Curly hair is beautiful. Thankfully, we’re living in a time when coily, wavy, and kinky strands are more accepted and embraced than they’ve been before. With that acceptance has come increased knowledge. And most importantly, a wider selection of products specifically tailored to address the unique needs of curly hair.
Curly hair is more delicate than straight hair and requires different levels of maintenance. The tighter the curl or coil, the more fragile the hair actually is. Moisture and oils have an easier time traveling down straight hair than hair that is curly or even wavy, and retaining moisture is paramount to preserving the health of your curly hair.
With all of this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of products that will make life a little bit easier for all of the curly mamas — and their curly-headed kiddos — out there. Check them all out here.
Chocolate Kinks & Curls Cocoa Crème Clay Wash
chocolatekinksandkurls.com
This clay wash, made from bentonite clay, acts as both a shampoo and conditioner. The clay removes dirt and product buildup while leaving the hair pH balanced. In addition to the clay, this wash contains shea, aloe vera, jojoba, and avocado oil.
Camille Rose Curl Maker
Camille Rose.com
If you’re looking to add some definition to your curls, Camille Rose Curl Maker can do the job. This jelly includes aloe juice to provide moisture to the hair shaft and marshmallow root, a protein that will help smooth and detangle strands. One review says the product provides moisture without leaving curls crunchy and hard.
Majesty Luxurious Moisturizing Shampoo
Amazon
The entire Majesty brand prides itself on catering to all hair types. And healthy and strong hair begins with clean hair. What’s special about this shampoo is that as it’s cleansing, it’s also detangling and hydrating. It has a rich lather and contains noni, marula, and grapeseed oils for moisture.
Mielle Coil Sculpting Custard
Mielle Organics
Mielle products are a staple in many curly girls’ bathroom cabinets. And for good reason. The company’s products work for a variety of hair types and contain many natural ingredients, like avocado oil, coconut oil, and even buruti fruit. the Coil Sculpting Custard promises to hydrate, provide definition. and give your curls a luscious sheen and shine.
Mane Choice Ancient Egyptian Anti-Breakage & Repair Antidote Hair Mask
The Mane Choice
This one is for the girls with the tightest curls. If you use the hair type chart, we’re talking 4C. This restorative mask is for those who may be struggling with dryness, split ends, and breakage. It’s a conditioning mask, containing Kalahari, oleaster, mongongo, and baobab oils, and is to be applied after a shampoo, worked through the hair and left in for 15 minutes while you sit under the dryer.
Mixed Chicks Clarifying Shampoo
Mixed Chicks
They say that healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. And the hair needs to be clean to flourish. Mixed Chicks clarifying shampoo will help get them both beautifully clean. It works on all textures and its rich lather, which contains avocado, ginger, and mallow leaf extracts, works to remove product buildup.
Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls
Miss Jessie’s
For those of you who have just decided to stop straightening your hair or have portions of your hair that are straight from years of heat damage, Miss Jessie’s has a whole line for you. The Pillow Soft Curls styling lotion will allow you to achieve static-free big or small curls. It has a soft hold and won’t leave your ringlets flaky or crunchy.
As I Am Jamaican Black Castor Oil Water
As I Am Naturally
In between washes, it’s still important to find a way to infuse moisture into your hair. As I Am Jamaican Black Castor Oil Water is a great way to do so. You can use this to pre-treat your hair before you wash and condition. Or you can use it to revitalize and soften dry hair. The product helps make detangling easier, and castor oil is known for reducing breakage.
VIP Luxury Hair Care Greaux Hair Drops
Vip Luxury Hair Care
If you find your hair is thinning in some areas, the Greaux (pronounced grow) drops can help return your hair to its former luster. This hair oil contains a mixture of essential oils and extracts that repair and protect hair, as well as stimulate damaged hair cuticles, increase oxygenation, add moisture, and prevent breakage. These drops are to be applied to the hair two to three times a week and every day in problem areas.
Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Conditioner
Maui Moisture
This creamy conditioner from Maui Moisture contains guava oil, mango butter, and coconut milk to nourish and condition dry hair. It’s silicone-free and safe to use on color-treated hair. You can use this conditioner after cleansing. Work it through your hair, let it sit for five minutes, and then rinse it out.
Aussie Miracle Curls Leave-In Detangling Milk
Target
Curly hair is notorious for tangling, matting, and even knotting if you’re not careful. So it’s vitally important that before you do anything to it, you comb it out. Aussie’s detangling milk will help make this tedious job less agonizing. It includes coconut milk, jojoba oil, and more, to keep curls moisturized and smooth.
Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Tropic Isle
Jamaican Black Castor Oil is a tried and true remedy for moisture and hair growth from the root. This oil contains a fatty acid and helps detoxify the skin scalp by promoting blood flow. It may also help with the production of collagen, which strengthens hair.
FHI Heat UNbrush
Amazon
When you get to the work of detangling your curly hair, you’ll want to do it with a brush that is specifically designed to handle your curls. As someone who uses this brush on my son’s hair, I can vouch for not only its ease of use and effectiveness, but also in the gentle way it gets the job done.
Conair The Curl Collective Diffuser 4 Curly to Coily
Target
Using heat in your styling routine can be a potentially damaging undertaking. But with a diffuser, you can dry your hair while still maintaining its integrity. Conair has a diffuser for each curl type. This particular one is best for curly and coily hair. It helps to dry your hair quickly while simultaneously reducing frizz.
Xtreme Hair Gel
Target
When you want to achieve a slick style, whether it’s a bun, some braids, twists, or even laying down your baby hairs, you’ll need gel for that. With all the work you’ll have done to define and strengthen your curls, you’re going to need something with a strong hold to keep those coily strands down. Xtreme gel does just that without leaving flakes or crunchiness, and it will hold your style in place all day.
