Best Overall

Briogeo Curl Charisma

$12

$12 at Amazon$24 at Sephora$24 at Ulta

Hair Type: Wavy, curly, coily| Size: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Coming in at the top of our list is this leave-in cream from Briogeo, which works double duty to both define and humidity-proof your curls. The formula is infused with rice amino acids and avocado oil to help your hair retain moisture and reduce static, and the creamy texture is lightweight and doesn’t ever flake or feel sticky. Also nice? This cream is made with 96% naturally-derived ingredients and contains no dyes or silicones, so it’s safe to use on all hair types.

Bianca, tester with 4C hair: “My curls were not only soft to the touch but defined, and the moisture lasted all week.”

Best Budget

SheaMoisture Curl & Style Milk

$11

$7 at Amazon$13 at Ulta$9 at Target

Hair Type: Curly, coily| Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Coconut oil is this leave-in conditioner’s secret ingredient, working to detangle and hydrate. Ideal for letting your hair air dry, it’s a major time saver. Curls are left soft and swingy, protected from static and humidity. The natural formula includes ethically-traded ingredients that are also sustainably produced.

Olivia Hancock, senior beauty editor: “This is a tried and true styling product that never disappoints me. Creamy styling milks always leave my curls ultra-hydrated and defined. And this one does just that.”

Best Shampoo

Kérastase Curl Manifesto Shampoo

$46 at Amazon$46 at SephoraView on Kerastase-usa.com

Hair Type: Curly | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This shampoo formula checks all of the curly hair shampoo boxes. It’s sulfate-free, first and foremost, so you don’t have to worry about it stripping away your natural moisture. The creamy formula cleanses super gently, and it contains hydrating ingredients (manuka honey and ceramides) to keep your curls in tip-top shape. Plus, it’s a good option for wavy, curly, or very curly hair.

Best Gel

Olaplex No.10 Hair Gel

$30 at Sephora$30 at Ulta$30 at Jcpenney.com

Hair Type: Wavy, curly, coily | Size: 6.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A hair gel is great for reducing frizz and creating hold and definition for your curls that lasts all day. We like this pick from Olaplex, as it has a lightweight, easy to use formula that doesn’t weigh curls down. A little goes a long way, which means the bottle will last you for a while, and it can be used on wavy, curly and coily hair.

Chelsea, tester with fine and wavy hair: “This gel keeps my style in place throughout the day, and it did help with frizz somewhat, but not entirely. I love what this gel did for my waves—it gave them beautiful bounce and more form.”

Best Gel, Runner-Up

Alodia Haircare Moisturize & Define Curling Cream Gel

$31 at AmazonView on Alodiahaircare.com

Hair Type: Curly | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

A gel that defines your curls without leaving them dry and flaky? Yes, please! This hydrating cream-gel hybrid adds shine, moisture, and hold without any of the stickiness or stiffness associated with gels. It’s great when you want to wash-and-go or for styles such as buns and ponies. It works equally well on wavy, curly, and coily textures.

Best Cream

Bumble & Bumble Curl Defining Cream

$16

$16 at Amazon$37 at Sephora$37 at Ulta

Hair Type: Wavy, curly, coily | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Bumble & Bumble makes one of the best curl creams available, hands down. It’s nourishing and hydrating—great for dry, parched curls—and it gives curls lots of bounce and definition. It doesn’t feel heavy or weigh down hair, which we love, and hair felt soft to the touch after using. One thing to note: some reviewers say the curl cream can feel crunchy if too much product is used, so start with just a little and work your way up.

Irianna, tester with type 3B hair: “This curl cream defines my curls and makes them bouncier while also feeling very moisturized.”

Best for Fine Hair

Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream

$36

$35 at Amazon$36 at Sephora$36 at Dermstore

Hair Type: All| Size: 2.5, 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Having fine hair and curls can be ​tough since many defining creams can weigh them down—but not this gem from Moroccanoil. The featherweight formula is infused with argan oil to calm static and refine ringlets, all without ever feeling greasy or sticky. It works its magic to bring on the bounce for all curl types, from waves to tight coils. Plus, it restores elasticity, making hair more manageable.

Bianca, tester with 4C hair: “I think for those with wavy to loose curly hair types, this product is worth a try.”

