When I decided to go back to wearing my natural hair nearly 10 years ago, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery. Like many black women, I had no idea what kind of natural hair I had – cheers to all the 3c girls! – nor what products were best for my hair type. This was 2014 and there was a huge increase in black women enjoying their natural hair without chemicals; many black women were posting their “wash routines” on YouTube and testing different products for their hair type, which inspired me to do the same. I was in college at the time and my money wasn’t enough for many experiments, but when I finally started making more money, I started treating myself to better quality products that were suitable for my hair. Having and maintaining natural hair isn’t easy, but it was worth it when I learned more about my curl type.
One of my favorite hobbies is trying new products and ingredients that can benefit my hair type. When Beyoncé announced her entry into the beauty world with her hair care line Cécred, I wanted to see what they could do for my hair.
About My Hair
I have 3c low porosity hair. My hair has a pretty hard time retaining moisture, but I’ve slowly figured out what products and ingredients work best for it. When I first went natural, I relied on protective styles like braids and wigs. Now that I know more about my hair, my favorite styles are wash-and-go, two-strand twists, and bantu knots. My favorite everyday hairstyle is wash-and-go, where I use a co-wash followed by a deep conditioning conditioner and style it with eco-styler gel or curl butter. When I do two-strand twists or Bantu knots, I use a moisturizing shampoo, conditioner and deep conditioning conditioner, then seal my twists with olive oil or curl butter.
About Cécred Beauty
According to their website, Cécred started by prioritizing “the needs of textured hair [that] lacks moisture and strength.” Their products are designed for all hair types and range from moisturizing and clarifying shampoo to hydrating deep conditioning, reconstructing mask, fermented rice conditioner, sealing lotion and hydrating hair oil.
According to Allure, Beyoncé and her mother Tina Knowles worked for six years to bring the brand to life. The result is supposed to be hair care that keeps hair healthy, no matter what you throw at it.
Clarifying Shampoo & Salt Scrub
The Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub combines a blend of exfoliants, fermented purple willow bark, and tea tree oil to remove buildup and residue from your hair and scalp for a deep clean. Fermented purple willow bark is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can soothe the scalp, prevent irritation, and also help regenerate hair follicles and promote hair growth. I’m always on the lookout for a good shampoo that will thoroughly cleanse my scalp, and since I had just removed braids from my hair, this was the perfect time to test it out.
My first impression of Cécred’s products was that they look and feel extremely luxurious. The packaging is absolutely stunning and almost feels like decoration in your shower. As for the actual product, when I first used it I felt like I had to wash and rinse my hair twice to get it squeaky clean, but after using it my hair felt light and thoroughly cleansed. Since the product is meant for a deep clean, I used it once a week to avoid drying out my hair (which could happen if I use it too often).
I will continue to use this product in my routine, but mainly when I take out a protective hairstyle (braids, sew-in hair, etc.) or after a hot day or workout where I sweated a lot.
Moisturizing Shampoo
Cécred’s moisturizing shampoo is designed for gentle cleansing and contains a blend of high-antioxidant African oils, moisturizing hyaluronic acid, and a moisturizing phyto-collagen complex. It’s also free of silicones, phthalates, or parabens.
In addition to using the clarifying shampoo for a deep clean once a week, I wash my hair with the moisturizing shampoo two to three times a week. My first impression was that the smell is amazing; it has a light, fresh scent that feels luxurious. It also has a thicker consistency than most shampoos I’ve used. After my first use, I didn’t notice a visible difference in my hair, but after about my third use, I felt my hair was much softer and easier to manage than usual. Some shampoos leave it feeling dry and brittle, but this one definitely doesn’t strip my hair of its natural moisture.
It can be difficult to find a shampoo that leaves my hair both clean and moisturized, but this one managed to strike the balance extremely well. It left me feeling clean and healthy, which is a win in my eyes.
Reconstructing Mask
Infused with Cécred’s patent-pending bioactive keratin ferment, this conditioning mask has been clinically tested to reduce hair damage, increase hair strength, and improve shine. It’s not a deep conditioner; it’s meant to be used between washing and conditioning when your hair needs to repair damage. If your hair is damaged from coloring, chemical treatments, or heat styling, this product is for you.
