Your Natural Haircare Checklist for On Campus Living (How to Survive Wash Day in a Dorm)
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Hey bestie, it’s your Internet BFF, Kaylannk here! Let’s talk doing your natural hair and dorm living.
Maintaining natural hair in college can be challenging. The first reason is you have to style your hair in shared spaces meaning you have to clean up every piece of hair as you go. The second reason is the time that goes into doing your hair takes away time from studying and completing class assignments. I can go on and on but, despite the struggle, it is a beautiful thing to wear your natural hair in all spaces.
I can speak so confidently because I know this all too well. I went to school in an area that was a Black haircare desert. If I ran out of my favorite leave-in, I couldn’t just go to a local beauty supply. I was asking my friends to borrow their Amazon Prime account and hoping my products came in two days.
I’m not going to let you go through that, too. So, I’ve put together the ultimate, natural haircare checklist for on campus living. Stock up on these products before (and after) move-in day.
Top Quick Clicks FOR YOU
If you are running low on space or budget, do not skip these two campus hair savers:
- The Mesh Shower Caddy: Plastic caddies trap water and grow mold. Mesh dries instantly and expands to fit your giant shampoo and conditioner bottles.
- The Hair Drain Catcher: To avoid clogging the drains every wash day, this catches your hair before it goes down the drain.
Phase 1: Cleanse Your Scalp
Wash day in a dorm requires planning. You are juggling shared spaces, unpredictable water pressure, and hard water that strips moisture. Here is your ultimate survival kit:
- Grab & Go: A mesh shower caddy to haul your products down the hall, and a durable wide-tooth shower comb or detangling brush to thoroughly detangle your hair.
- The In Shower Essentials: A shower cap to protect your hairstyles in between wash days, a silicone scalp massager to stimulate growth, and a hair drain catcher.
- The Moisture Protectors: Plastic caps for deep conditioning, a plush microfiber hair towel to absorb water without causing frizz or dryness, and giant microfiber hair scrunchies or alligator hair clips to keep your sections neat while you style your hair.
- The Product Trio: Always keep a clarifying shampoo, a moisture-rich conditioner, and an intensive deep conditioner to combat hard water.
Phase 2: Style Your Strands
Dorm desks are tiny, and hair products take up a lot of space.
Bestie Styling Tip: Buy a small ottoman to serve as extra seating for your friends, a step-stool to reach your dorm bed, and the perfect place for your hair products.
The Product & Tool Lineup
- The Foundation: Your everyday moisture essentials: leave-in conditioner, styling cream, and hair oil to seal your ends.
- The Definition: A strong-hold hair gel that won’t flake when mixed with your other products.
- The Tools of the Trade: A styling brush, a detangling comb, a metal-tipped sectioning comb for crisp parts, an afro hair pick for maximum volume, a dual-sided edges brush, and a continuous spray bottle to refresh your curls.
- Must-Haves: An assortment of hair scrunchies, bobby pins, and snag-free rubber bands.
The Bedtime Protection Squad
- The Nighttime Protection: Keep your friction low and your moisture locked in with a satin hair scarf and a bonnet.
- The Absolute Non-Negotiable: A satin pillowcase is needed for those times your bonnet slips off in the middle of the night, this will ensure your curls are still protected.
Phase 3: Accessorize Your Look
There will be days when you hit the snooze button too many times and don’t have the energy to refresh a 5-day-old twist out. That is where accessorizing comes in.
- The Quick Fixes: Statement hair clips to pin down fly aways, a thick stretch headband for a slick back look, and a cute hat for days you don’t have the time.
Phase 4: Add Ons
Natural hair can be fun and you should experiment with it. Whether you are opting for a protective style to survive winter finals or getting ready for a campus gala, keep these in your stash:
- The Protective Styles: A wig, braiding hair for your campus braider, and crochet hair for a quick, low-maintenance install.
- The Heat Elements: A blow dryer and a flatiron for when you want a sleek silk press.
Written with lots of care,
Kaylannk
Your Internet BFF
Let’s talk in the comments: What is your number one hair product you need on campus?
