20 Best Curly Hair Products to Strengthen and Hydrate in 2024
Keep scrolling for the 20 curly hair products that curly-haired editors, experts, and I are obsessed with. Then, I’ll get into all your top FAQs, like how to enhance your curl pattern, what to avoid in a curly hair product, and how to choose the best curly hair product for you.
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1
Best Cult-Favorite Curly Hair Product
Kinky Curly Original Curling Custard Natural Styling Gel
ProsHydrating ingredients prevent moisture lossConsIf you overdo it on your finer or low-porosity hair, it can be too heavy
Those with curly and coily hair loveeee this curl custard. If you haven’t tried a custard quite yet, think of it like a curl gel’s sister: it has the same purpose, but it’s a lot more moisturizing—and thicker and heavier. (So, for fine and low-porosity hair, a little goes a long way!) Straight out of the shower, on your super wet hair, apply your favorite leave-in conditioner, and plop your curls for a super defined, super smooth look sans the flakes other gels can leave.
Curly Girl Method-approved? YesMoisture levels: MediumKey ingredients: Aloe vera, agave nectar extract (hydrates); nettle and marshmallow, aloe vera, horsetail (form-filming humectants)Hair type: Best for all hair types
Glowing Customer Review: “Absolutely LOVE this product. It is the HOLY GRAIL of every other product. It isn’t cheap, but it isn’t expensive either. It’s affordable since a little goes a long way. My hair is a mix of 2C, 3A, and 3B. My hair strands are not consistent. My hair is very thin and has low porosity. This stuff works like a charm. I use it a minimum of once a week, if not more. It does not dry out my hair, make my hair greasy, or make my hair tangly. “
2
Best Mousse for Curly Hair
Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Mousse
ProsPrevents frizz and flyawaysConsSuper sweet scent that may be too strong for some
If you have super fine or flat curls, you need a mousse that will define your curls without the crunchy look/feel or being too heavy and weighing them down. Enter: This drugstore mousse that is former Cosmo deputy beauty director Chloe Metzger’s (who co-authored this story) absolute fave. “If you have fine, easily pulled-out curls like me, you need this mousse,” says Chloe. “The mousse will keep your curls bouncy and voluminous all day long while also protecting against frizz—without any stiffness.”
Curly Girl Method-approved? YesMoisture levels: LowKey ingredients: Propylene glycol (hydrates)Hair type: Best for all hair types, especially fine
Glowing Customer Review: “This wonderful mousse does away with frizz, even in heat waves and humid weather, and evens out your curls so that the whole head is symmetrical. It’s easy to use, lasts at least three days (number of days between my washing) and hair stays curly after running fingers through hair to do away with stiffness from the first day.”
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3
Best Blow Dryer for Curly Hair
PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross The Blow Dryer
ProsIonic technology keeps your hair smoothConsSome reviewers say the teeth on the attachment comb are not strong enough to go through their thick curls
This hair dryer for curly hair is so good that we at Cosmo gave it a 2023 Holy Grail Beauty Award.“I didn’t think it was possible to design a dryer specifically for textured hair, but Tracee Ellis Ross totally did it,” says Cosmo’s Beauty Editor-at-Large Julee Wilson, who has type-4 curls. “The unique attachments are a curly girl’s dream.” Whether you’re looking to smooth, stretch, define, or shape your curls, the brush, concentrator, diffuser, and wide-tooth comb will get the job done.
Curly Girl Method-approved? No* (*but the occasional diffuser on low heat is okay.)Hair type: Best for all hair types
Glowing Customer Review: “Loveeee. I believe I have in between 3c-4a hair and it usually takes me 45 mins to blow dry. I used the Pattern blow dryer with the attachable brush and it only took me 20mins!! My hair is super smooth and my silk press looks amazing.”
4
Best Brush for Curly Hair
FHI Heat Unbrush Wet & Dry Vented Detangling Hair Brush
ProsCan even remove stubborn knots on dry, curly hairConsBecause it went viral, it sometimes is out of stock
I’ll admit it: nothing influences me more than my FYP TikTok beauty videos. Case in point: This super viral hair brush takes the largest knots out of the curliest of hair. Don’t believe me? Check out this TikTok video by @iamtraeh. But the best part? It’s available via Amazon Prime, and it’s under $20.
