The Best Products for Curly Hair, According to 5 Women with Different Curl Patterns

Christiané Jones has rocked everything from natural hair to relaxed locks to braids, but there’s one thing about her hair routine that hasn’t changed. As I Am Coconut Co-Wash ($10) has been part of the Los Angeles-based Youtuber’s hair regimen since she was 16-years-old. Jones told PureWow, “I usually wet or condition my hair every day to have more defined curls (I haven’t perfected the art of second-day curls just yet). I use As I Am Coconut Co-Wash ($10) in the shower to refresh and condition without drying it out.”

Get the Look: As I Am Coconut Co-Wash ($10)

For Monica Linares, keeping her curls on point is easy thanks to a product she’s used for more than ten years. Linares reaches for Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner ($23) without fail. She calls it her “ride or die” and says it hooked her because it “always leaves my curls looking defined and hydrated.” Linares, who works as a strategic content producer at a prominent startup, says she also creates a strong and moisturized base for her favorite leave-in by using Aussie 3-Minute Moist Shampoo and Conditioner ($5; $5). An added bonus? All three of her go-top’s smell fantastic.

Get the Look: Aussie 3-Minute Moist Shampoo ($5); Aussie 3-Minute Moist Conditioner ($5); Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner ($23)

Nikki Bowles’ hair journey has been just that—a journey. Three years ago, Bowles went on a mission to find the best products to accentuate her natural hair. Now, “after a lot of trial and error,” the financial account manager says she finally feels like she’s found her own arsenal of holy grail products that give her hair the love it needs. Bowles told PureWow, “I co-wash once a week and condition every two days using Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner ($16).” When it comes to styling, Bowles says she loves the “wash and go” look, so she uses Cantu Avocado Curl Activator Cream ($6). She finishes her edges Crème of Nature Perfect Edges ($7) and seals her ends with Miss Jessie’s Multicultural Curls ($14). For her, “this combination of conditioners gives my curls the definition I love while not weighing my hair down so that it can have that natural look and I can still claim, ‘I woke up like this.’”

Get the Look: Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner; Cantu Avocado Curl Activator Cream ($6); Crème of Nature Perfect Edges ($7); Miss Jessie’s Multicultural Curls ($14)

As a celebrity nail artist and mom, Mimi Wilson doesn’t have time to waste. Whether she’s chasing her son around or creating press-ons for magazine covers, Wilson loves Aloe Vera gel (like this $3 option from Fruit of the Earth) and Jamaican Black Castor Oil ($13) to moisturize and style her hair. She has a mix of curl patterns, with a combination of “some 3C and some 4A,” and this duo suits her needs exceptionally.

Get the look: Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel ($3); Jamaican Black Castor Oil ($13)

Marisa Staples has long, thick 4 B/C curls. So, for her, detangler is a necessity. When it comes to products, she counts Aunt Jackie Knot on My Watch Instant Detangling Therapy ($9) as her favorite. The L.A.-based media planner told PureWow, “It helps my comb slide through my hair on wash day…having an easy detangler is a game changer.”

Get the Look: Aunt Jackie Knot on My Watch Instant Detangling Therapy ($9)