From leave-in creams to lightweight gels
While wearing your hair au naturel has never been cooler, those of us with curly or wavy hair know that letting our kinks loose with abandon is easier said than done. Although genetics determine the formation of our curls, the products we use can make all the difference when it comes to shiny, bouncy, and frizz-free curls and coils.1
The bottom line: Look for products that help you embrace your natural texture and are specially formulated to give your curls what they need. To help narrow down your search, we tried out some of the highest-rated curl products—from styling creams to smoothing oils and leave-in conditioners—that cater to a range of curl types, hair concerns, and budgets. Our testers rated how well these products lived up to their claims, and we combined these results with our thorough product research to compile this list.
Ahead, find the best hair products for curly hair.
Best Overall: Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave-in Defining Crème
Coming in at the top of our list is this leave-in cream from Briogeo, which works double duty to both define and humidity-proof your curls. The formula is infused with rice amino acids and avocado oil to help your hair retain moisture and reduce frizz, and the creamy texture is lightweight and doesn’t ever flake or feel sticky. Also nice? This cream is made with 96 percent naturally-derived ingredients and contains no dyes or silicones, so it’s safe to use on all hair types.
Byrdie contributor Bianca Lambert took it for a spin and gave it a perfect five-star rating. “My curls were not only soft to the touch but defined, and the moisture lasted all week,” she writes. Needless to say, she was impressed.
Best Budget: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk
Coconut oil is this leave-in conditioner’s secret ingredient, which works to detangle and hydrate. Ideal for letting your hair air dry, it’s a major time saver. Curls are left soft and swingy, protected from frizz and humidity. The natural formula includes ethically-traded ingredients that are also sustainably produced.
Best Shampoo: Kérastase Curl Manifesto Shampoo
This shampoo formula checks all of the curly hair shampoo boxes. It’s sulfate-free, first and foremost, so you don’t have to worry about it stripping away your natural moisture. The creamy formula cleanses super gently, and it contains hydrating ingredients (manuka honey and ceramides) to keep your curls in tip-top shape. Plus, it’s a good option for wavy, curly, or very curly hair.
Best Gel: AG Care Curl Re:Coil Curl Activator
As the name suggests, this curl-friendly gel formula helps define, strengthen, and moisturize coils so they look and feel their best. It’s not overly heavy on the hair, and it’s a salt-free formula which helps to make it less drying. To use, apply a small amount through damp hair and dry your hair as usual. Then, wait for the compliments to roll in.
Runner-Up, Best Gel: Alodia Haircare Moisturize & Define Curling Cream Gel
A gel that defines your curls without leaving them dry and flaky? Yes, please! This hydrating cream-gel hybrid adds shine, moisture, and hold without any of the stickiness or stiffness associated with gels. It’s great when you want to wash-and-go or for styles, such as buns and ponies. It works equally well on wavy, curly, and coily textures.
Best Cream: Ouidad Curl Quencher Hydrafusion Intense Curl Cream
Think of this curl cream as nutrient-rich food for your curly hair. It’s ideal for tighy curls, and it’s formulated with sweet almond oil to keep them nourished. It coats every last coil with intense moisture to eliminate frizz and dryness. Instead, your curls will look instantly defined and feel super soft.
Best for Fine Hair: Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream
Having fine hair and curls can be tough since many defining creams can weigh them down. But not this gem from Moroccanoil. The featherweight formula is infused with argan oil to calm frizz and refine ringlets, all without ever feeling greasy or sticky. It works its magic to bring on the bounce for all curl types, from waves to tight coils. Plus, it restores elasticity, making hair more manageable.
Best Diffuser: DevaCurl DevaDryer and DevaFuser For All Curl Kind
When you have curly hair, you may find that the hair dryer can be your enemy. For instance, if you apply too much heat, you could contribute to a damaged, frizzy result. But now there’s an entire industry around maintaining healthy curls, resulting in products like this diffuser. It attaches to the end of your hairdryer (try ionic dryers to cut drying time in half) and coaxes stunning ringlets out of hair.
Best Detangler: Kinky Curly Knot Today Detangler
Say goodbye to knots that lead to breakage and grow your hair longer and stronger with this herbal conditioner, which is formulated with organic ingredients like slippery elm, marshmallow root, lemongrass, and mango fruit extract. The name says it all: Those with kinky curly hair know that wash day can be a time-consuming task, but the slip in this moisturizing product makes detangling a breeze by smoothing the cuticle and removing knots. Use it as a traditional rinse-out conditioner for those with waves and loose curls, or try it as a leave-in for those with tighter textures.
Best Relaxing Balm: Phyto Phytodéfrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm
Another great way to tame coarse, flyaway hair is to use a relaxing balm. This one by Phyto helps to loosen the curls so they start to straighten, but not so much so that you lose texture or volume. You’ll love the lightweight consistency that won’t leave your hair feeling greasy.
