The Best of 2025: Curly Hair Products I Loved
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Here’s a roundup of my favorite curly hair products of 2025! I was really sad to see the TWIST line discontinued, and since EVOLVh is in the middle of reformulating, I had to find replacements for almost everything.
This year, I decided to pick just one product per category, and I skipped the ones I don’t use (like leave-ins and creams).
For reference, my hair is 2c/3a, low porosity, thin, and low density. It’s easily weighed down and over-moisturized, so I stick to lightweight products and keep my routine pretty minimal. I’m not a product junkie, and honestly, my hair can’t handle a bunch of stuff anyway, so it works out.
Just keep in mind: what works for me might not work for you, even if your hair seems nearly identical. Hair health, climate, and daily care habits can all make a difference in how a product performs.
Keep reading to see which products made the cut for my favorite curly girl products of 2025!
Top Picks
In a hurry? Here are my top picks for 2025.
Why I Chose These products
For me, a good curly hair product needs to check a few boxes: it has to cleanse well without buildup, help with volume and definition, and, most importantly, give strong hold that lasts. Bonus points if it doesn’t have a strong or artificial scent (though I do make a few exceptions).
Most of the links go to Amazon, but many of these are also available at places like Target or Ulta. If I have a discount code for any of them, you’ll find it in the description.
Bouclème Hydrating Hair Cleanser
My scalp was not having it with my usual shampoos this year. Instead of needing something stronger, it actually craved more moisture, which caught me off guard. This cleanser ended up being the sweet spot. It has a light lather that still helps with greasy roots, but it’s gentle and hydrating enough that my scalp doesn’t feel dry or itchy after. The scent is not my favorite, but the formula works so well that I’m willing to overlook it.
Malibu C Scalp Wellness Clarifying Shampoo
This was my go-to clarifying shampoo in 2025. I reach for it anytime my scalp feels off or I need a deeper cleanse. It leaves my scalp feeling clean but not stripped, and the minty scent with that subtle cooling sensation feels so refreshing, especially on itchy or irritated days.
Quick reminder: a true clarifying shampoo should contain olefin sulfonate, and many CG-approved “clarifying” shampoos don’t actually clarify. If you’re dealing with buildup or limp curls, check out my post all about clarifying so you can get back to balanced, bouncy hair.
Better Roots Growth Support Conditioner
This has been my go-to conditioner this year for different reasons than in the past. It’s a little heavier than I usually go for, but my scalp really needed the moisture, and this one delivers without weighing my hair down too much. It has a light, fresh scent, a creamy texture, and amazing slip that makes detangling easy. I didn’t notice any difference in growth personally, but it does leave my hair super soft and manageable.
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).
The perfect thin gel with medium to strong hold that works in humidity and doesn't weigh down fine curls!
Not your Mother’s Curl Talk Flash Freeze Gel
I originally bought this for my daughter since her hair is much thicker than mine, but I ended up loving it, for me, as a topper. I use just a tiny pea-sized amount over the Hydro Style Flexi Jelly for extra hold and frizz control. I reach for this when I need to make sure my style to holds up in harsh conditions.
A little goes a long way with this one. It’s thick, heavy, and can easily build up if you use too much. The scent is also on the stronger side, but the hold it gives makes it worth it when used sparingly.
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!
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.
Better Roots Scalp + Hair Oil
This scalp oil was a game changer for my dry, itchy scalp this year. It gives instant relief and absorbs right away, no greasy residue or heavy feeling like most oils. I love that I can use it without worrying about buildup or messing up my wash day. Just a few drops go a long way and it actually feels soothing, not just like you’re coating your scalp. And it smells lovely!
Laifen Swift Hair Dryer
This product was sent to me by the brand last 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 that 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.
This is currently my favorite dryer. It's small and lightweight, the diffuser is not too small, and it dries my hair fast.
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.
Reduce frizz and speed up drying time. Every curly girl should have one. Use code HOLISTICENCHILADA to save 15%.
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.
I swear by these for no fuss next day hair and this is a great quality one. Sleeping with these means I don't have to style my hair in the mornings and my style lasts a few days!
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.
Use my affiliate code DELILAH15 to save 15%.
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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