12 Curly Hair Products Worthy Of All The Hype & Praise!
If you have curly hair, I’m sure you already know that it can come with its own set of challenges. Finding the perfect products for styling, washing, maintaining, and keeping it healthy can be difficult, to say the least.
Unfortunately, curly hair it’s more susceptible to frizz, breakage, and dryness. Not to mention, it tends to have a mind of its own… one day behaving, the next day having an all-out rebellion on your head!
So what’s the solution? What should you be using to get those curls poppin’? Well, this leads me to my ultimate list of curly hair absolute must-haves!
You see, I myself have naturally curly hair that’s made up of several completely different hair types and curl patterns on various sections of my head (3a, 3b, 3c, & 4a).
So finding the perfect concoction of products has not been easy. It’s like looking for products for three to four different people all at once.
Now on the plus side, my multi-textured (and typed) hair has given me insight into finding the best products for a variety of curly hair types & textures. Thus, allowing me to help curly girls in a multitude of hair ranges!
So, if you are a curly girl (2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, or 4C) in need of a little help, I’ve got you covered! From shampoos & conditioners to styling creams, butter, and leave-ins, I’ve rounded up top products to help you enhance those beautiful curls and flaunt that mane!
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Did You Know That Curly Hair Is More Prone To Dryness, Breakage, And Damage?
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Find Out Your Hair Type & Curl Pattern
First, we must determine your hair type. Hair types are broken down into four groups. The products in this article will work for Types 3, 4, and 2C.
- Type 1 = Straight
- Type 2 = Wavy & S-Shaped (Some Spiraling)
- Type 3 = Curly (Ringlets, Spirals, Corkscrews)
- Type 4 = Coily/Very Curly (Tight S-Pattern or Z-shape/Zigzag Shape)
Second, we must identify the approximate diameter of your waves, curls, or coils. This is broken down by letters A, B, & C. With A meaning widest, B meaning medium diameter, and C meaning tightest.
- 2C= S-shaped waves that start at the root and can have some spiral curls too. It can also be coarse, thicker, and prone to frizz.
- 3A= S-shaped curls where the diameter of the curl is close to the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk.
- 3B= The diameter of the curl is similar to a marker.
- 3C= The diameter of the curl is similar to that of a pencil or a straw.
- 4A= Tight S-shaped coils and curls, around the diameter of a crochet needle.
- 4B= Z-shaped tightly angled bends rather than curls or coils
- 4C= Very tight zig-zag patterned hair that is more fragile, and has the least amount of definition.
Pro Tips To Care For Your Curls…
2C Curly Gals:
Ladies, who are 2C’s, your hair is susceptible to frizz so styling with your fingers is best. It also needs moisture and could benefit from a deep conditioner once a week. Your goal is to reduce frizz while defining your waves & curls without weighing them down.
3A, B, & C Curly Gals:
Those of you that are 3’s (3A, 3B, 3C), likely suffer from dryness, frizz, and occasional tangles. Additionally, keeping your curls defined can be difficult.
Your goal is frizz control, consistent hydrating, gentle detangling, and defining your curls with staying power.
- Scrunch your curls for more definition.
- To reduce frizz, after applying your styling products (while it’s drying), avoid touching your hair too much.
4A, B, & C Curly Gals:
Ladies who are 4’s (4A, 4B, 4C), your main concerns are usually dryness, occasional tangling, and shrinkage. Your goal is moisturizing consistently, gently detangling, strengthening, and reducing shrinkage.
Next Steps:
Now that you have an idea of your goals based on your hair type & curl pattern, keep your eyes out as you continue reading below.
This list of curly hair must-haves contains specific products that can address each of your concerns and goals! Just look for your number and letter in the descriptions.
Top 12 Curly Hair Must-Haves: Products For Styling & Washing… Get Perfect Curls Every Single Time!
Always on the lookout for curly hair-perfecting products, with patience, trial, and error, I came up with a few must-haves for maintenance and styling.
Products that have helped me to enhance, define, and perfect my curls, all while keeping them healthy (preventing breakage & frizz) and hydrated! So if you’ve been looking for the best products for naturally curly hair, look no further!
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1) Best Shampoo & Moisturizing Conditioner Combo For Curly Hair
OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo & Conditioner Set
When it comes to the basics, this is my go-to shampoo and conditioner combo. No matter what, this duo always stays in my shower, making it one of my top curly hair must-haves!
As mentioned earlier, curly hair is more prone to dryness and breakage, so one must be mindful of this when selecting products.
