When it comes to the best products for curly hair, there’s no one-size fits all routine that every single curl will love. Since beautiful curls come in all shapes and sizes (3a, 3c, 4a) – and there’s zillions of options to choose from – it can be tricky to know where to start.
But, there are moves that all curly girls can make to enhance their curl pattern. For starters talking to your hairstylist about cutting in some tactical layers to intensify the shape and boost volume at the roots.
Curly girls are more prone to dry and dehydrated strands since it’s more difficult for the natural oils produced by the scalp to make it all the way down and around curls from the root to the tip, so regular masking makes a huge difference as often as you need (but weekly is a good starting point).
And, when deciding on the best curly hair products like shampoos, leave-in-conditioners and styling gels and masks, pay attention to what your hair needs and responds to – is it dehydrated and needs moisture, or damaged and needs keratin and proteins, or both. Keep an eye on ingredients like sulphates. They do a mega job of deep-cleaning, but the trade-off is that they can be super stripping and, if your hair doesn’t get very oily or greasy, it could be more cleansing action than your delicate curls need.
As for tips, GLAMOUR’s beauty and entertainment assistant, Shei Mamona, recommends brushing your hair while still in the shower or bath to gently detangle. “For looser curls split your hair into around four sections, or for tighter curls, maybe six,” she advises. “I like to braid those sections while I apply conditioner as it helps to soak it all up. And to insulate it, I’d recommend a shower cap or cling film.” Another of her top tips? Do it while you’re in the bath, that way you can sit back and relax while your hair marinates.
Post-wash, apply your products lightest to heaviest (for instance, leave-in-conditioner, then oil) while your hair is still damp so the moisture is sealed in while it dries. Plus the mix of products can offer different benefits (e.g. softening vs strengthening), so it’s good to experiment to find a combo that works for you.
And, GLAMOUR’s social media assistant, Luca Wetherby-Matthews, swears by Only Curls microfibre towel for smoothing flyaways.