To achieve gorgeous curls, with definition and bounce, consider your routine. Are you choosing the right products for each step? We're here to help breakdown wash day. “A healthy routine starts with treating your curls with love and care at every turn, from detangling to washing, and from drying to styling,” says Vernon François, famed celebrity hairdresser and founder of VERNON FRANÇOIS Haircare. 

Adding moisture, defining curls, and finding the perfect sulfate-free shampoo is a full-time job that requires a lot of trial and error. To help you nail your own personal curly girl method, we dug through dozens of tests, interviewed François for his expert recommendations and leaned on our editors with curly hair to find the best curly hair products.

Best Overall

Pattern Beauty Leave-In Conditioner

• Some reviewers note receiving broken bottles (but, not to worry, as Pattern’s customer service team is great!).

I’ve spent years trying a variety of leave-in conditioners, but once I found this one there was no going back — the jumbo tub permanently lives on my counter. A nourishing cocktail of coconut, jojoba, avocado, and sweet almond oils hydrate curls, restoring bounce and locking in all that post-condition moisture. As soon as I’m done washing and conditioning my hair, I’ll lather a layer of this on and let it soak in before moving on to my stronger-hold gel. If you prefer to detangle outside the shower (personally, I’m an in-shower detangler), this leave-in has tons of slip and will get the job done without pulling. Plus, I love the scents in all of Pattern’s products — they’re so fresh, like perfume for your hair (but not too strong).

Size: 25 oz. | Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil | Best For: Detangling, locking in extra moisture

Best Budget

L'Oréal Paris Evercurl HydraCharge Shampoo

What We Love: Our curls felt relaxed and better defined after the first wash, and only looked better with continued use. 

What We Don’t Love: It works best with the coordinating conditioner.

Leave it to L'Oreal and our soft, touchable tumble of curls to demonstrate just how a drugstore shampoo can work. The gentle formula behind its sulfate-free formula worked exactly how we’d hoped it would, exceeding our expectations by giving us those loose, but dreamily defined curls we normally have to scrunch and diffuse to bring to fruition. Beyond that, its formula ditches harsh, stripping sulfates, and allows our color-treated hair to remain vibrant throughout the entire time we washed with the shampoo. What's better, our scalps never suffered from it and still felt squeaky clean even without the cleansing agents. Since it’s so affordable, we recommend purchasing the coordinating conditioner for your very best hair day yet. 

Size: 8.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, glycerin| Best for: Curl defining

Best Hair Ties

L. Erickson Grab & Go Hair Tie Tube

The L. Erickson Hair Ties are my absolute favorite; I’ve been using them for years and never leave the house without one around my wrist. They come in an array of bright colors, metallics, and neutrals for all your style needs, and they even blend right into the bracelet stack I wear daily, disguising themselves as just another cute accessory. Because they’re extra thick, stretchy, and comfy I never experience headaches, hair dents, or tangling. I even recently gifted them to a few friends on a bachelorette trip and everyone was so obsessed they wore them for the rest of the weekend. 

Size: One size | Material: Elastic | Best For: Hair ties for thick hair

Best Styling Gel

Briogeo Curl Charisma Frizz Control Gel

• This gel offers “light to medium hold,” which is great because it doesn’t leave your curls sticky or weighed down, but it may not keep you completely frizz-free in more humid climates.

All curly hair routines need a trusty styling gel and trust me, I’ve tried plenty over the years. Recently, Briogeo Frizz Control Gel has been my product of choice — its clean ingredients like rice amino acids and quinoa extract work to lock out frizz, enhance moisture, and seal the hair cuticles for future protection, all while providing flexible curl definition that doesn’t leave you with a dreaded sticky feel or that early-2000’s wet look. I like to apply this from my roots to my ends, while scrunching the hair throughout to create extra definition and volume around the crown. After applying, go ahead and diffuse if you’re looking for a quick dry and extra hold, but in my experience, air-drying works just fine for everyday outings.

Size: 5.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, rice amino acids, quinoa extract | Best For: Creating definition and minimizing frizz

Best Shampoo

Vernon François Curl Shampoo

Vernon François is the king of curls. After years of experience styling natural-haired celebs, he created his own product line in 2016, and it’s grown to become a mainstay in many curl routines. We’re especially fond of his Curl Shampoo for the way it moisturizes wavy hair type while it cleanses. Most shampoos for wavy hair types contain sulfates that remove grime and create the sudsy lather we’ve come to rely on to feel our scalps getting clean, but sulfates also strip necessary natural oils from hair. Sulfate-free shampoos tend to be gentler, albeit more expensive. Not only is the price right with this Vernon François formula, it's also packed full of nourishing ingredients like tea tree oil, seaweed extract, olive oil, and shea butter that work double time to clarify and hydrate.