The good news is this shampoo and conditioner help with these issues. Both are infused with argan oil, a vital oil capable of penetrating the hair shaft with needed moisture. Argan oil also seals the shaft, thereby protecting your hair from further breakage.
You’ll love how soft these two leave your hair! And if your curls currently suffer from any damage, you’ll definitely notice powerful repairing and strengthening benefits on your parched tresses from using this power duo! Suitable for 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, & 4C.
Read More + Check The Price On Amazon
2) Best Detangling Conditioner For Curly, Thick, & Unruly Hair
Pantene, Sulfate and Paraben Free Gold Series Moisture Boost Conditioner with Argan Oil
I love my curls, but yes, my hair does get tangled very easily (usually by day 2 or 3). Can you relate?? And sometimes out of sheer laziness, I’ll admit, I don’t always comb through the curls each day.
Often I’ll just brush over the top and twist it up into a bun. But after a few days, I’ll end up with a MAJOR situation on my hands!
This conditioner is the ONLY THING, and I mean THE ONLY THING that saves the day!! The Pantene Gold Series Moisture Boost Conditioner will detangle hair like nobody’s business and is truly a little miracle worker!
I’ve never found a conditioner untangle quite as easily and quickly as this one! Guaranteed, you will genuinely be shocked at how fast and effortlessly it works!! Suggested for 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, & 4C.
Read More + Check The Price On Amazon
PRO Tip: You’ll see it packaged HERE in another bottle for natural, transitioning, and relaxed hair. It’s basically the same thing only in a new package/bottle. I’ve used and LOVE both versions.
3) Best Deep Conditioner For Curly Hair In Need Of Some Extra TLC
OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Intense Moisturizing Treatment
Whether it’s from heat styling your hair too often, the effect of harsh chemicals, or the drying impact of the weather, our curls can always benefit from a weekly deep conditioner. Not to mention, it’s a great way to keep your hair healthy and in its best condition.
So, if you want to bring life back into those curls or keep them looking their absolute best, this is a weekly option to consider!
Simply leave it on for about 5 minutes and rinse as normal. Soft, hydrated curls have never been easier to achieve!! Suitable for 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, & 4C.
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4) Best Hair Mask Treatment For Penetrating Very Dry Or Damaged Curly Hair
Ogx Extra Strength Hydrate & Repair Argan Oil Of Morocco Hair Mask
Now I personally find this mask to be a bit more powerful than the OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Moisturizing Treatment. It works exceptionally well on the ends of your hair if they seem a tad rough or dryer than usual.
For me, this mask is like bringing out the Big Guns! If nothing seems to be helping my ends, this one without fail will get them in their tip-top form again.
Have you tried many products and absolutely nothing seems to help your ends? Do you have dry, damaged, or brittle hair?? Scoop this mask up; it aims to please! Suggested for 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, & 4C that is dry.
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5) Best Overall Moisturizer & Styling Cream For Curly Hair
OGX Hydrate & Repair + Argan Oil of Morocco Creamy Hair Butter
This is the first product I use when I get out of the shower! It serves as a base coat that preps my hair before applying other styling products.
What you’ll love is that it smooths, softens, fights frizz, and hydrates hair without being overly oily. I recommend it for textures 3A and up (3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, & 4C) as a hair prep moisturizer.
A little bit can go a long way, and it doesn’t take much to see the effects of it! It can be left in or washed out, but I suggest leaving it in for taming that frizz.
Lastly, it’s infused with argan oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, and shea butter, all essential ingredients for MEGA moisturizing!! And as we’ve already established, moisture is key for healthy curls, Beauties! So don’t skip this step.
Read More + Check The Price On Amazon
PRODUCT UPDATE: The Argan Creamy Hair Butter (recommended above) has become very difficult to find online and in stores which is incredibly annoying.
So, if you are having trouble finding it, another alternative I sometimes use instead is the OGX Quenching + Coconut Curls Curling Hair Butter. However, unlike the Argan Creamy Hair Butter, I don’t recommend it for fine or thin curly hair.
Read More + Check The Price On Amazon
6) Best Richly Hydrating Styling Cream For Curls
Pantene Butter Crème Hair Treatment, with Argan Oil, Sulfate-Free
Generally, I use this product on my 3C-4A section of hair. I wouldn’t recommend it for fine hair as it could leave it looking a bit on the oily side.
It’s heavier and richer than the OGX butter, but it also works well for prepping your hair before applying other styling products. It will give you some serious frizz control and long-lasting moisture!
A few other perks are that it’s sulfate-free, contains moisture-locking glycerin, and may be used on curly or straight hair. A little bit of this also goes a long way, so you don’t need much. Recommended for 3C, 4A, 4B, & 4C.
