Even though curly and natural hair are becoming more “mainstream,” it can still be pretty tough to find the right products in store. I have very fine hair, and finding the products that are formulated to work for hair like mine is almost impossible to do in-store. I shop online for my hair products most of the time, with SHOPNaturallyCurly being one of my faves. But the quest for products for fine haired curlies like me will always live on. So I did a thing and curated a list for us, that will put all of our thick haired sister to shame (I kid, I kid”>. :”> Here is a list of 20 products you can find that will help you keep your fine, curly hair strong, healthy and beautiful.
For Cleansing
Carol’s Daughter Rhassoul Clay Shampoo and Conditioner
As I’ve gotten older, my scalp has gotten oilier and more prone to itching. The Rhassoul Clay line from Carol’s Daughter helps absorb oil from my scalp without stripping my hair shaft.
Silicone Shampoo Brush
My stylist used this on me the last time I got a haircut and I am in LOVE. It’s a mini massage for my scalp, and the large, spread out silicone bristles are soft and don’t catch in my fine curly strands.
Ouidad VitaCurl Clear and Gentle Shampoo
I just got balayage highlights in my hair, and I am even more conscious of using products that are too harsh for my fine curls now that my hair is also color treated. This Ouidad shampoo is a very mild clarifying shampoo, using jojoba oil to make sure fine and color treated hair stays strong while giving your scalp a nice, tingly clean feeling.
Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV rinses are a good thing for fine-haired curlies to work into their normal routine. Make your own by combining equal parts vinegar and water and rinsing hair thoroughly before conditioning. It’s a very gentle way to cleanse your scalp and restore pH to delicate strands.
SheaMoisture Fruit Infused Coconut Water Weightless Shampoo and Crème Rinse
I used to never use SheaMoisture products because their original hair milk was way too heavy for my hair, but this duo is made especially with fine-haired folks in mind. It’s weightless, does a good job and smells awesome.
For Styling
Carol’s Daughter Pracaxi Nectar Style Control Gel
This has been my go-to styling gel for the summer months when my scalp is sweatier and oilier than usual. It’s super lightweight, has a nice medium hold that maintains definition without sacrificing volume and smells really good. Warning: it is very water-soluble, which is great for cleansing, but be careful that your hair isn’t too wet when applying.
Miss Jessie’s Jelly Soft Curls
Miss Jessie’s is my holy grail styling product, hands down. It’s the perfect gel: sticky enough to provide hold but not so heavy your hair gets weighed down, with zero crunch.
Kevin Murphy Motion Lotion
If you want to splurge, Kevin Murphy’s Motion Lotion is an excellent way to blow your way through your stockpile of birthday Amazon gift cards. If you want a bit more hold, mix it with a tiny bit of your favorite gel and scrunch.
Mielle Organics Styling Gel Honey and Ginger
If you have 3c fine hair, a little goes a long way with this stuff, which means this big bottle will last you a looooong time!
SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse
For airy, lightweight hold, this SheaMoisture mousse is a great choice for fine hair. Plus, it smells like you’re taking a tropical vacation.
For Repairing
Carol’s Daughter Sacred Tiare Restoring Hair Mask
Have you caught on that I love Carol’s Daughter? Hint: it’s because they’re cruelty-free! To make this hair mask work for me, I use it on my dry hair, sit under the dryer for about 10 minutes, and then shampoo it out. Reversing the package instructions ensures that I get the benefits of the repairing ingredients without leaving the heavy oils on my hair.
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Treatment
This mask is a heavy-hitter for repairing damage and strengthening fine hair. It will weigh your hair down, so make sure to follow up with lightweight products.
Mielle Organics Mint Almond Oil
In the winter, I like to pre-poo my hair with almond oil. The oil opens up the hair shaft and allows cleansing products to penetrate more deeply while protecting the hair shaft from getting stripped.
Andalou Naturals Argan Oil Plus Deep Conditioner
Argan oil is great for fine curls, because it isn’t as heavy as coconut or shea-based products. This product is inexpensive and a little goes a long way.
Satin Pillowcases
Fine curly hair is especially prone to breakage, and a lot of that breakage happens in your sleep. Swap out your pillowcases for satin ones to keep your hair from rubbing across rough fabric all night.
For Drying
Alligator Hair Clips
My hair always looks best when I can give my fine hair a hand and lift my roots with alligator clips. Personally I prefer to use the cheap plastic clips over the metal clips—metal gets too hot!
Devacurl Devafuser
I know reviews on this have been mixed, but I love it for my fine hair. It dries my roots really quickly without having to blast the weaker, drier parts of my hair with lots of unnecessary heat.
Softhood Hair Dryer Attachment
If you’ve never used on of these before, yes you will feel super silly the first couple of times: but it’s worth it! Your hair dries evenly, and you can use a lower heat setting to dry your hair faster. Want more articles like this? Sign up for our Naturally Curly newsletter for more!