The best curly hair products are the ones that match your curl type and how dry your hair gets. Most routines need five basics: a gentle sulfate-free shampoo, a rich conditioner, a leave-in, a styler such as curl cream or gel, and a deep conditioning mask now and then. Start there and change one product at a time.
Curly hair is naturally drier than straight hair, because scalp oil has a harder time travelling down every bend of the strand. That's why moisture and a gentle touch matter more than any single miracle bottle.
Below I've covered each product type, what it does, who it suits and the well-known brands people look at first. I haven't ranked brands, because what suits tight coils can weigh down fine waves. Use this as a map, then test.
Know your curl type first
Hair stylists often describe curls with a numbers-and-letters system that runs from 2A to 4C. It isn't perfect, and many people have more than one pattern on their head, but it gives you a useful starting point when you read product labels and reviews.
- Type 2 (wavy): 2A is a loose, barely-there wave. 2B has a clearer S shape. 2C is a defined wave that starts to curl at the ends.
- Type 3 (curly): 3A forms loose, bouncy loops. 3B has springy ringlets. 3C is tight, corkscrew curls.
- Type 4 (coily): 4A has small, defined coils. 4B bends in a zigzag pattern. 4C is very tightly coiled and shrinks a lot when it dries.
Two other things matter as much as curl pattern. Porosity is how easily your hair takes in and holds moisture. Density is how many strands you have. Fine, low-density hair usually likes lighter products. Thick, coily hair often likes richer creams and butters.
The main curly hair product types
Sulfate-free shampoo
Cleans your scalp without stripping as much natural oil as a traditional foaming shampoo. It suits most curly and coily hair, especially if your ends feel dry. Brands often mentioned here include Briogeo, which is known for its Curl Charisma range, and SheaMoisture, which is known for shea butter formulas you can find in many shops.
Co-wash
A co-wash is a cleansing conditioner. It removes light build-up with very little lather. It suits dry, thick or tightly coiled hair, and anyone who finds shampoo too harsh. Kinky-Curly and Cantu both have well-known cleansing conditioners.
Rich conditioner
Conditioner is where curly hair gets slip, which helps you detangle without snapping strands. Look for something thick and creamy if your hair is dry or coily, and lighter if it's fine. SheaMoisture and Not Your Mother's both make curl-focused conditioners that are easy to find.
Leave-in conditioner
A leave-in stays in after you rinse. It adds a thin layer of moisture and helps curls clump together. It suits almost every curl type. Kinky-Curly is known for its Knot Today leave-in, and Cantu is known for its shea butter leave-in range.
Curl cream
A cream defines curls, tames frizz and adds softness. It suits wavy to coily hair that wants definition without a crunchy finish. Heavier creams usually work best on thick or coarse hair, while a light cream is a safer start for fine waves. Not Your Mother's Curl Talk range is a well-known drugstore option.
Gel
Gel holds your curl shape as it dries, so it fights frizz and helps definition last. It suits most curl types, and it's a good pick for humid days. Many people scrunch it in on wet hair and let it dry hard, then gently break the cast with their hands. Ouidad is known for gels made for hot, humid weather, and Bounce Curl is known for a light-hold gel.
Mousse
Mousse is lighter than gel and adds volume at the root and body through the curl. It suits fine or wavy hair that falls flat under heavier stylers. Apply it to wet hair and scrunch.
Oils
Oils seal moisture in and add shine. They don't add water, so use them on damp hair or over a leave-in. They suit dry ends and thicker hair. Go light, because too much can weigh curls down and leave them greasy.
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Deep conditioning mask
A mask is a stronger conditioning treatment, used on wash day and left on for the time shown on the label. It suits dry, coloured, heat-styled or damaged hair. Ouidad and Briogeo both have popular masks, and SheaMoisture sells a few in its range too.
Diffuser and microfibre towel
These aren't products, but they protect your results. A microfibre towel or an old cotton T-shirt cuts frizz that a rough bath towel creates. A diffuser spreads warm air gently so curls dry without being blown apart. Keep the heat low and the setting soft.
Where to start for your curl type
| Curl type | Products to start with |
|---|---|
| 2A to 2C (wavy) | Light shampoo, light conditioner, mousse or light gel. Skip heavy butters and oils. |
| 3A to 3B (curly) | Sulfate-free shampoo, medium conditioner, leave-in, curl cream plus gel for hold. |
| 3C (tight curls) | Rich conditioner, leave-in, cream-gel combination, a deep conditioning mask each week or two. |
| 4A to 4B (coily) | Co-wash or gentle shampoo, thick conditioner, leave-in, butter or rich cream, oil to seal. |
| 4C (very tight coils) | Moisture-heavy routine: co-wash, mask, leave-in, cream, butter and oil. Detangle only when wet and slippery. |
A simple wash-day routine
- Detangle gently with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb before you step into the shower, or while the conditioner is in.
- Wet your hair fully, then shampoo your scalp only. The suds will clean your lengths as you rinse.
- Apply conditioner from mid-length to ends. Detangle in sections, then rinse most of it out.
- Add a mask on some weeks. Leave it on for the time on the label, then rinse.
- While your hair is still wet, apply leave-in conditioner, then curl cream, then gel. Use the praying-hands method or scrunch upwards.
- Squeeze out extra water with a microfibre towel. Don't rub.
- Air dry, or use a diffuser on a low heat setting.
- When your hair is fully dry, gently scrunch out any crunch to reveal soft curls.
Give any new routine a few weeks before you judge it. Changing five things at once makes it impossible to tell what helped.
Ingredients many curly-haired people avoid
These aren't bad for everyone, so treat them as things to watch rather than hard rules.
- Sulfates: strong cleansers such as sodium lauryl sulfate foam well but can leave curly hair feeling dry. Some people with oily scalps get on fine with them.
- Drying alcohols: short-chain alcohols like alcohol denat. or isopropyl alcohol can dry out hair. Fatty alcohols such as cetyl and stearyl alcohol are different and are often moisturising.
- Heavy silicones: some silicones coat the hair, which adds slip but can cause build-up and block moisture. Water-soluble ones wash out more easily. Check the label if your curls feel coated.
If your hair feels dry, limp or weighed down, look at your ingredient list first. If you have a scalp condition, a sensitivity or an allergy, check with your doctor or a trichologist before you try something new.
If you're thinking about opening your own salon, here are seven steps to start a hair salon business. And if you run a beauty brand and want to share what you know, here's how to write for my beauty section.
Make a curly hair product? See how to get it featured on this list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best product for curly hair?
There isn't one best product, because it depends on your curl type and porosity. A rich conditioner and a leave-in are the most useful pair for most curly hair, with a gel or cream for definition.
How often should I wash curly hair?
It varies. Many people with curly hair wash once or twice a week, while others co-wash more often. Go by how your scalp and curls feel, not a fixed rule.
Do I need sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair?
Not always. Many curly-haired people prefer sulfate-free because it's gentler and leaves hair less dry. If your hair is oily or builds up product, an occasional stronger cleanse can help.
Should I put gel on wet or dry hair?
Wet. Gel works best on soaking-wet or damp hair, so it can form a hold as curls dry. Wait until your hair is fully dry before you break the cast with your hands.
