The Curly-Hair Community Agrees: These Are the Best Products for Natural Hair

Curly girls in need of the best products for natural hair, you just came upon gold. After years of natural hair products being shoved into one limiting "multicultural" section in mass drugstores, the options have finally expanded. The natural hair industry is booming with hardworking formulas fit for all curl types. From mass-market retailers to small indie brands, products that promise to cater to your curls have vastly increased. 

Wearing your natural hair loud and proud feels like a badge of honor. Instead of succumbing to society's Eurocentric standards of beauty, you've chosen to let your curls hang freely and embrace the texture you were born with.

It's a commitment, to say the least, and relying on good products to keep your curls flourishing is crucial. I surveyed 24 women who continuously inspire me to love my hair in all of its glory to find out their top-shelf product for textured hair. 

Scroll through, marvel at their beauty, find a curl type that's similar to yours, and take notes on the absolute best products for natural hair. 

Kamie

Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel $50.00

Shop

Abena

Hanahana Beauty Vanilla Lavender Shea Body Butter $28.00

Shop

"I love to use my shea butter for my daily hair moisturizer and especially when I'm braiding my hair. I also love the Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner ($11). It smells so nice and it has aloe in it, which I love for detangling my hair. It's also great for protective styles." — Abena

Sherica

Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask $28.00

Shop

"I have very dry hair, and this product makes wash day feel less like a chore. I apply it and let it sit for five to seven minutes then rinse. Getting my tangles out of my curls is so much easier now!" — Sherica 

Siraad

Ouai Haircare Curl Jelly $26.00

Shop

 "My favorite curly-girl products are curl creams! For me, they're a #majorkey for holding the shape of the curl and ensuring my wash-n-go lasts more than a day. Right now I'm loving this one from OUAI [Ed. note: This product is no longer available—try OUAI Curl Creme ($32) instead] and Amika's Curl Corps Defining Cream ($25). Sadly, these products aren't really marketed toward us, so Black women wouldn't know, but they really do work on natural and curly hair." — Siraad

Micah

Aussie Miracle Curls Conditioner $3.00

Shop

"After 25 years of products and growth of options in recent years, I’ve gained some favorites, and these are some of my staples! I always get compliments on my hair, and it's surprising because my routine is super easy and low-maintenance. It doesn’t take more than two to three minutes after brushing my hair out with this conditioner in the shower. I recently got into Aussie’s Coconut and Jojoba Oil for my daytime conditioner. I try to choose a conditioner that is tailored to curls or includes natural oils and leaves my hair feeling light and soft. Before applying mousse, I use a small amount of Moroccanoil ($34) to trap in the moisture." — Micah

Mominatu

Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture and Shine Leave-In Conditioner $11.00

Shop

"This leaves my hair hydrated, shiny, and frizz-free. Also, the smell is out of this world." — Mominatu

Kali

DevaCurl SuperCream Coconut Curl Styler $28.00

Shop

"My favorite product right now is the DevaCurl Super Cream—it has been for a while. It leaves my hair super soft while still maintaining definition. I'm also am obsessed with Ouidad's Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel ($75). This thing fights frizz in ways unimaginable. Especially out here in New Orleans, it's a must for anyone in a humid climate!" — Kali

Sophia

DevaCurl Heaven In Hair Intense Moisture Treatment $28.00

Shop

"This has the most amazing detangling effect, which is awesome because so many deep conditioners don't. And because it doesn't have any protein in it, you can sleep with it in your hair, or even leave it in for days with no problems. It keeps my hair frizz-free, and my ringlets are always super defined after using as well." — Sophia

Alysia

Jane Carter Solution Curl Defining Cream $17.00

Shop

"I'm doing my twist-out as we speak. I love this leave-in conditioner! It makes my curls defined without that greasy and heavy feeling. It gives me the softest, fluffiest twist-out." — Alysia

Jamie

Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo $18.00

Shop

"Ouidad's shampoo and conditioner set is my absolute favorite right now. My roommate bought the regimen recently, and it works perfectly on my curls. On dry hair, I use a little bit of Cantu's Leave-in Conditioner ($6) to rehydrate my curls throughout the day." — Jamie

Taryn

Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In Detangler $13.00

Shop

"This has the perfect slip for my 4C coils and makes wash day so much easier since detangling can be a real pain." — Taryn

Janae

Sway Naturale Chébé Powder $35.00

Shop

"I love this product because it is an all-natural ancient remedy, which has been used for centuries in Chad. It is a powder that can be added to any conditioner or oil of your choosing to deep condition, moisturize, strengthen, as well as promote length retention. It's holistic and proven to work as the women of Chad are known for their long locks. I also love the Mielle Organics Deep Conditioner Babassu & Mint ($13). This product is sensational as it makes your scalp feel alive. The mint breathes new life into your hair, and the babassu sends you to the Caribbean. This conditioner gives total aromatherapy vibes as it arouses all of the senses. Silky and luscious curls are the end result of this vacation in a jar." — Janae

