Curly hair requires products tailored specifically for its care, from nutrients and conditioners, to deep conditioning treatments, and appropriate styling products. A proper care regime for curly locks requires the inclusion of these three elements in an overall strategy for treating its unique requirements.
No matter the style you desire – from sleek ponytails to softly tousled locks – these specially selected product bundles contain everything needed to achieve curls that are both sleek and hydrated.
Styling Lotion
An appropriate styling lotion can make all the difference when it comes to how defined your curls are. While gels may leave your hair stiff or crunchy, styling lotion provides a more flexible hold which makes your coils appear and feel natural.
Curly hair tends to be dryer than straight textures, so regular nourishment for curls is often essential in keeping them healthy and moisturized. A sulfate-free shampoo like that from Briogeo can gently cleanse without stripping them of their essential moisture, while Carol’s Daughter Deep Conditioners offer ultimate hydration prior to wash day.
Cecred’s styling lotion makes an excellent base to layer on other products like gels or creams. Packed with baobab, moringa and black seed oils – known for protecting split ends while simultaneously increasing hair elasticity and shine – this edge control is used daily by InStyle tester Talya Wiley in keeping her stubborn baby hairs at bay without feeling crunchy or crusty.
Leave-In Conditioner
Determining your hair needs depends upon a variety of factors such as your curl pattern, styling preference (protective styles vs blowouts), desired volume level and use of heat styling tools (blowouts/silk presses), heat damage inflicted to your locks from using them and more. For instance, frequent blowouts/silk presses require using leave-in conditioner such as Shea Moisture’s Bond Repair to help address some of this damage to your strands caused by heat damage caused by styling heat tools (this includes using heat stylisers/silk presses). In such instances it would be wise to invest in using leave-in conditioner such as Shea Moisture’s Bond Repair leave-in Conditioner leave-in Conditioner to help mitigate some of this damage caused by using blowouts/silk presses/ silk presses often in order to reduce damage done to strands when blowouts/ silk presses may cause irreparable damage, so a leave-in conditioner like Shea Moisture’s Bond Repair may help combat some damage caused by heat styling tools).
For an effortless natural look, Eco Styler’s Black Castor & Flaxseed Oil Styling Gel may provide the solution. It helps reduce frizz while creating a flexible hold with soft touchable grip – both are key ingredients of its formula.
Outside of styling products, you can also upgrade your routine by investing in silk pillowcases or t-shirts designed to prevent your curls from becoming tangled while sleeping, and investing in a diffuser to speed up drying time and ensure they don’t become damaged from sitting too long on a towel.
Curl Cream
Curl creams are essential components of every curly hair routine, serving to both moisturize and soften each individual strand for healthy-looking frizz-free style. In addition, these lightweight solutions provide light hold to enhance and define natural curl patterns.
Curl creams offer an alternative to gels in that they tend to be lighter in consistency and often include conditioning ingredients that can hydrate and define curls without making them feel dry and stiff. Curl creams can act as both one-and-done styling products as well as being used alongside gels or foams for heavier styles.
An effective curl cream will contain ingredients like shea butter to moisturize, castor oil for elasticity and coconut fruit extract to smooth the cuticle of hair strands. They can be applied directly onto damp or dry locks before scrunching them and air drying or diffusing for defined, hydrated coils.
Gel
Hair gel can also help add shine and define the curls in your locks more clearly; just be sure to select a lightweight formula so as not to over-manipulate them into rigid or flat styles.
This lightweight gel contains glycerin and shea butter to nourish and hydrate your curls, while helping reduce frizz. Ideal for slicked-back styles, its best feature is that it won’t dry out your coils like traditional hairsprays often do.
The best products for styling curly hair will depend on your individual curl pattern, such as its type and use of protective styles. Your needs will also vary depending on how and when you wear your hair; more tips and advice from InStyle’s guide may also help! Editor’s Note: This article was written by Chaise Sanders a beauty and fashion writer with 4B curls who has extensive experience using curl-friendly products and techniques.