Curly Girl Method-approved? No Hair type: Best for all hair types
Glowing Customer Review: “My daughter has cried every time I do her hair. She had thick curly 4C hair and lots and lots of it. She loves her curls but alas with a super sensitive scalp, hair combing is always an ordeal that neither of us enjoys. I have tried many products and brushes, we have used heat, etc but never got results like this. I was skeptical of another product that would not work as well as the hype….but I and to leave this review because it works! I detangled her hair with this and no crying, no pain, and very little hair loss compared to other brushes and combs.”
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5
Best Curl Product for Frizzy Hair
John Frieda Frizz Ease Secret Weapon Touch-Up Crème
ProsMost effective product I’ve ever found for smoothing frizziesHelps you re-define and re-clump your curls ConsFilled with silicones that can build up over time (so requires monthly clarifying rinses)
Most days, I genuinely <3 my frizzies, but some days, I’d also like to decide when I frizz out, you know? That’s where this cream comes in. Anyone who knows me knows that I’ve had at least two tubes of this smoothing cream at my desk and in my car since 2015, because it’s that freakin’ good for immediately laying down frizz and flyaways without making my thin curls greasy.
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.
Curly Girl Method-approved? NoMoisture levels: Low-mediumKey ingredients: Phenyl trimethicone (smoothing silicone); avocado oil (moisturizing)Hair type: Best for all hair types
Glowing Customer Review: “I have very curly hair, and live in Florida—humidity and curly hair is a recipe for disaster! This product has been able to keep my hair styled AND protect it from humidity. I have used this product to style my hair both curly and straight, and it is truly a miracle.”
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7
Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Curly Hair
Not Your Mother’s Naturals Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Every time someone asks me what shampoo and conditioner to buy for their curly hair, I point them to Not Your Mother’s (i.e., a cult-favorite in Reddit’s r/curlyhair community). The majority of NYM’s Naturals line are Curly Girl Method-approved, meaning they’re free of silicones, sulfates, alcohols, and waxes, so even if you don’t follow CGM, you’re still getting a really high-quality formula for a drugstore price.
This moisturizing shampoo and conditioner set tends to be a good starting point for most curl types, but you can also try the brand’s lighter “dark-blue bottle” for super-fine waves/curls, or the richer “pink bottle” for thicker, drier curls and coils.
Curly Girl Method-approved? YesMoisture levels: Light-medium (but can depend on the formula you choose)Key shampoo ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, watermelon seed oil (moisturizers); sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, sodium cocoyl isethionate (sulfate-free cleansers)Hair type: Best for wavy, curly, and coily hair (depending on the formula you choose)
Glowing Customer Review: “Best curIy hair shampoo I have used! I love the scent of this product and how soft and curly it leaves my natural curls feeling!!! I recommend it to everyone that I know that has curly hair!”
8
Best Curl-Defining Cream
Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream
ProsDoesn’t weigh down fine curls, testers sayConsDry hair will likely need to pair with another moisturizing cream
There’s a reason this cream has more than 16,000 glowing reviews on Amazon alone: This stuff works for the majority of waves and curls. While most creams tend to weigh down finer curl types, this lightweight formula has just a touch of argan oil that works to smooth flyaways and define waves and curls without ever feeling greasy, heavy, or sticky.
Curly Girl Method-approved? NoMoisture levels: MediumKey ingredients: Argan oil (moisturizes); hydrolyzed vegetable protein (strengthens)Hair type: Best for all hair and curl types
Glowing Customer Review: “I can be lazy with my hairstyling, and this allows me to easily air-dry. It’s easy to apply and truly defines my curls. It hardened my hair a bit for the hold—which I don’t mind—but eventually softened. My curls haven’t looked better.”
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9
Best Co-Wash for Curly Hair
Pantene Gold Series Deep Hydrating Co-Wash
ProsLightly moisturizes with argan oil as it cleansesConsPump is prone to breaking, says a few testers
The MVP in this formula? Argan oil, which adds a dose of moisture to coarse, dry curls and coils without weighing them down. On wash day, massage this co-wash/cleansing conditioner through your roots, working it in with your fingertips or a shampoo brush for at least 60 seconds before rinsing to really get your scalp clean.
