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Posted: 2021-12-06T10:45:09Z | Updated: 2021-12-06T10:45:09Z 11 Must-Have Gifts That People With Natural Hair Will Love | HuffPost Life

11 Must-Have Gifts That People With Natural Hair Will Love

We asked natural hair stylists to share the best gifts for textured hair, including silk pillowcases, unique hair picks and shampoos that make detangling so much easier.
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From left to right: Net-A-Porter, Ulta, Nessa Hill, Bloomingdale's
Products shown: AfroPicks starter set , Wet Brush Epic professional quick dry , Nessa Hill classic bonnet , Slip pure silk pillowcase

For those of us who have natural, textured or transitioning hair , we know how sacred hair products that actually work are.

Shampoos, conditioners, scarves, flexi rods, oils and bonnets are part of our daily routines, and we jump for joy when we receive new goodies to try out as gifts . For example, my mom, who’s a new natural, recently did a big chop and is currently having the time of her life trying different products every week. 

Even if your hair isn’t textured, I guarantee the person in your life who does love a super high ’fro or a juicy twistout will relish in having new additions to experiment with in their hair care regimen.  To help you shop for them, we called on experienced hair stylists to recommend their must-have products, accessories and tools for natural and transitioning hair.

These cool finds also double as great gifts for your curly-haired loved ones. And who knows? You may just gift them their new favorite product that will save them a ton of time every day.

Below you’ll find a range of natural hair gifts, from detangling shampoos to stylish bonnets and turbans to travel-friendly kits for protective styling care.

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

1
Bain de Terre balancing shampoo
If you know someone who's currently on the hunt for their holy grail shampoo, get them this cleansing shampoo recommended by natural hairstylist Weena Jerome, owner of Renaissance Curls in New York. It contains argan oil, which has reparative properties, and monoi oil for rehydration.

"Its a great cleansing shampoo that removes any buildup in your hair without drying it out, and it can be used every seven to 10 days to keep your hair cleansed and hydrated," she said.

Get it on Amazon for $15.94.
2
Design Essentials almond and avocado shampoo
This shampoo that I've personally used, that my mom loves for her 'fro and that came recommended by New York-based stylist Aeon Elliot is from the Design Essentials line for natural and textured hair . It has ultra-moisturizing almond and avocado oils, is sulfate-free and cleanses the scalp without removing natural oils.

"I love the Design Essentials Natural line, from the shampoos to the leave-in conditioners," Elliot said. "They're super great and improved formulas."

Get it on Amazon for $12.99.
3
A Slip Pure silk pillowcase
Silk pillowcases are good for your hair, but they're also less drying for your skin, making them an easy choice for gifting. Candace Witherspoon , a curl specialist and owner of Candace Witherspoon Salon in New York, recommends Slip's pure silk pillowcase to keep moisture in your hair while you sleep and prevent tangling. This pillowcase is made with a special silk that the brand claims absorbs less face cream than cotton pillowcase, keeping your skin moisturized and your hair less frizzy.

Get it at Bloomingdale's starting at $66.
4
Mizani Miracle Leave-In Cream
A heat protectant, moisturizer and styler all in one cream? Aside from being a great gift for your natural or transitioning natural pal, Mizani's Miracle Leave-In Cream claims to provide 25 benefits, including adding smoothness, preventing split ends and being safe for color-treated hair. New York-based stylist and founder of A Curl Can Dream Hair Salon Daryce Tolliver said the cream is her go-to product for anyone with natural or transitioning hair.

"It's a multi-benefit leave-in that also protects the hair up to 450 degrees. It's also really good for babies. I personally have used it on my 2-year-old since she was about 6 months," she said.

Get it on Amazon for $22.
5
A Pattern spray bottle
Witherspoon also recommended continuous spray bottles, saying they're "perfect for styling and refreshing your curls." This one from Tracee Ellis Ross' brand Pattern is aerosol-free and provides a continuous fine mist.

Get it at Sephora for $13.
6
A Wet Brush Epic professional quick dry brush
Detangling is arguably the most time-consuming and sometimes painful part of wash day. But the kind of brush you use can make all the difference. New Orleans-based stylist Janasia Smith said she uses Wet Brush's Epic professional quick dry brush regularly on all of her clients because of how well it detangles, thanks to its heat-resistant bristles and ventilated design.