Best Co-Wash: Kristin Ess Frizz Management Cleansing Co-Wash
Celebrity hairstylist Kristin Ess (known for her work with Lauren Conrad, Lucy Hale, and more) has a line of affordable, high-quality hair products that we recommend giving a try, and this co-wash is at the top of the list. Rather than using traditional shampoo, this hydrating formula cleanses, detangles, and softens—all without stripping curls of their natural moisture. (Oh, and it’s choice for combating frizz, too.) And while it’s ideal for those with curly hair, this is a great option for anyone whose hair is on the drier side.
Best Deep Treatment: Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner
Give your hair some extra love with this deep conditioning treatment, which boasts a clean formula filled with natural and plant-based ingredients. The stars of the show are oils (sunflower seed and baobab seed) that add a hefty dose of moisture but are still lightweight enough that they won’t weigh down your hair. Also nice: Leave it on for five to 10 minutes to reap those deep conditioning benefits. If you’re in a rush, you can also use it as a traditional conditioner. Bonus points for the light, peach scent, which is naturally derived.
Best Leave-In: Pattern Leave-In Conditioner
Actress Tracee Ellis Ross created Pattern specifically to fulfill the unique needs of those with curly hair. All of the products consistently pull in rave reviews, but, if you’re going to try just one, make it this leave-in, a true hero SKU that gets tons of five star reviews. It hydrates, seals in moisture, and detangles, while also helping to enhance curl definition. Top tip: Apply it all over while hair is still soaking wet.
Best Pre-Wash Treatment: Nexxus Curl Define Ultra-8 Pre-Wash Treatment
Okay, so you don’t need to use a pre-wash treatment, but it can be a good way to give your curls a little extra care. What’s unique about this one is a proprietary blend of proteins specifically meant to target the needs of curly hair (which, FYI, has a different composition of proteins than straight hair). Work this into wet hair and let it sit for five to 10 minutes to do its thing—namely strengthen, moisturize, soften, detangle, and elongate your curls—then shampoo and condition as usual.
Best Oil: Living Proof Curl Moisturizing Shine Oil
Make this fast-absorbing finishing oil the final step of your styling routine. Just a few drops help to smooth and fight frizz while also adding mirror-like shine—for all curl types. Credit a blend of five different oils, plus the fact that the formula is silicone-free, so you don’t ever have to worry about it weighing down your hair.
Final Verdict
Our favorite product for curly hair is the Briogeo’s Curl Charisma Rice Amino Avocado Leave-In Defining Cream. The rice amino acids and avocado oil will help your hair retain moisture, which reduces the risk of frizz and damage. The Pattern Leave-In Conditioner is our most-loved leave-in for curly hair, while the Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner is our favorite deep conditioner to reach for when your curls need some serious rejuvenation. For a budget-friendly pick you can snag at the drugstore, the SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk is a major time saver when it comes to air drying. Infused with coconut oil, it leaves curls soft, bouncy, and frizz-free.
What to Look For in a Product for Curly Hair
Make Sure It’s Curly Hair-Specific
First and foremost, make sure you choose a product that’s specifically formulated for curly hair. It sounds obvious but because curly hair is so different, using curl-specific products, including a hair dryer made for curly hair, if you use one, is paramount.
Moisturizing Ingredients
Hydrating ingredients are your curls’ best friend (think glycerin, shea butter, and natural oils). Because curly hair is naturally more prone to dryness than straight hair,2 the more hydration you can pack into your curly hair routine, the better. That being said, while curls do need a little extra care, they also need some downtime.
“Curly hair needs lots of attention, but it also needs to just be left alone. It thrives with the least amount of styling and manipulation,” notes Hardges. In other words, style them and then leave them alone—the less you touch and mess with them, the better.
Non-Drying Ingredients
Similarly, you’ll also want to make sure that any products you’re using are free of ingredients that can dry out your hair. This means things such as alcohol and sulfates are a no-go since the last thing you want to do is strip your curls of the moisture they do have. Opting for a sulfate-free shampoo is really important, so we recommend trying out the Kérastase Curl Manifesto Sulfate-Free Shampoo for Curly Hair.
FAQ
How does curly hair grow compared to straight hair?
“The follicles on the scalp that house the strand as it grows are flat and elliptical, which causes the hair strand to curl as it grows,” explains Leigh Hardges, stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. Further, that difference in shape is largely why curly hair needs more moisture and hydration; it makes it harder for the scalp’s naturally moisturizing oils to travel down the hair shaft.3
How should you layer hair products for curly hair?
According to hairstylist Larry King, those with curly hair should apply most products while the hair is still wet. Frizz begins as the hair dries, so keeping your products in the shower will give you the most defined results. Start with a curl cream, then scrunch a blob of mousse through the lengths to keep the curls defined and frizz-free.
How many products should you use on curly hair?
Curly hair only needs a few key products to thrive; don’t overdo it, or you might weigh your natural texture down. Other than shampoo and conditioner (or co-washing or whichever method works best for you), all you need is the aforementioned curl cream and mousse, as well as a refreshing spray to keep definition and bounce between washes and hairspray to hold any styling. Any other products are up to your individual needs.
