
Cons
- Thick
6. Besr Paraben-Free:SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Conditioner
Image: Sheamoisture This conditioner is for intense moisturization – something that transitioning hair usually craves. It is formulated with natural ingredients like shea butter, mango butter, coconut oil, jojoba seed oil, olive oil, silk protein, aloe, rosemary, and hibiscus extracts. They moisturize your hair, form a protective layer and shield it from external damage caused by pollutants and the environment, prevent frizz, and keep your hair tangle-free and shiny and help achieve manageable hair.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- No animal testing
- Petrolatum-free
- Propylene glycol-free
- Pleasant tropical fragrance
Cons
- The pump dispenser doesn’t work properly.
Quick tip7. Best For Low-Porosity Hair:JessiCurl Deep Conditioning Treatment
Image: Jessicurl As the name suggests, this product is a thick, rich, and deep conditioning treatment for dry, damaged, and brittle hair. It is meant for providing intense moisturization to curly and kinky hair that is naturally dry. It is ultra-thick and contains hydrating ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil, cocoa butter that pamper and protect kinky and transitioning hair.
Pros
- Defines the curls
- Prevents frizz
- Keeps hair moisturized
- Works on all types of curls/kinks
- Works on fine, thick, and low-porosity hair
- Pleasant fragrance
Cons
- Thick (tough to squeeze out of the bottle).
Pro Tip8. Best For Fine Hair:As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner
This product is a deeply hydrating and fortifying treatment for curly hair. It has a rich formula that penetrates your hair shaft to keep your hair smooth, strong, nourished, and hydrated. It contains coconut, green tea, sugar cane, apple, shea butter, vitamin E, and lemon extracts that are known to be hair fortifiers and exhibit effective scalp care properties. It stimulates the scalp and hair roots and improves manageability, repairs split ends, and enhances hair health.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- No harsh chemicals
- Natural ingredients
- Keeps hair soft and manageable
- Works well in fine hair
Cons
- May not show satisfactory results on thick hair.
9. Best Vegan:Best Vegan Hair Mask – Pacifica Banana Love Deep Intensive Moisture Mask
This intensive moisture mask is like a mushy love fest for your hair. It has a rich tropical fragrance of coconut and banana, and it intensely hydrates and moisturizes your hair. This leave-in moisture mask is especially beneficial for dry, brittle, color-treated, and damaged hair. You have to use it on wet hair after a shower.
Pros
- 100% vegan product
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Reduces frizz
- Non-greasy
Cons
- Less quantity for the price.
10. Best For All Hair Types:Oyin Handmade Hair Dew Daily Quenching Hair Lotion
This hair smoothing lotion is a leave-in formula that can be used after cleansing your hair or to refresh dry hair between washes. It is formulated with natural ingredients such as castor oil, olive squalene, etc. that nourish and moisturize rough and dull hair, rejuvenating it. It helps with damage and breakage prevention and restores moisture into the hair. It keeps hair looking fresh and healthy.
Pros
- Pleasant scent
- Moisturizes the hair
- Natural ingredients
- Creamy formula
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
- Not for people sensitive to smell
11. Best Gluten-Free:VIRTUE Recovery Shampoo
Image: Virtue This shampoo claims to rebuild damaged hair with each application. It contains hydrolyzed quinoa that enhances moisture retention and adds shine to your hair. Moisture protection is one of the crucial things in caring for transitioning hair, and this shampoo claims to do that. The baobab tree oil acts as an intense emollient and prevents any moisture loss from dry curls. It also contains grapefruit extracts that help with scalp nourishment and revitalization.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- Recyclable packaging
- Suitable for chemical/color-treated hair
Cons
- Expensive
12. Best For Preventing Hair Breakage:Nutress Hair Moisturizing Protein Pack
This is a protein treatment for dry, damaged, and brittle hair. If you have transitioning hair or heat damaged hair, this product can help reverse the damage. It provides heat protection, moisturization, and strengthening to your hair. It is developed with NuFusion Protein Blend that helps to restructure your damaged hair, condition it, and reduce breakage. This is a convenient and easy one-step protein treatment for your hair.
Pros
- Sulfate-free
- Color-safe
- Anti-fade product (for colored hair)
- Makes hair smooth
- Stops hair breakage
Cons
None
13. Best Non-Greasy:Hawaiian Silky 14-in-1
This is a leave-in conditioner that claims to benefit your hair in at least 14 ways. You can use it as a moisturizer for your hair. It also helps to add shine, smoothen the curls, reduce breakage, and strengthen the hair. It detangles and provides thermal protection to your hair. It has a non-staining formula infused with amino acids and cold-pressed jojoba oil that condition the hair and make it soft.
Pros
- Non-greasy
- Not tested on animals
- Suitable for all type of curls and kinks
- Can be used on both wet and dry hair
Cons
- Thick consistency
The Bottom Line
When you are transitioning to natural hair, you need to provide proper moisturization and detangle your curls carefully. Moreover, deep conditioning is a must during this phase. Choose the Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner to offer superior detangling and moisture retention for smooth, frizz-free curls, the JessiCurl Deep Conditioning Treatment to intensely nourishes and revitalizes your curls, and the Aunt Jackie’s Curls and Coils Knot On My Watch to tame and promote manageable and well-defined curls. Do not think twice – pick a suitable product for your hair from this list and go natural without the big chop!
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Oyendrila Kanjilal, the author of this article, is a hair care enthusiast. Her interest in hair care motivates her to learn more about different products and review them for her readers. Her recommendations are based on reliable user feedback and researching the products in detail. Her list of the best products for transitioning hair has conditioners, creams, masks, and more to help strengthen your hair and stimulate its natural growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I wash my transitioning hair?
It is better if you avoid shampooing your hair regularly. Instead, co-wash your hair 2-3 times a week. Shampoo once or twice in a month with a sulfate-free shampoo.
Does transitioning hair shed a lot?
Hair breakage is normal in transitioning hair. However, if you are losing excess hair, use products that reduce the stress on your hair and nourish and strengthen it.
How should I wear my hair when transitioning?
Wear a hair wrap, a fake ponytail, or a high puff, or you may use protective hairstyles like 2-switch braids and twists during transitioning hair.
How do you keep your hair moisturized while transitioning?
The As I Am Double Butter Cream is good for locking in moisture and reducing dryness and frizz. You can also use the Aunt Jackie’s Knot On My Watch Instant Detangling Therapy to moisturize and make hair more manageable.
How often should you wash transitioning hair?
Co-wash and wash your transitioning hair once a week for the best results.
Recommended Articles
- How To Care For And Maintain Relaxed Hair
- What Is the LOC Method? How To Use This Method For Different Hair Types?
- Best Low Porosity Hair Products [Reviews]
- What Is Protein Treatment? 5 Best Protein Treatments For Natural Hair
