The Best Curly Hair Products, According to Experts
Calling all curlfriends. You're probably all caught up on using heat-free techniques, like hair plopping, to achieve the voluminous ringlets of your dreams and discovered expert-approved tips for creating a wash day schedule. Now, it's time to have a chat about the best products to keep your curly hair healthy and thriving.
There are many factors to consider before determining which hair products work specifically for you. While we'd love to see the day when there would be a list of curly hair must-haves that every curlfriend would swear by, it's important to figure out what's best for your specific hair texture. Celebrity hairstylist and Veluer Creative founder Michael Dueñas and Cataanda James, natural hairstylist and brand educator for The Mane Choice, shared tips with Seventeen on what curly hair needs and the best curly hair products to keep your spirals healthy.
What should you look for in curly hair products?
Moisture, moisture, moisture! Curly hair thrives on moisture. According to Dueñas, products formulated with hydrating ingredients, like argan oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, avocado oil, and hyaluronic acid, nourish and moisturize strands. These types of ingredients are important because they "enhance the elasticity in your strands for ease in detangling," James said. It also minimizes breakage and encourages length retention.
What should you avoid in curly hair products?
When you're on the hunt for hydrating products, it's also important to watch out for formulas that may hurt the hair. "Sulfates are detergents that can strip the hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle," Dueñas explained. Alcohols are another ingredient to steer clear of as well because alcohol can cause drying, leading to brittle, breakage-prone hair. While some alcohols get a bad rep, benzyl alcohol is a helpful preservative that Dueñas said "has no detrimental effect" on hair.
How do you define curly hair textures?
There is a lengthy spectrum of hair textures, ranging from numbers 1 through 4, with three different categories, A through C, to represent each individual hair type. According to Dueñas, 3A hair represents loose, voluminous curls, while 4C hair is the tightest and most coiled texture.
What kind of shampoo should you use for curly hair?
Removing dirt, product buildup, and natural oils from the hair and scalp is essential to maintaining healthy hair, and that all begins with shampoo. Using a shampoo that cleanses curls without risking damage is important, too. Dueñas suggests sulfate-free shampoos, as sulfates strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry, brittle, and possibly prone to breakage. Instead, the Veleur Creative founder suggests gentle shampoos as they "impart moisture and do not strip oils."
What's the best conditioner for curly hair?
Curly hair thrives on moisture. According to Dueñas, curly hair is naturally dry and is often prone to frizz. Using conditioners enriched with hydrating ingredients like argan oil, aloe vera gel, and coconut oil maintain moisture and combat frizz. James adds that hydrating products like conditioners "enhance the elasticity," which helps simplify the detangling process, minimizes breakage, and encourages length retention.
Does Deep Conditioner Help Curly Hair?
Every now and then, your curly mane needs a little extra TLC. Deep conditioning treatments pack a more moisturizing punch than conditioners, like the ones recommended by our experts, while replenishing your strands with additional hydration.
How do Curl Creams Work on Curly Hair?
When it comes time to style, curl creams are a must. The trusty product helps define curls while hydrating and protecting against frizz. Dueñas recommends curl creams because they are "basically conditioners with hold" and "the perfect combination for your hair to retain" its curls.
What Other Products Does Curly Hair Need?
While there are several products that all curly hair needs to thrive, there are many others that can be used based on your style preference. If you live for wash-and-go styles, alcohol-free gels are an easy way to achieve your desired look and make it last. Dueñas says alcohol-free gels help "retain your curl shape and control frizz without drying." If you're looking to prevent breakage, James recommends serums to repair and help promote stronger-looking hair. For a way to make your curls pop without risking frizz from air drying, diffusers are a great curly hair-friendly tool to achieve fluffy, healthy curls.
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