Learning how to tame your curls is no easy feat. Trust me: it’s taken me years to perfect the craft as a gal with 3a hair. It’s easy to get lost in all of the terminology. Believe it or not, it’s easier than you would think to get the curls of your dreams. Before you go on your own way and try a bunch of products in your hair, its essential to remember some important tips. Preventing damage and preserving moisture are key components of curly hair care as curls are a lot more delicate and risk damage easily. Using shampoos that are sulfate-free is a good way to avoid a build up of frizz damage, especially when followed up with a moisturizing conditioner.
Our preferred method to treat curly hair is The Bowl Method, one of the easier way to style your hair. All you need is your standard shampoo and conditioner, a curl cream, mousse, and gel. Oh, and as the name suggests, a bowl. After washing and conditioning your hair, fill a bowl halfway with lukewarm water. Spread curl cream throughout your hair and dip your head into the bowl. Scrunch the water out of your hair and repeat the process three more times. This is where the mousse and gel come in. First, scrunch a bit mousse into your hair and then as much gel as you prefer to define your curls. If you’re feeling extra, you can use a diffuser to break the gel cast. If you choose not to use a diffuser when drying your hair, plopping is a great way to dry your hair. All you have to do is wrap your wet hair in an old T-shirt or microfiber towel for perfect hair minus the frizz.
Now that we've got the methodology out of the way, let's take a look at a few products that assist with the process.
It's best to start your hair care routine with a shampoo and conditioner duo. Thoroughly shampoo the full length of your curls before washing, letting your hair sit before lathering in conditioner.
Curlsmith Essential Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner
High quality is the easiest way to define Curl smith’s hair care line. Focused on co-washing, which is a non stripping way to cleanse your hair, these products are ideal if you want to maintain your hair texture and moisture level.
Not Your Mother's Naturals Curl Defining Shampoo and Conditioner
Not Your Mother’s has endless curly girl approved options suited for all hair patterns. Whether you need a hydration boost or need a detox, Not Your Mother's is the shampoo and conditioner duo for you.
Redken Acidic Bonding Curls Shampoo & Conditioner
This duo from Redken is the perfect non-silicone and non-sulfate combination that builds bonds, repairs curl strength, and hydrates to improve curl elasticity.
Moroccanoil Curl Enhancing Shampoo & Conditioner Bundle
Infused with argan oil, this shampoo and conditioner bundle will nourish your curls. Argan oil contains fatty oils, which nourish hydration in your hair — which is perfect to heal dry hair.
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Use a curl cream to hold your curls while they're still wet. A small amount goes a long way, so you don't need to much to rub on the ends of your curls.
Like every other Ouai product, this curl cream smells absolutely divine. It's silicone free, which helps the cream softly hold your curls. Another benefit? It treats wavy, curly, and coily hair, making it a versatile cream useful for all types of curls.
Aveda Be Curly Advanced™ Curl Enhancer Cream
Designed to fight against humidity, this enhancer cream aids in the process of giving you bouncy, non-frizzy curls. Aveda's cream is also perfect if you're looking for a cream that will offer more definition in your hair, especially for longer curls.
Custom haircare is a nourishing cream aimed towards enhancing your natural texture rather than forcing an abnormal feel to your hair. It both keeps your curls hydrated and treats frizz in especially frizz-prone hair.
Sun Bum's hair cream is unique for its UV ray protection serum, protecting your hair from sun damage and breakage. The frizz-free formula also has a bit of coconut oil and seaweed protein to boost your hair color.
Using a mousse can be optional if you prefer gel, and vice versa. Wait for your curls to dry before teasing out your curls with a bit of mousse for more definition.
Pattern Beauty Curl Mousse for Curls & Coils
Founded by Tracee Ellis Ross, this mousse is perfect for curly and coily-haired girls alike. Unlike other mousses, this one is designed with a thinner feel to avoid the uncomfortable oiliness many other mousses have.
Technically, this is a foaming gel but this product can also serve a dual purpose as a mousse. This is another lightweight option that protects your unique texture, defines your curls, and protects against unnecessary frizz.
SheaMoisture Curl Mousse Coconut and Hibiscus for Frizz Control
This mousse is an affordable and effective product to that leaves no additional residue when worked throughout your hair. The nourishing formula used in this mousse was designed to add a shiny sheen to your curls while leaving your hair with a silky smooth feeling.
Curlsmith Bouncy Strength Volume Foam
This protein-enriched mousse promises both volume and nourishment by working to softly hold your curls and protecting the natural feel of your hair.
Gels are another great product for holding your curls throughout the day. These tend to leave your hair feeling a bit more stiff, so try rubbing a tiny amount between your fingers before applying.
Camille Rose’s gel combines marshmallow and agave extracts in a mixture combined with coconut and pomegranate to define your curls. Its best to use this curl maker after washing your hair, combing the product from root to ends to get the full benefits.
This curl gelée act as both a hydrating product and curl-enhancing styler while adding an additional shine to your hair. Although on the thicker side, the gel has protective properties that treat medium and thick curls.
Umberto Giannini Curl Scrunching Jelly
This curl jelly is vegan and cruelty-free in a formula that gets rid of frizz and has an additional boost of non-gluten products to promote styling. This jelly is perfect for all hair types, adding shine for a sleek finish.
Amika Curl Corps Curl Enhancing Hair Gel
This curl gel is best for thinner curls and curls more prone to split ends. Amika's gel helps add additional shape to your curls, whether adding more bounce to tighter coils or softness to longer waves.
