There’s something magical about walking the grounds of a Historically Black College or University in the fall. Beyond the thrill of a new academic year, there’s plenty to look forward to. One thing I always got excited about was spotting creative hairstyles around campus. Truth be told, there was no shortage of imaginative ideas back then, and the bar has only been raised since. This year, SheaMoisture is taking the HBCU beauty experience to a whole new level with Sheaversity on the Yard — a tour of HBCU campuses where the iconic hair brand educates students on haircare and the products that work for your favorite styles, while connecting peers along the way.
And with all the inspiration from the Sheaversity tour, we picked our favorite hairstyles to help us feel inspired for a fresh start to a new season. There’s no shortage of recreate-worthy looks, but hair health is equally important as style. Whether you’re sporting braids for the semester or a sleek silk press, prioritizing high-performance products with nurturing ingredients will go a long way. To help guide you, we’ve pulled together four top campus styles and the key products you’ll need to make them work.
The Silk Press Diva aka Yard Muse
The Yard on an HBCU campus is arguably one of the most central experiences. It has everything from Greek life to dance-offs, hanging out between classes, and music. So of course you’re going to want to impress, and nothing beats a silk press. Affectionately known as silk press season, fall is the perfect time to let your strands shine. The key to any great press is prep: Start by clarifying your scalp with a scrub or detoxifying shampoo, then follow with a moisturizing conditioner. With clean hair, move on to the star of this routine: SheaMoisture Silk Press in a Bottle, a light cream with bond strengthening technology and Amla oil that nourishes your strands without weighing them down.
Movement is non-conditional with a silk press. Unlike other styles, this one is meant to feel weightless. Silk Press in a Bottle is formulated with plant-derived actives to hydrate and smooth the cuticle from the inside out. It’s also a powerful heat protectant, safeguarding the hair up to 410°F. Use it before you style on damp hair, making sure to coat your hair from root to tip — a little goes a long way. Then sit back and marvel at the shine.
The Springy Curl Queen
With a new year in session, you might want to change up your wash-and-go. Enter SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie, the perfect update to your curly hair routine. While some curl products focus on hydration or long-lasting hold, this one strikes a balance, giving you the best of both worlds. It has a creamy texture and is packed with botanically derived oils. Plus, it includes silk protein, which smooths and conditions dry ends.
Even better? You don’t need much to get the look. A dime-sized dollop for looser curls or a two-finger scoop for denser textures is more than enough. It’s best to apply to damp hair and slowly work the product through your curls, ensuring each coil is coated and sealed. Then twist or braid your hair in sections and secure it with a silk scarf before sleeping. The next day, you’ll find defined, shiny curls full of body and bounce. You can also use the Coconut & Hibiscus Frizz Free Mousse to refresh and hydrate your curls throughout the week for longer-lasting results.
The Braids Babe
For many natural girls, fall brings a fresh start to braid season. Fall is crisp and inherently fashionable, so your braids should be too. This season, we’re swapping boho styles for cool knotless or designed cornrowed looks. Whichever route you choose, you’ll want a solid scalp care routine, with hydrating products like SheaMoisture Anti-Dandruff Serum and refresher sprays in your daily line-up.
The serum is designed for easy use with braids and is formulated with key ingredients to reduce itchiness and flakes. Think skin care favorites like niacinamide and glycerin known to strengthen the scalp’s moisture barrier. The precise dropper bottle and tapered tip are ideal for braided styles and reaching hard-to-access parts of the scalp, even the tiny ones used in stitch styles or Fulani braids.
The Bob Believer
There’s no denying the allure of a sleek bob. It’s classy, effortless, chic, and timeless — in other words, the perfect way to kick off fall. But even the most easygoing styles benefit from a little prep. A consistent routine is key to keeping your style intact. Before reaching for your blow-dryer or flat iron, start wash day with a moisture-rich treatment to help keep hair hydrated throughout the heat-styling process. The SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque is a great place to start.
The formula delivers rich, deep hydration, making it especially suited to thicker textures. Shea butter helps nourish and soften, while Mafura and baobab oils condition strands without leaving them feeling weighed down. After cleansing, apply the masque to damp hair and comb it through from root to tip, letting the treatment infuse strands with moisture before rinsing. Once hair is prepped, blow-dry with a concentrator nozzle to help smooth the hair, then reach for your flat iron to create that sleek, polished finish. From there, the choice is yours: lightly bump the ends for a cute flip, or keep things sleek and straight with a few drops of dry oil for extra shine.
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