Size: 8.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Shea butter, olive oil, jojoba seed oil | Best For: Wash days, a cleanser that won’t strip moisture

Best Conditioner

Olaplex No. 5 Conditioner

Aah, Olaplex — a fan-favorite of the curly universe with major internet hype. We’re here to let you know that, well, it lives up to that reputation. With restorative ingredients like biotin, avocado oil, and sunflower seed oil, plus the Olaplex-patented bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate that is scientifically-proven to repair broken hair bonds, this conditioner is the real deal. I’ve been using it for about a year and have noticed a meaningful difference in the softness of my curls, less frizz, and easier detangling (I loosen my curls with my fingers and then run a wide-tooth comb through my strands before washing the conditioner out). And, an extra plus, it’s even recommended for color treated hair.

Size: 8.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate (patented bond-repair technology) | Best For: Conditioning dry hair, repairing breakage, taming frizz

Best Hair Mask

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Hair Masque

• I don’t love having to open a jar with slippery fingers in the shower, but alas, most hair masks come in these types of containers.

Everyone needs a reliable hair mask in their wash day rotation. If I were more diligent, I’d use this once a week (do it — it’ll pay off!). But, when I have extra time on a Sunday or feel my hair looking a little worse for wear, this SheaMoisture mask is my go-to. The deeply moisturizing formula utilizes shea butter, coconut oil, and hibiscus flower extract to smooth out each hair cuticle and protect against breakage; not to mention it smells incredible. Immediately after one use, you’ll notice less dullness and more shine (hello, fast results!). 

The key with a hair mask is to leave it on for some time — no less than five minutes. Usually, I’ll apply the mask with my fingers (making sure to hit everywhere from my roots to my ends) and throw it up with a plastic claw clip while I shave or exfoliate, before rinsing it out. When I’m feeling particularly ambitious, I’ll wash my hair, apply the mask, and then exit the shower, getting into my robe to pad around the house for thirty minutes or so, letting it really sink in before hopping back in to rinse — trust me, it’ll work miracles. 

Size: 12 oz. | Key Ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, hibiscus flower extract | Best For: Restoring hydration and shine to frizzy, damaged curls

Best for Scalp Care

Act + Acre Scalp Detox

Unfortunately, the creams and gels used to de-frizz curly hair can cause massive product build-up on the scalp. For years, I struggled with flaking dandruff and itchiness before realizing the life-changing wonders of scalp detoxing. This Act + Acre product is my current fave — its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients cleanse the scalp of excess oil residue without over-stripping necessary moisture. Use it weekly on dry hair before shampoo and let it sit for no less than twenty minutes (though, it’s totally safe to leave it in for longer, even overnight) before moving on to your regular wash routine. For bonus points, massage the product into your scalp with a scalp massager. 

Size: 3 oz. | Key Ingredients: Baobab and basil leaf, moringa extract, aloe | Best For: Irritated scalp, product build-up

Best Hair Oil

Aquage SeaExtend Silkening Oil Treatment

I never used to be a fan of hair oils — I thought they were just an extra step that made your hands hard to wash and turned the sink into a pile of grease — until I found Aquage Silkening Oil. This product is light and feels silky smooth on your fingers (and more importantly, hair). With nourishing ingredients like argan oil and almond oil, it restores brilliance and shine to dehydrated curls. After washing and air-drying my hair, I like to use this as step one in my styling routine. Since it’s an oil, my hair will soak it right up, and it works as a nice hydrating primer to be followed by your curl cream or defining gel. That said, if you have drier hair (like I do) you’ll probably blow through a bottle pretty quickly. So expect to restock often (I promise it’s worth it). 

