The Best of 2024: Curly Hair Products I Loved

Here is a roundup of all of my favorite curly hair products of 2024! Once again, I tried many new curly hair products and brands, but you’ll see a few repeats from last year because some products are just so good and I happened to find them early on.

This year, I decided to only choose one product for each category, and I skipped categories of products I don’t use (like creams).

For reference, my hair is 2c 3a, low porosity, thin, and low density. It is very easily weighed down and over moisturized so I tend to go for really lightweight products and am fairly minimal with my routine. I am not a product junkie and I can’t use that many products on my hair anyway so it works out.

Remember that just because something works great for me doesn’t mean it will for you even if your hair is nearly identical to mine. There are so many factors that affect how a product performs on hair like hair health, climate, and daily care.

Keep reading to see which products made my list of favorite curly girl products of 2024!

Top Picks

In a hurry? Here are my top picks for 2024.

Why I Chose These products

Good curly hair products for me mean they adequately cleanse, don’t build up, provide volume, definition, and (most importantly) a strong hold, and last a long time. Bonus if they don’t have a strong or artificial scent, but I do make exceptions.

Many of the products I linked to Amazon but they are often available in other stores like Target and Ulta. Also, I have a discount code for some which I list in the description.

Malibu C Scalp Wellness Shampoo

This is the shampoo I reached for the most this year. I love how it makes my scalp feel, since I often struggle with scalp issues. This one soothes my scalp and it’s a pretty strong cleanser so my hair doesn’t get buildup over time. I love that it has a nice, minty scent and cooling sensation too.

Malibu C Un-Do-Goo Clarifying Shampoo

Remember that clarifying shampoos should contain the ingredient olefin sulfonate so many of the CG approved “clarifying” shampoos are not really clarifying. Check out my post all about clarifying if you’re struggling with buildup or weighed down curls.

Since moving to an area with hard water, I needed a stronger chelating shampoo and this did the trick. It’s stronger than most others so I don’t have to use it as often but it removes all that mineral buildup that makes my hair dull, greasy, and limp. I use this about once a month to keep my hair and scalp in check.

TWIST Weather or Not Conditioner

It is SO HARD to find a conditioner that doesn’t weigh down my hair. It’s even harder to find one that is lightweight AND helps protect against humidity. And this conditioner is both!

It’s light but still moisturizes and softens. It has a stronger scent than I prefer, but it’s not too bad since it doesn’t linger. It’s easy to apply and instantly adds slip to my hair.

Now, there are some strange things going on with TWIST products lately and I’m not sure if they are shutting down. The gel has been out of stock for almost a year. Now I see the shampoo is also out of stock. Hopefully it’s not a sign of them closing because I really love this line of lightweight products!

EVOLVh Insta-Volume Leave-in Conditioner

I don’t use leave-in regularly but if I do it’s this one. I love that it is a spray and it really helps give me volume and a little texture. I usually do a few sprays, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrunch and rake to distribute and detangle. I add more water to help with clumping. Use code HE15 for a discount.

EVOLVh UltraRepair Deep Conditioner

Deep conditioner is another product I rarely use. I probably used this twice in the past year? My hair just doesn’t need any extra moisture. But it does like extra protein sometimes and this is the perfect lightweight protein rich and moisturizing hair mask. It’s concentrated like all other EVOLVh products and it doesn’t weigh down my hair as most deep conditioners do. Use code HE15 to save.

Curlsmith Hydro Style Flexi Jelly

You may be surprised to see a Curlsmith product on my favorites list if you’re an OG reader. It’s true that I don’t like most Curlsmith products (they’re just too heavy) but this is the gel I used the most this past year.

It’s lightweight, has a strong hold, doesn’t make my hair feel sticky, dry, or product-y, and it works well in the humidity. I wish it wasn’t as strongly scented, but I’m willing to put that aide because this gel just works well and doesn’t irritate my scalp (an issue that I dealt with a lot this past year).

