Curly Hair Products That Will Change Your Life

Most people have hair with some texture to it – be that waves, curls, or coils, the percentage of the population with pin-straight hair is extremely low. Many of us spend time and money physically straightening our hair each day or applying chemical straighteners every few months, but these techniques can actually cause a fair bit of damage. Step away from the flat iron and put down the relaxer – these products for curly, wavy, and coily hair will help you embrace your texture and change your life!

DevaCurl

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Quit Shampoo…For Good.

Get ready for some science! Conventional shampoos contain a harmful ingredient called sulphates, which are meant to strip the silicones found in most conditioners out of your hair. It also has the added effect of drying your hair out, causing frizz. Stop using both sulphates and silicones to up your hair’s moisture. Opt for a sulphate-free co-wash (literally “conditioner wash”), like DevaCurl’s No Poo Decadence, instead.

DevaCurl No Poo Decadence Zero Lather Conditioning Cleanser, $30.

Sephora

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Use a Silicone-Free Conditioner

Silicones are found in most conditioners, and they coat the hair to give it a smooth appearance. They can only be removed from the hair using sulphates, without which they’ll just build up and weigh hair down. Try a silicone-free conditioner designed with curls in mind, like DevaCurl’s One Condition.

DevaCurl One Condition, $30.

Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

Sephora

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Deep Condition Regularly

There are masks for our faces, hands, feet, eyes…and hair. If you don’t deep condition your curls weekly, you should – it adds back the moisture that the week’s styling can take away. Try a rich, silicone-free deep conditioner like Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask, $12.

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Rinse with Cold Water

Rinsing hair with warm water leaves the cuticle – little overlapping scales on the outside of the hair shaft – open. You want the hair cuticle closed to seal in all the moisture from your deep conditioner, keep hair protected, and add shine. Although it doesn’t feel great on the rest of your skin, a quick cold water rinse will do your hair some good.

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Use a Microfibre Towel

Most people use an ordinary bath towel to dry their hair right out of the shower, but terry cloth can ruffle up the hair’s cuticle and sap out too much moisture, leaving frizz behind. Try a microfibre towel or head wrap, which whisks away excess water without overdrying or frizzing the hair.

Amazon

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Find Your Leave-In Conditioner Match

Leave-in conditioner is a must for textured hair to keep it moisturized in between washes, but if you have waves or loose curls, you might find that leave-ins leave your hair flat. Some leave-ins are rich and made for coily hair, whereas others are lightweight and made to keep curls and waves bouncy. If you have loose curls, try a lightweight cream like Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner, $24.

Amazon

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Avoid Frizz with a Wet Brush

Anyone who’s ever tried to brush out curly hair while dry knows that’s not a great idea. The Wet Brush is designed to be used on wet hair, and its flexible bristles will work through knots rather than tearing through them. Use conditioner for extra slip while detangling!

Wet Brush, $13.

DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel Strong Hold No Crunch Style

Sephora

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Give Gel a Second Chance

If you have not-so-fond memories of stiff, crunchy noodle-hair thanks to hair gel, you’re not alone. But modern gels have improved significantly, and there are tons of low- or no-crunch varieties, like DevaCurl’s Ultra Defining Gel. If your gel does leave your curls crunchy, flip your head upsidedown and scrunch out the crunch – you’ll get all of the hold with none of the crispiness!

DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel Strong Hold No Crunch Style, $30.

Get Double the Volume with Double Prong Clips

Amazon

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Get Double the Volume with Double Prong Clips

If your curls tend to fall flat, give this inexpensive trick a try. Pick up some two-pronged metal hair clips online or from your local beauty supply. Once you’re done applying product on wet hair, open the clip, turn it sideways, and use it to lift your roots in an arc shape and clip them in place. This way, your roots dry with some volume rather than stuck flat to your head!

Diane Double Prong Clips, $15.

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Dig Out That Diffuser Attachment

If you’ve been straightening your curls or waves for a while, you may have tucked all of your hair dryer’s attachments away except for the smoothing nozzle. It’s time to dig out the diffuser attachment! Designed with curls in mind, the diffuser attachment diffuses the heat and flow of the warm air to minimize both heat damage and movement, both of which can cause frizz.

Amazon

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A Continuous Mist Spray Bottle Keeps Curls Continuously Fresh

Even if you’re super careful in moisturizing and taking care of your curls, it may still be necessary to freshen them up in between washes. Your best friend is a continuous mist spray bottle. Rather than spitting out a stream of water like a conventional spray bottle, this beauty graces curls with an ultra-fine, uninterrupted mist to tame frizz and rehydrate between washes.

Flairosol Fine Mist Spray Bottle, $11.

A Good Edge Control Gel and Boar Bristle Brush Can Smooth Flyaways

Clore Beauty

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A Good Edge Control Gel and Boar Bristle Brush Can Smooth Flyaways

If you struggle with flyaways or unruly baby hairs, these products will take your updos to the next level. An edge control gel is a thick, pomade-style gel specifically meant to slick down the edges of your hair. When used with a soft boar bristle brush, a good edge control can keep your edges sleek all day long.

Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste, $12.

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Bobby Pins. Lots of Them.

If you have curly hair, you’re probably no stranger to the bobby pin, but many people use them wrong! Try using them with the bumpy side down – against your head – for added grip.

Invest in Satin Pillowcases for curly hair

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Invest in Satin Pillowcases

Second-day curls can be a challenge, but how you sleep with your curls tonight will make all the difference in how they look tomorrow. One thing you can do to minimize bedhead is to invest in a satin pillowcase. Satin is smooth, and won’t disrupt your curl pattern or suck moisture from your hair, both of which create frizz. It also won’t pull moisture from your face, which means your skin will thank you, too!

Spasilk Hair Beauty Satin Pillowcase, $13.

Grace Eleyae

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Try a Satin-Lined Cap for Nighttime, Summertime, and Wintertime!

Hats are a big challenge for people of the curly persuasion, but recently, satin-lined caps (or “slaps”) have become a thing. Think all the benefits of a satin pillowcase – low frizz, extra moisture – in a hat! They come in a variety of styles, including turbans, caps for nighttime, baseball hats, and toques or beanies.

Grace Eleyae Purple Slap Satin Lined Cap, $30USD.