Skip to Content

13 Best Products for Curly Hair That Give You Frizz-Free Bounce

Pump up the volume, not the frizz!

By , and
woman with curly hair and hair products
Stocksy; Courtesy

If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

Curly hair: We love to have it, but like most hair types, it comes with its own set of hairy situations to deal with. For starters, you need gentle products that will keep your curls well-moisturized, bouncy, and voluminous. On Amazon alone, there are 10,000 products for curly hair, so we can't fault you for not being sure how to build your hair regimen. To help alleviate this burden, we tapped two curly hair specialists for the tea on the best products for curly hair.

Best Products for Curly Hair

  • Curl Defining Cream

    Best Overall

    Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream

    $36 at Amazon
    Read more
  • A-maz-zon Hair Day Leave-In Conditioner

    Best Leave-In Conditioner

    The Mane Choice A-maz-zon Hair Day Leave-In Conditioner

    Read more
  • Jojoba Oil Hair Serum

    Best Hair Serum

    PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross Jojoba Oil Hair Serum

    Read more
  • Never Salty Sugar Scalp Scrub

    Best Scalp Scrub

    TPH by TARAJI Never Salty Sugar Scalp Scrub

    Read more
  • Quench 3-in-1 Co-Wash, Conditioner, and Detangler

    Best Co-Wash

    Thank God It's Natural (tgin) Quench 3-in-1 Co-Wash, Conditioner, and Detangler

    Read more

How to Care for Curly Hair

Although curly hair can be big and stately, Ebony Bomani, master cosmetologist and educator for The Mane Choice, says it's super important to remember that it's also one of the most fragile hair types.

In order to keep it in tip-top condition, Bomani recommends developing a regimen that will both boost up the strength of your curls and also add a softer, silkier touch to them. That includes shampooing and conditioning up to twice a week, deep conditioning at least twice a month, reducing or eliminating direct heat, and detangling from the ends up. If you don't want to sleep in a hair bonnet, Bomani suggests opting for sleeping on a silk pillowcase instead.

Ingredients

You should also try finding the right ingredients that will complement and repair your curly strands. “Curly hair types benefit from lightweight oils such as argan and jojoba oils to help soften, protect, and reduce frizz without the excess weight,” Bomani says. Aloe vera and glycerin are also excellent moisturizing ingredients for curly hair.

Now that you know how to properly manage your strands, it's time to fill up your beauty bin with some curl-fortifying picks. Check out 13 of our favorite products for curly hair, which include items we use on our very own curls, hair stylist-recommended products, and more top-rated options on Amazon, Walmart, Ulta, Sephora, and more.

What’s My Curl Pattern?

curl types 2b tori kelly 2c lorde 3a taylor swift 3b jennifer freeman 3c rachel true
Best Products; Getty Images

You might have even seen a popular chart floating around Pinterest showing various hair textures represented by a number and letter. The number represents straight (1) to coily (4) hair textures while the letter signifies the width of your curl pattern: A is wide, B is medium, and C is small, according to celebrity hairstylist Janine Jarman of Curl Cult.

Jarman, who's styled celebrity clients including Fergie and Christina Applegate, shared a quick at-a-glance view of wavy and curly hair textures:

Best Overall

Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream

Best Tested
Curl Defining Cream
Best Overall

Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream

$36 at Amazon$36 at Nordstrom$16 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Former beauty editor Jennifer Hussein loves Moroccanoil's Curl Defining Cream. “This all-in-one product for curly hair cuts down on the daily regimen and gives definition to natural curls with no frizz in sight,” she says.

Hussein isn’t the only one who adores this product for curly hair. Fans describe the Moroccanoil curl-defining cream with words like “life-changing” and “must-have.”

Like all Moroccanoil products, the Curl Defining Cream is infused with argan oil. It's a superstar ingredient packed with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that protect and soften your precious curls. In addition, it has a sweet and nutty scent profile that smells so enticing you'll wish it was available as perfume or body lotion.

More: Do I Need Really Need a High-Frequency Wand?