Curly Girl Method-approved? YesMoisture levels: MediumKey ingredients: Argan oil (moisturizes); disodium EDTA (breaks down mineral buildup)Hair type: Best for dry and/or coarse curls (see: 3b to 4c hair)
Glowing Customer Review: “This cowash is light enough to not weigh my hair down or feel greasy, but it’s moisturizing enough to leave my hair soft and shiny…I never use anything else.”
10
Best Gel for Curly Hair
Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel
ProsStrengthens your hair with amino acids and wheat proteinsConsHold was too soft for some testers
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.
Curly Girl Method-approved? YesMoisture levels: LowKey ingredients: PEG-40 castor oil (moisturizes without building up); wheat amino acids, hydrolyzed wheat (strengthen); glycerin (hydrates)Hair type: Best for all wave and curl types
Glowing Customer Review: “Can’t function without it; this product is everything. I cannot style my hair without it. It makes my hair manageable, and I can get my Denman brush right through my curls to make them pop.”
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11
Best Curl Cream
Ouai Curl Crème
ProsMoisturizes curls with coconut and soybean oilCan work for legit all hair types, depending on how little you useConsCan make hair greasy if you apply too much
Ahem: I. LOVE. THIS. CURL. CREAM. Omg. Not only is it free of fragrance, silicones, and waxes, but it’s also weirdly customizable depending on your curl type. Although it’s filled with coconut oil, which would usually leave my fine hair greasy, a dime-size dollop squished through my sopping-wet hair leaves my 3a curls defined, smooth, and bouncy. Have tighter/coarser curls? Just layer it on with a heavy hand (think: Rake it through your coils before a gel or pudding) for a moisturized, defined base.
Curly Girl Method-approved? YesMoisture levels: MediumKey ingredients: coconut oil, babassu oil, soybean oil, linseed oil (moisturize); glycerin (hydrates); panthenol (smooths)Hair type: Best for all waves and curls that want a lightly moisturized base
Glowing Customer Review: “This is a moisture treat for my hair, I use it over the dry ends of my hair after I wash and condition my hair, and then mix a little into gel and smooth it all over for a beautiful hold. I love that it has no scent because I can always add my own smell…or not!”
12
Best Curl Refreshing Spray
Curlsmith Moisture Memory Reactivator
Now 50% Off
Credit: Courtesy ImageProsDoesn’t just re-wet your curls, but actually *moisturizes* themConsFilled with oils, so may be too heavy for fine hair
If your second- or third-day curls are usually relegated to a bun, twist, or braid because they’re so dry and undefined, may I introduce you to your new BFF? This refreshing spray is filled with water and six different oils oils (olive! coconut! avocado!) to rehydrate and re-clump curls, while adding a bit of definition and shine as soon as you spritz it on.
Curly Girl Method-approved? NoMoisture levels: MediumKey ingredients: Avocado oil, apricot oil, andiroba seed oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and sunflower seed oil (all moisturize and add shine)Hair type: Best for curly and coily hair (types 3a to 4c)
Glowing Customer Review: “I spray my hair with water until it’s damp, spray this on my hands, and smooth it over my hair. Then, I scrunch. It does a good job of springing my waves back up. I let it air-dry on those days, and it even leaves a cast to scrunch out. I like it for an undone, wavy look.”
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13
Best Curl-Defining Product
LUS Brands Love Ur Curls All-in-One Styler for Curly Hair
ProsMoisturizes, defines, detangles, and smoothsTesters love that it’s also available in a fragrance-free versionConsAs with all products, can weigh down fine curls if you use too much
Okay, Lus has been one of my favorite curly-hair brands for years. Their products are simple, pared down, free of all the blah stuff (like silicones, sulfates, mineral oils), and exactly what I would make if I could formulate my own products. My newest fav? This all-in-one styler that’s basically a happy medium between a leave-in conditioner and a curl cream, using moringa oil and shea butter to lightly moisturize, define, and ~enhance~ your curls.
