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Curly Hair Care Reviews
43
items I've been testing out millions of hair products on my 2b/c hair since 2021 when I realized I had curly hair lol. It's fine hair but I have a lot of it. These are my honest thoughts about all the products (that I remember) that I've ever tried. I live...
Sections
7
Leave-ins
Gels/Mousse
Masks
Shampoos
Conditioners
Sprays/Mists
Leave-ins
8.5/10 - If you're getting into a curly hair routine for the first time, this will be great for you! It doesn't weigh my hair down and I don't need a lot of product (might be because I live in a low-humidity area). My sister uses this, and she lives ...
CAN | Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Cream 6 fl oz | Shoppers Drug Mart
USA | Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Cream 6 fl oz | Ulta Beauty
8/10 - I think they changed the packaging because I have the blue one which I bought around 2 years ago. This is a good leave in because it's actually quite lightweight… I gave it an 8/10 simply because of the price. Again, if you can splurge, go rig...
CAN | Weightless Air-Dry Leave-in Conditioning Cream - Curlsmith 8 fl oz | Sephora
USA | Weightless Air-Dry Leave-in Conditioning Cream - Curlsmith 8 fl oz | Sephora
7/10 - It's alright. Very hydrating though. I feel like this would be great in a humid climate (I haven't tried it myself there). In a drier climate though, this weighs my hair down a little. One of the first leave-ins I bought
CAN | Kinky Curly Knot Today Natural Leave in Conditioner 8 oz
USA | Kinky Curly Knot Today Natural Leave In Conditioner 8 oz | Target
9.5/10 - (I got this at Winners for like 15CAD) Honestly one of the best leave-ins I've ever tried. It's hydrating and doesn't make my hair frizzy or wear it down. It's just really good. I have the not your mother's curl cream on my bathroom counter ...
CAN | Curls - Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave In Conditioner
Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave-In 8oz
9.8/10 - FOR THE PRICE THIS IS LIKE HEAVEN!!!! Just get it. It's just so good for the 11 or 12 bucks you're paying. At least TRY it out. It doesn't make my hair frizzy at all. In fact, it makes it shine, and it keeps my curls last a bit longer. I lov...
CAN | Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Envy Cream Hair Styling Product & Softener - Shea Butter - 8.3 fl oz
USA | Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Envy Cream Hair Styling Product & Softener - Shea Butter - 6 fl oz
6/10 - It weighs my hair down a LOT. Might work in a humid environment but haven't tried it in one myself. Better suited for thick curly/coily hair (like types 3, 4). First leave in I bought. It worked on my virgin hair but then it just started build...
CAN | SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave In Conditioner 340ml
USA | SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave In Conditioner 326g | Ulta Beauty
2/10 - It doesn't do anything and it smells weird and it makes my hair frizzy. Not worth buying. Got it from shoppers during a sale for $4.99
CAN | L'Oréal Glycolic Gloss Shine Leave-In Serum
USA | L'Oréal Glycolic Gloss High Shine Leave-in Serum | Ulta Beauty
Gels/Mousse
9.5/10 - I heard about this gel a very long time ago from a curly hair influencer but I was never ever able to find it… until last year when I saw it at Winners (for like 10-15 bucks). It honestly lived up to the hype. I remember this influencer sayi...
CAN | Giovanni L.A. Hold Styling Hair Gel 6.8 Fl Oz
USA | Giovanni L.A. Hold Styling Hair Gel - 6.8oz
9/10 - Another great gel! It's insanely lightweight and this is what I use regularly now. Only gave it a 9/10 because of the price! My friend who works at a salon gave it to me for 30 bucks but it's $44 on Sephora… if you can splurge… splurge away! I...
CAN | Curl Corps Curl Enhancing Hair Gel - amika | Sephora
USA | Curl Corps Enhancing Gel - amika | Ulta Beauty
6.8/10 - Like, it's alright. It's lightweight. But it leaves my hair frizzy for some reason. Plus for that price, this is not worth it in my opinion.
CAN | Hydro Style Flexi Defining Curl Gel - Curlsmith 8 oz | Sephora
USA | Hydro Style Flexi Defining Curl Gel - Curlsmith 8 oz | Ulta Beauty
9/10 - Lowkey this is actually so good. I was surprised cause it was cheap. But it makes my hair bouncy and lightweight and glossy AF. I haven't used this in a humid climate though. If you don't have a mousse and would like to try one, this would be ...
CAN | TRESemmé Flawless Curls Hair Mousse 298g
Not the exact same as this has a #3 hold. Canadian link has a #4 hold
USA | Tresemme Flawless Curls Hair Mousse with Coconut and Avocado Oil - 15oz | Target
7.5/10 - My very first curly hair gel. It did me good. It's quite heavy though, but kept my curls for a long time. I got it from Shoppers. I wouldn't buy it again simply because LA Hold exists lol
Cantu Shea Butter Max Hold Styling Gel 18.5oz
9/10 - Such a good gel for the price. The cast is STRONG so remember to always use an oil to break it off if using it. It keeps my curls curly, smooth and glossy. I'd buy it again if LA Hold was unavailable to me. I'd buy it over Amika just cause of ...
