With its distinct texture and unique challenges, curly hair demands specially formulated styling products to maintain health and vibrancy. From battling frizz to locking in moisture, the right styling aids can seriously boost your curls' appearance and manageability. Hairstylist, educator, and texture expert Kurlified explains how to choose a styling product that caters specifically to curly hair.
Whether it's a curl-enhancing mousse or a deeply nourishing leave-in conditioner, these products are indispensable for anyone looking to bring out the best in their curly hair. Our buying guide covers everything you need to know, from moisturizing ingredients to the differences between a range of styling products. Don't miss our lineup of the best-selling styling products for curly hair from Amazon and other sites that will meet your needs.
Quick List - Top Styling Products For Curly Hair
Roux Laboratories, Inc.
A Mousse Perfect for Soft Wraps and Defining Curls
Sundial Brands LLC
An Ethically-Sourced Mousse That Provides Bounce and Shine
Kurlified, AKA Keyonna Tillman, is a hairstylist, educator, and texture expert specializing in treating, shaping, and styling curly hair. Her dedication to curly hair began with her own. As a little girl with massive curls, all she heard was, "Unmanageable! Untameable! Unbelievable!" And the only option available was a chemical straightener--a nasty, smelly solution that could have dissolved paint! This experience inspired her to teach one-on-one classes, educating future hair stylists on wet and dry cutting techniques, product application, and finishing techniques. Kurlified means undeniable confidence. Kurlified by Keyonna makes people feel great about their natural hair texture, no matter their desired style. Her goal is to make her clients feel like superstars! She strives to bring high energy, enthusiasm, professionalism, and a strong work ethic to every head of hair.
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Table of Contents
Unlike straight hair, curly hair lacks moisture naturally. Styling products provide additional moisture and hold to lock in the curls and eliminate frizz.
Curly hair demands careful attention and specific products tailored to its unique structure. Managing curly hair often means tackling inherent challenges such as dryness, frizz, and a pressing need for moisture. Typically, the scalp produces natural oils around the hair follicles that are absorbed into the hair shaft. However, the coils in curly hair prevent these natural oils from absorbing fully throughout the entire shaft, which can cause hair to become dry and brittle.
Without the right styling products, curls can lose their definition and bounce, appear lackluster, and tangle easily. Styling products for curly hair are designed to address these issues by providing essential moisture, enhancing curl definition, and controlling frizz.
One of the most common issues people have with their curly hair is finding the right products for their texture.
Someone with fine hair needs to give their curls volume without weighing them down, while someone with thicker hair will need maximum moisture.
Understanding these differences is vital to building an effective hair care routine that addresses both the health and appearance of your curls.
Leave-in conditioners are another helpful product for curly hair, as are light oils for shine and heat protectants (a great addition if you frequently use a diffuser).
Picking the right styling product for curly hair is no easy task. There are many factors to consider depending on the purpose you’re looking to meet, from hold to weight to hydration. This buying guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Since curly hair is naturally dry, it's best to avoid sulfates, which can cause your hair to become even more dry.
Choose sulfate- and silicone-free styling products to maintain your curly hair's health. Sulfates are harsh detergents that can strip natural oils from hair, leading to dryness and breakage. Silicones, while effective for smoothing frizz, can build up on the hair and scalp, eventually weighing down curls and preventing moisture from penetrating the hair shaft.
Other ingredients to watch out for include parabens, drying alcohol, waxes, and some mineral oils. Prioritizing products without these ingredients can ensure your curls remain healthy and free from unwanted residue. Avoiding these ingredients can also help maintain the natural vibrancy and elasticity of your curls, improving overall style maintenance and hair health.
All curly hair needs moisture. When choosing a styling product for curly hair, opt for those formulated with natural moisture-rich ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, and argan oil.
Other natural ingredients to look for include castor oil, avocado oil, and aloe vera. Products containing these hydrating ingredients can dramatically improve the manageability and appearance of curly hair, enhancing its natural texture and reducing the propensity for frizz. Check the ingredients list and choose products that list these near the top.
Different hair types benefit from different kinds (and sometimes different combinations) of products.
Gels will always give you more definition and hold than other products.
Gels come in a range of holds, from light to strong. A gel with a light hold can be great for finer textures, while one with a medium hold is better for curly textures. If you have Type 4 hair with a high-density texture, you'll want a gel with a stronger hold.