Suave Max Hold Hairspray

Since I like lightweight products and need lots of hold, instead of layering a bunch of products I just use this strong hold spray as a finisher to help my style last longer and protect against humidity. For the price, you can’t get anything better. And it’s unscented!

Miribel Naturals Va-Va-Volumizing Foam

If volume is what I want, this is what I reach for. This is such a unique product. It expands in your hair. I don’t even put a full pump because of how this product seems to multiply as I apply it. It’s so hard to describe but it is just amazing and works really well.

This foam gives my hair the texture it needs to hold volume without making it feel icky or weighing it down. It is not scented 🙌🏽 and since it’s very concentrated, lasts a really long time.

EVOLVh WonderBalm Serum

I use this to scrunch out the cast and fluff my hair. It reminds me of the Biosilk serum I used to use on my straight hair many years ago to prevent frizz. I emulsify a tiny pea-sized amount in my hands then smooth it all over for extra shine and softness. It also provides some definition when used on wet hair but can be stringy looking if you use too much. Use code HE15 for a discount.

Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

I’ve tried a lot of dry shampoos and I used to swear by the NYM Plump For Joy, but this one is even better. My favorite thing about this dry shampoo is that it doesn’t really feel like i have dry shampoo in my hair. Most of them make my hair feel chalky and rough, but with this one, my hair is still soft. And it really absorbs all the oil really well, giving my hair some volume and feeling clean and fresh. I also like that is applies really nicely. I don’t have to spend much time blending it in (it’s white).

Now the scent is very strong, but I like it so it doesn’t bother me too much. I wish it wasn’t so strong but I’ll take it.

Kerotin Root Volumizer

This is by far the BEST product I have found for getting more volume in the root area. Now it won’t last for days (nothing actually does), but it makes a big difference and works better than any other volumizing product I have tried. Use code HE15 to save.

Laifen Swift Hair Dryer

This product was sent to me by the brand earlier in the year and I quickly fell in love with it. I tested it and have not unplugged it since. My Shark hairdryer is still put away because I like this one so much I haven’t swapped back. I really didn’t expect hat to happen because I prefer bigger diffuser bowls, but I find that this dyer dries my hair a little bit faster and I can get a little more volume so I’ve stuck with it. It also doesn’t get as hot and I can tell it regulates the temp because it will cool off a bit as I diffuse. With the Shark and others, it just gets hotter and hotter the longer you diffuse and I end up turning the heat setting down.

Tee-Owels Hair Towel

I have tried so many hair towels and this one is by far my favorite. I love how big it is so it makes tying it up very easy if I decide to plop, but usually I just micro plop. It doesn’t remove too much moisture and I get so much less frizz with this towel compared to any other. Use code HOLISTICENCHILADA to save.

Hair Buff

I cannot live without this. Seriously the best investment I have made since I embraced my curls. It makes such a big difference in how my hair looks the next day. So much less frizz and tangling, and it works so well I never refresh. Just take it out of the buff, fluff, and go. And the Buff brand is the way to go. It doesn’t get stretched out like the other brands on Amazon.

Bouclème Silk Pillowcase

This is my insurance in case my buff falls off. Hair glides on silk so it doesn’t cause frizz and tangles as regular pillowcases do. This one is pricey but after using others I can tell the difference and it’s worth it to me. I also like the MYK brand for an affordable option that is only silk on one side.

Reusable Shower Cap

Super important to make your washes last longer. Steam absolutely ruins my hair. It frizzes and falls flat within minutes. So I pineapple my hair and put it in a shower cap every shower in between washing my hair.

Bounce Curl Volume Root Clips

I have tried so many things to get root volume, including lots of clips. None of them every stay up except for these. They actually work and don’t slide out of my super soft roots so these are the only ones I recommend.

If you want help with embracing your naturally wavy or curly hair, you can join my FREE email course and download my FREE pdf guide, THE QUICK START GUIDE TO MASTERING YOUR CURLS, full of everything you need to know to get started and bring out your beautiful waves and curls.

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