"They are amazing for detangling, even before a shampoo service, because the bristles are so flexible they dont yank at the hair. The brush works with you instead of against you. I havent used a wide-tooth comb in years," she said.

Get it at Ulta for $18.99.
7
The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer
The hair dryer that has had a cult following since it launched in 2016 comes recommended by Witherspoon, too, as she said it "dries natural hair quickly with while using the temperature setting of your choice." It's designed to protect hair from extreme heat damage and has five styling attachments for different hair types.

Get it at Sephora for $399.
8
Nessa Hill satin bonnets
Having a bonnet to sleep in at night is essentially a rite of passage, even if your hair isn't in its natural state. It's meant to protect hair, minimize frizziness and keep strands moisturized while you sleep. Witherspoon said she loves Nessa Hill 's satin bonnets to keep curls lasting a long time. The brand has various colors and designs in both the classic-size and long bonnet for braids, locs, twists and long hair.

Get the long satin bonnet for $19.99 and the classic satin bonnet for $16 .
9
Editor's pick: an AfroPick starter set
Whether you're buying for someone who loves wearing their hair as an afro or is a pro at pulling off a successful twistout, this set of hair picks from AfroPick makes a stylish and functional gift that they'll love. The designs o draw inspiration from the civil rights era and symbolize the unity and strength within Black culture. For larger afros, opt for the "Identity" set , which has long metal teeth.

Get it at Net-A-Porter for $49.
10
Editor's pick: a You Go Natural T-shirt bun
Gifting a cute hair accessory is always a good way to approach holiday shopping. This satin-lined turban from You Go Natural is great for days when your loved ones want to spruce up a simple outfit or they can just sleep in it. It comes in mocha, berry, bloom, jade and magnolia.

Get it at Urban Outfitters for $35.
11
Editor's pick: a Girl + Hair ultimate protective style travel kit
I wear a lot of protective styles through the year, including knotless braids, twists and crochet braids. When my hair underneath the styles needs some TLC or if I'm on-the-go, I reach for this travel set from Girl + Hair . It includes TSA-compliant versions of their cleanser, leave-in conditioner and hair milk.

Get it on Amazon for $19.99.

Before You Go

14 Box Subscriptions For Beauty Lovers
A completely personalized monthly box of makeup and skin care from Ispy(01 of14)
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Get either five deluxe samples, five full-size samples or both, depending on the monthly plan that you choose. Complete a personalized quiz to determine your beauty product preferences, foundation shade and skin concerns so Ipsy can curate a unique box of products you will actually use. Ipsy often includes cult-favorite brands like Tatcha, Tarte, It Cosmetics and First Aid Beauty, as well as offering products from indie brands and Black-owned businesses.

Get it from Ipsy for $13 to $41/month (up to a $170 value).
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A luxury beauty and makeup box curated by the experts at Allure(02 of14)
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Get at least three full-sized makeup and skin care products each month all of which have been tested and approved by the beauty editors at Allure. There's also a mini-magazine included with each box that features tips on how to use the products, which makes this box a great option for someone new to the beauty world.

Get it from Amazon for $23/month (a $100+ value).
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A seasonal subscription of full-sized products (beauty, wellness and more) from FabFitFun(03 of14)
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Sometimes beauty is more than just makeup it's also about self-care. FabFitFun sends out a generous supply of products four times a year, with items ranging from skin care to fashion and wellness to home and tech. Past boxes have included Koral ankle weights for exercise, Sunday Riley's high-dose retinol serum and the internet-viral magnetic eyelashes from Glamnetic.

Get it from FabFitFun for $49.99/three months (up to a $300 value).
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A box of viral and internet-approved beauty and lifestyle products from Macy's(04 of14)
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Get five deluxe sample-sized products as well as a surprise bonus item, all tucked away in a zip-closure makeup pouch each month, with this $15 subscription. Products from Macy's bestselling brands like Tarte, Anastasia Beverly Hills and Marc Jacobs are always included, so you can be sure to get something you like each time.

Get it from Macy's for $15/month (up to a $95 value).
(credit:Macy's)
A regular supply of personalized products from Birchbox, a woman-owned business(05 of14)
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With a self-created identity called Beauty Casual, Birchbox offers a range of five different deluxe sample-sized hair care, skin care and makeup products. This box is a great option for people who feel consistently overwhelmed with the amount of products, ingredients and lengthy routines out there.

