I’ve Tried Over 100 Curly Hair Products & These Are The 12 I’ll Always Repurchase
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Styling your hair is so much harder when you're a curly girl. Firstly, there's the whole journey of hating your curls, and doing everything within your power to eradicate them from existence (we've all fried our hair from using a straightener far too often at some point in time). Then, when you reach that pivotal moment where you decide you're going to start embracing your natural hair, you're bombarded with curly hair product recommendations and your money starts flying out the window.
It's just about every curly person's experience.
There's an abundance of curl products out there. And when you're a newbie to it all, nothing's off limits.
When I started embracing my natural hair texture, I was basically buying new products every single week. Anything my favourite creators were recommending, I was adding straight to my cart.
This was a huge waste of money.
I was going in blind. I had no idea what type of curls I had, so I was taking product suggestions from creators who had totally different curl patterns and porosity hair to me.
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I have fine hair, so needed to invest in lightweight products, but was taking thick haired creators' product recs as gospel. And while I'm sure they're great, they weren't for me. My curls were limp and weighed down.
It's safe to say over the past three years I've been embracing my natural hair, I've purchased a shit ton of products. Most have been mid. Some have been god awful. But there have been a select few that have become my holy grails.
Out of all the products I've tried, these are the ones I circle back to every single time.
The 11 Curly Hair Products That Have Never Failed Me
Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Wash Curl Defining Shampoo
Curly hair gets dry pretty easily, so it's important you're washing with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner. It also needs to be silicone and sulphate free, as these can dry out your natural texture further. The Umberto Giannini shampoo is affordable, nourishing and doesn't strip my hair bare.
Image: Priceline.
Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Care De-Frizz Conditioner
IDK if it's true that shampoos and conditioners work best when you use the matching set, but Umberto Giannini's curly shampoo and conditioner duo never do me dirty.
Image: Priceline.
Maria Nila The Curl Trio
When I'm on holiday and am packing light, I swap out my Umberto Giannini products for the Maria Nila Curl Trio. It's a pack that comes with the Coils & Curls Co-Wash, a curl cream and oil. The shampoo doubles as a detangler and leaves my hair feeling silky soft. While the brand says you don't need to condition your hair afterwards, I do anyway.
The cream and oil come in clutch for styling. The cream also has oil in it, so is great for humid climates (it's what allowed me to wear my hair down in Singapore), and the oil doesn't leave my hair feeling greasy. I only wish it came in a bigger bottle, as I go through it quite quickly.
Image: Hairhouse.
Ouai Curl Crème
This was one of the first curly hair products I bought, and I hated it the first time I used it (so much so that I gave away the practically full bottle to a friend). I re-purchased it when I was in Europe a few years ago because I wanted to give it a second chance, and now that I actually know how to use curl creams properly, this is incredible. A little goes a long way, especially if you have fine hair, but that just means it lasts for ages!
Image: Ouai.
Bouclème Super Volumising Foam
Foam is supposed to provide extra definition and volume, and this one from Bouclème does exactly that. It's super lightweight, so helps give your curls some extra bounce. Not to mention it smells AMAZING.
Image: Clever Curl.
John Frieda Frizz Ease Curl Reviver Styling Mousse
I discovered John Frieda's Frizz Ease Curl Reviver Styling Mousse when I filmed an ad for the brand a little while ago, and I've loved it ever since. If I want ~volume~, this is that I go for. Pack it on at the roots, diffuse, and BAM! I look fresh out of the '80s, and I love it.
Image: John Frieda.
Clever Curl Dry Weather Gel 1000ml
If there's one recommendation you take from this guide, let it be Clever Curl's Dry Weather Gel. My curly hairdresser got me onto this, and no other gel compares. I repeat, none. The dry weather gel helps to attract moisture to dehydrated curls, and I swear whenever I use this, my curls are defined for far longer than when I don't. I always buy the one litre bottle because it's the best value.
If you live in a more humid climate, then the brand's Humid Weather Gel is right up your alley. It contains anti-humectant properties that help seal in moisture for already hydrated curls, so your hair doesn't go crazy frizzy in the humidity. I've tested it on trips to humid places like Bali and Singapore, and it genuinely works wonders. While I usually have to tie my hair up in braids in intense humidity, I could actually wear my hair down without it turning into a giant frizz ball.
Image: Oz Hair & Beauty.
Alfaparf Milano Semi di Lino Sublime Cristalli Liquidi Oil
I've worked with Alfaparf Milano in the past, but the praise I'm about to sing isn't sponsored in any way, shape or form. This oil is incredible. Nothing can scrunch out the crunch as good as the Semi di Lino Sublime Cristalli Liquidi Oil. It's lightweight but not watery, so it removes the gel cast effectively — and makes your hair look really shiny in the process.
Only downside is that it's a bit of a bitch to get the remnants of the oil out of the pump once you reach the bottom of the bottle.
Image: Adore Beauty.
KYK Mist-ique Hair Oil
This hair oil is great for both day one of styling and refresh days alike. It's lightweight, doesn't make your hair greasy, and smells incredible. I spray a few pumps into my hair before scrunching it into my hair. Despite it being a lot thinner than the Alfaparf Milano hair oil, it's still capable of breaking a gel cast after diffusing. A little goes a long way, so it lasts for ages, too.
Image: KYK.
Bounce Curl Define EdgeLift Brush
This brush is a godsend — and it works on heaps of different curl types. If your curls are damaged and you're nurturing them back to health, the ridges in this styling brush help encourage their natural curl pattern. If your curls are perfectly healthy, it just helps define them further. It's not the cheapest hairbrush around, but it's worth it.
Image: Bounce Curl
Dyson Airwrap Diffuser Atatchment
My life changed for the better when I discovered the Dyson Airwrap has a diffuser attachment you can purchase. It beats my shitty universal one from Amazon, and it gives me defined, bouncy curls every single time.
Image: Mason Oglesby.
Ghd Speed Professional Dual Air-Flow Hair Dryer
My world changed the moment I was gifted the GHD Speed hair dryer to review. This bad boy dries quick. It cuts my blow dry time in half and is really easy to use. You can lock the settings in place so when you accidentally click the heat and fan buttons when you're manoeuvring the dryer, it doesn't burn your scalp. And the diffusing bowl that comes with the dryer is nice and big!
I still love my Dyson Airwrap diffuser and use it diffuser when I'm travelling, but this has become my go-to for at home use.
Image: Sephora.
Remember, everyone's hair is unique. Do your research on your hair type, so you know exactly which products work best for you. It also comes down to trial and error, but don't worry, bestie! You'll get there.
Image credit: Alyssa Forato
