From S-shaped waves to spiralled coils, there is a broad spectrum of shapes, textures and styles to consider when it comes to curly hair, and no matter where you fall on the hair type chart, your natural pattern deserves to be celebrated.
'Some of the biggest misconceptions that I hear about curly, coily, and kinky hair relate to how it performs versus straight or wavy hair', says celebrity Hairstylist and curls expert Vernon François. 'Myths like, the more intense your curls are, the harder they are to manage, that kinks and curls are harder to style, that at-home upkeep is more intensive and that the range of hairstyles on offer is limited. But in fact, the the reverse is true.'
If you feel as though you're constantly contending tangles and knots, it's time to change your haircare routine - from shampooing to conditioning, and treatments to styling, we've compiled a rundown of the best products on the market, suitable for every curly hair requirement going. Dry, damaged hair? We've got you covered. Oily scalps? No sweat. Hair feeling lacklustre and loosing its shiny definition? There's a serum for that. So for professional recommendations, team Grazia favourites, and the high street's bestsellers, keep scrolling.
Finding the best products for your hair type all begins with knowing your curl pattern. Use the link below to decipher yours:
READ MORE: Know Your Curl Type: The Ultimate Guide to Curl Patterns
The Best Shampoos For Curly Hair
Just like any other hair type, curly hair needs to be thoroughly washed to get rid of the grime that can build up on the scalp. However, choose your products wisely. Over-washing and the wrong shampoo can dry out porous hair, and thirsty curls love hydration, it's what helps them hold their shape. Look out for shampoos that have essential and natural oils in the ingredients list.
READ MORE: How To Figure Out Your Hair's Porosity, And Treat It Accordingly
Best Shampoos For Curly Hair
Amika, Normcore Signature Shampoo, £14
Best For: Curly Hair Shampoo On The High Street****Types: All Hair Types Infused with coconut acid to gently break down grease and impurities and omega 7-rich sea buckthorn for elasticity, this delightfully scented shampoo is perfect for colour-treated, Brazilian-treated and keratin-treated hair.
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo for Curly Hair, £7.33
Best For: Thick, Curly Hair Types: 3 and 4 Curls A gentle, sulfate free shampoo, formulated with nourishing Coconut Oil, Shea Butter and silk protein for bouncier, happier curls. looking. Expect a rich lather from this moisturising shampoo, inspired by an original handcrafted African recipe.
Bouclème Hydrating Hair Cleanser, £15
Best For: Fine Hair Types: All Hair Types Bouclème are curl specialists, so you can trust their hydrating wash to nourish and strengthen without stripping back the hair shaft, making it a great choice for fine hair. Fortified with Coconut, Mongongo and Camellia Oils, this isn't a typical lathering shampoo, but more of a cleansing rinse.
Curlsmith Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash, £21
Best For: A Quick Wash and Go Types: 3 and 4 Curls If you don't have time for a 3 step wash day routine, this shampoo-meets-conditioner is a 2 in 1, saving you time in the shower. As it conditions the hair while washing, hair is softened, moisturised and easier to detangle. Plus, it's gentle enough for everyday use.
Vernon Francois, Premium Shampoo For Curly Hair, £62
Best For: Luxury Curly Hair Shampoo****Types: 3 and 4 Curls Already a hit in the US, Vernon's range is behind some of the A-lists most famous curls, from Lupita Ny'ongo to Angela Basset. His Sulphate free shampoo is formulated with Shea butter to increase softness, olive oil for glossiness, and natural antioxidant - tea tree oil, unclogs follicles.
Imbue. Curl Liberating Sulphate Free Shampoo, £8.99
Best For: Taming Frizz Types: 3 and 4 Curls Formulated with Coconut and Cupuaçu to gently cleanse curly hair, Imbue's formulas are also scalp friendly to cleanse without irritating your sensitive skin.
Christophe Robin, Luscious Curl Conditioning Cleanser, £33
Best For: Greasy Hair Types: 2 and 3 Waves and Curls A feather-light, foaming cleanser that imparts moisture without overloading on weighty oils. Massage into roots for a squeaky clean, naturally boosted shine with shea butter and chia seed extracts.
