How to Choose the Best Products for Curly Hair

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Inside: Discover what the best products for naturally curly hair are with our comprehensive guide. We dive into the essentials of curly hair care and offer advice on choosing the right products to nourish and enhance your beautiful curls.

I know from personal experience that the journey to embracing our natural curls can be as twisty as the locks on our heads. But boy, isn’t it worth it when we finally get it right?

I’ve spent the last three years delving deep into the curly girl method, armed with an arsenal of products, a sprinkle of patience, and heaps of hope.

I’ve navigated through the labyrinth of creams, gels, conditioners, and whatnot, and let me tell you, it’s been quite a ride.

My mission now? To help you spend less time in the trial-and-error phase and jump straight to the good part: flaunting your fabulous, nourished curls!

So buckle up because we’re about to dive into the essential guide on choosing the right products to give your curls the love they so rightfully deserve.

Choosing the Right Products is Step 4 in our Beginner Series:

Step 1: Understanding Your Curl Type: Curl Type Quiz

Step 2: Ditching the Heat: How to Breakup with Your Hair Tools

Step 3: Why You Should Shampoo Less & Condition More

Choosing the Best Products for Curly Hair

In our quest to embrace our beautiful curls, one aspect stands out: product selection.

It can be a bit daunting, especially with the plethora of hair products on the market. But don’t worry; I’m here to help you navigate these waters.

The Golden Rule: Ingredients Matter

When it comes to curly hair, not all products are created equal. Some ingredients can do more harm than good, leaving your curls dry, dull, and frizzy. Here’s what you need to know.

The Bad Guys: Sulfates, Silicones, and Alcohols

Sulfates are harsh detergents that strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and frizzy.

Silicones, while they can give an illusion of smooth, shiny hair, actually create a plastic-like barrier that prevents moisture from penetrating your hair shaft.

Certain alcohols (like Isopropyl alcohol) can be drying and damaging to your hair.

Get in the Habit of Checking

Make it a habit to read product labels before buying. As the saying goes, “Knowledge is power,” and in this case, it’s the power to maintain healthy, vibrant curls.

The Good Guys: Curly Girl Approved Products

The Curly Girl Method is all about treating your hair with the love and respect it deserves, and a huge part of that is using CG-approved products.

What Are CG-Approved Products?

CG-approved products are free from sulfates, silicones, drying alcohols, and other harmful ingredients. They’re gentle on your curls and designed to enhance and define your natural texture.

Where Can I Find Them?

Many brands now have CG-friendly lines. Even better, some brands specialize entirely in curly hair products, like DevaCurl, Shea Moisture, and Cantu. These brands understand our curly hair needs and create products that nourish and protect our lovely locks.

Speaking of brands…

Navigating the World of Curly Hair Products: Brands Worth Your Attention

Navigating the world of curly hair products can sometimes feel like wandering through a vast, unfamiliar forest. The options seem endless, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Today, I want to spotlight a few emerging brands that have been making waves (and curls!) in the haircare world.

These are brands that are not only creating innovative products but also genuinely understand and cater to our unique curly hair needs.

I’ll be sure to note the brands I personally have tried and which ones I currently use.

Bounce Curl

Bounce Curl is all about simplicity and believes in the power of fewer products to deliver more results. I’ve heard good things about their Light Crème Gel, such as it’s lightweight, non-crunchy, and leaves your curls bouncy and frizz-free.

Their products are for every curl type, from wavy to curly to coily.

Also, all of their products are cruelty-free and made without harsh chemicals.

You can shop their products on Amazon here or their website here.

CURLSMITH

Curlsmith is a brand that truly stands out in the curly hair world. Aptly dubbed “Food for Curls,” Curlsmith creates gourmet hair products inspired by generations-old home recipes for hair health.

Their formulas are infused with fresh and natural ingredients, much like a scrumptious, nourishing meal for your locks.

Some of their best-selling products include the Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash, a co-wash that gently cleanses while deeply moisturizing your curls, and the Curl Defining Styling Souffle, a gel-oil hybrid that helps define and hold your curls without leaving them crunchy.

Additionally, their Intense Treatment Serum is lauded for its hair growth and scalp care benefits.