You’ll love how it keeps your curls soft, silky, and defined without any crunchiness!! Crunch, crunch, crunch….crunchy curls went out in the ’90s…lol thank goodness! Unlike baby hair, let’s hope they don’t make a comeback…lol
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7) Best Softening & Detangling Milk For Curls
Pantene, Detangling Milk Hair Treatment, Sulfate-Free, Pro-V Gold Series, for Natural and Curly Textured Hair
After using the OGX Butter or the Pantene Butter Cream (if the humidity is high, I use both), I then will use this product as a secondary prep step. It’s not heavy, so it can be used on many textures and curl types (2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, & 4C).
This product smooths the hair cuticle, reduces frizz, and of course, detangles!!
It won’t weigh your hair down like many other products on the market. You can apply a few pumps to your hair and comb through it with ease. If your hair goal is achieving defined, soft, hydrated curls, give this one a go!
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8) Best Curly Girl Repairing & Detangling Leave-In Conditioning Spray
Pantene Conditioning Mist Detangler
This spritzer works great immediately post-shower, especially if your strands tend to get a little messy or tangled after a quick towel dry. Just quickly spray all over your hair for lightweight smoothing, softening, and detangling benefits!
This is my favorite spray hands down!!! It’s also fabulous for freshening up those curls after a few days, giving them a new defined shape and bounce!
Not to mention, it contains damage-fighting anti-oxidants that help to protect your lovely tresses and minimize protein loss! Suggested for 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, & 4C.
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9) Best Hydrating, Repairing, & Style Prepping Leave-In Spray
SheaMoisture Manuka, Honey, & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Multi-Action Leave-In
Now, this spray is made up of honey, shea butter, yogurt, mafura & baobab seed oils and is ideal for anyone with very brittle or dehydrated hair.
Additionally, if you suffer from split ends and breakage, it will help to significantly reduce both by strengthening the hair shaft.
It does everything from prep to hydrate, repair, prevent frizz, add shine, condition, smooth, strengthen, and protect your curly strands!
Spray a little extra on your ends to keep them from splitting! Can be used on 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, & 4C hair!
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10) Best Curl Defining Styling Product For Curly Hair
SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie 16oz
For defined curls with soft yet effective holding power, this product is a must for styling! Plus, you don’t need to use much, which is fabulous since it means one container will last you quite some time (many months).
Neem oil and coconut oil will hydrate your strands and control frizz while silk protein smoothes & shapes them into perfect ringlets or spirals.
The texture of this product is on the thicker side, so I would not recommend using it on fine hair. However, for thicker or coarser textures, this smoothie will banish frizz, humidity, and poof like no other!
I use this one regularly, and it is a top favorite of curly girls and beauty editors alike! Great for 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, & 4C hair!
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11) Best Leave-in Conditioner For Curly Hair
SheaMoisture Strengthen, Grow, & Restore Leave-In Conditioner
This product strengthens, conditions, and styles all at the same time! It provides a lighter hold than the previous curl-enhancing smoothie but is sure to give you bouncing, soft, touchable curls!!
This leave-in conditioner contains castor oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and peppermint.
With this powerhouse of ingredients, it banishes frizz, locks in moisture, protects, and improves elasticity for more manageability and conditions, making this an excellent buy for soft-to-the-touch curls!!
Also worth mentioning, castor oil and peppermint oil are scalp-stimulating ingredients, so it’s easy to see why this leave-in assists with super healthy hair growth!! Great for 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, & 4C hair!
Please note: Not everyone likes the smell of this product, but I personally think it smells fine, sort of sweet. Some have mentioned that it smells like candy or a bit like playdough. Of course, if the smell bothers you, you can mask it with some of the other yummy-smelling products mentioned in this article. I never rely on just one product for my curls and think most reviewers who were bothered by the smell probably used this product solo.
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12) Best Twisting Cream For Curly Hair
Creme of Nature Honey Moisture Whip Twisting Cream
Oh, how I love this twisting cream for two-strand twists and braid-outs!!! It contains honey, which is a natural humectant that draws moisture into the hair strands, leaving them super hydrated!
Two of its other vital ingredients, shea butter and coconut oil work to nourish your mane with an ultra moisture-infusing boost!!
If you are looking for a product to elongate your curls, reduce shrinkage, and give them a healthy shine, this cream works wonders!! Best for some 3B’s, 3C, 4A, 4B, & 4C.
Please note: This cream is rich, so you don’t need much, and it should probably be avoided if you have fine hair.