Plus, it’s hella customizable for different curl types: Try the fragrance-free version (here) or the original version. Need a lighter or heavier formula? Go for the wavy-hair version or the “kinky-coily” version. Told you—so good.
Curly Girl Method-approved? YesMoisture levels: Customizable (depending on which version you buy)Key ingredients: Shea butter, moringa oil (moisturize); glycerin (hydrates)Hair type: Best for all curl and coil types, depending on the version you try
Glowing Customer Review: “This is simply the best. Excellent hold, good weight and texture for finer hair, scent is mild, and the finished curl is defined but not crunchy.”
14
Best Moisturizing Curl Gel
Adwoa Beauty Baomint Moisturizing Curl Defining Gel
ProsLeaves your hair super moisturizedTesters love that it didn’t flake off after dryingConsNot enough hold for some reviewers
Fact: Not all gels are created equal. Some can be super lightweight and a lil bit drying, while others (like this one!) can be surprisingly moisturizing—which is exactly what you want for type-4 hair. This creamy formula is filled with a mix of oils, like shea butter and sweet almond oil, to give your twist-outs or wash and gos the hold of a gel and the moisture of a leave-in.
Curly Girl Method-approved? YesMoisture levels: MediumKey ingredients: Shea butter, sweet almond oil, baobab oil, prickly pear oil, and pumpkin seed oil (to moisturize)Hair type: Best for coils (type-4 hair)
Glowing Customer Review: “This curl-defining gel works beautifully with my 3c hair. I love the nice light scent and non-sticky feel that it delivers. My curls are left bouncy and defined just like I like them, and they hold. It is far better than other curl-defining gels that I’ve tried.”
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15
Best Curly Hair Oil
Bread Beauty Hair Oil Everyday Gloss
ProsFilled with moisturizing and sealing oilsTesters rave about the nostalgic, fruity scentConsToo heavy for fine hair or low-porosity hair
If your curls are in a perpetual state of dryness, please try this (silicone-free!) hair oil. It’s filled with a mix of oils (like safflower, sweet almond, argan, and castor) to smooth and define your hair without feeling as heavy as classic coconut oil-based formulas. Massage it into your scalp as a pre-poo treatment, or smooth it over your wet and dry ends to lock in moisture and add shine.
Curly Girl Method-approved? YesMoisture levels: HighKey ingredients: Safflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, castor oil, argan oil, soybean oil, and kakadu plum seed oil (to moisturize and add shine)Hair type: Best for super-dry, coarse, and/or tight curls
Glowing Customer Review: “I absolutely love this hair gloss. My hair looks super shiny and sleek with the perfect amount of slip for me. I also like the way this smells. I will definitely be repurchasing in the future.”
16
Best Shampoo for Curly Hair
The Doux Sucka Free Moisturizing Shampoo
ProsUses strong, sulfate-free cleansing agents to get your roots cleanConsIsn’t the *most* moisturizing, so may be too drying for some hair types
Cosmo’s beauty editor-at-large, Julee Wilson, is so in love with this shampoo for her high-porosity 4b curls that she even awarded it a 2022 Holy Grail Beauty Award. The creamy cleanser is filled with softening oils and butters (like shea butter and sunflower seed oil), strengthening silk amino acids, and strong—yet still sulfate-free—surfactants, all of which will leave your curls feeling lightly cleansed but happily moisturized.
Curly Girl Method-approved? YesMoisture levels: MediumKey ingredients: Shea butter, sunflower seed oil (moisturize); silk amino acids (strengthen); sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate (strong, sulfate-free cleanser)Hair type: Best for all curl types (though drier, tighter curls may prefer a co-wash instead)
Glowing Customer Review: “I’ve tried many products for my type-4 hair texture, but this works very well. My hair is softer, more nourished, and happy!”
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17
Best Dry Shampoo for Curly Hair
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo
ProsFormulated with charcoal to help neutralize scalp odorsFree of alcohol, so it’s gentler on curly hairConsSqueeze bottle can get messy, according to testers
Classic aerosol dry shampoos can be drying, thanks to the hefty dose of alcohol in their formula. This dry-shampoo powder, though, is not only alcohol free, but also Curly Girl Method-approved (meaning no sulfates, silicones, or waxes), making it excellent for soaking up excess oil without being as drying as traditional dry shampoos. Just pump it into your roots, massage it in, and live your best curl life.