Bread, Hair Wash Gentle Milky Hair Cleanse, £18
Best For: Sensitive Skin Types: 3 and 4 Curls and CoilsA nourishing blend of botanical oils and plant extracts infused with argan oil to moisturise and soften often brittle textured hair. Mineral-rich aloe vera juice cools, and balances the scalp and reduces inflammation, so if you experience, dry, sensitive scalps. this is the delicate wash for you.
Noughty, To The Rescue Moisture Boost Shampoo, £6.99
Best For: Banishing Split Ends Types: all Hair Types Totally free from parabens, silicones, sulphates and petrochemicals, you can trust Noughty to get right to the good stuff for your hair. This rescuing shampoo contains almond oil, wheat amino acids, sunflower seed extract and vitamin E to repair damaged hair with an intensely moisturising finish.
Gisou, Honey Infused Hair Wash,
Best For: Strength and Shine Types: 2 Waves If you've already treated your hair to the Gisou oil, add the shampoo to your routine for a regime of honey infused goodness. This gentle and hydrating wash rinses away sebum, pollution and dirt for a fresh and floral scented finish with impressive shine.
The Best Conditioners For Curly Hair
Curly hair can easily lose shape and definition without a good conditioner, and the key to bouncy, defined curls with minimal static is detangling gently. Hydrate hair by following up your wash with a hardworking conditioner, and while the hair is still damp, comb through with a wide toothed comb to tease out knots, and gently scrunch back to encourage shape. Particularly dry or type 4 afro hair can also benefit from a leave in conditioner, massaged in and left and to naturally dry.
Best Conditioners For Curly Hair
Briogeo, Curl Charisma Rice Amino and Shea Curl Defining Conditioner, £54
Best For: Curl Definiton Types: 2 and 3 Waves and Curls An ultra-hydrating conditioner to define and de-frizz with moisturising shea butter and sweet almond oils without weighing down hair.
Ouidad Curl Immersion No-Lather Coconut Cream Cleansing Conditioner, £36
Best For: Stronger Strands Types: Type 4 Kinky Curls Designed with the spiral structure of curly hair in mind, the Coconut Cream Cleansing Conditioner supports fragile hair that feels dry after damage. Coconut Oil helps protect hair from further breakage and promotes healthy growth, while Rosemary and Sage Oils refresh and cleanse.
Living Proof, No Frizz Leave In Conditioner, £22
Best For: Fighting Frizz****Types: Type 2, 3 and 4 Waves and Curls This cream formula imparts an extra boost of moisture for frizz-prone hair types. Powered by the brand's patented 'Healthy Hair Molecule', it is designed to actively block humidity more effectively than oils, creating the perfect barrier against environmental grime and pollutants too.
ORIBE Priming Lotion Leave-In Conditioning Detangler, £35
Best For: Luxury Curly Hair Conditioner****Types: All Hair TypesThe ultimate, luxurious solution to detangling. this lightweight lotion is infused with a hydrating blend of Murumuru, Mango and Cocoa Seed Butters to loosen knots, and Olive, Avocado and Jojoba Seed Oils to lock moisture all day.
Trepadora, Babassu Quench Leave-In Curl Primer, £27
Best For: Boosting Shine Types: 3 and 4 Curls 'Expect nothing less than supreme shine, definition and scent from Trepadora's range of curl products, and one of my personal favourites is the Babassu Quench primer. Use on damp hair for perfect, bouncy curls, that smell incredible.' Remy Farrell, Fashion and Beauty Assistant.
Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Condition, £8.99
Best For: Curly Hair Conditioner On The High Street****Types: Type 4 Kinky Curls Although it has been used for decades, the properties of Jamaican Black Castor Oil are now being widely discussed. SheaMoisture's leave in conditioner uses the oil to repair coloured, permed, straightened and heat damaged hair by moisturising and supporting elasticity, while Peppermint Oil leaves the scalp feeling tingly clean.
Dizziak, Deep Conditioner, £22
Best For: Locking in Moisture Types: Types 3 and 4 Kinky Curls Dizziak's ingredients list reads like a hit list of curly hair saviours. Quinoa Protein to penetrate and strengthen the hairs shaft, Babassu oil to promote elasticity and stimulate follicle growth, Coconut and Argan oil to seal in moisture, Aloe Vera to cleanse, and Shea butter to soften. There's a reason this cult favourite comes highly recommended.
