The Best Products for Styling Your Curly Hair

Curly hair, don't care. If, that is, you have the right products to style it. Those of us with curly hair know: styling curls can be tricky business, especially if you have frizzy, unruly hair that isn't easily tamed by everyday gels or creams. This is why it's important to buy products that are specifically made for curly hair, like anti-frizz creams, leave-in conditioners, diffusers, and other nourishing, nutrient-rich treatments. The best curly hair products work to enhance and define your natural waves and coils, leaving your strands looking healthy, hydrated, and gorgeous. Of course, not all curly hair styling products are created equal. To make things easier on all you curly-headed guys and gals out there, we've narrowed it down to the top five.

DevaCurl Styling Cream Touchable Curl Definer

The best of the best

Enjoy luscious, defined curls for days with this styling cream.

Best Overall

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When it comes to styling creams for curly hair, nobody does it better than DevaCurl. Their Touchable Curl Definer locks and seals in moisture like no other, thanks to a jojoba-rich formula that works to strengthen strands, fight frizz, and leave hair looking and feeling silky-soft and oh-so-shiny. It’s lightweight, doesn’t make your curls feel crunchy or stiff, and doesn’t leave a greasy residue, all of which sets this cream apart from the crowd. All that, and it has a lovely, subtle lemony scent. The choice is clear: DevaCurl Styling Cream is an easy pick for best overall.

Pros:

Hydrating; seals in moisture like no other (thanks to jojoba-based formula)
Lightweight
Fights frizz and defines curls without leaving hair crunchy or stiff
Creates shine and smoothness
Bright, lovely, lemony scent

Cons:

A little pricey

Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La Curl-Defining Custard

Make your curls pop

Aunt Jackie's Defining Curl Custard is the real deal.

Runner Up

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Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La Curl-Defining Custard is a gorgeous product—it’s equally useful for styling and creating tight curls and using as a conditioning cream, since it softens and smooths strands, no matter your hair type. As a bonus, your hair will look more voluminous. Not to mention, this cream is available at a very accessible price point. What’s not to love about that?

Pros:

Excellent value
Equally great at creating tight curls and styling
Works well on all curly hair types
Gives hair nice volume

Cons:

You do have to use a fair amount of product, so it tends to run out quickly

DevaCurl SuperCream Coconut Curl Styler

Hydrate and nourish your strands

Coconut oil is wonderful for curly hair, and this DevaCurl SuperCream boasts an oil-enriched formula like none other.

Best with Coconut Oil

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Coconut oil is one of the all-time best ingredients to use on your curly mane—it provides a much-needed burst of nutrients and moisture to your strands and scalp, and may even help your hair grow thicker and faster. This is why DevaCurl Coconut Curl Styler is such a wonderful cream, especially if your hair appears dry, brittle, or damaged. Use it on wet, damp, or even day-old curls if you want buttery-smooth, shiny, healthy waves or tight, defined curls, without the crunch.

Pros:

Infused with nourishing coconut oil
Can be used on wet, damp, or day-old curls
Wonderful at sealing in moisture
Cruelty-free, vegan, and made without parabens or sulfates

Cons:

Smell may be a little too overpowering for some people

Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner

Enjoy the softest locks imaginable

There's nothing better for coarse, curly hair than leave-in conditioner, and the Mixed Chicks Conditioner rocks our world.

Best Leave-In Conditioner

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For the best hydrating treatment for curly hair, you truly can’t go wrong with the Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner. Suitable for all hair types (normal, oily, or dry), this conditioner is simply unparalleled when it comes to protecting hair from daily stressors, while also replenishing and nourishing every inch of your locks. That’s because the formula is packed with a ton of naturally anti-bacterial, non-toxic ingredients that add luster and vitality to your hair, without weighing it down or making it feel greasy. Talk about a win.

Pros:

Awesome for all hair types: normal, dry, or oily
Protects from daily damage while replenishing your strands
Formula is packed with jojoba oil and other naturally anti-bacterial ingredients that add shine and vitality
Lightweight and not greasy
Pick between one of three sizes
Cruelty-free

Cons:

Doesn’t enhance curls quite like the other products on this list (it’s definitely a conditioning treatment), so it may not be the right product for everyone

Ultra Curl Defining Cream with Argan Oil

Ultra-silky tresses for the win

Say goodbye to unruly curls and hello to your new soft, silky mane.

Best with Argan Oil

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There’s no overstating the power of argan oil for curly hair types. And Ultra Curl Defining Cream is an incredible product, beloved by many for its formula that includes superior-quality Moroccan argan oil and vitamin E, both of which deliver a hefty dose of nutrients to your hair. The best part? It’s also fantastic at eliminating frizz and creating shine, and curls last for the better part of the day.

Pros:

Top-quality Moroccan argan oil (plus vitamin E) enriches hair with essential nutrients
Advanced curl activation formula creates natural-looking, relaxed curls
Curls hold well throughout the day
Eliminates frizz

Cons:

You have to be careful about not using too much product; otherwise, hair can get crunchy

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best styling products for curly hair?

It helps to figure out what kind of curly hair you have, in order to determine what your hair’s specific needs are—for instance, are you dealing with frizzy hair, tight curls, or loose waves? Once you’ve nailed down your curl type, you can nail down which products are best. For example, if you have wavy or frizzy hair, a nourishing deep-conditioning mask can help to tamp down frizz and keep your waves looking sleek. If you have tight curls, a good curling cream or gel can work wonders.

What are some good hair care tips for curly hair types?

In general, there are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind when caring for curly hair. Embrace the dry shampoo, because over-shampooing can lead to dry, brittle hair. Weekly scalp treatments are a must, as is deep conditioning. Finally, styling your hair when it’s wet can help to prevent frizz.