Size: 4.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Argan oil, almond oil | Best For: Dryness, dullness

Best Curl Creme

Amika Defining Cream

I love defining creams because they give you the styling benefits of gel, but with a softer hold for more organic looking curls. This one from Amika is a fan-favorite, earning placements among many a beauty editor’s top-shelf recommendations. Formulated with sea buckthorn berry, a highly-researched ingredient that contains over 190 biologically-active compounds (including Vitamins A, C, and E), it distributes deep moisture and nourishing protection. Applied alone, it’ll give your curls a loose, natural bounce, but it can also be coupled with a gel for added definition and longer-lasting frizz-control. This product has a thick consistency, so a little goes a long way. Plus, who doesn’t find joy in Amika’s signature printed packaging? It instantly brightens up your bathroom counter. Just be wary if you’re sensitive to scent because this one is pretty strong. 

Size: 6.7 oz. | Key Ingredients: Sea buckthorn berry, oat peptide | Best For: Dryness and defining curls with a looser, softer hold

Best Silk Pillowcase

Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase

A silk pillowcase is a must-have for any curly hair routine. When you’re only washing your hair every few days, you’ve got to make your style last — and sleeping on a silk pillowcase will help extend the life of your curls. Silk, as a fabric, is far less absorbent than cottons, allowing the natural oils in your hair (and in your skincare routine, for that matter) remain atop the surface of your strands. “Using a silk pillowcase or a silk cap will reduce friction and tangling while you sleep,” says François. Instead, your hair (and skin) will glide right across the pillow. Slip’s silk is extra soft, and the pillowcases come in a variety of pretty colors, but we do wish they were sold in pairs instead of single cases. 

Size: Standard / Queen | Material: 100% silk | Best For: Extending the life of frizz-free curls between washes

Best Hair Dryer for Curly Hair

Shark HyperAir Hair Dryer

• It’s quite loud.

People with curly hair may avoid the hair dryer in fear of damaging or drying out curls, but the Shark HyperAir Hair Dryer won our hearts (and our heads) with its smart engineering. It blends heated air and ionized air to create a smooth, consistent finish without heat damage. Regulating the temperature is a breeze too, thanks to three heat and three airflow settings. The cold shot button is conveniently located on the dryer, and best of all, this hair dryer comes with two versatile attachments that are perfect for curly heads. Use the concentrator attachment for a sleek blowout, or use the curl-defining diffuser to dry your hair without impacting your curl patterns. 

Heat Settings: 3 | Attachments Included: Concentrator and Diffuser

Best Heat Protectant

Mizani Heat Screen Hair Protectant Spray

We analyzed this spray in depth when we were testing the best heat protectants, and its lightweight hydration made it a clear winner for curlies. Our curls felt exquisitely defined without being dragged down. The mist distributed across our scalps in a consistent stream, so we could easily control how much we applied. Plus, we were seriously impressed after investigating the ingredients list: rose water to boost shine, salicylic acid to control oil production on the scalp, and glycerin and tea tree oil for perfect definition. Just be warned that the scent—while lovely—is quite intense, so you may opt to skip extra perfumes or scented lotions while using.

Type: Spray | Key Ingredients: Rose water, glycerin, tea tree oil | Heat Protection: Up to 450 degrees | Size: 8.5 oz

Best Brush for Curly Hair

Curls Ultimate Detangler Brush

Say goodbye to blocking your calendar for a full hour just to detangle your curls. We tested dozens of brushes for curly hair, and this affordable option from Amazon won the title of best overall. What made it stand out apart from the rest was its surprising customization options: The brush came with interchangeable bristle patterns that were a breeze to snap on and off the brush base. This brush also felt totally gentle—no scalp tugging at all—and had a luxuriously smooth glide, which isn’t something we often enjoy as curly girls. Our curls looked noticeably more voluminous after using this brush, and it’s become a holy grail curly hair product.

Bristle Material: Plastic | Curl Pattern: All types

Best Mousse

Virtue Curl-Defining Whip

A multitasking mousse that protects and repairs? Sign us up. The star ingredient of this Virtue hair mousse is Alpha Keratin 60ku, a proprietary healing protein that’s a dupe for keratin, so it can repair damaged hair from the inside. Not only does the whipped formula feel rich on our hands, but it delivers a flawless finish too. We’re talking hydrated, smooth, and frizz-free, even in swampy conditions.

While online reviews have noted that the nozzle is prone to clogging, we’ve never experienced that ourselves—and one editor has used this mousse for months.

