Navigating the world of hair products for curly hair can be treacherous! After all, a wrong turn and the perils you face are frizz, dryness and impossible tangles. As many women with naturally curly hair or salon curls have discovered, the blessing of pretty waves and loops in your tresses can quickly become a curse when you make your hair angry with the wrong products.
Keeping your curls as gorgeous as a siren’s takes some work, and more importantly, a little bit of know-how. When shopping for hair products for curly hair, be aware of two things.
1) That the worst enemy of curly hair – whether in the wavy, curly or kinky category – is dryness, since it leads to frizz and breakage. Dryness is the reasons so many are switching to the “no-poo” or “low-poo” method of curl care, which prescribes avoiding traditional shampoos that are loaded with the sulfates that usually strip and dry hair on contact.
2) That some curly hair can be protein-sensitive, meaning that if you use certain protein-heavy products, they can leave your hair feeling coarse over time, and your curls feeling weighed-down. The key to shopping for products for curly hair that contain protein is to focus on moisturizing proteins, like rice or soy, to help your curls maintain their shine, volume and bounce.
We’ve done our research. Across several popular curly hair sites, here are some of the highest reviewed hair products for curly hair to get you started.
Lather Your Locks…
DevaCurl Low-Poo Cleanser
The coconut-derived low-sudsing formula means your hair maintains its hydration even with daily use. And the starfruit and mango scent is simply bliss. I have friends that swear by this line of products. Get more info >>
MOP C-System Hydrating Shampoo
This shampoo that uses organic ingredients is rich with vitamins, fruit extracts and other moisturizing botanicals… while being sulfate-free! Girls across the web are proclaiming that soft, swishy curls are the result here. Get more info >>
Matrix Sleek-Look Smoothing Shampoo
And if you’re more comfortable with something that’s salon-engineered, here’s a great product by Matrix with a patented formula focused on easing frizz, locking in moisture and smoothing hair so that it’s manageable – a trifecta of effects you want on your curly hair. Get more info >>
…And Show Them Off!
DevaCurl Set it Free
Refreshing and citrus-scented, this spray-on formula contains beeswax and olive oil to lock moisture into your curls, reduce frizz, and hold the bounce in their shape for up to 48 hours. Get more info >>
Redken Fresh Curls Boost Gel
Want something with some science behind it? Redken spray-in boost gel utilizes their Elasta-Shield Complex, which was formulated for frizz control, shine, moisture-retention, resurfacing and – this is fun for your curls – “spring activation!” Get more info >>
Orofluido Beauty Elixir
And for something a little different and a lot more exotic, give this no-rinse elixir a try! It contains light argan oil, linseed oil, and cyperus oil that locks shine and body into your curls without weighing them down. With ancient Egyptian ingredients, it’s a touch of luxury for your curls! Get more info >>
Matrix Essentials So Silver Shampoo is specially designed for this type of coloring process, to keep the color bright.
