How to Care for Afro Hair in Portugal: Routine, Salons, and the Right Products
Weekly routine, products available in Lisbon, pre-poo techniques, post-braids care, and the best afro hairdressers in the country.
Afro hair has specific needs — deep hydration, vegetable oils, proper detangling techniques, and thermal protection. In Portugal, the availability of specialized products and hairdressers has grown significantly in the last 5 years, but knowing where to go and what to buy remains a challenge. This guide explains the essentials.
Types of Afro Hair (and Why It Matters to Know Yours)
The Andre Walker classification is the most commonly used:
- 3A/3B/3C — well-defined, medium, and tight curls
- 4A — very tight curls in an "S" shape
- 4B — zigzag hair, more densely compacted
- 4C — very coiled hair, appears to have no defined pattern — but it does
Your type determines the products that work best and the frequency of hydration. 4B and 4C hair need more lubrication; 3A and 3B benefit from lighter products to avoid weighing them down.
Recommended Weekly Routine
Once a week:
- Pre-poo (15-30 min): apply warm coconut oil or avocado oil throughout the length. Cover with a plastic cap.
- Wash with a gentle sulfate-free shampoo — Shea Moisture, Cantu, As I Am, or Inahsi (all these brands are available in Lisbon)
- Hydrating mask (10-15 min) — Aussie 3 Minute Miracle (affordable), Mielle Babassu (premium)
- Condition and detangle first with fingers, then with a wide-tooth comb
- Apply leave-in + styling cream
- Seal with oil (jojoba, argan, or castor)
Every day:
- Before bed: braid into two loose braids, cover with a satin or silk cap
- In the morning: refresh with water from a spray bottle + leave-in
Products You Can Find in Lisbon
Most international brands are available in multicultural stores or through Portuguese e-commerce:
- Physical stores in Lisbon — Almirante Reis, Mouraria, Centro Colombo (ethnic cosmetics stores), Setúbal
- Online — Curlsmith.pt, Glamourlife.pt, Kulto
Brands we recommend for price-quality:
- Shea Moisture — versatile, with dedicated lines (Coconut & Hibiscus for 3A-3C, JBCO for 4B-4C)
- Cantu — affordable, found in pharmacies and supermarkets
- As I Am — coconut cleansing conditioner is a classic
- Mielle Organics — premium, ideal for low-porosity
- Pure shea butter — sold in African grocery stores at half the price
Protective Styles: Braids, Twists, and Box Braids
Braids protect the hair for 4-8 weeks, but do not replace care:
- Before doing: hydrate 2 days prior; wash and detangle well
- During: spray with a mixture of water + leave-in conditioner every other day. Apply oil to the scalp (jojoba or castor) 2x/week
- After: do not rush to remove. Apply abundant oil, unravel gently, and do a hydrating mask immediately
How Much It Costs to Do Hair in Portugal
Average prices (Lisbon, 2026) at a quality afro hairdresser:
- Medium box braids — 90 to 150 EUR (depends on length)
- Knotless braids — 120 to 200 EUR
- Faux locs — 150 to 250 EUR
- Twists or flat twists — 70 to 120 EUR
- Deep hydration treatment — 25 to 45 EUR
- Simple cut — 15 to 30 EUR
Almost all hairdressers ask you to bring your own synthetic hair (it's cheaper to buy in a specific store than to pay the salon's markup).
Where to Find Good Afro Salons in Portugal
On E-migrantes, you can search for afro hairdressers and salons by area. The neighborhoods with the most options:
- Lisbon: Almirante Reis, Mouraria, Quinta do Lambert, Mem Martins, Tapada das Mercês
- Almada: Cova da Piedade, Almada center, Cacilhas
- Setúbal: historic center, municipal market
- Porto: Cedofeita, Bonfim, Campanhã
- Faro: Bairro Velho
Mistakes You’ll Want to Avoid
- Washing with sulfate shampoos daily — they dry out the hair
- Using a fine-tooth comb on dry hair — causes breakage
- Not sleeping with a satin cap — cotton pillowcases absorb moisture
- Waiting 4 months to remove braids — risk of breaking hair at the roots
- Using products with drying alcohol — Look for "alcohol denat." or "isopropyl alcohol" in the ingredient list
For Children’s Curly Hair
The method is the same, but gentler: sulfate-free shampoos for children, condition very well, always detangle with wet hair and leave-in, do loose braids for sleeping. Specialized afro salons for children charge between 25 and 50 EUR per session (including washing, hydrating, and styling).
If you know an excellent hairdresser who is not yet listed on E-migrantes, add them here — other mothers will thank you.