The Ultimate Products For Every Hair Type, As Recommended By Hair Expert Charlotte Mensah

From kinky to braided and curly, wavy to sleek and straight, legendary hairdresser Charlotte Mensah reveals all.

Hair is a powerful form of expression – from how we care for it to how we style it and, most importantly, how we embrace it in all its glorious shapes and guises. Naturally, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach (how boring would that be?), so we called on legendary hairdresser, salon owner and brand founder Charlotte Mensah to share her expert advice for caring for different hair types. ‘From kinky to braided and curly, wavy to sleek and straight, hair is a true marvel and we’re here to celebrate that,’ says Mensah. Healthy hair this way...

‘I adore Koujayn’s braids. To care for them at home, cover braids at night with a silk scarf or bonnet, or – if wrapping your head feels uncomfortable – sleep on a silk pillowcase. Apply light oils (heavy ones can clog hair follicles) a few times a week throughout the duration of the style and try a finishing mist to lock in moisture and keep your hair feeling soft and supple. Use rich cream pomades to smooth edges and never wear your braids too tight, which can cause breakage.’

‘I love the relaxed look of these effortless, loose waves on Kristin’s rich copper red. To recreate the look, use tongs to curl the hair away from the face for a softer, more open style and pin each curl up separately using flat-pin curl clips. After letting your hair cool for a few minutes, remove the pins and use a wide-tooth comb and your fingers to gently break up the waves. Try curling the hair slightly tighter than the final desired style to help the waves last longer.’

‘Most Afro hair absorbs moisture like a sponge, so moisturise, moisturise, moisturise with natural hair oils, hydrating pomade mists, rich cream pomades and use shampoos containing humectants. Try to always detangle your hair from the bottom up using a paddle brush or a wide-tooth comb; starting at the ends allows you to gently work through each knot, rather than pulling through the hair. Finally, to keep your hair nourished and hydrated, I recommend regular steam treatments alongside trims every six to eight weeks.’

‘A nutrient-rich hair oil is the perfect finishing touch for creating super-sleek, silky-smooth hair like Anna Lena’s. After blow-drying with a medium-sized round brush, apply half a drop of oil into your palm and distribute it evenly from mid-lengths to ends. Gorgeous grey hair needs extra nourishment, so it’s important to use a deep conditioning mask at least once a week, and book in for regular trims to prevent split ends.’

Ideal for soft-hold, this works especially well on wavy, curly, coily, and textured hair for conditioning and sealing.

Perfect for those who want lasting hold sans crunchiness.

A non-negotiable, this featherweight spray protects against up to 232°C.

Post-wash, this leave-in nourishes, detangles, defrizzes and creates the best foundation for subsequent styling.

Brassy? Yellow? This much-loved shampoo will neutralise that with every wash.

Treat your hair and body with this indulgent treatment packed with nutrient-rich, nourishing oils.

Best for coloured hair, this spray smoothes and hydrates while preventing hair breakage.

With hero ingredient Ghanaian black soap, this wash thoroughly cleanses while maintaining moisture.

For all hair types, this silky leave-in works great for air dry days.

Meet the stick that makes light work of a slick back bun.

This pre-wash treatment will revitalise your scalp thanks to a refreshing tea-tree-infused oil.

Photographs: Jason Hetherington; Hair: Charlotte Mensah; Make-Up: Gina Kane Using Brands From Boots.com/Beauty; Beauty Direction & Words: Joely Walker: Styling: Sophie Van Der Welle