Don't be afraid to mix and match gels with varying holds to get the perfect combination for your hair. If you have Type 3 hair, you can be even more flexible; try mixing and matching gels with mousses for the best hold and definition.
As most gels contain alcohol-based ingredients, which can be drying, I recommend using a leave-in conditioner together with gels.
Mousses give a lighter hold with minimal product in the hair, resulting in a soft, airy bounce.
Mousses are perfect for those seeking enhanced volume. They provide lift and body without the weight of creams or oils. Mousses can work for all hair textures, but they work exceptionally well on hair with fine textures and looser curl types because these hair types often lack volume. In particular, people with Type 2 hair should consider mousses because they are lighter products that avoid heavy buildup.
Compared to gels, mousses provide a softer, lighter hold. So, if you're after a longer-lasting hold, gels are a better choice.
Creams provide more moisture, so they're great for high-density hair with coarser textures, which tend to dry out easily.
Creams smooth the hair shaft and lock in the styling effects of other products like gels or mousses, helping add moisture. They're particularly beneficial for those with medium to tight curls, which typically require significant moisture to look their best. If you have Type 4 hair, sticking to creams will help seal everything in to create a long-lasting style. Creams are also an excellent option for those who prefer less volume.
Creams provide little hold or definition on their own and work best when combined with other products, such as conditioners. Although creams can be used as styling products to eliminate frizz, when they eventually dry, they can open up the hair shaft, potentially leading to frizziness. It's best to use a light leave-in conditioner to provide additional moisture to the hair shaft, keeping it healthy and frizz-free, even when it's not styled.
If you have Type 2 hair, consider skipping heavy creams for a volumizing mousse or even a light gel for hold that doesn't weigh down your hair.
Fragrances and allergens can cause irritation in people with sensitive scalps.
For those with sensitive scalps, fragrance-free styling products are a must. They reduce the risk of irritation and allergic reactions, allowing you to style your hair comfortably and safely.
Also, if you are allergic, be sure to check for common allergens. Some products that advertise natural ingredients may contain gluten and wheat, and some contain nuts, which can irritate sensitive scalps.
People with chemically treated hair, in particular, often benefit from scalp-care ingredients.
Finally, consider products that offer additional benefits like heat protection or scalp care. These features can protect your hair from damage during styling and keep the scalp healthy, enhancing your curls' overall condition and appearance. Curly hair with coloring or that's undergone chemical treatment will benefit from combining moisture and protein to help rebuild the strands compromised by the harsh processing.
Tea tree oil is great for scalp health. Peppermint and rosemary oil are also excellent for scalp health, as they increase blood flow. Look for products with heat protectants or ingredients like these.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||||||
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Sulfate-Free | Paraben-Free | Silicone-Free | Moisturizing Ingredients | Product Type | Fragrance-Free | Additional Features | Amount | |||||
1 | Roux Laboratories, Inc. Lotta Body|Wrap Me Foaming Mousse | ![]() | A Mousse Perfect for Soft Wraps and Defining Curls | Coconut Oil, Shea Oil | Mousse | 7 fl. oz. | ||||||
2 | Dae, Inc Dae|Cactus Fruit 3-In-1 Styling Cream | ![]() | Multitasking Hydration for Polished Styles | Coconut Oil | Cream | Cactus Fruit | 5 fl. oz. | |||||
3 | Sundial Brands LLC SheaMoisture|Coconut and Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse | ![]() | An Ethically-Sourced Mousse That Provides Bounce and Shine | Shea Butter, Coconut Oil | Mousse | Hibiscus, Silk Protein, Neem Oil | 7.5 fl. oz. | |||||
4 | MASTER LINE DO BRASIL LTDA Skala Expert|Mais Cachos | ![]() | A Vegan, Curl-Defining Styling Product | Shea Butter, Castor Seed Oil | Cream | 35.2 oz. | ||||||
5 | OGX OGX|Moroccan Curling Perfection Defining Cream | ![]() | Moisturize and Define Your Curls With Natural Shine | Argan Oil | Cream | 6 fl. oz. | ||||||
6 | Cantu Cantu|Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream | ![]() | Reveal Frizz-Free, Bouncy Curls With Enhanced Shine | Shea Butter | Cream | 12 fl. oz. | ||||||
