Best Curly Hair Products Guide
The curly hair product aisle is overwhelming. Hundreds of options, all promising perfect curls. Some cost $5, some cost $50. How do you know what actually works? After years of trial and error and talking to countless curly-haired people, here's what I've learned about finding products that deliver.
Building a Curly Hair Routine
Most successful curly routines follow a similar structure: cleanse, condition, style, and maintain. Each step has multiple product options, and the right choice depends on your specific hair type and needs.
Step 1: Cleansing
Curly hair doesn't need to be washed as frequently as straight hair—the natural oils have a harder time traveling down the twists and turns, so buildup happens more slowly. But when you do cleanse, you have several options.
Sulfate-free shampoos clean without stripping natural oils. They're the go-to for most curly people on regular wash days. Look for gentle surfactants like cocamidopropyl betaine or decyl glucoside. These remove dirt and some buildup while preserving moisture.
Co-washes (conditioner washes) skip shampoo entirely. You use a cleansing conditioner that gently removes dirt while adding moisture. Co-washing is popular among very dry or coily hair types that can't tolerate any stripping. However, it may not remove all product buildup.
Clarifying shampoos are the deep cleaners. They have stronger surfactants (sometimes even sulfates) that remove stubborn buildup from products, hard water minerals, and oils. Use clarifying shampoo occasionally—every 2-4 weeks—to reset, followed by deep conditioning.
Many curlies alternate between cleansing methods: sulfate-free shampoo one wash, co-wash the next, clarifying monthly. This balance keeps hair clean without over-stripping or under-cleansing.
Step 2: Conditioning
This is where curly hair gets its moisture. Never skip conditioning—even if you co-washed, regular conditioner adds additional moisture and slip for detangling.
Regular (rinse-out) conditioner detangles and adds surface moisture. Use every wash. Apply generously, detangle with a wide-tooth comb or fingers while conditioner is in, then rinse. Some people rinse completely; others leave a little in for extra moisture.
Deep conditioner (or hair mask) penetrates the hair shaft for intensive moisture. Use weekly or bi-weekly depending on your hair's needs. Apply to clean hair, add heat if possible (shower cap plus warm towel), leave for 15-30 minutes, then rinse.
Leave-in conditioner provides ongoing moisture and protection between washes. Apply to damp hair after washing before styling products. Essential for most curly types, especially anything 3B and tighter.
Step 3: Styling
Styling products define curls, control frizz, and help your style last. The key is finding the right combination for your hair type and desired result.
Curl creams provide moisture and light to medium hold. They're great for definition without crunch. Best for looser curls (2C-3B) or when you want soft, touchable curls. Can be heavy for fine or wavy hair.
Gels provide stronger hold and maximum definition. They create a "cast" that you scrunch out once dry for defined, frizz-free curls. Don't fear the crunch—it's supposed to happen; you break it up after. Gels work for all curl types.
Mousses add volume and light hold. They're excellent for fine curls that get weighed down by heavier products. Mousse gives lift at the roots without the heaviness of creams.
Custards and puddings fall between creams and gels—more hold than cream, more moisture than gel. Good for curls that need both.
Oils and serums seal in moisture and add shine. Apply after other products to lock everything in. Use sparingly to avoid greasy results.
Ingredients to Look For
Understanding ingredients helps you make informed choices and troubleshoot when products don't work.
Glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture to hair. It's in many curly products. However, in very humid or very dry climates, glycerin can actually cause frizz—it pulls moisture from whatever source is available, including humid air.
Shea butter provides rich moisture and some hold. Excellent for thicker, drier curls. Can be too heavy for fine or wavy hair.
Coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft for deep conditioning. Great as a pre-poo or mask ingredient. Some people find it causes buildup; others swear by it.
Aloe vera moisturizes and helps define without weight. Good for most curl types. Also soothes the scalp.
Protein ingredients (keratin, silk proteins, hydrolyzed wheat protein) strengthen hair by filling gaps in the hair structure. Important for damaged hair, but too much protein can make hair stiff and brittle.
Ingredients to Consider Avoiding
These aren't universally "bad" but don't work for many curly people.
Sulfates strip natural oils. Not always bad—clarifying sometimes needs them—but daily sulfate use dries most curly hair out.
Non-water-soluble silicones coat hair and can cause buildup if you're not using sulfate shampoo to remove them. If you're sulfate-free, look for water-soluble silicones (ending in -conol or -col) or avoid them entirely.
Drying alcohols (alcohol denat, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol) evaporate quickly and can dry out curls. Avoid these in leave-in products. Note: fatty alcohols (cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol) are actually moisturizing and fine.
Mineral oil and petrolatum create barriers that can block moisture absorption. Some people use them successfully to seal, but many find they cause buildup.
The "Curly Girl Method" (CGM) avoids sulfates, silicones, and drying alcohols. It works well for many people but isn't the only path to healthy curls. Don't be afraid to modify based on what YOUR hair needs.
Products by Curl Type
General guidelines based on curl pattern:
Wavy (Type 2): Lightweight everything. Mousse or light gel for hold. Avoid heavy creams and butters that flatten waves. Look for volumizing products. You might not need leave-in conditioner, or use just a spray version.
Curly (Type 3): Medium-weight products work well. Layering usually helps—leave-in conditioner, then curl cream or custard, then gel. The LOC method (liquid, oil, cream) or LCO (liquid, cream, oil) helps lock in moisture.
Coily (Type 4): Rich, moisturizing products are essential. Heavy creams and butters that would flatten wavy hair are often necessary for coils. Oil sealing helps retain moisture. Products marketed for "natural hair" often target this category.
How to Test New Products
Don't overhaul your entire routine at once. Introduce one new product at a time so you can tell what's working and what's not. Give each product at least 3-4 uses before judging—hair sometimes needs time to adjust.
Pay attention to how your hair feels both wet and dry. Good products make hair feel soft and moisturized when wet, and defined without being crunchy when dry (unless you haven't scrunched out gel yet).
The Bottom Line
Finding your perfect products takes experimentation. Start with the basics—a good conditioner and one styling product—then add as needed. Pay attention to how your hair responds rather than what works for others. Your curls are unique, and your routine should be too.
After years of heat damage and chemical treatments left my 4A curls lifeless, I dedicated myself to learning everything about natural hair care. Now I help women embrace their natural texture with science-backed tips and real-world advice. When I'm not researching the latest in hair science, you'll find me mixing DIY hair masks in my kitchen.