Taylor

Kinky-Curly Spiral Spritz $16.00

Shop

"This product brings so much definition to my kinks and curls without shrinkage or frizz. When I'm in a rush I can count on it to give me the perfect wash-and-go look." — Taylor

Leah

SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner $10.00

Shop

"This inexpensive, multipurpose conditioner is great for retaining moisture, especially as the weather gets colder. I can use it as a rinse-out conditioner, deep conditioner or leave-in product." — Leah 

Zhané

Taliah Waajid Shea Coco Curly Hair Souffle For 3B-4B Hair $10.00

Shop

"Taliah Waajid is my all-time fave natural hair brand, and the Shea-Coco Leave-In Condition ($10) along with the Shea-Coco Curly Hair Curl Souffle are my everyday go-to products! They both keep my hair refreshed, bouncy, and shiny for any occasion." — Zhané

Raven

DevaCurl SuperCream Coconut Curl Styler $28.00

Shop

"Not only does this product leave my hair feeling healthy, full, moisturized, and luscious, but it smells great and people notice even when I have second- or third-day curls. I usually use this product after using Deva Curl's Decadence line including the No-Poo Original Zero Lather Conditioning Cleanser ($46) and One Condition Original Daily Cream Conditioner ($46). I've been using this routine for two years and it has been transformative for my hair." — Raven

Rachel

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner $3.00

Shop

"I'm a lazy natural and take the less-is-more approach. My holy grail right now is Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner. I use it every time I wash my curls to keep them soft, moisturized, and manageable. You can find it in your local Walmart or Target, and you can't beat the price!" — Rachel

Kiah

Kinky-Curly Curling Custard $19.00

Shop

"I love using both of Kinky-Curly's Curling Custard plus its Knot Today Leave-in Conditioner ($11) together. I've never been able to wear a full, bouncy, non-crunchy, moisturized wash-n-go until I discovered this combination of products. My 4C curls literally soak up this product, and my dry, crunchy hair is instantly drenched with this all-natural goodness! This is a must-buy for all my 4A-4C naturals who want a defined, moisturized style." — Kiah

Jillian

Camille Rose Naturals Aloe Whipped Butter Gel $15.00

Shop

"This is my favorite because it's butter-based, so it’s super thick and creamy, which is the best for taming my frizzy, thick hair! I’ve tried many different products and find that thick creams and butters work best for curl definition and frizz control." — Jillian

Chamille

OrganiGrowHairCo Hair Dew Low Porosity Leave In $17.00

Shop

"This line is best for low-porosity hair. I specifically love the Hair Dew and the Mega Mangrow Moisture milk Combo ($17). All the products are organic, free of parabens and sulfates, plus there are specific products for your own particular curl pattern. My curls are visibly healthier and bouncier than they've ever been!" — Chamille

Alanah

Taliah Waajid Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Curl Elixir $11.00

Shop

"When my hair is curly, it soaks up product fast, leaving me with dry, brittle hair by midday. I love this product because the formula is thick enough for long-lasting hydration. It gives my curls life! Plus, it smells amazing." — Alanah

Zuleika

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Styling Lotion $11.00

Shop

"This is my absolute go-to for styling my hair because it hydrates my curls and is perfect for flat-twisting. So, whether I want to slick it down or wear it in a coiled mane, my hair is moisturized and smells amazing!" — Zuleika

Yoyo

OGX Detoxifying + Pomegranate & Ginger Shampoo $14.00

Shop

"I shampoo my hair once every two weeks or whenever I feel needed with my favorite OGX’s Detoxifying + Pomegranate & Ginger Shampoo. Then, I use Cantu's curl products as conditioner or as my leave-in conditioner. If I have my hair up, which is pretty often nowadays since it’s super short and I’m trying to grow it out, I use Cantu Argan Oil Leave-In Moisturizing Conditioning Repair Cream ($6). On days I leave it down, I use Cantu Coconut Curling Cream ($6)."— Yoyo

Kelsy

Miss Jessie's Multicultural Curls $16.00

Shop

"This multicultural line from Miss Jessie's is perfect for my curl definition. The other products in their line were too light and didn't hold my curls well, so I stopped using them. Then, on a whim I tried the multicultural curl line and loved it. It's crazy-affordable too. I pair this product with a little bit of the As I Am Curl Gel ($11) for a maximum hold."— Kelsy