Courtesy of Brands
When it comes to curly hair, experimenting isn't a word that's lightly or commonly thrown around. If you have curls, you don't have time to play with products that could leave you with greasy, lank waves, or dry, frizzed-out disasters—you want the products that really work, and you don't give AF if they're in a super-trendy tube or a plain plastic bag, as long as they make your hair look awesome.
Luckily, the wide world of curly-haired humans have spent years testing, hating, and falling in love with different styling products for you, turning them into cult-favorites in the natural-hair community. And rather than have you dive into curl websites and beauty blogs on your own, we rounded up the best-rated products that have been heralded again and again for their magical styling properties.
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DevaCurl One Condition Original Conditioner
Unlike most daily curl conditioners, which can feel way too heavy to be used as a leave-in, too, this lemon grass-scented conditioner is surprisingly lightweight, despite its olive-oil base, making it a true rinse-out or leave-in hybrid.
DevaCurl One Condition Original Daily Creamy Conditioner, $29
BUY IT: amazon.com.
Eco Styling Gel
More or less considered the holy grail of edge-control gels, this super-shiny formula dries totally clear and doesn't flake. No, seriously—no white bits and pieces fluttering off of your scalp by noon; just total hairline control all day long.
Eco Styling Gel, $6
BUY IT: amazon.com.
Kinky-Curly Original Curling Custard Gel
A little goes a long way with this curl-defining gel, but the aloe vera and agave nectar in its all-natural formula work to enhance your curl pattern while clumping sections together for tighter, smoother ringlets.
Kinky-Curly Original Curling Custard Gel, $28
BUY IT: amazon.com.
Miss Jessie's Quick Curls
A common misconception is that all natural hair types are thick and coarse, but kinky-curly hair can also be super fine, which makes navigating the world of thick and heavy natural products impossible. Which is why this cream is so well-loved: It lightly defines curls and adds a layer of shine, without getting heavy or greasy after day one.
Miss Jessie's Quick Curls, $11
BUY IT: amazon.com.
Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
The title ain't lying: this pudding-like cream is seriously a super-healthy and hydrating smoothie for your dry curls, using coconut oil, neem oil, and silk proteins to moisturize and smooth each strand. Run a handful through damp hair before a wash-and-go style, or dab and smooth dollops through small sections for twist-outs.
Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie, $12
BUY IT: amazon.com.
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