What makes Curlsmith a favorite in the naturally curly hair community is not only their nutrient-rich, hair-loving formulas but also their commitment to the curly girl method.

They’ve developed products free from sulfates, parabens, silicones, mineral oils, phthalates, and DEA, showing their dedication to truly healthy hair.

With Curlsmith, it’s about feeding your curls with all the good stuff while leaving out anything that could harm your beautiful, natural texture.

LUS Brands Love Ur Curls (A Personal Favorite)

LUS Brands, standing for Love Ur Self, has rapidly become a beloved name in the curly community, winning over hearts with its straightforward, effective approach to curl care.

Their philosophy is all about simplicity and self-love, emphasizing that everyone’s curls are beautiful in their own unique way.

One of their star products is the 3-Step System, a simple routine designed to cleanse, condition, and define curls, cutting down on the number of products you need in your regimen.

This is what I personally use right now, and so far, I’m really happy with it. I switched from Prose, which wasn’t giving my hair the moisture it needed, to LUS.

Their Deep Condition and Repair for Curls is another big hit – it’s an ultra-rich, nourishing deep conditioner that injects your curls with lasting moisture to reduce excess frizz caused by dry and damaged hair.

I use the deep conditioner about once a week and it always leaves my hair super soft and seems to give my curls a little pep in their step.

LUS Brands truly understands that less is often more when it comes to curly hair, which is a major reason why they’ve won the hearts of so many curly-haired individuals.

By promoting simplicity, integrity, and love for natural beauty, they’re helping us all to Love Ur Self, curls and all.

Not Your Mother’s, Curl Talk

Not Your Mother’s is a popular hair care brand known for their dry shampoo.

But for us curly-haired gals, we know them from Curl Talk.

Known for their salon-quality formulas at an accessible price point, Curl Talk offers a range of products that help give your curls definition, bounce, and shine.

Among their best-sellers is the Curl Talk Defining Cream, which supposedly works wonders in reducing frizz and giving your curls a more defined and polished look. (I say supposedly because their cream isn’t my favorite. I feel like it weighs down my hair too much.)

Another fan favorite is the Curl Talk 3-in-1 Conditioner, which can be used as a leave-in, rinse-out, or co-wash, making it a truly versatile addition to any curl care routine.

The only product I use from the Curl Talk line is their gel. It gives me the perfect amount of hold and doesn’t leave my hair sticky. This is the last product that I apply to my hair after the LUS cream and Flora & Curl Volumizing foam.

It leaves a little bit of crunch for me to scrunch out without weighing down my hair.

The Curl Talk line’s products are free from sulfates, silicones, and drying alcohols, making them perfect for those following the curly girl method. Their products also provide affordability, which is another reason they are well-loved.

Flora & Curl

Flora & Curl is a unique brand that has quickly risen to prominence in the curly hair community.

With a firm belief in the power of nature, Flora & Curl designs its products to be as close to nature as possible, crafting formulas that are clean, plant-based, and free from harsh chemicals.

One of their standout products is the Sweet Hibiscus Curl Volumizing Foam, which is adored for its ability to give curls an enviable lift and volume without compromising on moisture or softness. I love this product so much that I gave it its own review here.

Side note: It’s currently sold out on Amazon, but you can purchase it on their website here.

What makes Flora & Curl a favorite among the naturally curly hair community is their commitment to natural, gentle ingredients and their dedication to creating products that enhance and celebrate the beauty of natural curls.

They represent a harmony of nature and science that truly resonates with those looking to care for their curls in the healthiest way possible.

Experimentation and Trial & Error are Key

I hope I’ve given you a few good product recommendations to get you started on your curly hair journey.

When I first started out embracing my curls, it was kind of a disaster. My hair was flat (I have the pictures to prove it!) and there was zero definition to my curls.

But through lots of practice, trial and error, and patience, I developed the perfect routine for me.

Remember, every curly head is unique. What works for one person might not work for another. The key is to experiment until you find the products and routines that work best for your curls.

Please let me know if you’ve tried nay of these products and if so, what your thoughts are on them. And of course, if you have a favorite brand I didn’t mention, I want to know all about them!