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Home • Hair Products & Tools

Curly Cues: The Best Products For Your Texture

By Nykia Spradley · Updated October 26, 2020

This feature originally appeared in the March 2017 Issue of ESSENCE Magazine.

If the graveyard of products in your bathroom cabinet is any indication, the curly strand struggle is real. The quest for coil perfection is common for pretty much every naturalista.

Keep reading for easy product recommendations, based on your specific curl pattern. 

(All styling done by Celebrity Natural Hair Guru Nedjetti Harvey.)

01
For Frizzy Waves

Wavy curls have a more visible S-shape pattern (type 3A to 3C), while tighter curls can range from tiny circles to a Z-shape coil (type 4A to 4C).

 

If you’re on the wavy end, your strands still crave moisture, but for definition without the weight Harvey says to opt for light styling creams. Shampoo and apply a rinse-out conditioner once every three days. To produce volume, start with your stylers, then use a diffuser. An alcohol-free, lightweight gel will help enhance your locks too. Looser curls are also more prone to heat damage, so keep the straightening to a minimum. “Sometimes heat damage can take place toward the root to the middle of the shaft,” says Harvey. “When this happens, curl the hair with perm or flexi rods to create the coil instead of using a heated wand.”

Curly Cues: The Best Products For Your Texture
Hairstyling by Nedjetti Harvey
02
For Frizzy Waves: RENE FURTERER Sublime Curl Curl Nutri-Activating Cream
Curly Cues: The Best Products For Your Texture
available at Rene Furterer $28 Buy Here
03
For Frizzy Waves: OUIDAD Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Conditioner
Curly Cues: The Best Products For Your Texture
available at Dermstore $20 Buy Here
04
For Frizzy Waves: OUIDAD Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo
Curly Cues: The Best Products For Your Texture
available at Dermstore $18 Buy Here
05
For Combo Coils

Layering lineup for 3C hair types: sulfate-free shampoo, rinse-out conditioner, light to medium styling cream or non-alcohol gel and moisturizing spritz.

Curly Cues: The Best Products For Your Texture
Hairstyling by Nedjetti Harvey
06
For Combo Coils: EUFORA Curl’n Forming Cream
Curly Cues: The Best Products For Your Texture
available at Eufora $26 Buy At Salon
07
For Combo Coils: L’OREAL PARIS EverCreme Deep Nourish Conditioner
Curly Cues: The Best Products For Your Texture
available at Ulta $8 Buy Here
08
For Combo Coils: Hair Food Sulfate Free Hair Milk Shampoo
Curly Cues: The Best Products For Your Texture
available at Target $10 Buy Here
09
For Tight Tresses

Layering lineup for 4A to 4C hair types: sulfate-free shampoo, rinse-out conditioner, medium to heavy styling cream, moisturizing spritz, and oil blends with vitamins A and E, coconut, jojoba, olive, avocado, grapeseed, sunflower or almond.

Curly Cues: The Best Products For Your Texture
Hairstyling by Nedjetti Harvey
10
For Tight Tresses: Creme of Nature Ultra-Moisturizing Conditioner With Mango & Shea Butter
Curly Cues: The Best Products For Your Texture
available at Walmart $4 Buy Here
11
For Tight Tresses: John Frieda Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-In Conditioner
Curly Cues: The Best Products For Your Texture
available at Jet $6 Buy Here
12
For Tight Tresses: Schwarzkopf Gliss Hair Repair Oil Nutritive Weightless Oil
Curly Cues: The Best Products For Your Texture
available at Target $6 Buy Here
TOPICS:  Magazine