Our Fave Curl Products For Defined, Hydrated, Gorgeous Curls (From $6)

Black Hair

Curl-Products

There’s no denying that caring for your curls requires a lot of time, effort, and most importantly, products! Not only do you typically need more formula but when it comes to your average routine, there are multiple steps involved to ensure maximum hydration.

To help you curate the best hair care routine for your curls, we’ve rounded up 10 new products that’ll work overtime to hydrate and define your curls while others will help detox your scalp and remove product build-up. You can thank us later!

1. Wakati Oil-Infused Cream, $10 

Curl-ProductsSource: Wakati

New hair-care brand, Wakati, paired up with students and alum from HBCU, Florida A&M University, to create a line of products that deliver for curly and textured hair every. single. time. In fact, Wakati means “time” in Swahili, which according to the brand is to “represent respect for where your hair has been and optimism for all the places you want it to go.”

This Oil-Infused Cream is one of their hero products and is suitable for curls, coils, and kinky hair. Formulated with olive oil, shea butter, and jojoba, the leave-in cream will help lock in moisture, add definition and tame flyaways, all the while leaving your hair feeling super soft.

2. Neule Hair Serum, $34

Curl-ProductsSource: Nuele

Whether you’re looking to nix flyaways, add moisture, or prevent split ends from forming, this award-winning serum will help. Enriched with five oils; jojoba, moringa, argan, rosemary, and clary sage, it’s bursting with antioxidants, fatty acids, and omegas that’ll help seal and strengthen your hair strands for bouncy, defined curls. The rosemary and clary sage will also help clarify, detox, and soothe inflammation, keeping dandruff at bay.

Neule is so confident in their formulation that they guarantee a full refund if you’re not happy with the results after 30 days. It’s also super versatile and can be used on wet or dry hair, as a protectant from heat styling or as a post-wash serum.

3. 4C Only Too Slick Styling Cream, $23

4C-Only-Too-Slick-Styling-Cream

If you’re looking for a product to love your 4c locks, this styling cream is it. The creamy whipped formula is enriched with shea butter, grape seed oil, jojoba oil, and hemp seed oil to hydrate and nourish kinky, type four hair.

Use to enhance your natural curl pattern or apply the styling cream to wet hair and braid or twist each section, then let the hair dry for a full 24 hours before carefully unraveling for majorly defined curls. We have to say, a little product goes a long way.

4. Ceremonia Pequi Curl Activator, $20

7-Ceremonia-Pequi-Curl-ActivatorSource: Ceremonia

The Pequi Curl Activator is a weightless milky serum packed with natural ingredients like Brazilian superfruit Pequi, castor oil, and murumuru butter. All of which are loaded with fatty acids and omegas that’ll help increase hair flexibility, prevent split ends, and strengthen the hair cuticle for defined, gorgeous curls. It’s also super hydrating and will condition and revitalize the thirstiest locks. We also love that it’s free of silicones, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and artificial colorants.

For best results, apply to hair from mid-length to ends and then allow your curls to air dry.

5. Bread Hair Oil, $24

3-Bread-Hair-OilSource: Bread

Bread is the ultimate It girl curl brand, and their Hair Oil, $24, has already won countless awards. The silicone-free formula is infused with Australian Kakadu plum oil, a super-fruit that contains the highest concentration of vitamin C, which delivers a surge of antioxidants that help maintain collagen and elastin levels in your scalp and hair, keeping it soft and supple.

Apply to dry hair to help give shine and slip to your hair strands. Alternatively, for an added boost to your next wash day, apply all over dry hair and scalp as a pre-wash treatment.

6. Alaffia Curl Defining Gel, $13

1-Affalia-Curl-Defining-GelSource: Alaffia

Formulated with fair trade coconut oil, castor oil, aloe vera, and extracts of yarrow, comfrey and arnica, it’ll hydrate and moisturize even the most damaged curls. We love it as it adds a glossy shine to your curls without leaving any crunchy residue like other gels.

Use it when finger styling, or when opting for twist-outs and braids. We also have to add that it smells divine!

7. Hair Food Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse, $13

Hair-Food-Apple-Cider-Vinegar-Hair-RinseSource: Hair Food

Detoxing your scalp is just as important as hydrating your locks, especially with curls as they typically require rich, more intense formulas. This new ACV hair rinse just became our go-to as it offers a deep cleanse, ridding our scalp of product buildup, excess oils, and any dead skin that’s causing irritation.

Simply wet your hair, apply directly to the scalp, and massage to evenly distribute the formula. Leave in for one to three minutes and rinse thoroughly. It’s also great for using with protective styles, as the nozzle allows for easy scalp application.

8. OUAI Curl Creme, $32

5-OUAI-Curl-CreamSource: OUAI

Formulated with chia and linseed oils to add definition to curls and protect your hair from humidity, this curl cream is super nourishing. It also boasts mega-hydrators coconut oil and babassu oil to condition, soften and enhance shine. As with all OUAI products, the scent is ultra-luxe and chic, with notes of bergamot, violet, and white musk.

Apply to wet or dry hair. However, when using this formula on dry hair, use it sparingly to define and smooth frizz.

9. HASK Curl Care Curl Enhancing Mousse, $6

8-HASK-Curl-Care-Curl-Enhancing-MousseSource: Hask

Looking to add volume and definition to your curls? You need this HASK Curl Care Curl Enhancing Mousse, $6. The rich, non-drying formula is infused with coconut oil, organic argan oil, and vitamin E to protect your curls against humidity and seal in moisture.

Apply to damp hair from roots to ends, scrunch upwards then air dry or diffuse on a low heat for bouncy, crunch-free curls. We use this whenever we’re in a rush and don’t have time for a full routine.

10. SheaMoisture Wig & Weave Residue Remover Shampoo For Human and Synthetic Hair, $10

10-SheaMoisture-Wig-&-Weave-ResidueSource: Shea Moisture

If you’re a wig or weave lover, caring for your scalp should be at the top of your priority list. This clarifying shampoo will help rid your scalp of excess buildup from bonding glue or residue, without stripping your hair’s natural moisture. Formulated with tea tree oil, borage seed oil, and aloe vera, it’ll also work to soothe and hydrate the scalp.

To use, simply apply to wet hair, specifically along the hairline to target adhesive residue, then massage through your scalp and rinse with lukewarm water. It’s also safe to use on your wigs, which is an added bonus.

For more curly hair tips, check out a celeb hairstylist’s rules for caring for your curls at home.

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. We never take payment to review products, although some brands allow affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.