The United Kingdom is a diverse country and with that brings an exciting and beautiful multitude of waves, curls, spirals, and coils.
The British curly hair market has recently boomed in response to the increasing number of people embracing their natural textures, and it has lead to a wide range of products designed for wavies, curlies and coilies’ specific needs!
CurlMart ships internationally so you can always order your favorite curly products, but if you’d like to walk into your local store and pick up shampoo or conditioner, then this list is for you.
Illustration by NikisGroove
Lush “Curly Wurly” Shampoo
Curly Wurly is an invigorating yet tropical cleansing experience from one of the UK’s largest vegetarian friendly retailers.
This shampoo contains delicious all-natural ingredients which include desiccated coconut pieces, fresh papaya, free range eggs, coconut oil, jojoba oil and cocoa butter.
Best for: Wavy and curly hair types 2-3. Perfect for use as a once per month clarifier due to the ammounium laureth sulphate in the ingredients.
Available in: Lush stores
Dr Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo
Holland & Barrett’s own brand of hair care features this ultra nourishing gentle sulphate-free shampoo. This organic shampoo is made from all-natural ingredients and cleanses without stripping the hairs natural oils.
This gentle cleanser is enriched with Moroccan argan oil, aloe vera juice, patchouli oil and also vanilla fruit extract. It contains no silicones, sulfates, mineral oil or parabens.
Best for: All curl types, especially those with dry hair.
Available in: Holland & Barrett stores
Dr Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Conditioner
This blend of bioactive and organic ingredients penetrates deep into the hair, leaving curls deliciously nourished, moisturised and helps to prevent protein loss.
Contains no silicones, sulfates, mineral oil or parabens and is perfect for all curl types.
Ingredients include organic coconut oil, Aloe Vera Juice, Papaya extract, cocoa seed extract, vitamin e and vitamin c.
Best for: All hair types, but especially those with dry or damaged hair.
Available in: Holland & Barrett, both online and in stores.
Palmers Olive Oil Cleansing Conditioner
This cleansing conditioner cleans curls whilst maintaining the hairs moisture and stimulating the scalp with peppermint oil.
Ingredients include Olive oil, keratin, sage leaf extract and vitamin E for soft and nourished curls with no harsh detergents.
Best for: Type 3-4 curls.
Available in: Feelunique, Wilkinsons, Superdrug and Curly Emporium.
Garnier Ultimate Blend “The Sleek Restorer” Conditioner
The Garnier Ultimate Blends product range was allegedly developed as a solution to common problems that British women face with their hair.
This silicone, mineral oil, sulfate and paraben free conditioner has a rich creamy consistency and deliciously smells like a Bounty bar! The sleek restorer is ideal for smoothing curls and reducing frizz. Perfect for all curl types!
Enriched with coconut oil and cocoa butter.
Best for: All curl types.
Available in: Superdug, Feelunique and all supermarkets.
Vatika Naturals Egg Protein Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
The perfect protein treatment for those with damaged, chemically treated and fragile curls. The balance of protein and moisture will help to rejuvenate, soften and strengthen the hair when used regularly.
Enriched with honey, hydrogenated castor oil, olive oil, marrow root and egg powder. Silicone, Mineral Oil, Sulfate and Paraben free.
Best for: Damaged, chemically treated curls.
Available in: Wilkinsons and Superdrug.
Mixed Roots Curl Control Leave In
This caramel scented leave in is perfect for a mixture of textures, from wavy to kinky. Designed to be used as part of a system, this leave in conditioner is formulated to infuse moisture and strength within the hair strand after washing, whilst helping to define curls and reduce frizz.
The ingredients include hydrolized wheat protein, silk amino acids, safflower seed oil and jojoba seed oil.
Best for: All curl types.
Available in: select Sainsbury’s stores, Pak Cosmetics and Beauty By Zara.
Tigi Catwalk Curlesque Curl Amplifier
This curl defining cream is a known favourite in curly girl world. The Curl Amplifier provides hold for natural curl patterns, fights frizz, infuses shine and provides thermal and environmental protection.
Ingredients include jojoba seed oil, sunflower oil and provitamin B5. *Does contain silicones*
Best for: Wavy and curly hair types 2-3.
Available in: Most salons as well as FeelUnique, LookFantastic and BeautyBay.
Boots Essentials Curl Crème
Cheap, cheerful and also available in all Boots stores! This crème is designed to provide hold for natural curls as well as smoothing away frizz, defining curls and providing shine.
The ingredients, whilst not being all natural, do boast frizz-control, anti-humectant and UV protection properties.
Best for: Type 3 curls.
Available in: Boots
Hair Xpertise Argan Oil
This is a cheaper version of the widely loved Moroccan Oil….however surprisingly, this also contains less artificial additives such as fragrances and colorants.
Similarly, the ingredients include argan oil and silicones, making this oil perfect as a serum for heat styling and can also provide curl definition and shine.
Best for: Types 2-3.
Available in: Superdrug and Sainsburys.
Big Hair Whipped Butter
Big Hair’s Whipped Butter is a firm favourite of all-natural loving curlies. This butter is 100% natural and non greasy, perfect for those with thick and/or dry hair. It seals in moisture, infuses nutrients into the hair and also reduces frizz.
There are only 5 ingredients: Avocado Butter, Shea Butter Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Vitamin E, Sweet Orange Oil. It contains no artificial ingredients.
Whipped Butter can also double up as a body butter!
Best for: Thick and/or dry hair
Available in: Curly Emporium and Big Hair’s Website
Superdrug Coconut Oil
This curly girl staple is suitable for all hair types with a wide variety of uses, from pre-poos to sealing. It also only costs £2.99 for 125ml. This oil is solid at room temperature with a delicate coconut fragrance. The only ingredients are coconut oil, parfum and coumarin.
Best for: All hair types.
Available in: Superdrug, where they are regularly on offer (3 for the price of 2″>….perfect for stocking up!
Did your UK curl products make the list? Let us know what we missed in the comments.
This article was written by The Curly Cockney. You can also follow her on YouTube and Facebook.