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What I Use for My Dry, Low-Porosity Curly Hair
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items These are the products and tools I use for my dry, low-porosity curly hair, from clarifying and deep conditioning to wash-and-go styling, blowouts, and silk press prep. I’ve included longtime favorites, products I’ve personally tried, and a few researched picks on my wishlist.
Sections
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Oils I Like for Pre-pooing
Clarifying and Buildup-Removing Shampoos
Hydrating and Moisturizing Shampoos for Dry Curly Hair
Conditioners and Leave-ins for Dry Curly Hair
Moisturizing and Strengthening Treatments for Dry Curly Hair
Heat Protectants for my Silk Press and Blowout Routine
Oils I Like for Pre-pooing
I like to give my dry curls a little extra care before shampooing to help soften my hair, make detangling easier, and lock in moisture after cleansing. Here you’ll find oils I use for my dry curly hair.
My favorite pick for pre-pooing because grapeseed oil feels lightweight on my low-porosity hair. I use it before shampooing to help soften my dry curls without the heavy, coated feeling I can get from richer oils. A good option if your curls tend to ...
Organic Grapeseed Oil
I like using The Ordinary Moroccan Argan Oil on the mid-lengths of my hair during a hot oil treatment and as a sealing oil. I use it sparingly on my low-porosity hair, focusing on my ends, which require extra moisture. A little goes a long way for me...
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil
Clarifying and Buildup-Removing Shampoos
I use a clarifying shampoo when my hair needs a deeper reset from product buildup, oils, and styling products. Since my curls tend to be dry, I look for formulas that cleanse thoroughly without leaving my hair feeling overly stripped.
This is the clarifying shampoo I reach for when I’ve been using heavier styling products or when my hair needs a proper reset. I also like using it as part of my silk press prep to remove product buildup and start with a clean base.
Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two
If you're looking for a milder clarifying shampoo, this is a great choice. It cleans well without that squeaky, stripped feeling.
As I Am Curl Clarity Shampoo
This is my go-to clarifying shampoo when I'm planning to wear a wash-and-go. It removes buildup without leaving my curls feeling stripped, giving me a fresh, clean base for better curl definition. Plus, it has a refreshing tangerine scent that I real...
Kinky Curly Come Clean Shampoo
Hydrating and Moisturizing Shampoos for Dry Curly Hair
These are the hydrating and moisturizing shampoos I reach for on regular wash days when my dry curls need a gentle cleanse. I look for shampoos that leave my hair feeling clean, hydrated, and manageable without weighing it down.
My go-to hydrating shampoo is Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo, which cleanses gently, leaving my hair feeling soft, clean, and hydrated while helping replenish moisture for a smoother, healthier-looking finish.
Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deeper Moistuire Shampoo
My favorite moisturizing shampoos for my dry, curly hair. I love the Curl Expression shampoo because it has a really good scent and creates a rich, luxurious foam that makes wash day feel extra nice, and I love how soft and moisturized my hair feels ...
Curl Expression Moisturizing Shampoo
Conditioners and Leave-ins for Dry Curly Hair
After cleansing, I focus on adding moisture and softness back into my hair. This section includes rinse-out conditioners and leave-in conditioners that I use for dry hair to help with hydration, detangling, and manageability.
This is one of the richer and creamier conditioners I use. It gives my hair plenty of slip and conditions my hair, which makes detangling much easier and helps define my curls.
GIOVANNI Eco Chic 50:50 Hydrating Conditioner
One of my favorite leave-ins for silk press prep. It has a lightweight, milky consistency that works really well when I don’t want to weigh my hair down with heavy products before applying heat .A really good option for getting my hair smooth, manage...
Mizani 25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Conditioner
Moisturizing and Strengthening Treatments for Dry Curly Hair
During the cooler, drier months, I pay more attention to keeping my curly hair moisturized and strong. I reach for protein and strengthening treatments to help reinforce hair that feels weak or has been stressed by heat and regular styling. I balance...
I use this when my dry curls need extra moisture. It has a rich, creamy texture that leaves my hair moisturized without making it feel overly coated. I especially like it for wash days when I want to focus on moisture rather than strengthening or pro...
Curl Expression Intensive Moisturizer Rich Mask
Received a sample and instantly loved it! It left my hair feeling soft, smooth, and deeply hydrated. It's officially on my Wishlist for the full size.
