If You've Got Heat Damaged Curls, These 11 Hair Care Products Will Become Your BFFs

As much as women of color adore their kinky-coily ringlets, the urge to straighten your strands may come every now and then. Too much heat can have serious consequences for your hair health, however. Attempting to repair heat damaged natural hair can onset a frustrating road to recovery, but all hope isn't completely lost if you've gone too far with heat styling tools.

Being aware of what causes your dry, damaged hair is the first step to restore your natural curls. No matter your weapon of choice, flat irons, curling rods, and blow dryers can be a naturalista's worst enemy. There's certainly nothing wrong with switching up your texture when you need a change, but your strands may suffer without the proper heat protectants. Even when you've taken preventative measures, the wrong styling products and excess manipulation can leave your mane dull and brittle. If you want to avoid a "big chop" you'll want to act fast to breathe life back into your mane.

It's going to take products rich in the moisture your distressed strands crave to get the spring back in your curls. Look to these 11 restorative treatments, conditioners, and masques to reverse hair damage from overstyling.

1. ApHogee Two Step Protein Treatment

Two Step Protein Treatment, $25, Sally Beauty

Packed with a concentrated blend of magnesium and protein, ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment cures the cuticles of damaged hair. A salon service product for at-home use, it reduces breakage and rebuilds the hair structure.

2. Creme Of Nature Straight From Eden Repairing Oil

Straight from Eden Plant-Derived Repairing Oil, $5, Walmart

Seal in the moisture heat damaged hair desperately needs with Creme of Nature's Repairing Oil. Infused with coconut, avocado, and olive oils, this restorative formula gives hair shine while protecting it.

3. Shea Moisture Extra Moisture Deep Treatment Masque

Extra Moisture Deep Treatment Masque, $13, Ulta

An all-natural treatment, Shea Moisture's argan and raw shea moisture masque is a savior for over-processed strands. Feel free to use it as leave-in cream for moisture-rich styling, too.

4. Qhemet Biologics Castor & Moringa Softening Serum

Castor & Moringa Softening Serum, $13, Sephora

A thick oil that softens coarse hair, this Qhemet Biologics serum fights off dryness like nobody's business. Used as a hot oil treatment it performs miracles.

5. Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Hair Wash

Blueberry Bliss Reparative Hair Wash, $15, Curls

Even the kinkiest, driest curls are no match for the Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Hair Wash. As it restores lackluster tresses, it even promotes hair growth.

6. Koils By Nature Ultra-Moisturizing Cocoaloe Deep Conditioner

Ultra-Moisturizing Cocoaloe Deep Conditioner, $17, Koils by Nature

Whether color treated or heat damaged, this ultra-moisturizing conditioner helps your mane better retain moisture. You'll be impressed by how soft and manageable your locks become after incorporating it into your routine.

7. Carol's Daughter Monoi Oil Sacred Strengthening Serum

Monoi Oil Sacred Strengthening Serum, $30, Ulta

Hair exposed to chemical straightening, color treatments, heat styling and sun exposure can benefit from the Carol's Daughter Monoi Oil. This strengthening serum reduces frizz, adds natural shine, and repairs your tresses without weighing it down.

8. Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner

Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner, $15, Mielle Organics

Made with amino acids from wheat, soy, and other natural ingredients to deeply penetrate dry, damaged hair, this deep conditioner can restore your mane to its former curly glory.

9. Deva Curl Heaven In Hair

Heaven In Hair Intense Moisture Treatment, $28, Ulta

Enjoy a fresh lemongrass scent when you slather your roots and ends with Deva Curl's Heaven In Hair Intense Moisture Treatment. It's a do-it-all conditioner that softens, nourishes, and adds shine.

10. As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner

Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner, $16, Asiam Naturally

The benefits of this intensive conditioner are almost too good to be true. Enhancing manageability and overall hair health, it repairs split ends, strengthens weak strands, and stimulates the scalp.

11. Pantene Gold Series Repairing Mask

Gold Series Repairing Mask, $8, Target

Infused with argan oil, Pantene's Gold Series Repairing Mask deeply penetrates the hair shaft. Stressed, brittle strands will be throughly quenched with this water activated formula made to strengthen damaged hair.

Don't let distressed and over-processed hair keep your curls from reaching their full, majestic potential. Giving your mane a little TLC will restore your confidence in your natural hair health.