Moroccanoil Curl Enhancing Conditioner, £19.95
Best For: Colour Treated Hair Types: All Hair Types Argan and Abyssinian oils make this curl-enhancing conditioner one to add to your list. Vegetable proteins strengthen and protects for glossy results., so expect weightless curls with ultimate bounce and minimal frizz.
Mielle Organics, Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner, £12.96
Best For: Reversing Damage****Types: 4 Afro and Textured Curls This heavy duty, deep conditioner is a rich, creamy, lotion for hair that needs a little TLC. Enriched with fatty acids and natural oils. hair is fed with the nourishment it needs to reduce frizz, breakage and fly-aways.
The Best Styling Products And Treatments For Curly Hair
Once washed, conditioned and refreshed, keep curls glossy and defined with nourishing masks, cremes, serums and gels, that will hold your shape throughout the day. Don't forget to add a layer of heat defence before using styling tools too, as direct application of heat can weaken the hair shaft. Heat caps and steamers used used sparingly, though, are a great way to open the cuticles of your hair and help products better permeate, resulting in happier, healthier curls.
Best Treatments and Styling Products For Curly Hair
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector, £26
Best For: Damaged and Dry Curls Types: 2 Waves, and 3/ 4 Curls Olapex is known for its salon quality strength, and this weekly at-home treatment softens the texture of particularly dry and damaged hair by rebuilding bonds. into your wash routine for shiny, smooth results.
Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food Banana 3-in-1 Dry Hair Mask Treatment, £6.99
Best For: Curly Hair Treatment On The High Street****Types: All Hair TypesThis deep conditioning treatment can be used in 3 ways: as a conditioner, a rinse-out hair mask or leave-in conditioner, as the buttery, vegan formula melts into hair to moisturise with banana and shea butter.
Davines, Love Curl HAir Mask, £23
Best For: Dry Hair Types: 2 and 3 Waves and Curls Noto almond extract is the hair-strengthening protein behind this creamy formula. Also packed full of moisturising fats and zingy green citrus, this mask effortlessly detangles and hydrates without leaving heavy residue.
Pacifica Pineapple Curls Refresher Mist, £17
Best For: Lacklustre Hair Types: 3 and 4 Curls, Coils and Kinky Hair Revive curls with a spritz of this refreshing mist. Beat frizz, hydrate hair, and improve definition with this vegan and cruelty-free spray, with added linseed and B5 for stronger strands.
Afrocenchix, Seal Natural Hair Oil, £17
Best For: Strength and Shine Types: 4 Afro Hair Fight breakage with this Castor, Coconut and Jojoba Oil blend that emulates the natural sebum produced by the scalp to keep afro hair healthy and hydrated.
ghd, Curly Ever After Hold Spray, £18.95
Best For: All Day Hold Types: 2 and 3 Waves and Curls You might think of straighteners when it comes to ghd, but for supreme hold when styling, this lightweight spray is a defence against heat damage and keeps frizz at bay. Spritz onto damp hair before drying with a diffuser for bouncy curls.
Aveda, Be Curly Enhancer, £23
Best For: Plant Based, Vegan Formulas Types: All Hair Types Apply to towel-dried hair and finish drying with a diffuser for enhanced hold without the crunchy texture that comes with a lot of gels. The clever wheat protein formula expands when hair is wet, then retracts when hair is dried to lock in curl pattern.
Cantu Moisturising Curl Activator Cream, £7.99
Best For: Achieving Smooth and Soft Hair Types: 3 and 4 Curls A rich, smooth cream to enhance the natural curl pattern and create volume (without frizz). The shea butter formula leaves hair feeling impossibly soft without being greasy.
OUAI, Fragrance Free Curl Creme, £25
Best For: Styling On the Go Types: 2 and 3 Waves and Curls Heralded as the it-product behind the effortlessly tousled, 'french girl' style, this finishing cream is perfect for defining curls and protecting them against humidity. First applying like a cream, it melts into an oil - a frizz-smoothing blend of chia and linseed oils that will layer perfectly with your other hair products.
Charlotte Mensah, Manketti Oil Pomade, £36.40
Best For: Softening, Styling and Setting Types: 4 Afro Curls Charlotte Mensah's now legendary Manketti Oil comes in a liquid bottle, or the brands balmy pomade. Use as the finishing product to give curls shine and softness, but also to quench thirsty scalps and tidy edges.
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