Don't Despair, Repair!™ Deep Conditioning Mask
I will forever use this hair mask for my low-porosity hair. After years of searching for a protein treatment that doesn’t leave my hair feeling stiff and crunchy, L’Oréal Absolut Repair has become one of my favorites. It gives my hair the strengtheni...
L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Mask
Heat Protectants for my Silk Press and Blowout Routine
Heat protection is one step I never skip when using hot tools on my hair. These are the heat protectants I trust for my blow-dry and silk press routine to help protect my hair from heat while keeping it smooth and manageable.
I discovered SheaMoisture Silk Press in a Bottle through TikTok and have used it a few times for my silk presses. It works well for helping prep my hair for heat and getting that smoother silk press finish. I definitely recommend using it sparingly, ...
Shea Moisture Silk Press in a Bottle
I’ve used BioSilk Silk Therapy for my silk presses, and I like how it adds shine and helps smooth my hair without feeling too heavy. I only use a small amount, especially on my ends, since a little goes a long way. It’s a nice finishing product when ...
BioSilk Silk Therapy Original
Keracare Thermal Strengthening Protector was the first heat protector I used when I started doing my own silk presses, and it's still memorable to me. It left my hair feeling lightweight and shiny. I also loved that it added humidity resistance, whic...
Keracare Strengthening Thermal Protector
I've seen so many talented stylists use this heat protectant for silk presses that I had to add it to my wishlist. I'm hoping to try it for a sleek, healthy-looking finish.
Paul Mitchell Protect HeatCTRL Iron Hairspray
This is definitely on the premium side, but it has become one of my favorite products for blow-drying my curly hair. It leaves my blowout incredibly soft and noticeably cuts down my blow-drying time, which is a big plus when I’m trying to minimize ho...
Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray
Another favorite in my blowout routine. I like using this cream to help smooth and prep my dry, curly hair before blow-drying. It leaves my hair soft and more manageable, and my blowout looks smoother and more polished without feeling weighed down. #...
Fave4 Smooth For Sure Blowout Cream
Hair Color and Grey Blending Products I Use
I prefer blending my greys rather than completely covering them, so this section includes the hair color I use to keep the result looking soft and natural. Since my hair is naturally dry and curly, I’m especially mindful of the formulas and products ...
This is the demi-permanent color I reach for when I want to blend my greys without going for full, opaque coverage. I like that it gives my grey hair a softer, more blended look while refreshing my overall color. The formula is ammonia-free; hence, i...
Wella colorcharm Demi Permanent Cream Hair Color
Curl Styling and Wash and Go Products
The styling products I reach for when I’m wearing my natural curls. These are my picks for wash-and-gos, braid-outs, and two-strand twists when I want definition and hold in my curly hair.
I’ve used this gel for my wash-and-go's and really like the strong hold it gives my curls. It helps keep my curls defined and my wash-and-go lasting longer, especially when I need extra hold in humid weather. A little goes a long way, so I prefer to ...
Innersense I Create Hold Styling Gel
I use this twisting cream for my two-strand twists and braid-out styles when I want definition and a soft finish. It gives my hair enough slip to make twisting easier and helps my twists come out smooth and defined without feeling overly stiff or cru...
As I Am Twist Defining Cream
Hair Tools I Use for Curly Hair and Silk Presses
These are the tools I reach for to make wash days, blowouts, silk presses, and everyday styling easier. I look for tools that help me minimize unnecessary heat and tension on my hair.
I use it during wash day to gently work through knots and tangles, especially when my hair is wet and has plenty of conditioner for slip. It makes detangling much easier and helps me avoid unnecessary pulling and breakage.
Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
I've used this handle-less dryer for about 7 years, and it's still going strong. I use it to dry and stretch my curly hair before styling, and I especially like how easy the handle-free design is to maneuver around my hair.
RED by Kiss 2200W Ceramic Tourmaline Dryer
I’ve used this ceramic flat iron for over 5 years, and it has been a reliable tool in my silk press routine. The ceramic plates distribute heat more evenly, which helps reduce heat damage and gives me a smoother, more consistent finish. It glides thr...
HSI Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron
I use this universal diffuser attachment with my hair dryer when I want to dry my curls without disturbing the curl pattern. It helps me get better definition while reducing frizz, and I like that I can attach it to my existing dryer instead of buyin...
Universal Diffuser Attachment