7 | Vogue International, Inc. Maui Moisture|Flexible Hold + Coconut Milk Curl Foam Mousse | ![]() | Lightweight Hold, Hydration, and Frizz Reduction for Curls | Aloe Vera | Mousse | Coconut Milk | 8.5 fl. oz. | |||||
8 | Ecoco, Inc. ECO Style|Olive Oil Gel | ![]() | An Alcohol-Free Gel With Nourishing Hold | Aloe Vera | Gel | Olive Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein | 16 fl. oz. | |||||
9 | Not Your Mother's Not Your Mother's|Curl Talk Defining Cream | ![]() | Frizz Control Without Any Harsh Ingredients | Castor Seed Oil | Gel | 9.7 fl. oz. | ||||||
10 | Mielle Organics Mielle|Rosemary Mint Hair Strengthening Edge Gel | ![]() | A Nourishing, Strengthening Gel Formulated for Edges | Castor Seed Oil, Coconut Oil | Gel | Peppermint Oil, Rosemary Oil, Biotin | 2 fl. oz. |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Coconut Oil, Shea Oil |
---|---|
Additional Features |
Product Type | Mousse |
---|---|
Amount | 7 fl. oz. |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Coconut Oil |
---|---|
Additional Features | Cactus Fruit |
Dae Cactus Fruit 3-In-1 Styling Cream is versatile and suitable for all hair types, offering a blend of smoothing, hydrating, and defining benefits. Formulated with various desert-derived extracts, including dragon fruit, prickly pear seed oil, and meadowfoam seed oil, this styling cream adds polish, shine, and moisture to styled hair while taming frizz and defining curls.
Users appreciate its multitasking nature, as it can be used to smooth styled hair, prep shiny blowouts, and enhance natural curls. Additionally, it’s vegan, sulfate-free, cruelty-free, and packaged in recyclable materials.
Product Type | Cream |
---|---|
Amount | 5 fl. oz. |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Shea Butter, Coconut Oil |
---|---|
Additional Features | Hibiscus, Silk Protein, Neem Oil |
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse is intended for wavy and curly hair types and offers various benefits for curly hair. With Fair Trade shea butter, this mousse helps define your natural curl memory and wave patterns. A blend of coconut and neem oil also controls frizz while adding shine to your hair.
SheaMoisture's commitment to ethical trade, sustainable production, and cruelty-free practices also ensures peace of mind for conscious buyers. Although not wholly fragrance-free, it is free from silicone, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, and petrolatum, so this frizz-free curl mousse is also easy on sensitive scalps.
Product Type | Mousse |
---|---|
Amount | 7.5 fl. oz. |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Shea Butter, Castor Seed Oil |
---|---|
Additional Features |
Skala Expert Mais Cachos cream is developed for curly, frizzy, or transitioning hair types. It focuses on hydration, strength, and curl definition. Its formula aims to avoid greasy residues, allowing curls to retain their natural shape without being weighed down.
It is vegan and excludes common hair care additives like sulfates, parabens, petrolatum, silicones, and mineral oils. Its primary ingredients are D-panthenol, shea butter, and castor oil, known for their properties in hydrating and detangling hair. These components are intended to prevent hair breakage, restore elasticity, accelerate growth, and enhance the hair's shine and softness.
Product Type | Cream |
---|---|
Amount | 35.2 oz. |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Argan Oil |
---|---|
Additional Features |
This curl-defining cream from OGX is a popular hair styling product designed to enhance and define curls while combating frizz. Formulated with cold-pressed Moroccan argan oil, this cream deeply moisturizes and nourishes hair, leaving it feeling soft, smooth, and shiny. It effectively tames flyaways and defines curls.
Product Type | Cream |
---|---|
Amount | 6 fl. oz. |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Shea Butter |
---|---|
Additional Features |
Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream is formulated to bring out and define your natural curl patterns, giving you volume and a glossy, frizz-free finish. Packed with pure shea butter and a blend of seven essential oils, it deeply nourishes and smooths your curls, whether you have Type 2 waves, Type 3 curls, or Type 4 coils. Its moisturizing formula helps create lively, well-defined curls without any heavy residue, making it perfect for achieving quick and easy Wash n' Go styles. Plus, it's free from mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, gluten, paraffin, and propylene, ensuring a gentle and naturally caring experience for your hair.
