We’ve handpicked the must-have products for curly hair types from shampoos, masks, combs, silk turbans and more
Anyone with at least a natural wave to their hair will know that it feels like you are on a constant quest to find the best curly hair products. Whether it’s fighting the frizz, making curls more defined or just trying to tame the tousles.
So when we land upon products or tools for curly hair that make the daily chore of bringing those tresses under control, it feels like we’ve struck gold!
To spare you months of trial and error, and to save you time and money, we’ve shared the best curly hair products below that we just can’t live without.
Below are the best curly hair products we believe every curly hair type should have in their arsenal.
Conditioner and curl treatments are your best friend when you have curly hair. Curly hair is drier and more prone to damage and breakage so it needs to be nourished and moisturised to keep it looking its best.
£15.99 | Buy now
For a limited time, save 50% with this Amazon coupon
Naturtint Why we love it: Naturtint recently launched a range of products designed specifically for curly hair. All products in the range are suitable for vegans, dermatologically tested and contain no sulphates, silicones, parabens or phenoxyethanol.
Within the Curl Definer range are the following:
Naturtint Curl Definer Shampoo: A ‘low-poo’ shampoo has been designed to cleanse and care for curly hair, while gently refreshing the scalp. It blends hydrolysed wheat protein, coconut and corn surfactants, natural biolipids and Meadowfoam seed oil to nourish and moisturise the hair. This leads to more defined, softer and shinier curls.
Naturtint Curl Definer Conditioner: This leave-in conditioner enhances and restores your natural curls while making them easier to comb through and reducing frizz. It contains vegetable alternatives to silicones, a host of vegetable waxes, hydrolysed wheat protein and Pracaxi seed oil to provide shine and softness.
Curl Definer Hair Mask: For when your curly hair needs a bit more love, this hair mask contains natural ingredients, chosen for their moisturising benefits. This includes shea butter to soothe dry scalps, fight frizz and reduce breakage; Meadowfoam seed oil, Crambe Abyssinica oil and Pracaxi seed oil.
There is also a co-wash balm, and repairing oil. All can be found on Amazon using the button below.
Buy now from Amazon
For anyone with curly hair, whether waves or ringlets, taking an ordinary hair brush to your dry curls is a definite no-no. For starters, curly hair is dry and brittle by nature so requires a delicate touch, not to mention the frizzy mess you’ll end up with.
If you don’t want hair breakage, split ends and frizz, it is recommended to comb out your curls from tip to root whilst they are wet and smothered in conditioner.
We have summarised a few of the best curly hair tools for this delicate detangling process below.
£12 | Buy now
Why we love it: We’ve always been a huge fan of the revolutionary Tangle Teezer range with its patented teeth technology.
A real game-changer, Tangle Teezer has developed a detangling brush specifically for curly hair.
With its two-tiered firm-flex teeth, which are longer and stronger than the brand’s previous brushes, it promises to leave curls super-defined and totally tangle-free.
Buy now from Lookfantastic
£8 | Buy now
Only Curls Why we love it: This wide-tooth comb from Only Curls has smooth rounded teeth which gently massage the scalp and glide easily through curly hair.
It’s made from acetate plastic, which helps to reduce static and thus frizz. This design also makes it waterproof meaning you can use it in the shower or bath.
You can buy it in pink, or white shimmer and at £8, you could buy one for home and one for on the go.
If you like the look of this comb but your hair is afro rather than curly, you can also buy an natural hair comb in a range of colours.
Buy now from Only Curls£7 | Buy now
Why we love it: The most budget-friendly of our curly hair tool recommendations is Lee Stafford’s Shower Comb.
Not only is it one of the brand’s bestsellers but it’s also one of our all-time favourites.
It gently glides through curly hair, quickly removing tangles and knots without snagging or pulling and putting life and bounce back into your hair.
We love using it to equally distribute conditioner in the shower, or when applying our curl treatments.
Just make sure you wash it with warm water to keep it at its best if you opt for this route.
Buy now from BootsA diffuser is an attachment for your blow dryer that disperses the air to reduce frizz and keep from disrupting the natural wave pattern.
It’s great for any texture, from wavy to corkscrew curls. If you don’t have time to air dry your hair, which is the preferred method for retaining that vital moisture, then a diffuser is the next best thing.
It is recommended not to diffuse your hair until completely dry but aim for about 80%.
Also, it is best to use a medium-to-low heat setting so as to prevent drying out your curls.
Buy now
Why we love it: Is there anything that GHD can’t do?! This clever addition to your styling kit will give you perfectly formed curls and waves as you blow-dry.
Contoured hard fingers lift and separate your hair as you dry to create soft volume as well as giving a frizz-free finish to naturally curly hair.
The only downside is that this can only be used with the GHD Air Dryer, although it is one the best hair dryers we’ve ever used so that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
FURTHER READING: GHD Helios review | GHD Helios vs GHD Air
£20 | Buy now
Why we love it: Designed to fit most dryers (hurrah!) this diffuser from Remington uses a silicone adaptor for attachment purposes.
