TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 9.0*
Why it's great: Readers call this Ouidad gel "life-changing." One reader goes as far as saying, "I honestly don't know what I would do without Ouidad." Reviewers love the gel for "controlling frizz" and making curls "smooth without weighing [them] down." They also note that it doesn't leave hair "crunchy or greasy," just "silky and smooth." One woman with straight hair uses it for frizz control in humidity, explaining, "You don't have to have curly hair to love this stuff."
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 9.0*
Why it's great: Curly girls are obsessed with this product's delicious smell, saying they "just can't get over it." Several users report that they "receive compliments" on the "magnificent" smell of their hair whenever they use it. They also love the non-flaking aspect of this "miracle product." Other selling points? It helps "control frizzy hair" and is "great for adding volume when you're blow-drying your hair straight."
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 9.0*
Why it's great: This product "coaxed perfect curls from my wavy hair," says one reader. Another says it's "the only thing that has ever worked" for her "long, thick, curly hair." Readers agree that you need only a "tiny bit" to "control your locks all day."
"I will buy it until the day I die," says one reader. "[This is] the all-around best product for curly hair," says another.
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 9.2*
Why it's great: TotalBeauty.com members are "hooked" on this "awesome" mousse. "This is the best mousse I have found for naturally curly hair," declares one reviewer. Readers say this mousse helps "define your curls" and "maintain" them "for the whole day" without "feeling heavy." Readers report "no flaking or buildup" from the product, saying that it "feels very light." One user with curly hair says, "I love the way this makes my curls perfect."
Why it's great: Readers agreed that this best curly hair product helped add definition while keeping hair soft. "I adore the coconut scent and the fact that this does not make my hair greasy or weighed down," said one reader, who also added that her "style made it through two days."
Those of us with curly hair know it can be both a blessing and a curse. When it behaves, nothing's better than having a head full of perfect ringlets or waves that cascade over your shoulders. But when it's acting ornery or piqued — look out. Thirsty, frizzy, stressed-out curly hair is never pretty. And when we try to wrestle those same misbehaving curls into submission, it only makes things worse. (Because, really, the only thing that looks worse than fried curls are fried curls that have been further fried in an attempt to make them behave.)
The question then is, what's a curly girl's best plan of attack for keeping her genetically blessed curly hair in shape? And what about when she wants to tame her waves and rock a silky-smooth style? The answer is simple and complicated. These days there's no shortage of products designed specifically with the various needs of curly-headed women in mind. The scientists have arrived at the proper formulas, all you need to do is figure out which to use and you'll be set.
But with so many "curly this" and "curly that" products to choose from, your curly head might feel like it's going to explode. So in an effort to keep that messy scenario at bay, we took it upon ourselves to sift through legions of reviews of conditioners and styling aids to find out precisely which ones TotalBeauty.com readers deem worthy of their precious curls — in both their natural and straightened states.
The results on the following pages may surprise you, but remember, you're getting the info straight from other curly-haired women who've tried — and approved — each and every one of these stellar products. It's like having your very own curly-haired sounding board. So what are you waiting for? Get clicking and find out which of these 20 curly hair products you need to add to your arsenal.
