The 15 Best Curly Hair Products for Bouncy, Defined Curls, Tested & Reviewed

Best Overall

Briogeo Curl Charisma

View on Ulta $24 at Sephora $24 at Ulta

Hair Type: Wavy, curly, coily | Size: 6 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Coming in at the top of our list is this leave-in cream from Briogeo, which works double duty to both define and humidity-proof your curls. The formula is infused with rice amino acids and avocado oil to help your hair retain moisture and reduce static, and the creamy texture is lightweight and doesn’t ever flake or feel sticky. Also nice? This cream is made with 96 percent naturally-derived ingredients and contains no dyes or silicones, so it’s safe to use on all hair types.

Byrdie contributor Bianca Lambert took it for a spin and gave it a perfect five-star rating. “My curls were not only soft to the touch but defined, and the moisture lasted all week,” she writes. Needless to say, she was impressed.

Best Budget

SheaMoisture Curl & Style Milk

$13 at Ulta $11 at Target $11 at Walmart

Hair Type: Curly, coily | Size: 8 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Coconut oil is this leave-in conditioner’s secret ingredient, working to detangle and hydrate. Ideal for letting your hair air dry, it’s a major time saver. Curls are left soft and swingy, protected from static and humidity. The natural formula includes ethically-traded ingredients that are also sustainably produced.

"This is a tried and true styling product that never disappoints me. Creamy styling milks always leave my curls ultra-hydrated and defined. And this one does just that," confirms Byrdie editor Olivia Hancock.

Best Shampoo

Kérastase Curl Manifesto Shampoo

$42 at Amazon $42 at Sephora View on Kerastase-usa.com

Hair Type: Curly | Size: 8.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This shampoo formula checks all of the curly hair shampoo boxes. It’s sulfate-free, first and foremost, so you don’t have to worry about it stripping away your natural moisture. The creamy formula cleanses super gently, and it contains hydrating ingredients (manuka honey and ceramides) to keep your curls in tip-top shape. Plus, it’s a good option for wavy, curly, or very curly hair.

Best Gel

AG Care Curl Re:Coil Curl Activator

$26 at Amazon $26 at Bloomingdales View on Ag.care

Hair Type: Curly, coily | Size: 6, 12 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

As the name suggests, this curl-friendly gel formula helps define, strengthen, and moisturize coils so they look and feel their best. It's not overly heavy on the hair, and it's a salt-free formula which helps to make it less drying.

"I really loved how my curls looked after I finished drying my hair, but this isn't a product I could use solo since it didn't hold my 4C coils and may have contributed to flakes," says product tester Bianca Lambert. "But I think for wavy, curly hair types, the AG Hair Curl Re:Coil Curl Activator would give the perfect amount of hold and hydration."

To use, apply a small amount to damp hair and dry it as usual. Then, wait for the compliments to roll in.

Runner-Up, Best Gel

Alodia Haircare Moisturize & Define Curling Cream Gel

$18 at Amazon $16 at Alodiahaircare.com

Hair Type: Curly | Size: 8 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No

A gel that defines your curls without leaving them dry and flaky? Yes, please! This hydrating cream-gel hybrid adds shine, moisture, and hold without any of the stickiness or stiffness associated with gels. It’s great when you want to wash-and-go or for styles, such as buns and ponies. It works equally well on wavy, curly, and coily textures.

Best Cream

Ouidad Curl Quencher Cream

View on Ulta $26 at Amazon $26 at Ulta

Hair Type: Coily | Size: 5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Think of this curl cream as nutrient-rich food for your curly hair. It's ideal for tight curls, and it's formulated with sweet almond oil to keep them nourished. It coats every last coil with intense moisture to eliminate static and dryness. Instead, your curls will look instantly defined and feel super soft.

"It had a pretty good slip and glided onto my coils with ease," adds product tester Bianca Lambert. "I loved my curls’ definition, especially at the front of my head, where my curls are loosest."

Best for Fine Hair

Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream

$36 at Amazon $16 at Sephora $16 at Nordstrom

Hair Type: All | Size: 2.5, 8.5 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Having fine hair and curls can be ​tough since many defining creams can weigh them down. But not this gem from Moroccanoil. The featherweight formula is infused with argan oil to calm static and refine ringlets, all without ever feeling greasy or sticky. It works its magic to bring on the bounce for all curl types, from waves to tight coils. Plus, it restores elasticity, making hair more manageable. "I think for those with wavy to loose curly hair types, this product is worth a try," says product tester Bianca Lambert.

