The Best Curly Hair Products Based on Curl Type

From wavy to curly to corkscrew, there's one thing all these curl types have in common: the struggle to find the right curly hair products. You need hydration without the grease, hold without the crunch, and frizz control that lasts all day.

Well, you’re in luck! I specialize in curly hair! With so many different opinions out there, it can be hard to determine what will give you beautifully defined curls or leave them a crunchy, chaotic mess.

Luckily, I've seen it all. All the curl creams, custards, gels, mousses, and sprays you could imagine. I know which products work and which ingredients will leave you with that hydrated, salon-fresh feel. Let's get into it.

Know Your Curly Hair Type

If you have curly hair, I know you have tried what feels like every product. BUT, before you immerse yourself in all the different creams, mousses, and gels, you need to get better acquainted with your curls. That means understanding your curl pattern. Why? Well, not every curly hair product works for all curly hair. The last thing you want to do is use a SUPER-thick heavy cream on fine waves. That's just going to weigh your curls down and give you stringy, flat hair. No thanks!

Let me break down common curl types for you. 

KEEP IN MIND: Not everyone has just one curl pattern! In fact, most curly girlies will have multiple curl patterns throughout their hair.

Type 2 (Wavy Hair)

Although there's a lot of controversy in the curly hair community over this, wavy hair is classified as a type of curl pattern. These curls form as soft S-shapes. Type 2A has the softest shape, whereas the curls are a bit more defined with 2Bs and 2Cs.

2C waves are thicker and much more susceptible to frizz. You'll also notice that "S-shape" will begin closer to the root.

Type 3 (Curly Hair)

Got bouncy, more defined curls with a noticeable spring? Then you've probably got type 3 hair. These curls can come in ALL variations of tightness, from loose loops to tighter, springy corkscrews. You'll need products that give you the hydration you need and also define those curls.

Type 4 ( Coily Hair)

These curls are super tight and kinky, forming in tight zig-zag curls from the scalp. This hair type can feel dry and spongy, coarse and wiry, or soft and fine. Product-wise, you need heavier products that are going to deeply nourish the strands.

What Does Hair Porosity Have To Do With It?

Hair porosity is all about how well your hair strands absorb and retain moisture. Hair porosity falls into 2 different categories:

• Low Porosity Hair - Your curls are packed tight, and so is your cuticle, which makes it hard for moisture to get in there. Nerdy Fun Hair Fact: This type actually HAS moisture inside called a lipid reservoir! 
• Medium Porosity Hair - This means your cuticles are open, making it easier for the strands to absorb and retain moisture.
• High Porosity Hair - Your cuticles are wide open, which could come from chemical, heat, or environmental damage, which means your hair might soak up moisture, but it loses it FAST.

You need to know your porosity to choose the right products for your hair. For example, high-porosity hair will need protein to repair, whereas low and medium-porosity hair benefits from a simple moisturizing deep conditioner.

Want to test your porosity at home? Check out my step-by-step video guide on the hair porosity test.

Best Curly Hair Products Based on Curl Type

Best Curly Hair Product Overall: Sweaty Hair Refresher

Our Sweaty Hair Refresher is perfect for ALL curl types and textures. It's the best dry shampoo for curly hair without that weighty, cakey, brittle feeling. Think of it more like a light serum. This lightweight foam deodorizes your hair and neutralizes smells (which is GREAT NEWS for you curly-haired gym girls). With amino acids, the Sweaty Hair Refresher makes your hair stronger, and ingredients like green tea and chamomile are soothing on the scalp, calming irritation AND scalp breakouts.

How to Use: Take your hair out of the sweaty ponytail. That’s right! You CAN revive those curls! Pump the foam into your hands, rub them together, and massage it into the sides and back of your hair (where you sweat the most). You can also take another pump and apply it to the ends (use your prayer hand technique!) The Sweaty Hair Refresher is a great restyler, so you can also use it to smooth flyaways and finger twist small pieces for even more definition.

