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Classic aerosol dry shampoos can be drying, thanks to the hefty dose of alcohol in their formula. Just pump it into your roots, massage it in, and live your best curl life. Emily is a longtime makeup and skincare enthusiast with a passion for all things natural and organic. Ever since she started writing, she made it a goal to share with others all about the best beauty merchandise available.
Not Your Mother's Naturals Shampoo and Conditioner Set

If you're currently on the hunt for the best curly hair products, you've come to just the right place. Actress Tracee Ellis Ross created Pattern specifically to fulfill the unique needs of those with curly hair. All of the products consistently pull in rave reviews, but if you’re going to try just one, make it this leave-in, a true hero SKU that gets tons of five-star reviews. It hydrates, seals in moisture, and detangles while also helping to enhance curl definition. "It softens and defines curls in just one step—pretty revolutionary for someone who typically uses a slew of other curl-defining products as well," says senior social media editor Star Donaldson.
OUAI Curl Cream with North Bondi Fragrance
When used correctly, curl cream can be a fantastic hair enhancing product for every hair type. Read our full guide to understand all the benefits of curl cream and learn how to create a curl-friendly haircare routine. Unfortunately, this cream can leave a sticky feeling at the roots of your hair once it dries. This can be counteracted by not using as much product near the top of your curls and washing the product out regularly.

Tgin Twist & Define Cream For Natural Hair
One issue that some users have with this formula is that they don’t like the scent—it’s not super overpowering, but it’s certainly not subtle, either. It’s ideal for people with thicker hair textures, and works to boost moisture in medium-to-thick strands. Because this is a pretty thick cream texture, we don’t really recommend it for folks with thin locks.
Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Defining Cream
Aveda's Be Curly Advanced Line Improves Curl Definition by Almost 90% - NewBeauty Magazine
Aveda's Be Curly Advanced Line Improves Curl Definition by Almost 90%.
Posted: Mon, 29 Apr 2024 20:54:52 GMT [source]
"I loved my curls’ definition, especially at the front of my head, where my curls are loosest." Aveda's curl cream boasts over 2,400 reviews on Nordstrom averaging almost five stars and is a great prep step for creating curls in straight hair. "I have very straight hair, but this product really helps when I want to add a bit of curl," a reviewer noted. "It's the best product I've found that makes my normally flat hair hold curl." For instance, if your hair tends to be dry, then “look for serums that contain oils to help hydrate the dry hair shaft,” says Dr. Shaver. Meanwhile, if you simply want better, faster hair growth, then she recommends looking for products with ingredients that have been clinically proven to do just that—and have scientific data that support their use.
Curls Blueberry & Coconut Hair Milk
Our advanced, clean label gel reduces the risk of hair damage, hair loss, and premature greying and is totally safe for daily use. Having fine hair and curls can be tough since many defining creams can weigh them down. The featherweight formula is infused with argan oil to calm static and refine ringlets, all without ever feeling greasy or sticky. It works its magic to bring on the bounce for all curl types, from waves to tight coils. "I think for those with wavy to loose curly hair types, this product is worth a try," says product tester Bianca Lambert.
Best Curl Cream for Air Drying
You can also find hair growth serums that contain active ingredients that have been FDA-approved to promote hair growth, like minoxidil. While identifying your curl type is useful for styling, to find the right products for your hair, you'll want to focus more closely on your hair density. "Products aren't necessarily specific to [curl] type," says Tippi Shorter Rank, celebrity hairstylist and Global Artistic Director for L'Oréal's Mizani. Just know that it’s filled with water-insoluble silicones—which is exactly why it’s so effective—so you’ll want to clarify once a month with a sulfate-based clarifying shampoo to strip away any silicone build-up. But for me, especially in the summer months, it’s so worth it when I want sleeker, smoother curls.
If you have thinner hair, you know that the must-haves in a curl cream are extensive, and at times, contradictory. Sure, it has to be ultra-moisturizing, but it can’t be too heavy; and, most importantly, many thin hair possessors have just as much issue with their hair retaining moisture as infusing it in the first place. That's because, unlike straight or wavy hair, curly hair struggles to stay hydrated. Hair gets its moisture from oils released from the sebaceous glands on the scalp, explains celebrity hairstylist Mia Santiago.
Runner-Up, Best Gel
She brings nearly a decade of writing and editing expertise, and her work has appeared in Allure, Health, Fitness, Marie Claire, StyleCaster, and Parents. She also has an unhealthy adoration for Tom Hanks and would like to please meet him one day, if you could arrange that. I hate it when I put gel in my hair and it ends up leaving my curls feeling gunked-up and lank, even after I scrunch them out. Thankfully, I stopped having to deal with that when I switched to this curly hair gel. It’s filled with wheat proteins and styling polymers that seal your curls in place (even against heat and humidity)—but without hair feeling stiff or getting flaky.
A classic protective style for natural hair, twist-outs can be hard to achieve without the right products to help. Its formula delivers the perfect combo of definition, hydration, and shine—plus, it's free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, artificial oils, colors, and fragrances. To style, apply it to clean wet hair, twist your strands, allow your hair to dry, undo the twists, and voilà.
It’s probably not great for folks with really coily hair, as it doesn’t provide a ton of hold. It does reduce frizz, but don’t expect it to make your hair look the same as it did in the morning when you styled it with this cream. When looking for a curl cream, look for one without heavy oils or butters that can weigh down hair, says stylist Nycole Jones.
If versatility is what you're after, that's exactly what you'll get in this curl cream. "It can be used to create a multitude of styles, not just defining curls," says cosmetologist Stephanie Ayler. For thick hair that needs the strongest hold possible, Diaz-Santin says you'll get bouncy, frizz-free curls by applying this cream to hair liberally. If your 2A to 3A curls don't need a lot of help, you'll love this defining and frizz-reducing cream, says Breanne. It's also great for anyone sensitive to fragrances, since it has a natural scent. A past GH Beauty Awards winner, this budget-friendly conditioning treatment prevents breakage by strengthening hair with almond and protein.