With a really reasonable price tag and the added bonus of not having to spend on a whole new hairdryer, this is the perfect addition to your toolkit for those of us on a budget.
Buy now from Amazon
£34 | Buy now
Why we love it: Whether you’re trying to fit yet another styling necessity into a bathroom packed with beauty products, throwing your hair essentials into a duffel bag before spending a spontaneous weekend with your best friend, or grabbing your purse and running halfway around the world, this collapsible diffuser is for you.
The silicone construction is built to stretch and shrink to fit almost any hair dryer that accommodates attachments, and the flexible material lets you collapse your diffuser into a flat, packable shape that slips easily into your bag or the corner of your overstuffed suitcase.
This means you’ll always be able to carry the tools you need to keep your tresses smooth, springy, and styled.
Buy now from Amazon
In defying frizz, silk is your best friend. The soft nature of silk reduces friction, doesn’t absorb moisture like cotton and is also naturally hypoallergenic.
For curly hair, silk basically ticks all the boxes. There are various silk products on the market, which understandably you can spend an awful lot of money on.
We have highlighted a few of the more reasonably priced options if you want the same result without having to spend an arm and a leg.
Why we love it: Smooth, soft, breathable, cool-to-the-touch, hypoallergenic, naturally dust-mite resistant – the list of benefits goes on.
Said to not only reduce hair breakage and frizz , these silk pillowcases are also said to reduce facial wrinkles.
For us, a silk pillowcase is a must to protect our curly tresses.
From £35.99 | Buy now
Why we love it: For those who like to have coordinated bedding, then a silk hair wrap might be an option for you instead of getting a pillowcase.
The pure Mulberry Silk works hard to condition your hair with its own amino acids, protecting it from all friction while you sleep like a baby!
This is ideal for those of us who are short on time and who want to wake up with that ‘just washed’ look.
Buy now from This is Silk
£10 | Buy now
Why we love it: The smooth silk fabric of these elasticated scrunchies helps reduce tangles, breakage and frizz.
Wave goodbye to your horrible metal hair bobbles, which yank the hair out of your head!
Buy now from Only CurlsOne of the most underestimated curly essentials is the shower cap. As less is more when it comes to washing curly hair, a 100% waterproof shower cap is essential for those non-washing days. We have also found ones that protect your curls against humidity to assist in the battle against frizz.
A shower cap also comes in handy when applying leave-in deep conditioning treatments. You can sit back and watch the tv without fear that your sofa is going to be covered in conditioner within minutes!
£35 | Buy now
Why we love it: With its premium nano-technology, this shower cap actually repels water resulting in water beads just sliding right off.
This innovative technology means that the Shhhowercap is practically dry before you get out of the shower – perfect for trips to the gym.
The brand has also created a fabric which is both breathable and has antibacterial properties. There isn’t much more you could ask for.
The only downside is that as a premium product, it demands a premium price.
Buy now from SephoraWhy we love it: With its beautiful flamingo print, this Vintage Cosmetic Company waterproof shower cap has both style and substance.
If wearing a shower cap can be called glamorous, this certainly goes a long way to help.
With a very reasonable price tag and the option of a leopard print pattern (among others), you can’t go far wrong with this shower cap if you’re a curly hair type.
£4.50 | Buy now
Why we love it: Our budget option is this Amazon No. 1 best seller.
With plenty of unique designs to choose from, this double-layered shower cap ensures your curls remain completely dry and secure throughout.
You can also buy coordinated scrunchies to match and who doesn’t love a good bit of co-ord action?
Buy now from AmazonAs mentioned above, frizz is caused either by friction or lack of moisture. Using an ordinary cotton towel manages to exacerbate both of these problems.
The material is surprisingly rough on the hair cuticles and will wick out every ounce of moisture, which curly hair so desperately needs to look its best.
The way forward in hair drying is to use a microfibre towel. The material is softer and gentler on curls, whilst also speeding up the drying process with its super-absorbent properties.
Below are a few recommendations to suit every budget, and we’ve also listed additional options on our list of the best overnight hair, face and foot treatments.
£27 | Buy now
Why we love it: Its smooth, microfibre texture helps absorb excess moisture and enhances curl shape without roughing them up so your curls dry with more definition and less frizz. Win/Win! The perfect size for caring for curls, it also includes a loop to hang it up for easy drying.
Buy now from Amazon
£8.80 | Buy now
Why we love it: Consisting of microfibres for super quick, fast drying and designed to be lightweight, compact, and durable, this hair turban is ideal for everyday use at home, in the gym and travelling.
Buy now from Boots
Free
Lisa McKenzie Why we love it: For those on a tight budget, a cotton t-shirt does the job just as well and the process even has its own name, “plopping”!
The t-shirt will soak up moisture without creating frizz while your hair dries, significantly cutting down your drying time. Curly hair types rejoice!
Buy now from Lookfantastic
Lisa is a curly-haired redhead mum of two who graduated from Bournemouth University with a degree in Law. When she’s not testing skin and hair care, and writing beauty articles, you will find her baking up a storm in the kitchen over at Bake Along with Lisa
