Felicia Leatherwood's Hair Tools Are Designed To Make Wash Day Easy

Amongst Hollywood stars like Ava Duvernay, Issa Rae, Jill Scott, Anthony Anderson—and more—Felicia Leatherwood is known as the "hair whisper." Her reputation is well-earned and backed by her robust roster of clients, many years in the business, and an award-winning detangling brush, a staple in many curly-hair routines. "It brings me joy to create hair essentials that can provide ease and celebration to the textured hair community," Leatherwood tells me. "I launched Brush With the Best and the Detangler Brush because I felt like people with type three and four hair didn't have enough tools to utilize for their textures."

The success of Brush With the Best inspired Leatherwood to expand her empire with a new range of products designed to make your wash day easy. "I wanted to make it simple for people to take care of their hair," Leatherwood says. This ease-inspired expansion includes a new set of tools, including a silicone shampoo massage brush, flaxseed deep conditioning bonnet, microfiber towel, and a unique curl calendar. With the success of Leatherwood's detangling brush, I had to give her new tools a try. Read ahead for my honest review.

My Current Hair Care Routine

I've recently rehabilitated my curls from dyeing them blonde for three years. I try to reference the basics of the LOC method during wash day and use Olaplex no. 3 for more reparative benefits. I also admit I usually skip deep conditioning, which I know is an essential step to maintaining healthy hair and scalp. 

2-in-1 Silicone Shampoo Massage Brush With Shampoo Dispenser

The 2-in-1 Silicone Shampoo Massager promotes healthier hair, exfoliates, increases blood circulation, and can be combined with your favorite shampoo. Before testing Leatherwood's new collection, I hadn't tried a silicone scalp massager, but I was eager to give it a go. Unlike most scalp massagers on the market, this one has a removable spout that you can use to pour your favorite shampoo. I used Brigeo's Don't Despair, Repair Hair Shampoo, and added water before massaging into my head. I loved that the scalp massager worked double-time to deep clean my scalp. 

Brush With the Best Detangler Brush

After rinsing my shampoo, I conditioned and detangled my hair with Leatherwood's award-winning detangler brush. This brush is loved for its ability to detangle and separate curls and it did not disappoint. I was pleased with its flexibility, which moved through each section of my hair and did not pull or break on my strands.

Flaxseed Bonnet For Deep Conditioning

I was most eager to try this flaxseed bonnet out of all the new products. Unlike some conditioning caps, which may require an external tool for heat, this one is microwaveable. I coated my hair with the Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair Rice Water Protein+ Treatment, threw on a plastic cap (which comes with the bonnet), and then popped it in the microwave for two minutes. The bonnet was warm and felt extremely soothing to my scalp, and was very sturdy around my hairline. I was worried the conditioner would melt and drip down to my face during the process, but the elastic band kept everything secure inside the bonnet.

Soft Microfiber Towel

After rinsing out the deep conditioner, I covered my hair with the microfiber towel. The design makes it easy to wrap your hair and move around while it dries. While I'm not the best at the wrapping technique it still got the job done.

Brush With The Best Curl Calendar

This is the first time I've ever seen a curl calendar. It came laminated with a marker and instructions to help keep track of your deep conditioning days. I couldn't figure out where to hang this in my bathroom, but I think it's a great resource to help monitor and stay organized with your hair treatments if you're planning on committing to a strong regimen.

The Results

After incorporating these tools into my wash day, I noticed more definition than usual. My curls were shiny, bouncy, and had a nice hold to them. My time was well spent following Leatherwood's regimen, and it served as a reminder of the results I can achieve by being more intentional with my process. 

The Value: Budget-Friendly

The products are budget-friendly and can be bundled without breaking the bank. Still, if you're looking to get them all, it could run you over $100. Before shopping, I would determine what your curls need most and what you'd use. For example, I loved Leatherwood's detangling brush, but I also have many brushes. However, the flaxseed bonnet feels worth having multiple on hand since it adds unique value to my regimen.

Similar Products: There Are Options, But Different Functions

Scalp Massagers: Scalp massagers are everywhere as of late. Still, I haven't seen any with an added shampoo pump like Leatherwood's. Nonetheless, the Cbiumpro 2-Pack Shampoo Brush Massager ($7) is a great affordable option for natural hair, thanks to ultra-long bristles that can wiggle through thick textures.

Flaxseed Bonnet: While you may have your preferred technique and tools for deep conditioning, flaxseed bonnets could be game-changing. Hot Head ($35) is the "original" microwaveable flaxseed bonnet and has been curly-hair approved for a while. Hot Head offers a variety of fun prints and colors, but it's about $5 more expensive than Leatherwood's so you can still get excellent quality at a great price.

Microfiber Towel: Microfiber towel options are abundant, but finding the right choice depends on your hair type and routine. You can find them at mass retailers like the Turbie Twist ($29) on Amazon. DevaCurl also offers a similar option ($22) available at Sephora. The only thing to keep in mind is choosing a long enough towel to wrap your hair and one that has enough lining so water won't soak through.

Curl Calendar: This was a niche product, and I couldn't find too many alternatives. Her calendar is unique because it can guide you on how to approach your hair care routine weekly. It's also reusable because of the lamination. Etsy features a range of calendars with a planner component added, but if you're just looking for one specific focus, like tracking your deep conditioning treatments, a targeted calendar like Leatherwood's might be helpful. 

Final Verdict: Leatherwood's new collection is designed to elevate your hair routine. I think the flaxseed bonnet is the must-have product from her new line because it requires low effort but makes a significant impact. These tools are important for helping improve your natural hair care routine, and all have an educational component that can change the way you approach your wash day or deep conditioning.