How To Choose The Right Curly Hair Products (Without Overwhelm)

Choosing the right curly hair products shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. The truth is, you don’t need a huge shelf full of expensive products, you just need a few that work for your hair.

In this guide, I’ll break down exactly how to choose curly hair products that match your hair’s needs, how to read labels, and how to build a simple starter routine that won’t weigh you down (or break the bank).

Know Your Hair First

Before you buy anything new, figure out how your hair behaves:

Is your hair fine or coarse? (thin strands vs. thick strands)
Is your hair low or high density? (lots of hair vs. visible scalp)
Does your hair get weighed down easily?
Is your hair damaged, dry, or color-treated?

Don’t stress about curl type, what matters more is how your hair feels and reacts.

👉 Need help? Take my Curly Hair Type Quiz for a quick snapshot.

What Products Do You Really Need?

Keep it simple! Most curly hair needs:

A sulfate-free cleanser (low poo or co-wash)
A conditioner
A styling product (gel, custard, or mousse)
A clarifying shampoo (for monthly resets)
Optional: a deep conditioner (if your hair is damaged or dry)

✅ Tip: Use curlscan.com to check if your current products are curly girl approved (no need to buy new if you don’t have to!).

How To Choose The Right Product For Your Hair

Fine or low-density hair? Pick lightweight cleansers, conditioners, and stylers. Use less product to avoid buildup.

Thick or high-density hair? You’ll likely need richer, more moisturizing products and heavier stylers.

Dry or damaged hair? Add a deep conditioner to your routine once a week and avoid products that strip moisture.

Easily weighed down? Skip heavy creams and oils, try mousse or a lightweight gel instead.

Budget tip: Drugstore brands can work well, just check for curly girl approved ingredients.

CREAM IS NOT A SINGLE STYLER! 🫢 Despite the marketing claims you see, only using a cream to style your curls is not going to give you the results you want. I promise!

Ingredients To Look For

✔️ Moisturizers: aloe vera, glycerin, shea butter (use sparingly if your hair gets weighed down)
✔️ Proteins: hydrolyzed silk, keratin, rice protein (good for strength and curl definition)
✔️ Light oils: argan oil, jojoba oil (great for dry ends)

Avoid non-water soluble silicones and sulfates (except in your clarifying shampoo).

How To Test Products The Smart Way

Try one new product at a time.
Use it for at least 3 wash days before deciding if it works.
Adjust the amount and application method before giving up.
Keep notes in your Curly Journey Journal to see patterns.

Curly Journey Journal – Spreadsheet Version

If you prefer a digital tool and like using Google Sheets, then this is the right option for you.

You can track from any device and record all the same stats, plus you can add photos.

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Do You Need Multiple Styling Products?

Nope. Most curls do fine with one or two stylers max:

Gel: for hold, definition, and frizz control (great for all hair types)
Mousse: for lightweight volume, light hold, and some frizz control (great for thin hair)
Custard: for moisture and curl clumping, light hold, and some frizz control (best for thick or very dry hair)

Cream can be layered under one of these for extra moisture for very dry or damaged hair, or hair that is thick and needs to be weighed down. Cream is NOT a single styling product as it only offers moisture and definition, there is no hold to combat frizz!

If you layer, start light: mousse or cream first, gel second. Here is a product layering guide.