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If you're struggling to tame your unruly flyaways or define your curls, it's time to get yourself a styling product designed specifically for your curly hair! However, there are many types of styling products, such as gel, mousse, cream, and lotion, so choosing one might not be an easy task.
To make your decision process as easy as possible, we have narrowed down 10 styling products for curly hair that are highly recommended by reviewers. Our favorite is Maui Moisture's Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Milk, which has a lightweight formula and can deeply hydrate your hair. To learn more about the other options on our list, continue reading! There's also a buying guide at the end reviewed by a licensed cosmetologist to help you quickly choose a suitable styling product for your hair.
I'm a hairstylist who works with all types of hair daily. A large part of my job is repairing hair and helping clients restore their hair to a healthy and beautiful place. I'm also an expert on which products and techniques will be best for each person depending on what condition their hair is currently in.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Picking a styling product for curly hair is not easy since you need a formula that can tame frizz while conditioning your hair. In this buying guide, we'll walk you through all the important factors you need to know.
Thousands of people have successfully found products for their curly hair by using Lorraine Masser's curly girl method, a method of preserving and enhancing your curls through correct identification of your curl type, and the products that work best with that curl type.
The first step of this method is done by identifying your curl type. You can find that out by using hairstylist Andre Walker's hair typing system. Curl patterns can be categorized into three types: wavy (type two), curly (type three), and coily (type four). They are then divided into subtypes that are determined by the shape and size of your curl.
Using the curly girl method and Andre Walker's hair typing system combined, you can find the best products for your hair!
If you have loose waves rather than coils, you probably have type two hair. Type two hair doesn't need as much hydration as other types, but it is more prone to frizz. So you'll want to avoid heavy leave-in conditioners since they might weigh your hair down.
Instead, look for a lightweight formula that doesn't leave your hair feeling greasy. Curl milk or mousse are great options for you. They're usually formulated with water-grabbing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and panthenol, that can help detangle and lightly define your hair.
When styling type 2 waves, avoid applying product near or on the scalp. Having products on your scalp will weigh down your hair, preventing the volume that most desire. A lightweight mousse will provide the support your waves need without weighing your hair down. Make sure to scrunch your hair after saturating it with product. This will encourage the hair to dry in its natural texture.
You have type three hair if you have locks that take the shape of an "S" with corkscrew or spiral curls. Depending on your hair's thickness and length, you might find that it can be dry and frizzy.
Another issue that this hair type encounters is tangling. Therefore, you might want to use a styling gel or lotion to effectively control frizz, define, and add shine to your curls.
I actually recommend using a combination of styling gel and styling lotion for type 3 hair. While the gel will give you maximum curl definition, the styling lotion will keep your hair moisturized and shiny. Sometimes gel alone can make your hair look crunchy instead of soft and bouncy. Layer the products section by section and allow your hair to dry without manipulating it.
Type four hair is characterized by tightly coiled curls that follow a "Z" pattern. Although this hair type can hold a style for a longer time, it's very prone to brittleness and dryness. So, be sure to choose a product that's highly moisturizing.
A styling cream rich in conditioning ingredients, such as oils and butters, is a great choice. It can soften and strengthen your hair too!
Most don't know this, but type 4 hair is very forgiving and versatile. Depending on your desired goal, you can use styling creams, mousse, or gel! I highly recommend styling cream for those with dry, brittle, or frizzy type 4 hair. If your curls struggle to stay defined, layer gel on top of the styling gel and that will bring out even the most difficult curls.
Another factor to consider when choosing a styling product is its holding power. You'll want to choose one that allows you to create the style you want and can keep your hair under control for as long as you need.
If you have thick, coarse hair or want to create a mohawk, choose a styling product with a strong hold. Its strength can keep your hair in place all day. However, rinsing it out might be a challenge, and a strong-hold styling product tends to make hair feel weighed down or crunchy.
If your main purpose is to tame unruly flyaways or encourage curls to have more bounce, a light to medium hold should be sufficient. Although the results won't last all day, a product with a light or medium hold is easy to rinse out. Lighter holds allow you to change your hairstyle whenever you want, too!
Some common and effective holding agents in styling products are copolymers, like polyacrylates, acrylic, and polyacrylates. Cationic polymers and polyquaternium-4 are other agents that can weather-proof your style without leaving behind any residue.