The Sweaty Hair Refresher won't get rid of greasy hair (it's meant for hair that can use a little nourishment!), but it WILL refresh your hair after a workout.

Best Products For Type 2 Curls – Wavy Hair

Type 2 curls need products that define their natural texture without weighing down those waves. Here’s what to look out for:

Lightweight Leave-In Conditioners

Type 2 wavy hair runs the risk of getting weighed down if you use the wrong products (like heavy creams or oils). I recommend choosing a lightweight leave-in conditioner with a silicone-free formula, as you'll get the hydration without the grease. Use a SMALL amount and ONLY apply to the ends of the hair to keep good volume in your curls. 

Curl-Defining and Volumizing Mousses/Gels

The best mousse for wavy hair will give you sky-high volume and bounce WITHOUT that horrible crunchy feeling. You need something light to define those natural curls. I usually recommend Chiffon Mousse from R+ Co or I Create Hold Gel from Innersense.

Sea Salt Sprays

If you're looking for less of a polished look, a good salt spray will define natural waves and create that beachy, tousled look. I like to recommend R+Co Sail Soft Wave Spray. It’s like salt spray and mousse had a baby. So it gives texture with a medium amount of hold. Perfect for finer hair types. 

Best Products For Type 3 Curls – Curly Hair

Got type 3? You need to focus on products that prioritize moisture, definition, and frizz control. Here’s what your curly hair routine needs:

Rich Creams and Holding Gels

You need thicker curl creams with a gel layered over it to define and hold curls without (you guessed it) the crunch. Curl cream will moisturize your hair, and gel will lock in that definition. Choose aloe vera-based products like Kinky Curly Custard over oil-based or silicone-based products.  

Tip -Look for flaxseed-based products – they create hold and tons of shine! 

Co-Washes

A co-wash is a really great option for in-between washes. But beware of co-washing if you have fine curls. We are talking fine strands, so even if you have a lot of hair (high density), you can still get weighed down if your hair STRANDS are fine. The ideal of a co-wash is that oil attaches to oil, so it will cleanse, hydrate, and detangle without stripping hair of its natural oils. You'll want to be sure to rinse it really well!

Best Products For Type 4 Curls – Coily Hair

Coily hair is SUPER textured and prone to MAJOR shrinkage. You need products that give you that deep, nourishing hydration and definition. Here's what I recommend:

Deep (and I mean DEEP) Conditioning Treatments

You need to invest in a thick leave-in conditioner that penetrates deep into the hair shaft. It takes about 2 seconds for coily hair to absorb moisture, which is why you NEED deeply hydrating products.

Curl Creams and Butters

Go with shea butter-based creams to lock in moisture and keep your curls hydrated

Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Curly Hair

Your curly hair routine starts with shampoo, and yet so many curly girls overlook it! They pick any old shampoo off the shelf. You absolutely do NOT want to be doing that. You need a shampoo that's gentle but cleansing enough to get rid of all that leftover product and leave your curls soft to the touch.

Go for silicone-free AND sulphate-free shampoo to clean your hair WITHOUT stripping it of its natural oils (and when your hair is textured, you need all the natural oils you can get.) Look for shampoos that contain ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, and coconut oil.

And, whatever you do, don't skip the conditioner! Curly hair THRIVES on moisture. You need formulas full of nourishing ingredients like argan oil and glycerin. You'll also want to get your hands on detangling formulas that will help you detangle damp hair and reduce frizz when it dries. Your comb (or fingers) should glide through your hair like butter.

Best Leave-In Conditioner For Curly Hair

If you don't have a leave-in conditioner, what are you doing? Leave-in conditioners are an important step in ANY curly hair care routine, moisturizing your hair without weighing down your curls and helping you stay frizz-free. Here are some key ingredients to be on the lookout for when choosing the best leave-in conditioner for your hair type:

• Aloe vera - To soothe and hydrate.
• Honey - Will attract moisture and help your hair retain it.

