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Dark and Lovely UK.

Our full range of dark and lovely, curated for curly, coily and wavy hair. Free 24-hour UK delivery on orders over £25.

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Buying guide

Dark and Lovely for colour and care

What sits in the Dark and Lovely range here

The UK collection is built around Au Naturale, the line for natural, unrelaxed hair. That covers the Wonder Wash moisture replenishing shampoo, Dream Clean 3 in 1 cleansing conditioner, Knot Out detangling conditioner, Moisture Right deep nourishing mask, Hair Rescue intensive repairing mask, Easy Styler plaiting pudding and the Keep Calm Anti-Itch Scalp Soother.

Alongside it sit the Damage Slayer Hydrator steam conditioning mask for hair that has been coloured or heat styled, and the Beautiful Beginnings children’s products from Softsheen Carson.

Choosing a cleanser

Three options, and they are genuinely different. Wonder Wash is the standard weekly shampoo for hair carrying product and oil. Dream Clean is a 3 in 1 cleansing conditioner that cleans gently without lather, which suits dry coils and a mid week refresh. The Softsheen Carson 3 in 1 shampoo is the simpler all rounder.

If hair feels coated and dull rather than dirty, the shampoo is the right call. Co washing every single time leaves residue behind, and hard water across London and the south east makes that build up faster.

Conditioners and masks

Knot Out is the detangling conditioner for after every wash, and it carries enough slip to get a wide tooth comb through 4c hair. Moisture Right is the weekly deep mask for dry hair. Hair Rescue is the repairing mask, aimed at hair that snaps rather than hair that is simply thirsty.

The Damage Slayer Hydrator is the steam mask, meant to be used under a cap or with a steamer so warmth opens the cuticle. Twenty minutes with a plastic cap on is plenty, and you do not need a salon dryer for it to work.

Styling and scalp

Easy Styler Plaiting Pudding Cream is the styler in the range, made for plaits, cornrows, twists and braid outs rather than for a hard set. It holds a plait overnight and leaves the takedown soft instead of crunchy.

The Keep Calm Anti-Itch Scalp Soother is a leave on product for the partings, used between washes and while a style is in. Apply along the parts with the nozzle rather than working it through the length.

The children’s side, and British weather

Beautiful Beginnings Ouchless Detangler and the Kids Hair Conditioner with Scalp Soother are the gentle end, made for fine young hair and short attention spans. The Braid Spray keeps braids and cornrows soft between washes for children and adults alike.

Summer humidity of 75 to 90% swells the cuticle and lifts frizz, so the plaiting pudding sets better than a light cream through July and August. Winter heating near 30% humidity is drying, which is when the Moisture Right mask is worth using weekly rather than fortnightly.

Questions

Dark and Lovely questions, answered

What is the difference between Au Naturale and the rest of Dark and Lovely?
Au Naturale is the line for natural, unrelaxed hair, so it is built around moisture, detangling and soft definition. The wider brand also covers relaxers and permanent colour, which sit in the hair dye collection rather than here.
Can I use these products on relaxed hair?
Yes. Au Naturale was designed for natural hair, but the Moisture Right mask and the Knot Out conditioner suit relaxed hair too, since relaxed hair runs drier and more porous. You will simply need less product per wash.
What is the Damage Slayer steam mask for?
Hair that has been coloured, relaxed or heat styled and has started snapping. Apply it, cover with a plastic cap for twenty minutes so your own body heat warms it through, then rinse. A steamer helps but is not required.
Is Dream Clean a shampoo or a conditioner?
Both, in effect. It is a 3 in 1 cleansing conditioner that cleans without lather, so it suits dry coils and mid week refreshes. Use a proper shampoo such as Wonder Wash every second or third wash to clear build up.
Which product is made for an itchy scalp?
The Keep Calm Anti-Itch Scalp Soother is the one aimed at the scalp, applied along the partings between washes. If itching carries on, is painful, or comes with sore or broken skin, speak to a pharmacist or your GP.
Is Beautiful Beginnings for babies?
It is aimed at young children rather than newborns, and the Ouchless Detangler is where most parents start. The Kids Hair Conditioner with Scalp Soother is the gentler pairing for fine hair that tangles quickly between washes.
Will the plaiting pudding leave hair crunchy?
No. Easy Styler Plaiting Pudding Cream is a soft hold cream made for plaits, cornrows and twists, so the takedown stays soft and the braid out keeps movement. For a firm gel set, this is the wrong product.
How often should I use the Moisture Right mask?
Weekly through the winter heating months and fortnightly the rest of the year. Twenty minutes under a plastic cap does more than an hour without one, because trapped warmth helps the mask work into the strand.
Does the Braid Spray work on locs?
It softens and refreshes braids, cornrows and twists between washes and does the same on locs, though heavy use can leave residue inside a loc. Spray lightly along the length rather than soaking the roots with it.
Is Knot Out enough on its own for 4c hair?
For weekly detangling, usually yes. It gives enough slip for a wide tooth comb on damp hair in sections. If your hair is very dry, add the Moisture Right mask every second wash rather than relying on the conditioner alone.