Just had another unsuccessful trip down the hair care aisle looking for the best curly hair products? We feel you. It’s tough having curly hair in a world of promising products that deliver unpromising results. So many products claim to be curl-safe when they’re anything but. Step away from the “sulfate-free” shampoo, and keep reading to find the only hair products your curls need. Plus, grab our free downloadable Curly Hair Product Tracker below (your curls will thank you)!
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Get To Know Your Hair Type
Curly hair isn't one-size-fits-all. There are many hair types, curl patterns, and porosities out there that need products formulated for their unique texture. For example, low-porosity hair shouldn’t use products formulated for high-porosity curls.
Not sure what hair porosity means? Here’s a quick rundown:
Low-Porosity
If you have low-porosity hair, it means your hair cuticle is tight and hydrated. Those with straight hair tend to have this type of porosity since their hair is so slow when absorbing moisture.
Medium Porosity
Hair considered to have medium porosity is neither too thick nor too porous. Many people with medium porosity hair have little to no difficulty absorbing and retaining moisture.
High-Porosity
Those with curly, kinky, or coily hair typically have highly porous locks. A high porosity level means your hair absorbs and loses moisture quickly. Those with colored or heat-damaged hair may have a high porosity level, too.
Set Your Hair Goals
Have you ever sat down and considered your hair goals? Figuring out your hair goals helps narrow down the types of products you need for your hair type. Do you want to reduce frizz? Add shine? Grow and define your curls? AFAM has products designed to help you achieve your hair goals—but first you have to figure out what those goals are.
For Frizz Reduction
Got frizz reaching to the high heavens? Tame it with an anti-frizz product or treatment. Products like Hawaiian Silky’s Argan Oil Hydrating Sleek Shine Mist help smooth frizz and heal strands that have been damaged by heat, color, and chemical processing.
For Hair Growth
When it comes to curls, it can take a while to see any noticeable hair growth (thanks, shrinkage). But if you’re doing everything you can to grow healthy locks without any progress, your products may be to blame. Boost your hair growth with products that strengthen and stimulate the scalp.
For Breakage Repair
We get it—all those years of box dye and wet-to-dry styling caught up with you. We’ve all been there, and we’re here to help you repair the damage. Curling crèmes like Vitale’s Hemp Oil Moisturizing Hair Crème are infused with Vitamin E to nurse dry, brittle hair back to health.
Pay Attention To Ingredients
Curly hair needs lots of moisture—something most drugstore hair products don’t provide. Toxic ingredients can dry out your curls, making them prone to frizz and breakage. We could go on about the toxic ingredients found in most hair products, but we’ll narrow down our list to three you should steer clear of:
- Sulfates: Sulfates are a big no-no in the curl world. These strip your curls of their natural oil and moisture, making your hair dry and brittle.
- Parabens: Like sulfates, parabens can turn curly hair into dry, frizzy, and flat strands. But most people don’t know parabens are easily absorbed through the skin, which may cause scalp irritation.
- Silicones: All that extra slip is deceiving. Silicones coat the hair, preventing strands from opening and absorbing moisture.
Don’t Break the Bank
A high price tag doesn’t necessarily mean the product is high-quality. Try travel-sized bottles or samples before committing to full-size products. When looking for high-quality, affordable hair products, be sure to check ingredients, read reviews, and compare prices.
Track Your Results
Are you throwing away products left and right? Don’t just toss products that aren’t working—track them. Tracking your products helps you figure out what products work for your hair while weeding out ones that don’t.
Consider the following when tracking products for curly hair:
- Only try one new product at a time: Introducing multiple products at once can make it challenging to figure out what's working and what’s causing issues.
- Include wash days and styling routines: Your wash day routine and styling habits play a big role in the final look of your curls. Note how products perform throughout your hair care routine.
- Take pictures: It takes a while for your curls to get acclimated to a new product. As you track results, snap photos of your hair to see how it’s responding to different products.
- Note changes in weather or humidity: Humidity, heat, and cold can significantly impact your hair's behavior, so be sure to factor them into your results.
- Set aside time to review what is working (and what’s not): Review your results to make the best decisions when it comes to your hair products.
Download Your Free Product Tracker
Join the Curly Hair Community
You didn’t choose the curly life—the curly life chose you. Be proud of it. Thanks to the internet, you can find curl communities full of curly guys and gals just like you. Whether you’re following your favorite influencer, reading blogs like this one, or making friends with those who have similar hair types, you can achieve your hair’s full potential.
If you’re grappling with your hair, you’re not alone. Explore our collection of curl-safe products formulated for curls of all types. From curls and coils to kinks and waves, you can find all the products you need for natural hair.