When I launched NaturallyCurly 23 years ago, it was slim pickings on the shelves when it came to finding products for curly hair. You had to make do with the gels and mousses that were there – products seldom developed with a curly in mind.
The curly world has changed so dramatically that there are new curl products hitting the market nearly every day. It makes my heart, and my curls, very happy. These new products use the latest technologies and ingredients and have created new innovative categories – from Carol’s Daughter’s Wash Day Delight Water-to-Foam Shampoo and Jelly-to-Cream Conditioner to The Mane Choice MUST BE MAGIC “TADA! A 2 in 1” Shampoo + Conditioner Micro-Suds Cocktail Mix.
Everybody wants to make the curly girl happy – from up-and-coming boutique brands like Sky Organics to giants like TRESemme! Some are from curl pioneers like Ouidad and Carol’s Daughter while others are from hot brands like Olaplex and The Mane Choice.
Here are some of the latest curl treats, with something to feed every product junkie.
New Collections to Get Excited About
Amika Curl Corps
The Amika Curl Corps Defining Cream and Curl Corps Enhancing Gel are two of my new Holy Grail producs. The line hydrates and defines waves and ringlets. The new Curl Power Hour Curl Refreshing Spray is launching this summer.
TWIST by Ouidad
TWIST is a new brand from The Curl Experts at Ouidad. Ouidad was the first brand I ever tried that was specifically for curly hair, so I’ve been excited to try this newly launched brand. The collection includes a wide range of frizz-fighting, defining, conditioning, multi-functional and layerable products, including cleansers, conditioners and styling products, all for under $10. My personal favorite is Ready, Set, Bounce Soft-Hold Curl Defining Gelee. It defines without crunch.
Sky Organics Curl Care
This organic brand recently launched a curl line made with plant-derived and renewable ingredients all for less than $10 each. Their formulas are USDA Certified Bio-based, cruelty-free and vegan, making these products not only good for your curls but good for the environment too. The Wash Day Shampoo is full of some of our favorite ingredients: aloe vera, castor oil, and apple cider vinegar and leaves curls both cleansed and hydrated.
Living Proof Curl
While it’s a little pricey, Living Proof Curl has some amazing products in the collection, including Curl Definer, a light cream-gel that makes my curls pop. The full size product is over $30 but luckily you can test out the travel size before you commit. Curly girls love a travel size product!
Kerastase Curl Manifesto Collection
Formulated for curly and coily hair, this line contains manuka honey and cementing ceramide to provide hydration, definition & strength. Standouts in the line include Crème De Jour Fondamentale Hair Cream, Gelee Curl Contour Gel-Cream and Huile Sublime Repair Hair Oil.
Fekkai Shea Butter Collection
This deeply hydrating collection features cleansers, hair treatments, and oils. Suited for all wave and curl types, the collection is powered by sustainably-sourced Shea Butter. The Curl Defining Gel Crème is my personal favorite in the collection.
Coil Infusion by Ouidad
Ouidad’s new Coil Infusion line caters specifically for Type 4A-C coils. If you’re looking for a new multi-purpose product to add to your regimen, check out their Soft Stretch Priming Milk which will moisturize, minimize shrinkage, and define coils.
Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight
This shampoo and conditioner collection, available in rose and aloe vera formulas, includes shampoos that transform from a water to a gentle foam lather and conditioners that go from a thick jelly to a nourishing cream to instantly moisturize hair from roots to ends.
New Curly Wash Day Products
Naturally Drenched Rebalance Pre-Conditioner Treatment
Rebalance is a unique Pre-Conditioner Treatment that provides hair with extra nutrients to restore your hair’s pH and ensure hydration and shine. Packed with almond oil, bamboo extract, calendula and papaya, this treatment was formulated to be used after shampoo and before conditioner. It can also be used for detangling in the shower.
Olaplex Nº.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
Olaplex is a Holy Grail brand – thanks to the amazing No. 3 – and this new mask lives up to the name. Infused with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building technology, this highly concentrated reparative mask adds shine, smoothness & body while providing intense moisture to treat damaged hair.