I followed the directions and used it between the moisturizing shampoo and the moisturizing deep conditioner and immediately noticed my hair was smoother and felt softer. Using it afterward and a deep conditioner did soften my hair and lock in moisture, but since my hair isn’t particularly damaged, I didn’t feel like I noticed much of a difference from using this product. However, if you’re one of those people who suffer from hair damage, I think this product is definitely worth a try.
Fermented Rice and Protein Ritual
Cécred’s Rice and Protein Ritual offers the strengthening and long-lasting benefits of rice water without having to make it yourself. This ritual consists of two steps: a finely ground powder that is mixed with water and used as a hair conditioner, and a silk conditioner with African oils that adds softness and shine to the hair. It’s meant to be used every four to six weeks.
I’ve never used fermented rice or protein treatments on my hair before, so I didn’t know how it would work when testing this product. I followed the directions, mixed the powder with water, then left it on my hair for five minutes. Immediately afterward, my hair was dry, which is to be expected as protein treatments can leave hair a little stiff. However, after the silk conditioner followed, moisture returned to my hair and my curls were much more bouncy – plus they felt stronger and softer. I will definitely continue using this product before getting a protective style or silk pressing.
Moisturizing Deep Conditioner
Cécred’s Moisturizing Deep Conditioner contains 12 different moisturizing butters and oils to improve hair softness, moisture and manageability. The texture is extremely thick right out of the box and has the same fresh scent as the Moisturizing Shampoo.
Because of its thickness, I applied the Moisturizing Deep Conditioner after dampening my hair so the product could penetrate my strands instead of sitting on top of them. Even though it is a thick product, I was surprised that after I put it in my hair and rinsed it out, my curls didn’t feel weighed down. I also used it to detangle and found that it glides well and absorbs into my hair (all my low porosity girls get this). After letting my hair air dry (and not using any other product), I combed out my curls and the results were *coastal kiss*. My hair felt softer than usual and had great definition too. It was easier for me to comb through my hair and itinto a bun and my strands felt hydrated but light and airy instead of heavy. Being able to comb through my dry, natural hair is a win for me, so this has quickly become my favorite deep conditioner. I’ve incorporated it into my weekly hair wash and it gives my curls great definition and gives me the moisture I need every time.
Moisture Sealing Lotion
The Moisture Sealing Lotion is designed to be a multi-tasking product to seal, smooth and style hair with a light hold. With a Phyto-Seal Complex and a blend of African oils, it locks in moisture, seals split ends, fights frizz and aids styling for even more beautiful locks that are smooth and shiny. It can be used on all hair types but is especially effective for those looking to tame frizz in their curls. You can either apply it to towel-dried, damp hair or apply it to dry hair before styling.
I used the Moisture Sealing Lotion in a few different ways: before my wash-and-go or before the two-strand twist. It felt smooth and buttery as I combed it through my hair (though it didn’t soak in as much as I would have liked), but I found that I preferred using it when I was two-strand twisting because it gave my curls extra bounce. When I used it before the wash-and-go, I felt like it sat on my hair a little, but it definitely gave my curls more bounce when I let it soak into them during the two-strand twisting. A small amount of this product goes a long way and it’s extremely moisturizing.
Nourishing Hair Oil
Cécred’s hair oil is enriched with 13 oils – including sea buckthorn, linseed, golden jojoba, argan and coconut – to strengthen your hair’s lipid barrier and lock in moisture, keeping hair hydrated and nourished for longer. It’s supposed to leave hair soft and smooth and give it a natural shine that isn’t weighed down by silicones.
I applied the hair oil after washing and conditioning and out of all the oils I’ve tried, this one is definitely one of the lightest. The packaging is super user-friendly as only a tiny amount comes out at a time so you don’t overdo it. I didn’t feel like this oil did much for my hair when I washed and reused it and twisted two strands, but I loved it when I combed it back. It added extra smoothness to my hair and made it easier to detangle when I combed it back, and it added extra shine. However, due to the $44 price tag, I don’t know if I would buy it again.
