10 Easy Hacks for Maintaining Natural Hair at Home, According to Hairstylists

Scalp Massage

"A scalp massage is always a good thing to do," says Price. Gentle pressure and light motions immediately increase circulation and amplify red blood cells, which promotes growth and rejuvenation.

Hair massagers, like Vitagoods Scalp Massaging Shampoo Brush ($16; target.com), offer a gentle alternative to scrubbing and exfoliating your scalp with your fingers. Add extra nutrients to your massage by applying a bit of coconut or olive oil.

Sulfate-Free Shampoo Wash

"Always be sure to use sulfate-free shampoo," says Price. "Just in case you didn't get the memo, hair does not have to squeak to be clean." Sulfate-free shampoos help your hair retain its natural moisture, providing a healthy shine. One of the best drugstore shampoo brands to try is Shea Moisture. Shea Moisture's Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil formula is an effective shampoo for damaged hair. Likewise, its restoring Jamaican Black Castor Oil formula promotes elasticity and is a great hair-thickening shampoo for natural hair.

For a new and quick way to shampoo, Price recommends Carol's Daughter's Wash Day Delight ($13; target.com). Its unique micellar water formula acts like a magnet to attract and lift away buildup for a thorough hair and scalp cleanse.

Cold Water Rinse

"Always finish shampooing your hair with a cold water rinse," Spiller recommends. "Although it's not the most comfortable process, using cold water to rinse your hair will help close the pores on your scalp and seal your cuticles, giving your hair a luscious shine."

Conditioning Treatment

Conditioning after a shampoo helps reduce breakage and is essential for healthy hair. Conditioners smooth and detangle by replacing moisture and vital proteins into the hair shaft. This is especially important if you frequently hot style with tools like a curling wand.

For dry and damaged hair, Spiller recommends a honey and coconut oil mask: "The coconut oil binds to the hair, helping to reduce keratin loss. And since honey is a humectant, it helps to impart moisture retention."

To make this mask, mix one tablespoon coconut oil with one tablespoon honey. Transfer the mixture into a pot and heat on the stove until the honey and the coconut oil melt together. Allow the mixture to cool, and then apply to your hair and cover with a shower cap for 20 minutes. Finish by rinsing your hair with warm water.

Don't want to make your own? Price recommends Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture and Shine Hair Smoothie ($14; sallybeauty.com). Packed with a rich blend of cocoa, shea butters, and pro-vitamin B5, it helps restore hair's healthy texture, giving it a natural shine. Another good option is Pattern Beauty Treatment Mask, a nourishing hair product featuring rice water.

Bagging Method

Bagging is a popular moisturizing technique to hydrate your hair and boost moisture. "Simply apply moisturizer or a leave-in conditioner to your hair, seal it with a natural oil (like olive oil), and then cover your head with a plastic bag or shower cap for two to three hours," says Spiller. "Covering your head with the plastic bag straight after moisturizing helps to trap-in heat, which re-activates the moisturizer, promoting growth, and restoring dehydrated split ends." It's an effective technique for rehydrating your hair after using flat or curling irons.

Tube Sock Drip Guard

Messy home hair treatments can be annoying, like when product drips down your neck and onto your shoulders. To avoid this, grab the longest tube sock you own and tie it around the edge of your conditioning cap or plastic bag. "The tube sock will act as a drip guard, absorbing any water or product that leaks out," says Spiller. "Make sure the tube sock is halfway on the plastic bag and halfway on your skin to catch any liquid."

Detangling Solution

Is your hair tangled after taking it out of braids or wearing it up for too long? If so, Price recommends making your own detangling milk. "Mix one-part conditioner with two-parts water and transfer the solution into a spray bottle."

Apply this mixture to dry hair before you shampoo and start detangling with your fingers: Separate knots by starting at the bottom and working your way up (tip to the root). If you're not into making your own solution, try SheaMoisture's excellent hair detangler made with raw shea butter. Also, always use a wide-tooth comb or detangling hair brush when detangling.

Two-Strand Twist Trim

"The first step to achieving the perfect home trim is investing in a good pair of cutting shears," says Spiller. "Household scissors are not suitable for trimming your hair and will only create more spilt ends. Use professional haircutting shears only."

Trimming your own hair is intimidating but, according to Spiller, the two-strand method is one of the easiest ways to spot split ends. "Start the two-strand method by separating your hair into 1-inch sections, brush each section smooth and twist the hair tightly. After setting your hair into approximately 20 twists, cut the ends of the twists that are thinning or have a diagonal slant."

Black Tea Rinse

Wondering how to cut down on shedding and breakage? Spiller recommends a black tea rinse. "The caffeine helps to stimulate new growth and block dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for causing hair loss and shedding."

Brew a strong cup of caffeinated black tea using three to four tea bags and two cups of boiling water. After the tea has cooled, transfer to an applicator bottle and apply to your scalp. Cover your hair with a plastic cap, and let the tea sit for up to 45 minutes before rinsing with cold water. Follow up with a deep conditioner. "I recommend using this treatment every three to six weeks, until you see improvement, as caffeine can dry out the hair."

Aloe Vera Juice and Water Spritz

Aloe vera helps seal your hair cuticle, which increases shine and moisture retention. Its natural polysaccharides also help to strengthen and thicken hair. "Spraying aloe vera juice on your scalp can help balance the pH level of your hair and fight dandruff," says Spiller.

To apply, fill a spray bottle with two-thirds water and one-third aloe vera juice, and lightly spritz the solution on your hair every morning and night. Follow up with your favorite oil-based hair product to seal in moisture.