25 Curly Hair Products That Belong in Your Hair-Care Kit

Swap in Kristin Ess’s Ultra-Hydrating Curl Co-Wash when you need to cleanse hair without compromising on moisture retention. The 2020 Best of Beauty-winning formula has hydrating glycerin and hydrolyzed linseed, which is rich in omega fatty acids, to keep curls from drying out as it gets rid of grime on your hair and scalp.

Pattern Styling Cream for Curly & Coily Hair

Skimdo’s Original Cream is like a helium pump for wavy and curly hair. This styling cream’s texture right out of the tube is pretty thick and sticky, but stay with us. Once it’s been raked through wet curly hair and diffused or air-dried, you’re left with extreme volume, defined curls, and not a trace of the frosting-esque hair product you started with.

We love a product with a long, honest resumé, and Tracee Ellis Ross isn’t afraid to list out exactly what her hard-working, curl-conscious Pattern Beauty haircare can do. Pattern’s Styling Cream for Curly & Coily Hair is good for twist-outs, braids, bantu knots — deep breath — locs, air-drying, and more. “It’s awesome for curly hair to detangle and to allow the styling cream to help define curls adding a nice luster,” notes Los Angeles-based hairstylist Alexander Armand. Packed with hydrating shea butter and almond oil to boot, this styler truly does it all.

Mielle Organics Pomegranate and Honey Twisting Souffle

KeraCare Foam Wrap-Setting Lotion

Formulated specifically for type 4 curls, the Mielle Organics Pomegranate and Honey Twisting Souffle is a lightweight styling cream that enhances curls without dragging them down. Honey, pomegranate, and essential oils contribute to effective curl enhancement and nourishment all in one (reasonably priced) jar — a.k.a. the ultimate treat for curly hair.

This next one is technically a mousse, but you won’t find a crispy or crunchy coil in sight with KeraCare’s Foam Wrap-Setting Lotion — we promise. Mancha, whose clients include Tinashe and Tommy Genesis, recommends “finger combing one to two palmfuls through the lengths of hair to air-dry” and separating as desired once your hair is completely dry. She also suggests using your hands to comb some product through frizzy areas for an instant, wash-free refresh.

AG Hair Recoil Curl Activator

Pantene Curl Affair Curl Reshaping Cream

Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Cream

Curls looking a little flat, but it’s not quite wash day yet? Give AG Hair’s Recoil Curl Activator a try. “This lightweight product is awesome to reactivate your curls in between washes to get that rejuvenated look with your curls on day three or four,” says Armand, whose clients include Quinta Brunson and Serena Williams.