Natural holding agents, such as acacia gum, might not produce long-lasting results like synthetic ones, but they can still help define your curls, eliminate frizz, and preserve the softness of your hair.
Curly hair is very prone to frizz, and the best way to combat frizz is to supply your hair with moisture. Hydrating will help your curls look more defined as well. So, make sure to choose a styling product formulated with hydrating ingredients to prevent your hair from becoming dry and tangled.
Lightweight moisturizers, like aloe vera, cucumber extract, and dimethicone are great if you live in a humid area or if your hair isn't too dry. They keep your hair hydrated without weighing it down or turning it into a greasy mess.
If you live in a dry area or have particularly thick, dry, or coarse hair, go for heavy moisturizers like argan oil, castor oil, coconut oil, and shea butter. Those oil ingredients are also packed with fatty acids to fortify your hair and prevent breakage.
Always moisturize your curls on moist or damp hair. Your cuticle needs to be open to properly receive the products that you're applying to them, and nothing does that better than pure water. Even if it's the middle of the week and you're not ready for a wash day, it is better to wet your hair with some water and apply product than to apply product to dry hair.
Putting product on top of dirty and dry hair will actually dry your hair out faster. Once your hair starts to feel brittle and stiff, it's definitely time to give it a good shampoo and deep conditioning treatment.
Curly hair generally tends to be on the dry side, especially if it's type four. To avoid drying out your hair, try to find products with fatty alcohols and avoid those with drying alcohols.
It was previously thought that all alcohols in hair products were bad, but recent research has shown that "good" fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol or lauryl alcohol can provide benefits to your hair such as added moisture.
"Bad" alcohols such as ethyl alcohol or alcohol denat, on the other hand, can be drying to your curls. If you are unable to find products with fatty alcohols, then play it safe and get products without alcohol.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Milk | $7.38 Low Mid | Best for Moisturizing and Smoothing Very Curly Hair | ||
2 | Miss Jessie's Strictly Curl Curl Defining Lotion | $17.54 Mid | Best for Type 2 Curls and Mixed Types | ||
3 | Oribe Curl Gloss Hydration & Hold | $42.00 High | Best for Adding Shine to Your Hair | ||
4 | SheaMoisture Curl & Style Milk | $8.23 Low Mid | Best for Softening Hair | ||
5 | OGX Curling Perfection | $5.92 Low Mid | Best for Taming Frizz and Flyaways | ||
6 | Garnier Frustis Style Curl Treat | $6.99 Low Mid | Best for a Vegan Formula With a Strong Hold | ||
7 | Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse | $14.95 Mid | Best for Styling With a Medium Hold Mousse | ||
8 | Paul Mitchell Curvaeous for Spirals | $18.00 Mid | Best for Quicker Styling | ||
9 | Camille Rose Curl Maker | $17.53 Mid | Best Nourishing Jelly That Promotes Hair Growth | ||
10 | Living Proof Styling Cream | $38.00 High Mid | Best for Those Who Sometimes Straighten Their Curls |
Pros:
Cons:
Maui Moisture's curl milk is a three-in-one product that moisturizes, smooths, and tames frizz. Its milk texture goes on smoothly and absorbs quickly into your hair. Since this is a leave-in product, you don't have to rinse it out afterward.
Some buyers said it made their hair look greasy. On the other hand, the majority were in love with the nourishing formula, saying it worked great for their thick, curly hair. They also noted that it held their curls wonderfully and made their hair soft and healthy.
Pros:
Cons:
People with multicultural curls are the priority with Miss Jessie's Multicultural Curls. This product is made with biracial hair structures in mind and is produced to have a lightweight feeling that moisturizes hair while also reducing frizz.
Some buyers complained that this styling lotion dried out their hair, but many buyers said it held their curls well and tamed frizz effectively. Reviewers with curly red hair and those who live in humid climates like it a lot!
Pros:
Cons
Looking for a styling product that can fight frizz and give your hair shine? Oribe's Curl Gloss might fit the bill. The combination of passionflower, edelweiss, and lychee fruit extracts helps weather-proof your curls and add a nice shine. This product is also safe for color-treated hair.
Some buyers didn't like the scent, saying it was too overwhelming, and a few others mentioned that it made their hair stiff. Some reviewers suggest just using a little bit of product for the best results. However, most reviewers said this styling product did a great job maintaining curls and fighting frizz.
