Managing curly hair is often described as a “journey” rather than a routine. If you have curls, you know the struggle: one day you look like a Greek god or goddess, and the next, you look like you’ve been electrified. The reason curly hair is so unpredictable is that it is structurally different from straight hair. Because of the coils, the natural oils from your scalp can’t easily travel down the hair shaft. This leaves your hair perpetually thirsty.
In 2025, the “best” products are no longer just about maximum hold; they are about health, hydration, and simplicity. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to build a world-class curly hair routine, from the science of your scalp to the tools that make styling a breeze.
1. The Foundation: Cleansers and “Low-Poos”
For decades, we were told that “squeaky clean” was the goal. For curly hair, “squeaky clean” is a nightmare. Most traditional shampoos use sulfates—harsh detergents also found in dish soap—that strip away the moisture your curls desperately need.1
Best Overall: Kérastase Curl Manifesto Shampoo
This is the gold standard for luxury curl care. It uses Manuka honey for moisture and Ceramides to strengthen the hair.2 It provides a creamy lather that cleanses the scalp effectively but leaves the hair feeling like silk.3 It’s perfect for those who want that “salon-fresh” feeling at home.+1
Best for Dry, Thick Curls: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
A favorite for a reason. It’s thick, smells like a vacation, and is packed with neem oil and silk protein. It is incredibly affordable and accessible, making it the perfect entry point for someone starting their curly hair journey.
Best for Sensitive Scalps: As I Am Coconut Co-Wash
Sometimes, you don’t need soap at all. A “co-wash” is a conditioning cleanser.4 If you hit the gym daily or live in a dry climate, using this instead of shampoo helps maintain your natural oil balance while gently removing sweat and buildup.
2. The Hydrators: Conditioners and Deep Masks
Conditioning is where the “magic” happens. For curly hair, the goal of a conditioner is to provide slip. Slip refers to how easily your fingers or a comb can glide through your hair to detangle it without causing breakage.
Best Daily Conditioner: Pattern Beauty Medium Conditioner
Created by Tracee Ellis Ross, Pattern Beauty was designed specifically for curls and coils.5 The Medium Conditioner is a powerhouse. It’s heavy enough to hydrate but light enough that it won’t make your hair look greasy. It uses jojoba oil and olive oil to penetrate the hair shaft rather than just sitting on top of it.
Best for Damage Repair: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
If you have colored your hair or used a flat iron too many times, your curls might look “limp.” This mask is a cult favorite because it balances protein and moisture. It helps “re-spring” the curls by repairing the internal structure of the hair. Use it once a week for 10 minutes.
Best Budget: Not Your Mother’s Naturals Tahitian Gardenia Flower & Mango Butter Conditioner
This is proof you don’t have to spend $40 to get great results. It’s 98% naturally derived and free of silicones. It smells amazing and provides enough slip to detangle even the tightest knots.
3. The Stylers: Creams, Gels, and Mousses
Styling is where most people get confused. Do you use a cream? A gel? Both? The rule of thumb is: Cream is for moisture; Gel is for hold.
Best Curl Cream: Rizos Curls Curl Defining Cream
This brand has taken the curly community by storm. The cream is designed to define your curls while keeping them touchable. It uses aloe vera and shea butter. If you hate the “crunchy” feeling of hairspray, this is the product for you.
Best Gel for All-Day Hold: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel
If you live in a humid area (like Florida or London), your hair likely expands the moment you walk outside. This gel uses a specialized protein to “seal” the hair cuticle so moisture from the air can’t get in and cause frizz. It creates a “cast” (a hard layer) that you simply scrunch out once your hair is dry.
Best for Fine Hair: InnerSense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam
If you have thin or fine curls, heavy creams will weigh them down. This foam (or mousse) adds volume at the roots and gives a light, airy definition to your curls without making them look stringy.
