Best Products for Curly Hair

Curly hair has been having its moment these past few years and I couldn’t be more thrilled. What started out as a love/hate relationship with my hair has turned into only love, and I now find so much joy in embracing my natural texture. The right products are essential for curly hair, and in a market flooded with options, it can be hard to decide what works best. Many years, and many products, later and I think I’ve finally found the best products for curly hair. I’ve tried a lot of products over the years, and I’ve loved a lot of them. However, for the sake of time, I’ve curated a list of my absolute favorites. Here are the best products for curly hair!

Best Creams

Early on, I figured out that cream based products typically work best for my hair type. They provide enough hold and frizz protection without leaving a harsh and crunchy residue. When I look for a curl cream, I look for something that is nourishing, that smells good, and that is either completely crunch-free or can be easily softened.

Cantu Coconut Curling Cream

This is my current favorite leave-in product. I scrunch about a dime sized amount into my damp hair and let it air dry for best results. It gives my hair a nourishing hold without leaving my strands crunchy. It further activates my curl pattern which is always a plus. The fresh coconut scent is also perfect for summer.

Davines LOVE/ Curl Controlling Cream

This is a pricer product, but a little goes a long way. I use about a dime sized amount in damp hair and either let it air dry or diffuse on low. The result is a soft and bouncy curl texture without the dreaded crunch. It smells amazing and it enhances and revitalizes my natural curl pattern.

Garnier Fructis Air Dry Curl Defining Cream

This is a little bit of a nostalgia choice. This curl cream by Garnier Fructis is the first leave in product that I ever used and all these years later, it still remains a solid choice. A little of this formula goes a long way, and a dollop of this combed through damp hair leaves my curls feeling soft and defined.

Best Gels

While I usually prefer a cream based product, there are a few gels that live rent free in my mind. These products give a stronger hold than a cream, but don’t turn my curls to stone.

Deva Curl Wave Maker

This is a fruit scented, light hold, gel that gives my hair the perfect amount of definition. It holds up well in humidity, and leaves my hair soft and shiny. I do occasionally experience a bit of crunch with this product, but when that happens I just scrunch my curls and the product softens.

Miss Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls

This is a soft hold curl gel that leaves my curls looking defined without the harsh crunch associated with traditional gels. It has a fresh scent that can be a little polarizing, but I love the crisp smell. It reminds me of laundry detergent in the best way.

Best Shampoo & Conditioner

Shampoo and Conditioner are products that I rotate the most. I love changing up the scents and the brands to bring a little variety to my haircare. Because of this, I’ve tried a lot of different curl shampoos, both of the drugstore and salon varieties. I’ve ultimately found that my favorite formulas smell fresh and provide moisture without weighing down my texture.

Shay Moisture Curl and Shine

This is one of my favorite curl shampoos. It gives my curls definition while keeping them soft and bouncy. This shampoo, and its matching conditioner, also cleanses my hair without stripping any moisture. It also smells like a tropical getaway which keeps the summer vibes going strong all year long.

Deva Curl Low Poo Original

Deva Curl Low Poo is a great cleansing shampoo that cleanses without stripping hair of any oils or moisture. I love the “Low Poo” version because it gives a tiny bit of lather that I find is easier to work into wet hair. This is the perfect shampoo to use as a weekly clarifier, or as a regular shampoo if maintaining moisture is a key concern.

L’Oreal Paris Everpure Curl

This is one of my favorite drugstore shampoos. L’Oreal’s Everpure line is color safe, sulfate-free, gentle, and hydrating. This shampoo leaves my hair feeling clean and healthy, and it smells like a luxury salon brand. I love that it adds definition and moisture to my hair without weighing it down or leaving a heavy residue.

Best Texture Sprays

When I want to go for a messier/beach look, I love to use a salt spray to create that extra texture and volume.

R&Co Watermelon Wave Spray

This product is on the pricier side, but a little goes a long way. I’ve had the same tiny bottle for a few months now and I still have more than half left. It’s like hairspray in the sense that the more you spray the harder it holds, so less is definitely more. I spray about two to three spritzes into damp hair and it gives the perfect amount of texture.

Sun Bum Texturizing Sea Spray

The Sun Bum Texturizing Sea Spray is one of my absolute favorite drugstore products for curly hair. This salt spray gives the perfect amount of beach-y texture to my curls and leaves me looking like I spent the afternoon by the water. It creates a soft and casual hold, but it can be a little drying after repeated use.

Xx, M