Calling all curlfriends. You’ve probably all been caught up in using heat-free techniques, like hair peeling, to get the voluminous curls of your dreams and have discovered expert-approved tips for creating a wash-day regimen. Now is the time to discuss the best products to keep your curly hair healthy and thriving.
There are many factors to consider before determining which hair products work specifically for you. While we would love to see the day when there would be a list of must-have curly hair that every curlfriend I would swear by, it’s important to figure out what works best for your hair texture. Celebrity hairstylist and founder of Veluer Creative Michel Duenas and Cataanda James, natural hairstylist and brand educator for The Mane Choice, shared tips with Seventeen on the needs of curly hair and the best curly hair products to keep your spirals healthy.
What should you look for in curly hair products?
Humidity, humidity, humidity! Curly hair thrives on moisture. According to Dueñas, products formulated with moisturizing ingredients, like argan oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, avocado oil and hyaluronic acid, nourish and hydrate strands. These types of ingredients are important because they “enhance the elasticity of your strands for easier detangling,” James said. It also minimizes breakage and promotes length retention.
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What should be avoided in products for curly hair?
When looking for moisturizing products, it’s also important to watch out for formulas that can harm hair. “Sulfates are detergents that can strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle,” Dueñas explained. Alcohols are another ingredient to avoid as well, as alcohol can cause dryness, leading to brittle and brittle hair. While some alcohols get a bad rap, benzyl alcohol is a helpful preservative that Dueñas says “has no ill effects” on hair.
How to define the textures of curly hair?
There is a wide range of hair textures, ranging from numbers 1 to 4, with three different categories, A to C, to represent each individual hair type. According to Dueñas, 3A hair represents loose, voluminous curls, while 4C hair is the tightest, most coiled texture.
What kind of shampoo should I use for curly hair?
Removing dirt, product buildup, and natural oils from the hair and scalp is essential to maintaining healthy hair, and it all starts with shampooing. It’s also important to use a shampoo that cleans the curls without risking damaging them. Dueñas suggests sulfate-free shampoos because sulfates strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry, brittle, and possibly prone to breakage. Instead, the Veleur Creative founder suggests mild shampoos because they “deliver moisture and don’t strip oils.”
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DevaCurl NO-POO ORIGINAL Zero Foam Cleanser for Rich Hydration
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Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo
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H2Oh! Hydration Therapy Deep Cleansing Shampoo
What is the best conditioner for curly hair?
Curly hair thrives on moisture. According to Dueñas, curly hair is naturally dry and often prone to frizz. Using conditioners enriched with hydrating ingredients like argan oil, aloe vera gel, and coconut oil locks in moisture and fights frizz. James adds that moisturizing products like conditioners “enhance elasticity,” which helps simplify the detangling process, minimizes breakage, and promotes length retention.
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H2Oh! H2Oh! Hydration Therapy Hydrating Conditioner
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Rce Amino + Shea Curl Defining Conditioner
Does deep conditioner help curly hair?
Every now and then your curly mane needs a little extra TLC. Deep conditioning treatments are more hydrating than conditioners, like those recommended by our experts, while replenishing your strands with extra moisture.
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Ouidad anti-frizz moisturizing mask
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Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
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adwoa beauty Baomint™ Deep Conditioning Treatment
How do Curl Creams work on curly hair?
When it comes time to do your hair, curl creams are a must. The trusty product helps define curls while moisturizing and protecting against frizz. Dueñas recommends curl creams because they’re “essentially hold conditioners” and “the perfect combination for your hair to retain” its curls.
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Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Ultra-light styling cream
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Aveda be curly™ curl enhancer
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It’s a 10 Coily Miracle Curl Cream
What other products does curly hair need?
While there are several products that all curly hair needs to thrive, there are plenty more that can be used depending on your styling preferences. If you live for wash-and-go styles, alcohol-free gels are an easy way to get the look you want and make it last. Dueñas says the alcohol-free gels help “lock your curls in shape and control frizz without drying them out.” If you’re looking to prevent breakage, James recommends serums to repair and help promote stronger hair. To bring out your curls without risking air-drying frizz, diffusers are a great tool suitable for curly hair to achieve fluffy, healthy-looking curls.
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Amika Curl Body Enhancing Gel
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The Mane Choice Ancient Egyptian Anti-Breakage & Repair Antidote Anti-Split Ends Serum
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DevaCurl DevaFuser Universal Diffuser For All Curlkind
Deputy Editor
Jasmine Washington is an associate editor at Seventeen, where she covers celebrity news, beauty, lifestyle and more. Over the past decade, she has worked for media outlets including BET, MadameNoire, VH1 and many more where she has used her voice to tell stories across various verticals. Follow her on Instagram.