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Think about the density, condition, and the texture of your hair as well, all of which will help you determine the optimal temperature setting, and narrow down your options. As a bonus, if you travel frequently, you’ll enjoy the universal voltage (no frying your hot tool on vacation!) and the automatic sleep mode, which kicks in after 30 minutes (it’s easy to forget to turn off a curling iron, especially when jet-lagged). At DevaCurl we recognize that important change is needed within professional beauty education to ensure hairstylists receive inclusive education to better support and serve ALL hair types. Together with the Professional Beauty Association and other professional industry leaders we created the Texture Education Collective™ to advocate for much needed change.
Pattern Leave In Conditioner
This high-hold gel will be a formidable force in the fight against humidity. It has the brand’s signature anti-frizz climate control technology, which creates a shield on strands to keep humidity out. Gel with extra hold like this one is also great for slicked-back styles or if you are hoping to create a wet look.
Tea Tree Lavender Mint Conditioning Leave-in Spray
It's important to find the right product combo for your curls, meaning you need to consider your hair's texture, porosity, thickness, and curl pattern when shopping for (and applying) products. This pick is our Editor's Choice because it not only offers a firm hold but also helps fight shrinkage and elongate curls. Whether you are into wash-and-gos or twist-outs or starting or starting, the shine-enhancing, aloe-based formula will knock out frizz and help you achieve your style goals. If you want to turn up the volume a bit on your curls, this is your gel.
Eco Style Black Castor & Flaxseed Oil Styling Gel
K, now keep scrolling for the complete breakdown, plus everything you need to know about how to apply gel to your hair, why that "crunchy" finish is actually a good thing (yup, really), and what to look for in the best curl gel. The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers. This conditioner pairs perfectly with the shampoo, maximizing strength and shine.
Devacurl Arc Angel Gel Maximum Hold No-Crunch Styler, $22, ulta.com
It uses basil leaf and baobab oils to help break down oils and gunk on my scalp, as well as balance my scalp microbiome. “Malassezia, the bacteria that causes dandruff, feeds on the oils secreted by your scalp," she says. "Adding more oil to your scalp increases the chance of an inflammatory response.” Um, no thanks! It's "a process of infusing your hair with natural oils to restore luster and hydrate hair," says dermatologist Candace Spann, MD. Ultimately, though, “a curling iron versus a curling wand is a personal preference — some people just like one more than the other,” says Reed.
Best for Frizzy Hair: Amika Curl Corps Enhancing Gel

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. This cream is made with 96 percent naturally-derived ingredients and contains no dyes or silicones, so it’s safe to use on all hair types. Leave it to Tracee Ellis Ross' beloved haircare line to have a hair gel that defines curls while also nourishing them.
17 Best Curl Creams of 2024 - Defining Creams for Curly Hair - Good Housekeeping
17 Best Curl Creams of 2024 - Defining Creams for Curly Hair.
Posted: Wed, 15 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Best for Shine

We bet even those with shorter hair will find the barrel length helpful to grab the hard-to-reach pieces in the back. One small but mighty detail we loved was the generously-sized cool tip at the end of the barrel, so we could control the iron without burning our fingers. We were able to craft loose, beachy waves without much effort — we didn’t even need to brush our hair once we were finished because this iron produced such natural-looking waves. If your second- or third-day curls are usually relegated to a bun, twist, or braid because they’re so dry and undefined, may I introduce you to your new BFF? This refreshing spray is filled with water and six different oils oils (olive! coconut! avocado!) to rehydrate and re-clump curls, while adding a bit of definition and shine as soon as you spritz it on.
"It dries stiff and softens to the touch, which is my favorite way for a gel to activate to control frizz and maintain definition," he says. "The consistency of the product has a lot of slip, making it super easy to apply and coat each strand on really full and thick hair. [It's] great for achieving many styles." 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 20 Best Curly Hair Products of 2024 - InStyle
The 20 Best Curly Hair Products of 2024.
Posted: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Best for Damaged Hair
This two-in-one gel features coconut oil and milk to deeply hydrate curls while defining their shape. For more porous curls that need extra moisture, look to this oil-based pick from Mizani. A combo of coconut, marula, and olive oils keeps curls from drying out while adding a glossy finish on the outside. While it’s not quite a gel, Oway’s Curly Potion styling cream also comes recommended by both of our curl experts.
It's specially formulated to define and hold your curl pattern even on humid days. Make this fast-absorbing finishing oil the final step of your styling routine. Just a few drops help to smooth and fight static while also adding mirror-like shine—for all curl types. Credit a blend of five different oils, plus the fact that the formula is silicone-free, so you don’t ever have to worry about it weighing down your hair. Both Witherspoon and Strickland agree that how a gel is applied is just as important as its formulation.
The interchangeable barrels set this pick apart from other options, too. Each attachment securely fastened into the base, thanks to a twistable locking mechanism, which doubled as a stand so the hot surface didn’t scorch our countertop. We also liked that this tool features universal voltage, making it travel friendly. Despite how easy the Shark was to operate, it was a bit annoying having to switch out barrels to change the direction of our curl. That said, this only takes a few seconds, and Shark clearly distinguishes between the two — there is a very clear “L” and “R” on the corresponding attachments. Aside from my ends, I didn't have to refresh all of my curls, but I'm not sure if I could go an entire week without touching up some areas.
Thankfully, I stopped having to deal with that when I switched to this curly hair gel. It’s filled with wheat proteins and styling polymers that seal your curls in place (even against heat and humidity)—but without hair feeling stiff or getting flaky. This sweetly-scented Cake curl cream is highly-rated for fine hair on Ulta.