Best Diffuser

DevaCurl DevaDryer and DevaFuser

$180 at Amazon $180 at Dermstore $150 at Walmart

Hair Type: Wavy, curly, coily

When you have curly hair, you may find that the hair dryer can be your enemy. For instance, if you apply too much heat, you could contribute to a damaged, staticky result. But now there's an entire industry around maintaining healthy curls, resulting in products like this diffuser. It attaches to the end of your hairdryer (try ionic dryers to cut drying time in half) and coaxes stunning ringlets out of hair. "As someone who has a difficult time keeping my hands off my head as I dry my curls in an attempt to get to my roots, I love this design," adds product tester Bianca Lambert.

Best Detangler

Kinky Curly Knot Today Detangler

$14 at Target $13 at Walgreens View on Instacart.com

Hair Type: Wavy, curly, coily | Size: 8 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Say goodbye to knots that lead to breakage and grow your hair longer and stronger with this herbal conditioner, which is formulated with organic ingredients like slippery elm, marshmallow root, lemongrass, and mango fruit extract. The name says it all: Those with kinky curly hair know that wash day can be a time-consuming task, but the slip in this moisturizing product makes detangling a breeze by smoothing the cuticle and removing knots. Use it as a traditional rinse-out conditioner for those with waves and loose curls, or try it as a leave-in for those with tighter textures.

Best Relaxing Balm

Phyto Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm

$24 at Amazon $24 at Walmart $27 at Ecosmetics.com

Hair Type: All | Size: 4.4 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Another great way to tame coarse, flyaway hair is to use a relaxing balm. This one by Phyto helps to loosen the curls so they start to straighten, but not so much so that you lose texture or volume. You'll love the lightweight consistency that won't leave your hair feeling greasy.

Best Co-Wash

Kristin Ess Frizz Management Cleansing Co-Wash

$12 at Amazon $15 at Ulta $14 at Walmart

Hair Type: All | Size: 8.45 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes 

Celebrity hairstylist Kristin Ess (known for her work with Lauren Conrad, Lucy Hale, and more) has a line of affordable, high-quality hair products that we recommend giving a try, and this co-wash is at the top of the list. Rather than using traditional shampoo, this hydrating formula cleanses, detangles, and softens—all without stripping curls of their natural moisture. (Oh, and it’s choice for combating static, too.) And while it’s ideal for those with curly hair, this is a great option for anyone whose hair is on the drier side.

Best Deep Treatment

Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner

View on Bouncecurl.com

Hair Type: Curly | Size: 8 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes 

Give your hair some extra love with this deep conditioning treatment, which boasts a clean formula filled with natural and plant-based ingredients. The stars of the show are oils (sunflower seed and baobab seed) that add a hefty dose of moisture but are still lightweight enough that they won’t weigh down your hair. Also nice: Leave it on for five to 10 minutes to reap those deep conditioning benefits. If you’re in a rush, you can also use it as a traditional conditioner. Bonus points for the light, peach scent, which is naturally derived.

Best Leave-In

Pattern Leave In Conditioner

$12 at Amazon $49 at Sephora $28 at Ulta

Hair Type: Curly | Size: 9.8 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes 

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross created Pattern specifically to fulfill the unique needs of those with curly hair. All of the products consistently pull in rave reviews, but if you’re going to try just one, make it this leave-in, a true hero SKU that gets tons of five-star reviews. It hydrates, seals in moisture, and detangles while also helping to enhance curl definition. "It softens and defines curls in just one step—pretty revolutionary for someone who typically uses a slew of other curl-defining products as well," says senior social media editor Star Donaldson.

Top tip: Apply it all over while hair is still soaking wet.

Best Pre-Wash Treatment

Nexxus Curl Define Ultra-8 Pre-Wash Treatment

$28 at Amazon $15 at Walmart

Hair Type: Curly | Size: 8 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Okay, so you don’t need to use a pre-wash treatment, but it can be a good way to give your curls a little extra care. What’s unique about this one is a proprietary blend of proteins specifically meant to target the needs of curly hair (which, FYI, has a different composition of proteins than straight hair). Work this into wet hair and let it sit for five to 10 minutes to do its thing—namely strengthen, moisturize, soften, detangle, and elongate your curls—then shampoo and condition as usual.

Best Oil

Living Proof Curl Moisturizing Shine Oil

$34 at Amazon $34 at Sephora $34 at Ulta

Hair Type: Curly | Size: 1.7 fl. oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Make this fast-absorbing finishing oil the final step of your styling routine. Just a few drops help to smooth and fight static while also adding mirror-like shine—for all curl types. Credit a blend of five different oils, plus the fact that the formula is silicone-free, so you don’t ever have to worry about it weighing down your hair.