Curly Girl Method-approved? YesMoisture levels: LowKey ingredients: Rice starch, corn starch, kaolin, and tapioca starch (to absorb scalp oils)Hair type: Best for any hair type that gets greasy
Glowing Customer Review: “This dry shampoo is amazing! It leaves my hair feeling like I just washed it and doesn’t cause build-up. I found that putting it in my hair and letting it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before rubbing it in gives me the best results. I have tried countless dry shampoos and nothing beats this!”
18
Best Scalp Serum for Curly Hair
Fable & Mane SahaScalp Amla Soothing Serum
ProsFilled with a mix of calming and moisturizing plant oils and extractsConsMay look greasy on finer hair types (so may need to apply before bed and shower in the morning)
If dry-scalp season is year-round for you, try this soothing scalp serum that uses a bajillion plant oils and natural extracts (see: sunflower oil, turmeric, amla fruit extract, and bakuchi) to lightly hydrate and calm your scalp without feeling too greasy or heavy.
Curly Girl Method-approved? YesMoisture levels: MediumKey ingredients: Tumeric extract (anti-inflammatory); sunflower seed oil, rapeseed oil, black seed oil, moringa oil, and jojoba oil (moisturize)Hair type: Best for drier, thicker, and/or tighter curl types (3c to 4c hair)
Glowing Customer Review: “I suffer from a flaky and itchy scalp. I applied it on dry hair before bed. I woke up, and it literally turned all the crap on my scalp into flakes. Once I washed my hair, no more flaking or itchy scalp. My hair was super shiny and smelled amazing, and my curls were defined and super-soft.”
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19
Best Treatment for Damaged Curly Hair
K18 Leave-In Repair Hair Mask Treatment
ProsDoesn’t require rinsing, which testers absolutely lovedConsAlcohol-based, making it automatically drying for curls
Hairstylist Haiya Eliza recommends this damage-repairing treatment to all of her clients who have previously colored or chemically treated their hair. Why? Because it uses a blend of peptides that work on a molecular level to replicate and reconnect the broken structures within your hair strand (think: a magic “fix it” wand). The result? Stronger, healthier hair over time, like you used to have.
Just be sure not to overdo it: Twice a month, swap your regular conditioner with this mask. Rake it through your wet hair, wait four minutes before applying any additional products, then style your curls as usual.
Curly Girl Method-approved? NoMoisture levels: None (meant for repair, not hydration)Key ingredients: hydrolyzed wheat protein and wheat starch (proteins to strengthen); sh-oligopeptide-78 (peptide to repair)Hair type: Best for all hair and curl types
Glowing Customer Review: “No joke: This really repaired my bleach-damaged, curly hair and partly restored the curl pattern. It’s also much softer and less fragile feeling.”
20
Best Leave-In Cream for Curly Hair
Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Leave–In Defining Cream
ProsHelps smooth down flyaways while defining curlsConsProtein-heavy, so may contain too much protein for low-po hair
If your nightmare is crunchy, stiff curls, try this ultra-hydrating leave-in cream. It has avocado oil (to smooth and seal the hair cuticle to help keep out humidity) and rice amino acids (to add shine and retain moisture). Smooth it over your damp curls, from root to tip, for soft definition and hold.
Curly Girl Method-approved? YesMoisture levels: MediumKey ingredients: Avocado oil, soybean oil (moisturize); aloe (hydrates); hydrolyzed quinoa, wheat, and soy proteins (strengthen)Hair type: Best for any hair type that gets greasy
Glowing Customer Review: “I absolutely love this curl cream, it defines my curls without leaving them crunchy. It’s also super lightweight, so it doesn’t weigh them down either.”
Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing the editorial content and growth strategy of the hair, makeup, and skin space on digital, while also obsessively writing about the best hair products for every hair type (curly girl here; whattup), and the skincare routines that really, truly work (follow her on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes pics of that magazine life). 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. Thanks.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you “have to try.” Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair ‘do every few months.
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.
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