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Curly hair can be admired and eye-catching, but in order for curls to “unleash their potential”, they need proper care, taking into account their wayward nature. Therefore, you need to choose products for curly hair with a special predilection. Shall we start?
What products are needed for curly hair?
Owners of curly and wavy hair have special requirements for hair care products, from the basic shampoo-balm-mask set to styling products. And it’s not just a whim.
Here is what Garnier expert creator Evgeny Sedoy says:
“Curly hair is inherently more porous. This means that the cuticle scales are raised, respectively, the surface of the hair is not smooth and they lose moisture very quickly. They need to be constantly moisturized, otherwise they become frizzy, look dry and become brittle.”
So, products for curly hair, at least, should not provoke dryness, but rather have moisturizing and water-retaining properties.
Our expert recommends opting for sulfate-free shampoos, as sulfates can cause additional moisture loss. However, sulfate formulas enriched with moisturizing and emollient components are also being produced today.
Choose a balm-conditioner and a mask (their use is mandatory) from moisturizing lines. “Nutrition is of course important for any type of hair, but for dehydrated and frizzy curly hair, hydration is much more important,” the expert clarifies.
Once a month (or more often if needed) use a mask for intense hydration and repair. This tool must be included in the regular care of curls. Look for hyaluronic acid, glycerin, as well as proteins, amino acids, keratin in the composition, which will help fill the voids in the cuticle, smooth the surface of the hair and create conditions for the formation of a clear curl.
Leave-in care is one of the top products for curly, curly and fluffy hair. Use it every time after shampooing, while the hair is still damp, but do not apply to the roots, so as not to weigh them down. “Non-rinse” helps smooth out roughness on the surface of the hair, prevent dehydration and tangling. Yevgeny Sedoy recommends paying attention to products with a creamy texture that nourish and moisturize at the same time. Thanks to them, the hair will shine and fold well into curls..
Cosmetics for curly hair includes not only care products, but also styling products that will help fix curls and protect them from frizz.
The best care products for curly hair
Check out our overview of beauty products that we think are best for curly hair.
Shampoos
In our selection, we have included both sulfate-free formulas and shampoos with sulfates with a pronounced moisturizing effect.
Botanicals Ginger & Coriander Sulfate-Free Strengthening Shampoo for Brittle Hair L’Oréal Paris
Enriched with Coriander, Coconut and Soybean Seed Oils, this shampoo is free of surfactant sulfates, silicones, parabens and dyes, making it suitable for the “Curl Method” shampoo.
Sulfate-free soothing shampoo for normal to oily hair Dercos, Vichy
Sulfate-free (as well as parabens and silicones), this shampoo is formulated with soothing and moisturizing ingredients plus an anti-dandruff antioxidant.
Shampoo for hair Fructis Superfood “Aloe. Hydration, Garnier
Enriched with aloe vera and vegetable glycerin, this Superfood Shampoo keeps hair hydrated and shiny after cleansing.
Conditioners and balms
A balm conditioner or conditioner is needed for owners of hair of any type, and especially for curly girls, since the emollient components in their composition help to untangle the strands during shampooing without damaging the hair shaft.
Conditioner for shine dull and lifeless hair Dercos Nutrients Vitamin, Vichy
Silicone-free conditioner with moisturizing aloe and vitamin extract of acai berries gives hair a mirror shine, which is often lacking in curly hair.
Moisturizing balm Elseve “Hyaluron Filler” with hyaluronic acid for dehydrated and thin hair, L’Oréal Paris
Contains hyaluronic acid, which has the ability to envelop the hair and fill the voids in the cuticle, giving the curls smoothness and elasticity. When used together with the shampoo of the same name, according to tests, it increases the moisture content of the hair by 10 times.
Balm conditioner for damaged hair Fructis Superfood “Papaya. Recovery, Garnier
The silicone-free formula with papaya extract and oils conditions the hair, making it easier to comb and leaving it with a tropical fragrance.
Firming conditioner Fructis “Triple Recovery”, Garnier
Infused with oils (olive, avocado, shea butter), with a delicate texture, it helps prevent stiffness, dryness, dullness and brittleness of hair (and not only curly ones).
Rinse-off conditioner Elseve “Length of a dream. Magic water”, lamellar care for long damaged hair, L’Oréal Paris
A water-based conditioner with a thermal effect smoothes the surface of the hair and detangles it in just a matter of seconds. Without silicones!
Masks
Owners of curls, both natural and acquired, will need an intensive care product aimed at moisturizing and restoring hair.
Hair mask Fructis, Superfood “Macadamia. Smoothing” for dry and unruly hair, Garnier
Like the entire Superfood series, it does not contain silicones, smoothes and cares for hair with natural oils: macadamia, coconut, almond, jojoba.
Revitalizing mask for split ends and damaged hair Dercos Nutrients Nutri Protein, Vichy
The mask nourishes, smoothes, prevents breakage of the hair shaft when used in conjunction with shampoo, “repairs” damage to the cuticle and, of course, moisturizes. By the way, there are no silicones in the composition.
Botanic Therapy Coconut Milk & Macadamia Nourishing & Softness 3-in-1 Mask, Garnier
The mask with the original texture of the milk works quickly and without the effect of weighting, providing the hair with softness, elasticity and easy combing.
Mask rescue Elseve “Dream length” for long damaged hair, L’Oréal Paris
A mask with vegetable keratin and castor oil has a regenerating effect, nourishes the hair along the entire length to the very tips, making it soft and silky.
Leave-in care
Speaking of the best, in our opinion, products for curly (and curly) hair, it is difficult to ignore leave-in care: a light cream or spray will help retain moisture in the strands, protect against fluffiness and form a beautiful curl. For owners of curls, it is important to follow the rule – apply the product while the hair is still damp or even wet.
Moisturizing Serum to add volume Elseve “Hyaluron Filler” for dehydrated and thin hair, with hyaluronic acid, L’Oréal Paris
The serum has such a strong moisturizing effect that it increases the diameter of the hair, making it several times more voluminous.
Botaic Therapy “Royal Jelly and Propolis” Revitalizing Cream-Oil, Garnier
The cream has an antistatic effect, prevents fluffiness, does not weigh down the hair. Apply it by spreading it over wet, clean strands. It also provides protection from heat, which is a plus for those who use a hair dryer to style curly hair.
Spray serum for damaged hair Fructis “SOS-keratin”, Garnier
Enriched with vegetable keratin and amla oil, this lightweight repairing serum can be used after washing and throughout the day as needed to control frizz.
How to choose styling products for curly hair
Our expert Maria Nevskaya recommends avoiding strong hold lacquers and gels in styling:
“For contouring curls during styling, it is recommended to apply a weak hold gel to wet strands and dry the hair with a hairdryer with a diffuser. As a result, very beautiful structural curls are formed.
Summary results
What products are needed for curly hair?
For curly hair to curl and hold its shape, you will need the following products: a sulfate-free or sulfate-containing moisturizing shampoo, a moisturizing balm/conditioner, an intensive hair repair mask, a leave-in treatment, and a curl-holding styling product.
How to style curly and wavy hair?
A beautiful curl is formed by applying a leave-in care (spray, serum, cream) and a styling product. The texture of styling products is selected depending on the degree of curlyness: cream for coarse porous strands, gel or mousse for fine curly hair. It is important to apply leave-in products only to damp/wet hair. It is impossible to lay curls dry.
Can the pure oil be used as a leave-in treatment for curly hair?
Expert Yevgeny Sedoy does not recommend using the oil in its pure form so as not to weigh down the hair, but as part of creams for leave-in care or styling, it is only welcome.