Read More + Check The Price On Amazon
New Curly Hair Must-Haves (Additions):
As exciting new products hit the market and I dive into new experiences, I’ll be updating this space regularly. So, don’t forget to swing by and explore, Curly Beauties!!
Best Styling & Shaping Cream That Banishes Frizz
Pantene Curl Affair Curl (Re) Shaping Cream
For those of you with thin or fine curly hair, get ready to fall head over curls for this amazing cream!
It’s the perfect alternative to products #5 and #6 for gals like you, that will have your hair saying, “Where have you been all my life?!”✨ It won’t weigh your hair down or get greasy, hard, or crunchy!!
Instead, it grants you luscious, soft as-a-cloud, frizz-free curls that refuse to quit!! The best thing is you can use it for multiple days if you need to. It makes reshaping those curls a total breeze!
Though my hair is pretty thick, I still use this product and apply it right after I get out of the shower. I’m absolutely obsessed with how it effortlessly smooths my hair, leaving it feeling deeply hydrated and completely grease-free. It boasts a powerful blend of hair-nourishing ingredients, including omega 9 and argan oil which promote healthier hair. Suggested for 2C, 3A, 3B, & 3C.
Read More + Check The Price On Amazon
What’s My Curly Hair Routine?
Just in case some of you would like to know the order in which I use these curly hair must-haves, I have included this section. It features each step in my curly hair routine process.
- Shampoo
- Condition
- Apply detangling conditioner, comb with a wide-tooth comb in the shower, & rinse out.
- Next, I apply Argan Creamy Butter to the top, sides, & ends of my hair.
- (Optional) I only apply Pantene Butter Cream when dealing with significant humidity.
- Spray Detangling Leave-In lightly all over.
- I then add some Detangling Milk along the full length of my hair.
- Apply a touch of the smoothing Leave-In Conditioner to the length of hair.
- Next, I take the Curl Enhancing Smoothie and apply it to the length, ends, and areas where I tend to get frizzy.
- Lastly, I apply just a touch (dime to nickel size) of Pure Honey Cream lightly through the body of my hair, avoiding too much near my roots. I then do 2 strand twists on my bangs & braid the rest of my hair back into one big braid, letting it air dry.
Extras: I use the Shea Moisture Manuka, Honey, & Yogurt Leave-In, when I run out of my Pantene spray. And once a week, I use either the OGX Argan Hair Mask or the OGX Argan Intense Moisturizing Treatment for a deep conditioning treatment.
Curly Hair FAQs
Is coconut oil good for curly hair?
Absolutely yes!!! Coconut oil contains hair-nourishing fatty acids and vitamin E, giving you softer, stronger hair while sealing in moisture. It also reduces protein loss.
You see, our hair is made up of protein. When protein loss occurs, our hair becomes more fragile, damaged, and weaker. And everything we do to our hair on a daily basis from dying to styling and washing damages that protein.
How can I keep my curly hair from going frizzy?
- Avoid overwashing your hair; this strips your hair of the natural oils it needs to fight that frizz!
- Start doing a weekly deep conditioning treatment.
- Dry hair with a microfiber towel as opposed to a traditional towel. This way, there is less friction for your hair cuticles, and as a result, less frizz.
- When you get out of the shower, dry your hair, quickly twist it up, and wrap it in a towel rather than rubbing it with a towel. This allows some of the water to be absorbed without you having to engage in rubbing or friction that could cause frizz.
- Don’t let it dry too much with that towel, before applying your hair products, though. Generally, curly hair products work best while hair is still quite wet. What I like to do is while my hair is drenched in water, having just gotten out of the shower is to briskly wrap it up with my towel, just long enough to dry my body off. It’s probably on my head for less than 3 minutes before I take it off and start applying the OGX argan creamy butter and detangling leave-in spray. This cuts down on frizz big time and helps elongate my curls.
- And of course, use the curly hair product must-haves mentioned in this article.
Is Pantene good for curly hair?
I remember back in the early 90’s a rumor going around that Pantene wasn’t good for your hair. I can’t speak to how it was back then, but I can tell you with confidence that the products I use made by Pantene have drastically improved the condition of my curls. Worry not; you will love how healthy your hair begins to look and feel!
Curly Hair Products & Must-Haves: The Wrap-Up!
I hope all you curly girls enjoyed this round-up of curly hair must-haves!! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
Remember, the key to finding products for curly hair is to focus on those that will hydrate, reduce breakage, minimize frizz, and define those curls.
Luckily, each of these twelve mentioned goodies can do all of that and more! Try them out, and you’ll be happy you did!
What’s your favorite curly hair product? Do you have any absolute must-haves you regularly use for your curly hair routine? Would love to hear from you; comment below!
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