Pros:
Cons:
SheaMoisture's styling milk is designed with thick curly hair in mind. Neem oil eliminates frizz and adds shine, and coconut oil moisturizes and prevents breakage. The infusion of silk protein further smooths hair for a sleek finish.
A few buyers weren't into the thick consistency of this product, saying it weighed their hair down. But the majority of reviewers said that its moisturizing properties made their hair soft and added bounce.
Pros:
Cons:
If you're looking for a product that can define and nourish your curls, consider OGX's Curling Perfection. It's infused with argan oil to tame flyaways and get rid of frizz. Argan oil is also full of fatty acids and antioxidants that leave your locks feeling hydrated and soft.
A complaint from some users was that the cream made their hair look oily. But on another note, many reviewers loved its thick, creamy texture and said they didn't have to use a lot to get beautiful results. They added that this styling cream tamed frizz and gave their curls a healthy, smooth look.
Pros:
Cons:
This styling gel has a vegan, 98 percent biodegradable formula free of potential irritants such as sulfates and mineral oil. What's more, it harnesses the power of coconut oil to ensure that your curls stay moisturized and smooth.
The majority of buyers were impressed with this styling gel's holding power, saying it kept their hair defined all day. However, they mentioned that using too much of the product might stiffen your hair and suggested using a small amount.
Pros:
Cons:
Design Essentials' curl-enhancing mousse has a medium hold formula that delivers definition, structure, and bounce without making hair look crunchy. The infusion of sweet almond oil and avocado oil helps strengthen and moisturize your hair.
Some buyers didn't like the strong scent, and others found it drying. Meanwhile, reviewers with curly or coily hair liked how this product separated their curls while adding shine. They also liked its lightweight consistency, noting that it didn't weigh down their hair.
Pros:
Cons:
For quicker styling times in the morning, Paul Mitchell's Soft Style Quick Slip Styling Cream is a lifesaver. It creates a soft, flexible hold that reduces frizz and drying time. It also provides heat and UV protection.
Some reviewers were upset that they needed a lot of the product to reduce their frizz, but this was mostly seen by users who had thicker hair. Other users felt they used an adequate amount of the product, and that the cream left their hair styled well all day.
Pros:
Cons:
If your curly hair is coarse and hard to manage, Camille Rose's Curl Maker might be a great option. It contains aloe juice that moisturizes your hair and can facilitate hair growth with its high fatty acid content. Marshmallow root detangles your hair and adds definition, and nettle root can also help with hair growth.
Although some buyers were disappointed that the product became flaky as it dried, many others loved that it gave their curls structure and body. Reviewers with thick, curly hair said that it got rid of frizz and helped their hair stay smooth. They also noted that it's great for type three and type four curls.
Pros:
Cons:
This styling cream from Living Proof uses an emollient blend that eliminates frizz, smooths strands, and enhances softness. It claims to block humidity to keep your hair under control even on sticky summer days.
Some buyers say that the product doesn't change their hair much, and a few said it made their frizz worse. But others disagree, saying it has brought life back to their dry hair. Those with curly hair who occasionally straighten it find it does a great job at holding that look!
The Charmed Curling Cream by Courtney Danielle hair company is my absolute favorite product for type 3 and type 4 hair. This product is lightweight but packed with oils that keep the hair moisturized for a week at a time. I use this for every curly style. It has great hold and will keep your hair frizz-free but full of volume.
In addition to reviewing and commenting on our buying guide, Courtney also took the time to answer a commonly asked question about styling curly hair.
"If your hair is naturally curly, then water alone should be enough to bring some texture to your hair," Courtney explains. "On wet hair, you can coil small sections of your hair around your finger and scrunch after you release. This will encourage your natural curl pattern to come to life. Using a Denman brush can also bring your natural curls out, but depending on your hair type, this does not necessarily mean that there won't be frizz."
Taking care of curly hair isn't easy since it's highly prone to dryness and frizz. But don't worry! We have many suggestions that will help your curly hair look its best.
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary, as well as extra tips and advice. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: Maui Moisture|Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Milk
No. 2: Miss Jessie's|Strictly Curl Curl Defining Lotion
No. 3: Oribe|Curl Gloss Hydration & Hold
No. 4: SheaMoisture|Curl & Style Milk
No. 5: OGX |Curling Perfection
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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