Two-in-one conditioning shampoo. Shea butter. Leave-in conditioner. Detangling hair lotion. For black women, these products represent just another part of their daily hair routine. To young black men, however, these items may mean next to nothing.
Historically, women have taken pride in making sure their hair looks and feels healthy. However, while it is usually overlooked, it is just as important for males to maintain clean and healthy hair.
Natural hair expert Leila Noilliste, creator of one of the most well-known natural hair advice blogs on the web, Black Girl with Long Hair (BGLH), credits much of the quality of men's hair to lack of maintenence they tend to give.
"I don't think guys think about it as much as women do…I think men's tendency not to overly manipulate their hair really works to their advantage," Noilliste said. "Ironically, black men tend to have an easier time growing their hair out than black women because their regimens require little to no manipulation."
Benjamin Lewis, a senior graphic design major, has managed to keep his locs clean and well kept without spending too much time on his hair.
"I generally take good care of myself, but I don't necessarily maintain my hair everyday," Lewis said. "For instance, this morning I got in the shower, and [my hair] got wet. I just applied water, brushed my teeth and rolled out the door."
The proper hair care for males is ultimately dependent on what style they choose to wear.
"If they rock a short look and are cutting their hair every few weeks, then hair care is not so important unless they have scalp issues. If they rock longer looks such as cornrows, a fro or locs then it becomes more important," Noilliste said.
Black men often become trapped in the mentality that hair is one-dimensional in terms of styling and care.
"I think that black people in general, especially African-American men are very limited in the way that we choose to wear our hair. There's the low buzz cut with the shape up and that's it," Michael Roy, a junior legal communications major, said. "If we knew how to take care of our hair, it'd be easier to wear different styles and do them without it looking a hot mess."
Truthfully, when it comes to products guys should use to take care of their hair; less is more. Crème of Nature or Cantu brand shampoos and conditioners partnered with unrefined shea butter and water-based hair lotions are ideal for soft, moisturized hair.
"[Black men] should keep a sulfate-free moisturizing shampoo in the shower and use that regularly to keep the scalp clean, especially if their hair is short. As far as moisture, a leave-in conditioner should do the trick," Noilliste said.
Natural oil based products, such as olive oil and coconut oil, are also beneficial for moisture retention. Avoid products heavy in mineral oil and petroleum, as they clog pores and coat the scalp rather than moisturize and nourish them. Keeping these simple pointers in mind will make hair maintenance an easy and painless process.
Lumumba Garner, a junior math and philosophy double major feels that women should and will always be the go-to people for proper hair care.
"If you're trying to actually do something with your hair then ask a woman," he said with a smile.
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