Best Leave-In Conditioner

The Mane Choice A-maz-zon Hair Day Leave-In Conditioner

A-maz-zon Hair Day Leave-In Conditioner
Best Leave-In Conditioner

The Mane Choice A-maz-zon Hair Day Leave-In Conditioner

If your curls are feeling a little drier than usual, this product for curly hair is the perfect way to give your tresses an hours-long hydration treatment. Bomani recommends this leave-in conditioner for its shine- and moisture-boosting properties, leaving hair smooth and shiny without weighing down your curls.

It also earned a spot on this list because it contains a few of our favorite hair care ingredients: biotin, vitamin E, mangosteen extract, and rose. Your hair will have an incredible slip and will detangle like a dream. Soft supermodel curls, here you come!

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best Hair Serum

PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross Jojoba Oil Hair Serum

Best Tested
Jojoba Oil Hair Serum
Best Hair Serum

PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross Jojoba Oil Hair Serum

When Tracee Ellis Ross launched PATTERN in 2019, the beauty world joined in a simultaneous squeal of joy. And her haircare line for curly, kinky, and coily hair types does not disappoint.

This serum has sparkling reviews for its lightweight blend of botanicals like jojoba, lavender, and rosehip for a highly moisturizing treatment to your strands and scalp.

"I use PATTERN's lightweight serum because it softens dry hair and calms an itchy scalp," says beauty editor Nicole Saunders. "It's a solid pre-shampoo hot oil treatment. I just massage some product onto my scalp and hair, pop on a shower cap, and turn on my Dyson hairdryer to help the hydrating oils and botanicals penetrate my strands."

Best Scalp Scrub

TPH by TARAJI Never Salty Sugar Scalp Scrub

Best Tested
Never Salty Sugar Scalp Scrub
Best Scalp Scrub

TPH by TARAJI Never Salty Sugar Scalp Scrub

Tracee Ellis Ross isn't the only celeb here for our curly friends: Taraji P. Henson launched her own natural haircare line earlier this year, and our beauty editor can't stop talking about this scalp scrub.

“Its mess-free applicator tip gets the scrub directly on my scalp, allowing the product to exfoliate away flakes, so my hair is cleaner and fresher,” says Saunders.

And don't worry: Sugar is gentle on your skin, especially when compared to salt scrubs.

Best Co-Wash

Thank God It's Natural (tgin) Quench 3-in-1 Co-Wash, Conditioner, and Detangler

Quench 3-in-1 Co-Wash, Conditioner, and Detangler
Best Co-Wash

Thank God It's Natural (tgin) Quench 3-in-1 Co-Wash, Conditioner, and Detangler

Curly-haired girls know that co-washes are a game-changer for softer and shinier tresses.

This co-wash from tgin replaces three products in your routine: shampoo, conditioner, and detangler. It nourishes each and every strand with African shea butter and a trio of oils — coconut, sweet almond, and olive — to boost shine and condition. The results: strong, manageable curls.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best Curl Gel

Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel

Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel
Best Curl Gel

Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel

Give your curls some definition while smoothing out the frizz with this quinoa-infused gel. This gel has an ultra-tight hold with a lightweight feel, so your hair will never feel crunchy or tacky.

Plus, this product for curly hair does more than just keep your hairstyle intact: It’s filled with quinoa extract and keratin amino acids to strengthen strands and increase elasticity to protect against damage.

Best for Prepping Curls

Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Combing Creme

Amazon’s Choice
Hair Milk Combing Creme
Best for Prepping Curls

Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Combing Creme

This 4-in-1 combing creme from Carol's Daughter works wonders on curls, coils, kinks, and waves. Formulated with a softening blend of agave, keratin, and olive oil, this product for curly hair will perfectly prep any hair type for expert styling.

Although it contains ultra hydrating ingredients, it's lightweight, quickly absorbs into your curls, and won't leave behind pesky residue or crunch.

Best Mousse

Oribe Curl Shaping Mousse

Curl Shaping Mousse
Best Mousse

Oribe Curl Shaping Mousse

Now 17% Off

We have great news: Gone are the days of using a mousse that leaves your curls dry and crispy.