Get it from Birchbox for a $13/month rate if you sign up for a 12-month subscription.
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A monthly Kinder Beauty box of products from top clean and ethical beauty brands(06 of14)
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Receiving a monthly shipment of five clean beauty products from Kinder Beauty is kind of like beauty for a cause. Every month, a portion of the company's proceeds goes to organizations such as the ASPCA and Farm Sanctuary. The company also has taken steps to reduce waste by using packing products that are made from 100% recycled materials that are biodegradable and compostable. Enjoy a mix of both full-size and travel-size skin, hair and makeup products from ethical beauty brands like Kopari, Pacifica and Osea.

Get it from Kinder Beauty Box for a $23/month rate if you sign up for a six-month subscription (a $165 value).
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A bimonthly Love Goodly box filled with nontoxic beauty products from socially conscious brands(07 of14)
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Every two months, get four full-sized vegan and cruelty-free beauty products from Love Goodly, which supports artisans around the world. Past boxes have included certified natural eyeliner pencils, fruit-derived enzymes scrubs and antioxidant-rich marula oil for hair and skin.

Get the Essentials Box from Love Goodly for $34.95/every two months (a $77+ value).
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A box of Beekman Beauty artisan skin and body care that comes every season(08 of14)
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Receive a new assortment of clean products from Beekman Beauty every three months, including serums, moisturizers, jelly cleansers and masks. Beekman Beauty uses clinically kind ingredients and nourishing goat milk in many of its face and body products, which make this a great option for people with sensitive skin.

Get it from Beekman 1802 for $65/every three months (a $150 value).
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A monthly dose of GlossyBox skin care, hair care and makeup products tied up in a pink box(09 of14)
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GlossyBox features a new theme each month, like "pure relaxation" or "poolside paradise." Each edition has related products from crowd-favorite brands like Glow Recipe, Batiste and Purlisse. It covers everything in beauty from hair accessories, makeup and skin care.

Get it from GlossyBox for $21/month (a $60 value).
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A Detox Box that highlights the best of green beauty brands(10 of14)
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The monthly Detox Box includes Detox Market's holy grails and tried-and-true favorites from clean beauty brands. Each box highlights a new brand, so you can experience the full range of products that can nourish damaged hair, even skin tone and minimize the appearance of fine lines. Brands include Vintner's Daughter, Osea and Tata Harper.

Get it from The Detox Market for a $39.95/month rate if you sign up for a six-month subscription (a $90 value).
(credit:The Detox Market)
A skin care-intensive box from Dermstore filled with full and deluxe sample sizes(11 of14)
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Get full- and travel-sized products that have been hand-picked by the skin care and beauty professionals at Dermstore. You might be able to test out the brightening powers of a Skinceuticals vitamin C serum or the potential firming capabilities of Sente's Dermal Pressed contour serum. There's a heavy emphasis on skin care, so this subscription would be a great option for all those derm-enthusiasts out there who love trying out the latest active ingredient or product in skin care.

Get it from Dermstore for $24.95/month (a $180 value).
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A Lookfantastic box of deluxe sample sizes from high-end beauty brands(12 of14)
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Get five deluxe sample sizes and a surprise item each month in the Lookfantastic beauty box, which features high-end brands in skin care, makeup, hair care and nail care. Previous boxes have included the firming Prai dcolletage cream, the long-wearing precision brow pencil from Diego Dalla Palma and Balance Me's BHA exfoliating concentrate for brighter, smoother skin.

Get it from Lookfantastic for a $16/month rate if you sign up for a 12-month subscription (a $60 value).
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A monthly box of beauty products that are redhead-approved(13 of14)
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You certainly don't have to be a redhead to subscribe to this monthly supply of beauty and wellness products from How To Be A Redhead. But this women-owned and operated business only includes items free of heavy chemicals that also complement red hair. Previous boxes have included sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners, face masks and makeup perfect for those beautiful ginger manes.

Get it from H2BAR for $24.98/month (a value of up to $140).
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A monthly subscription of skin care products hand-picked by a dermatologist(14 of14)
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Board-certified dermatologist Alan Parks from Eastside Dermatology in Ohio selects each skin care product included in this monthly delivery. There's a mixture of deluxe trial sizes and full-sized products such as serums, moisturizers, cleansers and masks from trusted names in clinical skin care.

Get it from DermWarehouse for $30/month (a $100 value).
(credit:DermWarehouse)

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