It’s complicated. That’s usually what is said when discussing curly hair, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little research, you can figure out what hair products are best for you depending on your curly hair type.
Now to get into a bit of the basics. There are multiple types of curly hair textures. Type 1s are straight, Type 2s are wavy, Type 3s are curly, and Type 4s are coily. The difficult part is, which products suit you best? You don’t wanna use a product that’s made for 2A hair texture on your 4B head. We can help with that.

TYPE 2
With this type of hair texture, it’s mostly wavy. You just need a hair product that has less frizz to be able to control it. Achieving a type of body to your hair is difficult with the wrong products.
That’s why Monday’s Haircare Volume Shampoo utilizes a thorough cleansing system to add the body to thin, flat or lifeless hair. According to Ulta, some key ingredients that it contains, which is so important to always look at, are “Coconut oil that softens, ginger root extract that stimulates hair growth, glycerin which provides weightless hydration, and Vitamin E which supports a healthy scalp and hair growth.”
Deva Curl One Condition delight lightweight cream Conditioner is another amazing product to help with this hair texture. It is specifically formulated to help moisturize your waves without weighing them down. Lastly, Curl Shaper Memory Maker 3-in-One Revitalizing Milk is a good 3 in 1 conditioner for a wash and go. It helps restore texture and definition to natural curl pattern, helps reverse signs of heat and chemical damage, and boosts curls’ strength and softness.
TYPE 3
Curly hair that is type 3 has a definite “S” shaped curl pattern. Type 3A hair is known to be shiny and loose.
Type 3B hair has a medium amount of curls, ranging from bouncy ringlets (spiral-like loose curls of hair) to tight corkscrews (spiral-shaped corkscrew curls). Not Your Mother’s Sicilian Blood Orange & Black Currant Shampoo has a range of heavy-to-light moisture levels. The formula used in this shampoo gently breaks down scalp oils while softening your curls with sunflower and black currants oil.
A highly recommended conditioner is Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In Detangler. This product is an all-in-one conditioning product that contains Organic Mango Extract and organic aloe vera juice. This helps to remove tangles and knots painlessly while smoothening cuticles.
One thing a lot of people with this hair type notice is that because of the curly pattern your hair is more prone to dryness than the hair types previously mentioned. That’s why it is recommended to use The Mane Choice Heavenly Halo Deep Hydration Mask. Its ingredients have things such as moisturizing oils, honey, and humectants. This hydrating hair mask promotes hair growth and retention, and has an anti-frizz formula to make sure your curls never suffer.
TYPE 4
This hair type is one that you really have to look at all the ingredients of the products you use, because it takes a little bit more effort to maintain. This is due to the simple fact that your curls are tight and shaped into the perfect coil, so you need the right products to properly define your curls.
The beautiful kinky coils definitely need some extra TLC, and not all products deliver what you need. For a shampoo, it is suggested to use The Camille Rose Naturals Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse. It contains sweet ginger root for an enlivening, aromatic cleansing experience. For the best conditioner, try Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner made to show off your coils and curls with added shine, extra moisture and a formula that prevents frizz. This leave-in moisture helps make detangling easier while protecting the hair with a blend of babassu oil and citrus extracts. It is especially formulated for thick, curly type 4 hair types.
To top it all off, who doesn’t love a good hair mask? For the girls with type 4 hair, this is something that is necessary. A really good product to use is Carol’s Daughter, Coco Creme, Curl Quenching Deep Moisture Mask. This hair mask is basically an Instant Intense Moisture System. It has no silicones, parabens, petrolatum, mineral oil or artificial colors, which are all things that could dry your hair. Instead, it is blended with coconut oil, coconut milk, mango butter and murumuru butter.
All curly hair types are beautiful, so why not learn how to work with it? Using the right products is only a fraction of what can be done to make sure your curly hair is healthy and keeps growing. If you are looking for any other suggestions, you can use the website CurlScan to see if it is curly hair approved.
For more information:
These websites can help you figure out what is best for your hair type:
Websites that can help identify the specific ingredients that go into some curly hair products:
Interested in what the most popular products are? Here are some website recommendations that provide the most used curly hair products: