Nine curly hair products to keep your curls healthy and bouncy
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A basket in my bathroom holds … a number of specialty curly hair products. I hesitate to count the number of trial-sized conditioners, the jars of gels that promised to not leave my hair crunchy, the creams that guaranteed definition of each curl.
I’m afraid to total how much I’ve spent on curly hair products in my adult life. It takes forever to figure out what products work for you and which might leave your hair dryer than it was before.
Curly hair is a journey. A beautiful one! But a journey nonetheless.
These products are my current holy grails.
Pattern curl gel, $25
Traycee Ellis Ross does not miss! I’ve been using this gel for about a year now and I’m in love. It gives great hold without getting crunchy or weighing my hair down. Try the 9.8 fluid ounces version first. I am about to buy my second round of the 42 fluid ounces container.
This is great for a wash and go. I’ll also dampen my curls and use this to do a quick re-do on day two or three.
I also am a big fan of her line’s shampoo and conditioner.
Innersense I create volume, $26
My hairstylist put me on to this one. It’s even more lightweight and goes on smoothly. Your hair does need to be absolutely soaking wet before you put the product in and should feel slippery after application.
ColorWow dream coat for curly hair, $24
This is another product my hairstylist introduced me to. It’s a great spray! I like to use it following Pattern or Innersense, but theoretically you can also use this solo. I just haven’t figured out the right amount of product to use yet.
Denman Hair Brush, $21.95
I would be nowhere without my Denman brush. This has been the product I’ve used most consistently for the last five (five!) years. Whether it’s Pattern or Innersense, I brush my hair with this after the product is in. I only use this when my hair is wet. It clumps your curls together.
Universal Diffuser, $30
I follow the above products by diffusing my hair for 15 to 20 minutes. Of course, you can always follow the latest TIkTok trend of using a sieve to diffuse your hair. But if using kitchen equipment on your hair isn’t for you, this diffuser is a good bet. I’ve had mine for so long I don’t know what brand it is, but I attach it to my ancient Conair blow dryer.
Curlsmith double cream deep quencher, $28
This is my current favorite deep conditioner. It’s super moisturizing. I let this sit on my hair while I’m in the shower, rinsing it out at the end. I love the way my hair feels after I use it.
BeautifyBeauties Hair Spray Bottle – Ultra Fine Continuous Water Mister for Hairstyling, Cleaning, Plants, Misting & Skin Care (5 Ounce), $9.99
I use this when refreshing my hair or when I just don’t feel like getting my hair soaking wet. It’s one of my most frequent uses.
Bonus: It is also great for misting your plants.
Silk/satin pillowcase
A satin pillowcase is a necessity — even if you don’t have curly hair. These are also great for your skin. And they just feel amazing.
Glow by Daye Premium Satin Bonnet, $19.99
If you also struggle to keep your hair protected overnight, girl same. I’m a big fan of this adjustable bonnet. The adjustable piece means you can alter the bonnet to fit your head properly. This brand also sells great quality scarves.
