hairy situations

6 Natural-Hair Models on Their Favorite Hair Products

What Aya Jones and Imaan Hammam use on their hair.
What Aya Jones and Imaan Hammam use on their hair. Photo: Imaxtree

Over the last few Fashion Weeks, designers have started to let go of the idea that their models all need to match, embracing the concept of individual beauty, which means celebrations of natural hair are finally beginning to appear on the runway. Backstage during the most recent New York Fashion Week, the Cut talked to Lineisy Montero, Aya Jones, Imaan Hammam, and other models to find out about their hair routines.

Londone Myers

I use John Frieda Shampoo and Conditioner for Brunettes. I like the way it makes my hair feel; it makes it really soft and gives it a bit of texture. And I use Hydrohair by Jeorge Napoleon. He usually does my hair for me and cuts it. The product gets deep into the follicle, especially if I greenhouse it, which I’ll do by putting a bag over it and deep conditioning it. For styling cream, I use shea butter because my hair does get really dry and I don’t want it to flake or anything. I don’t really use any masks, I just try to deep condition. I do it about every other week.

Lineisy Montero

I only wash in the morning. I use Pantene shampoo and conditioner — I can’t remember what type it is or the color of the bottle. No masks, no nothing. I don’t do anything!

Dominique Babineaux

I just went natural. I did it because I had to; my hair was falling out because it was relaxed and blonde at the same time. I really wanted to stay blonde, so I had to choose between the two. I use Shimmer Lights, that shampoo for old ladies, which helps keep the tone but is probably the most damaging thing ever. I wash once with Clairol Shimmer Lights and then co-wash it with As I Am. I also use the Shea Moisture Leave-In Conditioner — they’re great for natural hair and I love them.

For a mask, I’ll alternate between hot oil and other things. I’ll mix coconut oil, jojoba oil, with a little bit of olive oil, which I know is not the best. I’ll slather my hair in it and sit in a cap once a week while I clean or whatever. I’ll also use Olaplex conditioning products and buy it off Amazon.

Aya Jones

I use Leonor Greyl — there’s an Algues et Fleurs spray that I like. I also like the Phyto Phytospecific Curl Hydration mask, and I have a collagen cream I use before shows. It’s not from a famous brand. It’s just from a natural store in Paris, whose name I can’t remember. I think it’s in the 20th Arrondissement. My mom discovered it.

Imaan Hammam

I like argan oils. I like this product from Miss Jessie’s, which I use every day. I don’t know the name of it. For washing my hair, I use Kerastase shampoo and conditioner — it’s the orange one, the Kerastase Nutritive Bain Oleo Relax Shampoo and Conditioner. I don’t wash my hair every day. One day yes, one day no. I do a mask every week. I use one from Furterer. They have a really good mask that helps my hair.

Dilone

I use this product called HydroHair by Jeorge Napoleon. It’s amazing. It’s aloe vera–based. I’ll just use a little squirt of it. It’s so weird — he calls it a hairdresser in a bottle. It’s like a soft cream, really light. You take a soft pump and rake your fingers through it and it curls your hair or keeps your hair nice and curly. I was on a shoot with him and he was like, You should try it, it’s amazing, and I’ve been using it ever since. 

For washing my hair, I use OGX Quenching Coconut Curls Shampoo. I used to wash my hair every day because I’m one of those people that likes to do that. But I found my hair looks better if I don’t do it every day.


6 Natural-Hair Models on Their Favorite Products