The 15 Best Curly Hair Products To Create a Full, Frizz-Free Routine

Most Universal

Pattern Beauty Leave-In Conditioner

View On Patternbeauty.com $12

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 Hair Ties

L. Erickson Grab & Go Hair Tie Tube

View On Amazon $22

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

View On Amazon $24 View On Nordstrom $24 View On Sephora $24

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

View On Amazon $14 View On Sallybeauty.com $14 View On Vernonfrancois.com $10

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 while it cleanses. Most shampoos 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

View On Amazon $30 View On Nordstrom $15 View On Dermstore $15

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

View On Ulta $15 View On Walmart $13 View On Target $13

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

View On Actandacre.com

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

View On Ecosmetics.com $36 View On Beautycarechoices.com $38 View On Bonanza.com

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

View On Amazon $30 View On Sephora $30 View On Kohls.com $30

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

View On Amazon $87 View On Nordstrom $89 View On Dermstore $89

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

View On Amazon $230 View On Hsn.com View On Best Buy $160

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

View On Amazon $26 View On Sephora $26 View On Jcpenney.com $25

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

View On Amazon $17 View On Curls.com $17

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

View On Sephora $40 View On Dermstore $40 View On Ulta $40

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