Credit: Aidan Milan, Shahed Ezaydi, Miranda Larbi
All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article
5 min read
It’s the question that curly, kinky and coily girls have asked more than any other: what are the best products for my hair? Here, Stylist’s own writers and editors share the products that changed their lives…
Genuinely good curly hair products are hard to come by. All too often, formulas that promise the world – in other words: bouncy, full, defined curls – come up short.
Everyone with curly hair will have experienced their fair share of hair disappointments: from mousses that turn curls crispy and hairsprays that render them stiff to creams that just weigh them down. And with each trial and error, more money ends up down the drain.
Every set of curls is unique and reacts in different ways to different products. What works for one person’s fairly loose, fluffy curls and waves won’t be quite the same as what works for someone with a set of ringlets or afro coils.
So when we do come across a product that boosts curls and keeps them buoyant for an entire day? We say hallelujah and acknowledge a modern-day miracle.
In a bid to spread the good word, we’ve rallied the troops and asked them to share the secrets behind their curls.
Miranda Larbi, fitness editor
Credit: Miranda Larbi
Rahua Curl Control
“Rahua Curl Control is brilliant for those in-between days when you just want to refresh your curls but not do a full-on wash. All I do is slightly wet my hair, run the serum through it (particularly at the ends) and then comb it through. And in no time at all, you’ve got big, bouncy curls.”
Act + Acre Cold Pressed Soft Curl Lotion
“Act + Acre is possibly the best curly product I’ve ever used. It’s light, nourishing and, for once, a little really does go a long way. I always get compliments for my curls when I use it.”
Shop Act + Acre Cold Pressed Soft Curl Lotion at Cult Beauty, £28.50
Aidan Milan, writer
Credit: Aidan Milan
Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Curling Cream for Natural Hair
“Cantu changed my life, period. I used to be a die-hard mousse girlie before this came along because I couldn’t find anything that did the job without leaving my hair crunchy.
“I’m not saying we should be sleeping on all mousses everywhere, but for me, this stuff is unmatched when it comes to giving me bouncy, shapely curls that last for days.”
Shop Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Coconut Curling Cream at LookFantastic, £8.50
Curl Wow Hooked Shampoo
“This is undoubtedly the best shampoo I’ve ever used. It leaves my hair feeling silky smooth and absolutely touchable. I’ve tried others, but I’m, well… hooked.”
Jazmin Kopotsha, executive editor
Credit: Jazmin Kopotsha
Pantene Gold Series Moisture Boost Conditioner
“I’ve made my way through too many high street conditioners that have promised to penetrate my natural curls, only to find that I have to lather my hair in serums, creams and oils after drying to stop it from looking (and feeling) like straw. This rare find from the Pantene Gold range is a dream. If I’m in a rush, I can get away with air drying without a curl cream and then moisturising later in the day.”
Shop Pantene Gold Series Moisture Boost Conditioner at LuxPlus, £5.99
Bouclème Intensive Moisture Treatment
“I came across this product by accident. Well, when rummaging through my friend’s products the morning after a rainy night out (my umbrella wouldn’t fit in my teeny-tiny bag). I first used it as a leave-in to breathe fresh life into my sad-looking leave-out and I’ve since used it at every stage of my wash day routine if my hair is in need of serious revival.”
Shahed Ezaydi, writer
Credit: Shahed Ezaydi
Cantu Moisturising Curl Activator Cream
“I’ve been using the Cantu cream since I was 19 years old (a decade). I have never strayed from it as the smallest amount leaves your curls defined, moisturised and bouncy – and with minimal effort, which is always something I look for in a hair product.”
Shop Cantu Moisturising Curl Activator Cream at Amazon, £8.50
Pattern Styling Cream
“The best thing about the Pattern cream is that it’s so moisturising — which is needed as my hair tends to be quite dry. It defines curls so they’re bouncy and keeps the pattern for a couple of days.”
Holly Bullock, feature writer
Credit: Holly Bullock
Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner
“After years of trying a new leave-in conditioner every time I ran out, when I finally found Mixed Chicks (about 10 years ago), I knew I wouldn’t be straying again.
“I spread a couple of palmfuls into my wet hair after every wash, then scrunch: the result is defined, long-lasting curls that never feel crispy or sticky.”
Bread Beauty Supply Hair Oil: Everyday Gloss
“I keep a bottle of this hair oil in my bag to smooth through whenever rain, central heating or just the wear and tear of the day has disturbed my curls. It leaves the ends feeling less dry and looking much more healthy. Plus, it smells like Percy Pigs: what’s not to like?”
Shop Bread Beauty Supply Hair Oil: Everyday Gloss on CultBeauty, £13
Meena Alexander, features director
Credit: Meena Alexander
Dizziak Deep Conditioner
“I have very thick 4B hair, so I’ve long spent a fortune on conditioner – one bottle usually lasts me a month, tops. So when I tried Dizziak’s rich Deep Conditioner and realised I only needed a palm-full to keep my curls juicy, I was a convert. A product that truly delivers.”
Ruka Hold Me Down Edge Gel
“I’m such a fan of Ruka, a brand that has brought long-overdue disruption to the textured hair game. I rate the brand’s natural hair extensions a lot, but it’s the Hold Me Down edge gel that I keep adding to basket: a firm and invisible hold without flaking, it’s enriched with aloe vera and mongongo oil that nourishes the skin beneath your baby hairs.”
Sophia Rainbow Haddad, senior creative strategist
Credit: Sophia Rainbow Haddad
Larry King Hair Care My Nanna’s Mousse
“This reliable mousse always brings out my ringlets. After combing out wet hair with a wide tooth comb, I tip my head upside down and run this mousse through and simply leave to dry! I love it more for the fun name.”
Shop Larry King Hair Care My Nanna’s Mousse at CultBeauty, £22
Boots Travel Spray Bottle
“This sounds ridiculous, but the best advice I ever received from a curl stylist was to rejuvenate second day curls with a spray of water. Now I won’t go anywhere without a mini spray bottle. I lightly brush the ends of my second-day hair and spray with water to bring back the bounce. Often it looks even better than first day curls.”
Images: courtesy of brands and case studies
Sign up for our edit of what to buy, see, read and do, and receive a free mini-mag of the top 5 fashion trends you’re sure to see in 2024.
By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy
Thank you!
You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.