Briogeo Curl Charisma The Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating & Defining Mask
The Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating & Defining Mask is a new addition to the Curl Charisma collection (pictured”> that will be launching this summer. This protein-free, weekly hair mask treatment that deeply moisturizes, enhances slip, and boosts curl definition for soft, bouncy, and vibrant curls. The formula is fortified with rice amino acids and tomato fruit ferment that help seal the hair cuticle to promote consistent curl pattern and enhance curl definition.
The Mane Choice Must Be Magic Miracle Mud Mask
If you want the benefits of a mud mask without the extra DIY effort, then the MUST BE MAGIC Miracle Mud Mask will deliver extreme rejuvenation and revitalization to your curls. It contains mineral-rich kaolin, a clay that gently removes impurities from scalp and hair. It also helps to revive damaged, brittle hair and reduces the appearance of split ends.
Carol’s Daughter Vanilla Moisturizing Sulfate-Free Shampoo Bar
If you’re looking to decrease the amount of plastic you use, this comes in FSC certified carton packaging. This Eco-conscious solid shampoo bar contains nourishing shea butter, lavender and jojoba oil and is sulfate-free. It creates a creamy lather that makes it easy to use and the moisturizing ingredients mean that your hair won’t be left stripped.
Alaffia Beautiful Curls Curl Activating Leave-In Conditioner
Alaffia is a Black-owned social enterprise on a mission that you can feel good about supporting. Made with fair trade and unrefined Shea butter from their cooperatives in West Africa, and botanical extracts of comfrey and arnica, their Curl Activating Leave-In Conditioner hydrates, softens and improves elasticity. Natural minerals and vitamins smooth the cuticle, remove tangles, improve shine and reduce frizz. This line was formulated for Type 3 curls and Type 4 coils.
Shaz & Kiks Back to Your Roots Hair Prewash
This multitasking, creamy plant-based hair mask beautifully formulated with 20 nutrient-rich Indian herbs, oils & flowers to nourish your hair root to tip, inside out. We preach the importance of scalp care here on NaturallyCurly, and this scalp mask works to balance oil production and your pH level. Plus, it’s Asian-owned and comes in the most beautiful packaging I’ve ever seen!
The Mane Choice MUST BE MAGIC “TADA! A 2 in 1” Shampoo + Conditioner Micro-Suds Cocktail Mix
An instant time-saver! We were taught to be wary of 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioners, but this lathering, creamy, conditioning shampoo has tons of slip and was formulated to cleanse and condition the hair simultaneously.
Uhai Intensive Deep Conditioner
This deep conditioner is a treat for both your hair and your scalp. The peppermint oil helps promote blood circulation and the rich, thick formula has all of the slip you want on wash day.
Hot New Curl Styling Products
Curl Keeper Thermal Heat Defence
This non-chemical heat protectant uses such ingredients as sea kelp, horsetail and chamomile extracts to protect curls from heat damage caused by styling tools like flat irons and curling wands.
Oribe Invisible Defense Universal Protection Spray
A signature complex of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts protect hair from environmental stressors and prevent color depletion. This is another pricey product that thankfully comes in a travel size.
Rizos Curls Light Hold Gel
This Instagram-favorite uses 95 percent naturally derived ingredients like aloe vera, flaxseed and thyme to create flexible hold, definition and moisture without crunch or flakes. At the time of publishing the gel is also on sale!
TRESemme Flawless Curls Defining Cream
This buttery cream fights frizz with a soft hold ideal for fine hair or looser textures. It has a humidity-resistant formula that reduces frizz, all for less than $5.
Mizani Style Shifter Society Heat Screen Heat Protectant Spray
This lightweight spray offers UV filter and heat protection up to 450°F to help shield hair from damage. If you’re going to be exposing your curls to the elements by being outdoors or heat styling your hair this summer, make sure to keep them protected!
What new curl products are you adding to cart this summer?