Size: 5.5 oz  | Scented: Yes | Hair Type: Wavy and curly | Key ingredients: Alpha Keratin 60ku®, shea butter, baobab oil

Best Hair Straightener for Curly Hair

BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Dual Ionic Flat Iron

Avoiding heat damage is the name of the game any time you use a hot tool, and our locks loved the ionic technology in this hair straightener for curly hair. The tool delivered a smooth-as-glass finish at just 375 degrees (which also means it heats up in a flash). It scored highly in our “ease of use” category, thanks to the clear lights indicating temperature levels, and the cord was long enough that we could move around a bit with ease. We didn’t notice any tugging during the straightening process, and once we figured out that smaller sections were more effective for straightening, we were off to the races.

Heads up, the on/off buttons are in an awkward place on the straightener, and we accidentally turned the tool off while using it a few times—so beware of user error there.

Plate Width: 1 ¼-inch | Plate Material: Titanium | Max Temperature: 450 degrees | Cord Length: 4 feet

Best for Fine Hair

Adwoa Beauty Baomint Moisturizing Shampoo

What We Love: The formula taps natural exfoliators to thoroughly clean scalps without feeling too harsh.

What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t do much to fight frizz.

We load our curly hair with a lot  (Think: Curl creams, gels, oils, and dry shampoo) to keep it in tip-top shape. In turn, we also face mountains of old-product buildup that causes our fine hair to look greasier, and faster. Not only did the plant-based cleansers in the adwoa beauty shampoo, like peppermint oils and aloe leaf juice, provide our scalps with a good, non-stripping scrub, but these fresh-scented agents also soothed our dry, itchy scalps. Every time we used the shampoo, our hair felt renewed, like we were styling it from a fresh, blank slate. And, it nourished our fine, dehydrated strands — never once leaving it weighted down. As a bonus, the formula even managed to soften our overgrown, split ends for a healthier appearance. 

Size: 14 oz | Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, baobab oil, wintergreen, spearmint, and peppermint oils | Best For: Flakiness, moisturizing  

Best for Wavy, Curly Hair

OGX Coconut Curls Shampoo

What We Love: It gently detangles hair, defines waves, and leaves hair impossibly soft and shiny.

What We Don’t Love: The scent has a slight, acrid tinge to some noses. 

With one wash of the OGX curl-defining shampoo, we were tempted to set down our hot tools forever. Our hair air-dried into gorgeous, well-defined S-shaped waves and appeared much healthier and hydrated thanks to a blend of conditioning ingredients like coconut oil and honey. While these oils provided the shampoo with a sweeter, slightly acidic scent that not everyone will love, the formula does a fabulous job at moisturizing our parched, brittle curls without leaving them limp from too many heavy fillers. We were pretty convinced this formula would weigh down our ringlets, mainly because we used over a quarter-size amount of the thin, gel-like formula to work it into a good lather, but, our hair felt just the opposite. It was voluminous, bouncy, and had the same lightweight feel as when we receieve a fabulous blowout and chop.

Size: 13 oz | Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, honey, citrus oil| Best For: Creating definition, moisturizing dry hair

Best for 3A Curls

Oribe Shampoo for Moisture & Control

What We Love: Oribe’s signature complex of plant-based protein and conditioning extracts restore tired ringlets.

What We Don’t Love: This formula could feel slightly heavy on finer hair types. 

While all curls need attention, 3A types are a little more needy, and we love them all for it – especially if it means we get to reach for Oribe’s glinting, luxe green bottle on wash days. The brand knew exactly what our frizzy, worn-out ringlets needed and whipped up a heavenly formula, accompanied by an ethereal light botanical scent, that toughened up our weak, dull, and broken strands and sent them out of the shower radiating with shine. The shampoo also majorly toned down our frizz, which is no easy feat for this static-prone hair type, courtesy of strand-smoothing ingredients such as sunflower extract and a signature polymer complex comprised of fortifying proteins. While we honestly believe the shampoo is a friend to all hair types, we recommend that those with finer strands use it more sparingly, otherwise, it could weigh down their waves. 

Size: 8.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Sunflower and amber extract, amino acids | Best for: Restoring hydration, repairing damaged hair

Best for Humidity

Bumble & bumble Curl Moisturizing Shampoo

What We Love: Hydrating ingredients keep frizz and static at bay even on sticky, humid days. 

What We Don’t Love: There wasn’t a noticeable difference in the appearance of our damage.