The Curly Girl Method

There's a reason this method has been taking CurlTok by storm for decades now, and it's because it WORKS. This trend is all about choosing products that bring out your natural curls. That means ditching the sulfates, silicones, and the heat styling. (Yes, the heat styling! We are mostly talking about getting rid of irons and the intense blowouts because the heat damage kills the curl.)

Here are the basics you'll actually need to nourish your curls:

• A microfiber towel - A t-shirt works just as well. Either way, you need to stop using regular towels on your wet hair after your shower as they damage the hair cuticle. Say hello to frizz and breakage!
• A curl cream - You'll want to put this on your hair IMMEDIATELY after the shower using the praying hands method. (Where you smooth the cream into your hair between your palms. Then, get scrunching!)
• A gel - This will create a cast for your curls and keep them in place while they dry. (Diffuse or air dry - it's up to you!) Once your hair is dry, just use your hands to scrunch out the cast and get ready to greet your new, beautiful, bouncy curls.

Optional:

• Fan Hairbrush - You can experiment; everyone’s curls react differently, but this brush creates little ribbons and can give amazing definition for certain curl types. 
• Finger Twist - Use your fingers to twist out individual pieces of your hair. You can focus just on the “money spots” – the front around your face, and on the top layers. Everything else should blend as it dries.

My Top Tips for Curly Girls

• Skip serious heat styling! I'm talking heat tools like flat irons and curling irons. If you diffuse your hair, use your blow dryer on the low heat setting so you don't cause damage.
• Avoid aggressive brushing when your hair is wet! Your hair strands are at their most delicate when they're wet, and using a brush can cause SERIOUS damage and frizz. Do an in-shower detangle with your conditioner using a wide-toothed comb or your fingers.
• Avoid brushing your hair when out of the shower – unless you have very coily hair. Brushing or combing hair right out of the shower is a huge no-no, whatever your curl type. Hello frizz! Brush in the shower with conditioner and rinse according to your part so your hair is hanging in the direction it will dry. 
• Invest in a silk pillow. Your cotton pillow? It's rubbing against your strands and giving you frizz, girl. Ditch it and go silk, instead.
• Get a good silk scrunchie. Want to protect your curls even more? A silk scrunchie will keep your locks frizz-free while you slumber. Wear your hair pineapple style with a scrunchie like the one from Unsubscribe. Bonus: It’s cute and hot pink! 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Bring Out My Natural Curls?

If you're serious about bringing out those natural curls, the Curly Girl Method is your best bet.

What Products Should I Avoid if I Have Curly Hair?

• Any Silicone-Based Products - Silicones soon build up on curly hair, which stops that all-important moisture from getting in. You need silicone-free products or water-soluble silicones.

What to Avoid if You Have Fine Curls:

Not all curls are the same, and neither are curly hair products. If you have finer, looser curls, you don't want to be lathering up your strands in the same products as a 4C girlie. Here's what to avoid:

• Oils - Oils can make your fine hair look stringy and weighed down. They also break down any hold product you might be using. 
• Heavy Creams or Butters - Shea butter or cocoa butter are too heavy for fine or loose curls. Wavy hair types need lightweight products and products with more hold.

Should You Moisturize Curly Hair Every Day?

This depends on your curl type. If you have a drier, coarser texture, then moisturize your curly hair every day. Use lightweight leave-in conditioners, creams, serums, or hydrating sprays.

If you have fine hair or curls, moisturizing every day can weigh your hair down and make it greasy or cause issues like a flaky scalp. A lot of the time, it comes down to trial and error before finding a curl routine that works for you.

Should You Wash Curly Hair Every Day?

You only need to wash your curly hair 1 - 2 times a week. For a full breakdown and helpful tips, see our guide on how often to wash your hair.

Conclusion

You're a curly girl. You KNOW curly hair can be a challenge - I don't have to tell you that. But what I can tell is that choosing the right products will make all the difference. Once you know the styling products and ingredients to look out for based on your hair texture, you'll discover a curl routine that will nourish your curls from roots to end, prevent breakage, and give you the bounce you've been looking for.