4. Understanding Your Curl Type
Before buying a full cabinet of products, you need to know your “type.” Curls are generally categorized by a number and a letter:
| Type | Description | Best Product Strategy |
| Type 2 (Wavy) | S-shaped waves; tends to get oily. | Light mousses and sea salt sprays. |
| Type 3 (Curly) | Defined ringlets; ranging from “coke bottle” to “pencil” width. | Leave-in conditioners and medium-hold gels. |
| Type 4 (Coily) | Tight Z-patterns or O-patterns; very fragile and dry. | Heavy butters, creams, and sealing oils. |
5. The Science of Porosity
Beyond your curl shape, you need to know your Porosity. This is how well your hair “drinks” water.
- High Porosity: Your hair has gaps in the cuticle. It absorbs water fast but loses it just as fast. You need heavy creams and oils to “plug” the gaps.
- Low Porosity: Your hair cuticle is tightly closed.6 Water beads up on the surface. You need lightweight products and heat (like a warm towel) to help the products sink in.
6. Essential Tools for Curls
The products are only half the battle; how you apply them matters just as much.
The Microfiber Towel
Stop using your bath towel! Regular towels have tiny loops that catch on curly hair and cause frizz.7 A microfiber towel (or even an old cotton T-shirt) absorbs water gently without disrupting the curl pattern.8+1
The Denman Brush
This isn’t for detangling; it’s for styling. When you brush wet hair that has product in it with a Denman brush, it helps the curls “clump” together into perfect ringlets.9
The Diffuser
If you let your hair air-dry, it can take hours (or days!). A diffuser is a blow-dryer attachment that spreads the air out so it doesn’t blow your curls apart.10 It helps create volume and sets the “gel cast” quickly.
7. The Perfect Wash Day Routine (Step-by-Step)
If you want your curls to last for 3 or 4 days, follow this routine:
- The Cleanse: Wash your scalp with a sulfate-free shampoo.11 Focus on the skin, not the hair ends.
- The Detangle: Apply a generous amount of conditioner. Use a wide-tooth comb to get the knots out while the hair is soaking wet. Rinse most of it out.
- The Styling (The “Soaking Wet” Method): While still in the shower, apply your leave-in conditioner and curl cream. Your hair should make a “squelching” sound when you scrunch it.
- The Hold: Glaze a layer of gel over the top of your hair using “praying hands” (palms flat).
- The Plop: Wrap your hair in a cotton T-shirt for 15 minutes to soak up excess water.12
- The Dry: Air dry or diffuse on low heat. Do not touch your hair while it is drying. Touching it causes frizz.
- The “SOTC” (Scrunch Out The Crunch): Once 100% dry, your hair might feel stiff. Rub 2 drops of hair oil (like Mielle Rosemary Mint Oil) on your hands and scrunch your hair to break the stiffness.
8. Nighttime Protection: Keeping the Curls
You’ve spent an hour on your hair; don’t ruin it by sleeping on it!
- Silk or Satin Pillowcase: Cotton sucks moisture out of your hair. Silk allows your hair to slide around without tangling.
- The Pineapple: Flip your hair upside down and tie it loosely at the very top of your head with a silk scrunchie. This keeps you from laying on your curls and flattening them.
Summary of Top Recommendations
| Product Category | Best Selection | Why We Love It |
| Best Shampoo | Kérastase Curl Manifesto | Luxury care that cleanses without stripping. |
| Best Conditioner | Pattern Beauty Medium | Perfect balance of hydration and slip. |
| Best Gel | Ouidad Climate Control | Stops frizz even in the worst humidity. |
| Best Budget Cream | SheaMoisture | Incredible value and high-quality ingredients. |
| Best Oil | Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Oil | Lightweight and smells like strawberries. |
Final Thoughts
Curly hair is a learning experience. What works for a YouTuber might not work for you, and that’s okay. The most important thing is to be patient. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for your hair to “adjust” to a new routine, especially if you are transitioning away from chemical relaxers or heavy heat use.
Focus on moisture first, and the definition will follow. Your curls are a crown—treat them that way!