Like all Oribe products, it contains the brand's signature trio of ingredients — watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower — to protect your hair from environmental damage, oxidative stress, and photoaging. But that's not all: Your curls are nourished with a blend of proteins, amino acids, and sweet almond oil to add body, shine, and hydration.

Work this mousse into curly hair to get frizz-less ringlets and improve their natural shape. The formula of this product for curly hair includes UV and heat protectors — so you won't need a separate product in your routine.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best for Styling

PHYTO Phyto Specific Moisturizing Styling Cream

On Sale
Phyto Specific Moisturizing Styling Cream
Best for Styling

PHYTO Phyto Specific Moisturizing Styling Cream

If you're anything like us, the last thing you want is a head of weighed-down curls. This styling cream has a fast-absorbing formula made of quinoa oil and rice wax that leaves curls soft, controlled, and never crunchy.

Your hair will feel noticeably softer, and with continued use, you'll experience less breakage. Plus, this lightweight cream is also free of troublesome sulfates, silicones, and parabens.

Best for Dry Curls

Sebastian Twisted Elastic Treatment Mask for Curls

Twisted Elastic Treatment Mask for Curls
Best for Dry Curls

Sebastian Twisted Elastic Treatment Mask for Curls

Sebastian's entire Twisted collection is amazing for curly hair, but we're especially fond of this deep conditioning mask.

The Elastic Treatment for Curls saturates your strands in nourishing ingredients designed to give you your best curls while hydrating each and every strand. This product for curly hair also smells like fresh sea air, adding to the luxurious experience!

Best for Damaged Curls

Ouidad Curl Recovery Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil

Amazon’s Choice
Curl Recovery Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil
Best for Damaged Curls

Ouidad Curl Recovery Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil

Now 15% Off

Refresh dry and damaged curly hair with this daily shampoo by Ouidad. The CR-4 repair complex blends matura butter, Kalahari melon seed oil, and coconut oil to hydrate while removing buildup.

This gentle shampoo is sulfate-free, meaning it's excellent for color-treated curly hair. With continued use, your curls will become softer, nourished, and springy.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best Natural Formula

SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
Best Natural Formula

SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Give your overprocessed hair some much-needed love with this deeply hydrating leave-in treatment. It's loaded with amazing ingredients that will help soften, nourish, and detangle dehydrated hair.

This product for curly hair from SheaMoisture uses natural, organic ingredients to keep curls looking their best. Coconut oil, silk protein, and neem oil work to restore hair to a healthy, moisturized shine without any added weight.

Best Volumizer

TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock Amplifier

On Sale
Curls Rock Amplifier
Best Volumizer

TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock Amplifier

Now 51% Off

Do your curls need a volume boost? Then go big or go home, and grab a bottle of this volumizing formula, stat. This curl amplifier makes your hair reach new heights while whipping unruly strands into shape, creating a big mane of curlicues that you'll never want to take your hands off of.

Headshot of Nicole Saunders
Nicole Saunders
Beauty Editor

Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. She takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Beauty Awards package.

Headshot of Jennifer Hussein
Jennifer Hussein
Beauty Editor

Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.

Headshot of Katie McBroom
Katie McBroom
Beauty Editor

Katie McBroom is an award-winning content creator and freelance writer. Prior to contributing to Biography, she served as Content Editor for Google and Beauty Editor for Best Products. Her work has also appeared in publications including CNN, WWD, Business Insider, Forbes, and Men's Health, among others.

Watch Next
 
preview for HDM All sections playlist - Best Products
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Hair

seen deeper conditioner

The Best Conditioners for Dry Hair of All Time

different hair serums

How to Shop for the Best Hair Serums like a Pro

closeup of a woman's hands dyeing hair using black brush

How to Cover Your Gray Hair at Home

davines heart of glass silkening shampoo for blonde care, madison reed colorsolve customizable frizz away shampoo, and kerastase blond absolu bain ultra violet unisex shampoo

10 Best Shampoos for Gray Hair

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below