Garnier Fructis Style Ultra Strong Hold Gel
6.5/10 - Too heavy for curly hair in my opinion. It's an okay gel, like it gets the job done good enough. It's good for styling hair though (like slick backs)
Eco Style Gel Olive Oil Styling 8 oz
Masks
9.8/10. I found this on CLEARANCE at Winners because the cap was missing!!! I didn't know if it would work or not… but oh wow. It was so good! I only use it once in a while (like once every 2 weeks) but everytime I use it my curls come out so perfect...
Don't Despair Repair Rice Water Protein + Moisture Strengthening Treatment - Briogeo | Sephora
7/10 - For the price, it's alright. It's worth giving it a try since the reviews for it are good. It just didn't do too much for me. I did use it for a while though because I didn't have any other treatment mask, so it was not bad. Helped my curls a ...
SheaMoisture Protein Power Hair Treatment 237ml
8/10 - I was influenced to buy this lol. I had damaged hair (from color treatment) and lost my curls. I saw it on reddit and people were talking about how good it is. I mean, it's good, but it's not a miracle curl-restorer. Nothing is, really. It did...
Silicon Mix Bamboo Nourishing Hair Mask 8oz
8.5/10 - It's a pretty good mask for damaged hair. I used it quite a bit when my hair was damaged and it helped bring some strength (and bit of moisture) back into my hair. You can find it for a lot cheaper at Winners though. I bought it for less tha...
Joico Defy Damage Masque for Color Hair
6.8/10 - It's alright. Does the job (which is giving moisture to hair). I don't really reach for it that much though
Wella Invigo Nutri-Enrich Conditioner Dry Hair
9.5/10 - I LOVE THIS. Didn't think I would cause reviews were mid. It detangles my hair so smoothly in the shower. And my curls look so good after using this every single time. I use it once a week. This is my second bottle. It's half the price of th...
Elizavecca Cer-100 Collagen Hair Protein 100ML
8.5/10 - I use it whenever my hair feels a little dull. It really does make my hair super glossy. I only gave this 8.5/10 because it makes my hair frizzy a bit. If you're on a budget and not in need of this right away, wait till this goes on sale at ...
L'Oréal Paris Shine Lamination Hair Treatment, Glycolic Gloss | Shoppers Drug Mart
9/10 - Makes my hair feel INSANELY soft. I gave this to two of my friends as gifts and they said the same thing (both have wavy hair). It smells so damn good --tropical-y and mango-ey. It's now one of the two of my go-to every-wash conditioners. I bo...
Shiseido Tsubaki Premium Repair Hair Mask 180g
Shampoos
7/10 - Made my hair soft. Too expensive for what it does. Also ended up giving me dandruff (but I am prone to dandruff cause my scalp is sensitive — either gets too dry or builds up too much and both result in dandruff. I think this shampoo built up ...
REDKEN Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair
10/10 - I never thought I'd be able to find a normal shampoo that doesn't rile up my dandruff. I still haven't but this came so close. I still use it. It's the only shampoo I use. I love it. It's not sulfate free which is great for me because it clea...
TRESemmé 24 Hour Volume Shampoo Pump 39oz
Conditioners
7.5/10 - This was actually not bad at all. My hair was definitely left moisturized. However, like most Shea Moisture products, it did weigh down my hair a little and there was a little build up too. But I think this is mostly for thicker curly hair, ...
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner 384mL
0/10 - Those pictures be wrong. This was so bad. It left my hair so frizzy and fragile or something?? I thought it was cause of my curly hair but I asked my roommate (who has straight hair) to try it and she hated it too. I dont even KNOW how this ha...
Redken All Soft Conditioner - Moisturizes & Hydrates Dry Hair
8/10 - Yes I would say this is good for oily hair. It doesn't weigh your hair down. It's not super hydrating or anything I assume because it's for oily hair. For 10 bucks it's worth a try
L'Oreal Elvive Hyaluron 72H Conditioner
8/10 - Really good for my curls. This is my other go-to every-wash conditioner. I found it for cheap at a Target in the states and then I also asked my mom to buy it again for me and bring it. It's really good. This is the cheapest website I could fi...
Kristin Ess Moisture Rich Curl Conditioner
Sprays/Mists
4/10 - Mmmmm…no. It just makes my hair sticky in a non-cast-y way. As in, I can't “break the cast” to make my hair smooth because there is no cast to begin with.
L.A. HOLD™ HAIR SPRITZ
2/10 - It really doesn't do much. I suppose it ‘refreshes’ my curls a little bit but it leaves my hair frizzy and sticky. I used it a couple times to test it but haven't touched it since.
Shake & Shine Curl Refreshing Mist - Curlsmith | Sephora
Oils
9.5/10 - Such a good oil for shine. Doesn't make my hair greasy ever. I use it to break my gel cast and its so good. I use it after straightening my hair too. It's just a staple you need to have. There is the PENETRATING oil version of this too which...
OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Weightless Reviving Dry Oil | Shoppers Drug Mart
9.5/10 - This is the penetrating oil version I talked about. It's the tiniest bit heavier than the weightless version, but I gave it the same rating because the smell of this makes up for it. Just use a little bit of the oil so your hair doesn't get ...
OGX Renewing Argan Oil Penetrating Oil