Curly hair styling products

Curly hair may sound like a dream, but a head full of ringlets does come with its challenges. Hair frizz, dryness, dullness, and easily formed knots are some of the problems that most curly people know like the back of their hand.

Whether you’ve already mastered the Curly Girl Method, or you’re just on the lookout for something new, you may be wondering what curly hair styling products can help you achieve your best curls. In this category, we’ve prepared the best mousses, gels, creams, pomades, and other curl enhancer products for styling curly hair.

Styling products for curly hair: What ingredients to avoid?

• Silicones: Because silicone can smooth down the hair shaft and reduce frizz, it may be tempting to use it on curly hair. However, frequent use of products with silicones can lead to build-up over time, making your hair dull, lifeless, and ironically, frizzier in the long run. It can also make your curls less and less defined over time, as the silicone build-up weighs down the hair.
• Mineral oil: Mineral oil can also weigh down curls – they may lose their volume and bounce.
• Waxes: Wax can cause build-up on individual hairs. Avoid frequent use of waxy products especially if you use sulphate-free shampoo, which can’t easily break down water-insoluble ingredients.
• Alcohol: Isopropyl alcohol, propanol, or denatured alcohol are very drying on curly hair, so it can become frizzy and dull. However, other alcohols such as cetyl alcohol or cetearyl alcohol actually have moisturizing properties.
• Formaldehyde (or methylene glycol, which is formaldehyde dissolved in water) prolongs a product’s shelf life. However, it is drying and can do great damage to your curl pattern, as well as make your hair more susceptible to breakage.
• Salicylic acid can be effective in helping to improve certain scalp conditions, but again, it does dry out the hair.

Styling products for wavy hair and curly hair

Finding the best hair foam for curls or the best curl cream for men and women is easy once you know what to look for.

• Very dry or coarse curly hair can handle extra nourishing, hydrating products in order to reduce frizz.
• If you have wavy hair or fine and thin curly hair, go for wavy styling products with lightweight formulas.

Curling mousse

Styling mousse for curly hair adds volume while defining curls and helping them hold longer. Gently smooth it with the palms of your hands into damp hair from root to tip. Don’t scrunch the mousse in after washing your hair, as this may disturb your natural curl pattern. If you’re just refreshing your hairstyle in between washes, then scrunch away.

Curl cream

The main task of a curl cream is to moisturize and define curls. Whether it’s meant for women or for men, curly hair cream helps in creating soft, bouncy curls, providing hold and shine. Unlike mousse or gel, good curl cream leaves no stiffness behind.

Curl tonic

A hair tonic is meant to reduce frizz, promote volume, and define the curl texture by nourishing and hydrating the hair. Ideal for daily use, it leaves curls soft, shiny, and manageable.

Hair styling gel for curly hair

After washing your hair, apply a curl gel after moisturising products (leave-in conditioner or curl cream) to lock in the moisture and enhance your curls’ shape.

Curl defining spray

A curl defining spray (or curl activator spray) adds texture and definition while taming frizz. It defines curls on curly hair and creates a beachy wave effect on wavy hair. Because of its lightweight formula, it makes for some of the best hair products for wavy, fine hair without body.

Pomade for curly hair

Curly hair pomade provides slick and shine as well as hold. The best way to use it is to comb it through damp, towel dried hair. Pomade is an especially useful product for curly-haired gentlemen who are after a more slicked-back look without losing their curl. For women, pomade comes in handy to smooth the front of the hair when creating an updo, or to style baby hair around the forehead.

Leave-in treatment for curly hair

It provides extra moisture, nourishment, and shine. Use it after washing your hair, but before applying styling products such as a mousse or hair gel.

Styling according to the Curly Girl Method

• Aside from hair mousse, products such as gel or curl cream should always be applied to wet hair.
• Rub the styling product into your palms first, then scrunch your curls up to the scalp.
• If your hair is coarse and coily, you may need to use a larger amount of product and go through the hair in sections, or use the finger coiling technique.
• When using hair gel, don’t be afraid to apply a generous amount. After your hair is dry, scrunch your curls with a CGM-approved hair towel – the “crunchy” residue of the gel will break up, leaving you with soft curls that last.

Don’t forget every head of hair is different and has its unique needs – what works for some people might not work for others. Try out different products and adjust your routine based on how your hair looks and feels, and how satisfied you are with the results.

Find the best curl mousse, best definition curl cream, or other curly and wavy hair products on Notino!