Best Diffuser

DevaCurl DevaDryer and DevaFuser

$150 at AmazonView on AmazonView on Devacurl.com

Hair Type: Wavy, curly, coily

When you have curly hair, you may find that the hair dryer can be your enemy. For instance, if you apply too much heat, you could contribute to a damaged, staticky result. But now there’s an entire industry around maintaining healthy curls, resulting in products like this diffuser. It attaches to the end of your hairdryer (try ionic dryers to cut drying time in half) and coaxes stunning ringlets out of hair.

Bianca, tester with 4C hair: “As someone who has a difficult time keeping my hands off my head as I dry my curls in an attempt to get to my roots, I love this design.”

Best Detangler

Kinky Curly Knot Today Detangler

$33

$29 at Amazon$17 at Target$18 at Walgreens

Hair Type: Wavy, curly, coily| Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Say goodbye to knots that lead to breakage and grow your hair longer and stronger with this herbal conditioner, which is formulated with organic ingredients like slippery elm, marshmallow root, lemongrass, and mango fruit extract. The name says it all: Those with kinky curly hair know that wash day can be a time-consuming task, but the slip in this moisturizing product makes detangling a breeze by smoothing the cuticle and removing knots. Use it as a traditional rinse-out conditioner for those with waves and loose curls, or try it as a leave-in for those with tighter textures.

Best Relaxing Balm

Phyto Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm

$30

$29 at AmazonView on WalmartView on Ecosmetics.com

Hair Type: All| Size: 4.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Another great way to tame coarse, flyaway hair is to use a relaxing balm. This one by Phyto helps to loosen the curls so they start to straighten, but not so much so that you lose texture or volume. You’ll love the lightweight consistency that won’t leave your hair feeling greasy.

Best Co-Wash

Kristin Ess Frizz Management Cleansing Co-Wash

$12

$10 at AmazonView on UltaView on Walmart

Hair Type: All | Size: 8.45 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes 

Celebrity hairstylist Kristin Ess (known for her work with Lauren Conrad, Lucy Hale, and more) has a line of affordable, high-quality hair products that we recommend giving a try, and this co-wash is at the top of the list. Rather than using traditional shampoo, this hydrating formula cleanses, detangles, and softens—all without stripping curls of their natural moisture. (Oh, and it’s choice for combating static, too.) And while it’s ideal for those with curly hair, this is a great option for anyone whose hair is on the drier side.

Best Deep Conditioner

Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner

$42 at AmazonView on Bouncecurl.com

Hair Type: Curly | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes 

Give your hair some extra love with this deep conditioning treatment, which boasts a clean formula filled with natural and plant-based ingredients. The stars of the show are oils (sunflower seed and baobab seed) that add a hefty dose of moisture but are still lightweight enough that they won’t weigh down your hair. Also nice: Leave it on for five to 10 minutes to reap those deep conditioning benefits. If you’re in a rush, you can also use it as a traditional conditioner. Bonus points for the light, peach scent, which is naturally derived.

Best Leave-In Conditioner

Pattern Leave-In Conditioner

$12

$10 at Amazon$49 at Sephora$29 at Ulta

Hair Type: Curly | Size: 9.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes 

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross created Pattern specifically to fulfill the unique needs of those with curly hair. All of the products consistently pull in rave reviews, but if you’re going to try just one, make it this leave-in, a true hero SKU that gets tons of five-star reviews. It hydrates, seals in moisture, and detangles while also helping to enhance curl definition. Top tip: Apply it all over while hair is still soaking wet.

Star Donaldson, social media director (not pictured): “It softens and defines curls in just one step—pretty revolutionary for someone who typically uses a slew of other curl-defining products as well.”

Best Oil

Rizos Curls Nourish Oil

$23

$21 at Amazon$23 at NordstromView on Thirteenlune.com

Curly and coily hair tend to be on the drier side, so a nourishing hair oil can be a great curly hair product to have on hand. This pick from Rizos Curls is an incredible multitasker—not only can it be used on the hair, it can also be applied to the scalp and body for head-to-toe moisture. It’s made with a wide variety of oils, like grapefruit, orange, moringa, sunflower, and castor oil. Despite its large blend of oils, however, it has a nice, lightweight texture and won’t weight hair down.