This curl activator cream goes beyond defining and enhancing curls—it also boosts volume and adds shine, leaving hair soft and easy to manage. Enriched with vitamins and oils like coconut, argan, and jojoba seed oil, it deeply hydrates and nourishes your curls. Biotin, folic acid, and silk amino acids strengthen and smooth your hair for added resilience. Infused with a delightful shea butter scent, this cruelty-free product is crafted to deliver exceptional curl definition and frizz control, ensuring your hair looks healthy and vibrant.
Product Type | Cream |
---|---|
Amount | 12 fl. oz. |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Aloe Vera |
---|---|
Additional Features | Coconut Milk |
Maui Moisture Flexible Hold + Coconut Milk Curl Foam Mousse is designed to moisturize, volumize, and de-frizz curly, dry, and frizzy hair types. This lightweight foam offers flexible hold without leaving any crunchiness.
Aloe vera is its primary ingredient, along with coconut water, coconut fruit extract, and mango seed butter, which hydrates curls without weighing them down. The formula is also free from additives such as parabens, silicones, and sulfates. Apply evenly to damp hair, scrunch, and allow it to air dry for easy styling.
Product Type | Mousse |
---|---|
Amount | 8.5 fl. oz. |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Aloe Vera |
---|---|
Additional Features | Olive Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein |
Eco Style Olive Oil Gel includes olive oil for moisturizing, nourishing, and repairing normal hair. It is also alcohol-free, so it’s not too harsh on the hair cuticle. It helps lock in moisture and shine while adding softness and reducing split ends.
This gel gives luster and can help your style stay in place without wax or grease. This product is also made in the USA.
Product Type | Gel |
---|---|
Amount | 16 fl. oz. |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Castor Seed Oil |
---|---|
Additional Features |
Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Defining Cream is your go-to for achieving well-defined curls with extra bounce and shine. Crafted to lock in moisture and tame frizz, this defining cream offers maximum curl definition while enhancing their natural shape. It's free from gluten, sulfates, silicones, parabens, phthalates, drying alcohols, and dyes, making it suitable for a wide range of hair types and textures.
Its star ingredients include the Rice Curl Complex, a blend of rice, keratin amino acids, and enzymes that hydrate, condition, protect, and enhance curl retention. Crafted to maximize curl definition, add shine, and reduce frizz, this curl defining cream provides a styling solution that enhances curls' natural beauty. Additionally, it is safe for color-treated hair and offers a pleasant citrus jasmine scent.
Product Type | Gel |
---|---|
Amount | 9.7 fl. oz. |
Moisturizing Ingredients | Castor Seed Oil, Coconut Oil |
---|---|
Additional Features | Peppermint Oil, Rosemary Oil, Biotin |
Meille Rosemary Mint Hair Strengthening Edge Gel is formulated to tame hair edges and ends, promoting shine, hydration, and strength. With biotin—a naturally occurring mineral that is often used to strengthen hair and nails—and a blend of essential oils, it aims to soothe and control dryness, damage, flyaways, frizz, and split ends while adding a fresh scent to your hair. It’s safe for all hair types, including chemically treated hair and braids.
Product Type | Gel |
---|---|
Amount | 2 fl. oz. |
To determine your curl type accurately, start with clean, conditioned hair and allow it to dry undisturbed. It's best to let your curls set in their natural state, avoiding manipulation while drying to get a true sense of their natural pattern. Remember, many people have more than one curl type on their head. This is perfectly normal. By understanding your hair's specific needs and characteristics, you can select styling products and routines that will optimize the health and appearance of your curls.
While genetic factors make it impossible to permanently change your curl pattern, various styling techniques and products can temporarily enhance or alter its appearance. Embracing your natural curl pattern and learning the best ways to care for it can transform your hair care experience, leading to healthier, more vibrant curls.
Leave-in conditioners can help gently detangle hair without causing breakage. These products are vital for maintaining the curls' integrity during styling and can be an important part of a regular maintenance routine in between stylings.
While all curly hair can tangle to some degree, coily hair—particularly high-density textures — can be especially prone to knots and tangles. Additionally, wearing a style for more than five days may increase the probability of knots and tangles occurring.
No. 1: Roux Laboratories, Inc.|Lotta Body|Wrap Me Foaming Mousse
No. 2: Dae, Inc|Dae|Cactus Fruit 3-In-1 Styling Cream
No. 3: Sundial Brands LLC|SheaMoisture|Coconut and Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse
No. 4: MASTER LINE DO BRASIL LTDA|Skala Expert|Mais Cachos
No. 5: OGX|OGX|Moroccan Curling Perfection Defining Cream
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