Nothing feels better than embracing what makes us unique - and that includes our hair. While naturally curly hair sometimes needs extra attention, there are now more brands than ever creating tailor-made hair care for curly, wavy and coily strands. Giving us the push we need to make the most of what nature gave us, these curly hair products do far more than keep our hair feeling good. Bringing out the kinks, helping us transform straighter strands into curly hairstyles and infusing our locks with the moisture they need to stay healthy, is there anything they can’t do? We think not, so get ready for our ultimate round-up.
Whether your hair falls on the finer or thicker sides, or leans more coily than curly, you’ll need products that work with the natural texture of your hair to keep each curl bouncing. Drawing on some of the best natural ingredients around, we suggest searching for products created with the likes of Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Honey and Aloe Vera. Each of these natural wonders works to keep hair hydrated, retain elasticity, and repair any damage. And when you pair them with everyday curly hair tips, it won’t just be your hair feeling great, but you.
Don’t Despair, Repair!™ Rice Water Protein + Moisture Strengthening Hair Treatment
Our once a week saviour has arrived, and it comes in the form of this fan favourite Briogeo treatment. Created to intensely repair and strengthen hair with a potent powerhouse of Rice Water Protein, Squalane and Sweet Almond Oil in just 15 minutes. Perfect for curly hair that’s lacking a little lustre, or hair that needs an extra hit of strength, we use after shampooing once a week and follow with a nourishing hair mask for the best results.
Top tip: While you might be after a quick fix, those looking for intense hair strengthening can work into damp hair to leave overnight. Just make sure you lock in the goodness with a hair towel, then rinse out in the morning.
Curl Shampoo
The best part of having curly hair? Wash day. And with Living Proof, it’s never been better. Featuring the brand’s signature Healthy Curl Complex, this creamy, low lather shampoo works to gently cleanse - and never strip. Designed to improve curl definition in just one wash and make curls three times stronger with continued use, it’s a shampoo for all curl types. Delivering balanced conditioning, you *could* use on its own, but we suggest pairing with the matching conditioner for ultimate softness.
Top tip: Want to keep your curls feeling extra clean? Wash twice using a scalp massager to really work in the shampoo, before rinsing out and following with conditioner. You’ll see a little extra lift, we promise.
Curl Manifesto Masque Beurre Haute Nutrition
Those with curly hair will know that curls love one thing, and one thing only: hydration. And with this Manuka-infused mask, that’s exactly what they’ll get. Promising to restore softness, shine and elasticity back to brittle curls and coils, there’s a reason this treatment slips into our basket time after time. Created to intensely condition dry, damaged curls and prevent further breakage, hair is left silky and shiny - with a whole lot of extra bounce. Just leave on anywhere from five to 30 minutes, depending on how much love your locks need.
Top tip: You might think to just apply this mask and wait to get the best results, but Kerastase suggests otherwise. Once you’ve worked the buttery formula through damp hair, add a tiny amount of water to emulsify before leaving for as long as you need.
Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer
One for those amplifying their own natural texture and transforming straighter strands into curls alike, this cult favourite Invisible Oil Primer is a firm favourite on our bathroom shelf. Here to detangle, de-frizz, tame flyaways, ease styling, protect against breakage, plus offer UV and heat protection from hair curlers, it’s the one product we can never go without. And when we’re perfecting hairstyles for afro hair, the blend of six featherlight oils make up a hydrating but nourishing formula we know we can use whenever our curls need a boost.
Top tip: Styling short curly hair? Less is more in this case, as you don’t want to weigh your curls down. Simply mist a few spritzes on, and let dry a little before styling. Then go in with an ultra thin curling tong for any extra definition.
Shine Oil
From the experts in curly hair comes a revolutionary oil we never knew we needed. Bringing our mirror shine to tightly curled hair and waves alike with its unique PlantSilk blend, it’s lighter than raw oils and comes without the build up of silicon-infused formulas for an extra hit of softness. For all hair types - even straight hair - you don’t apply to damp hair like your usual hair oil products. Instead, use one pump per hair section on air-dried or diffused hair.
Top tip: To avoid your curls crunching, gently scrunch your curls together after applying for extra bouncy, shiny hair. We also love using this on braided hair to seal in shine, smooth frizz and keep curls looking glossy.