When rain clouds are imminent, or if our ringlets and waves are simply experiencing their general frizzy state, we’re lathering up the Bumble and bumble moisturizing shampoo to keep curls from misbehaving. Humectants like shea butter, avocado oil, and sodium hyaluronate (a hyaluronic acid derivative) helped our strands retain moisture, making it less likely to puff out on highly humid days. Plus, we easily washed out the shampoo and never experienced any lingering residue or film, only a luxury-level scent we’d attribute to a luxury hair salon. Unfortunately, it didn’t do much to repair our damaged split ends and broken strands, but that’s mostly because we’re long overdue for a good haircut. 

Size: 8.5 oz | Key Ingredients: Avocado, coconut, and jojoba oils, shea and cocoa butters | Best for: Anti-frizz, hydration

What to Keep in Mind

• Your Curl Pattern: Whether you have loose waves or ultra tight coils, your personal hair texture will dictate the kinds of products you should be using, and the hold you’ll require for certain styles. Get to know the curl chart and discover your own curl type. Personally, my hair falls around the 3B level and the products listed above work great for me. But, if your texture is more in the 4C category, you might require even more moisture-rich products, like a good shampoo and conditioner combo made for dry hair.
• Your Styling Needs: How you wear your hair, where you part it, how much volume you prefer, and if you opt for protective styles will all determine varying needs from your styling products. Depending on if you air dry your hair or use heat, choose a product made for air drying or a heat protectant. A cream will provide a looser hold for softer curls, while a gel will give you greater definition and tighter frizz-control. For best practice no matter your styling preferences, François advises treating your hair to a deep conditioning treatment every week or two, while seeking out a trim from your trusted (curl-specializing!) hairdresser every three to six months. For a quick pro styling tip, François recommends finger coiling. “Do this when hair is 80 percent dry, then leave it be [to finish drying]. This helps encourage curl definition,” he says. “When it’s fully dry, gently separate the twisted sections, then slide fingers up the back of the head and fluff up from the roots. Finally, flip mid to long length hair from side to side, forward and back to boost volume, and part at the highest point of your eyebrow arch.”

Your Questions, Answered 

What are the best ingredients for curly hair?

When it comes to selecting a shampoo, François recommends looking for a sulfate-free option. For thin, grease-prone hair, sulfates can help to cleanse and clarify. But, with dry, textured hair, they are often overly stripping, removing too many of the natural oils our scalps need to thrive.

In general, François advises looking for hydrating ingredients like argan oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, and shea butter. Though, he notes that formulas as a whole are more important to consider than individual ingredients. “Curls behave differently on different days depending on factors like when you last washed your hair, how you’ve been wearing it, how much water, vitamins, minerals, and healthy oils you consume, your genetics, and more,” he says. “Getting to know your hair and what it responds to best can be a lifelong journey.”

How do I detangle curly hair? 

“My method for hair detangling is to use the pads of my fingertips, thumbs, and palms on dry hair, working from the ends upwards towards the roots, stopping to massage out any knots or tangles along the way,” explains François. He advises to section the hair first. Personally, I detangle while in the shower with conditioner in my hair, using my fingers and a gentle wide-tooth comb. “Give yourself plenty of time. There is no need to pull. It can be pain-free and even enjoyable,” he says. Check out videos of how he demonstrates the technique on his young daughter. 

What do curly hair products do?

Different product categories achieve various goals, but generally, the idea is to add moisture, regardless of the formula. Whether you’re detoxing the scalp or restoring shine to your strands, the more hydration you add into your routine, the healthier, shinier, and bouncier your curls will be. 

Can you use curly hair products on straight hair?

Technically, sure, especially if your straight hair tends to be extra thick or moisture-deprived, or if you live in a particularly dry climate. But, using curly hair specific products on most standard straight hair textures can actually be too moisturizing, resulting in a greasy effect. Plus, curly hair products are often quite thick consistencies and require a curl to hold the product without weighing down the hair. 

Why Shop with Us

Linne Halpern is a freelance beauty, fashion, and lifestyle writer. She is a member of InStyle’s evergreen commerce team where she extensively tests and reviews countless products. For this story, she interviewed Vernon François, famed celebrity hair stylist, curl expert, and educator, to discover his tips and tricks for achieving your healthiest, most hydrated curls yet. Furthermore, Linne’s years of experimenting with her own curly hair routine (3B texture!) inform her favorite products, countless learnings, and best practices.