One of the greatest challenges of a curly girl is the search for the Holy Grail. It takes time, money, and patience; and while some enjoy the hunt (ahem, Product Junkies”> our lazy naturals would prefer to get right to it. Our own TextureTrends market research found that textured-hair consumers spend over twice as much on products as consumers with straight hair. We spend $82 on products in a 3-month period, while straight-haired consumers spend $40. That’s a lot of money, and we hate the thought of spending it on products that don’t end up working for us.
To take some of the guesswork out of your product purchases, we’ve pulled together a list of the top rated, best selling products under $20 in SHOP NaturallyCurly. When I shop for groceries I always look at the price per ounce because I feel it’s the best way to get a clear idea of the cost, so I’ve broken down the cost that way for all of these products. A $10 conditioner may sound impressive, but not when you’re only getting 2 ounces, likewise a $38 conditioner may sound steep, but when you’re getting 32 ounces that’s actually a fair price.
Reading reviews is a crucial part of my own shopping process. Together these products have over 2,000 reviews by curly community members. I’ve shared reviews for each product, and you can click through to see hundreds more by curlies of all hair types who’ve tried these products in many different ways.
Kinky-Curly Knot Today
“I have tried so many leave-in conditioners and I always come back to this one. Great slip and, because it’s so light, you can use it daily without too much product build-up. Perfect for those of us who finger-comb – it makes the job so much easier!” – laurencmason
- Price: $12
- Size: 8 Oz.
- Cost per ounce: $1.50
Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Flaxseed Recipes Fix My Hair Intensive Repair Conditioning Masque
“This deep conditioner is amazing! It is very smooth in texture and felt so good on my fingers. It smells light and fresh. It looks just like a lemon pudding. It literally disappeared on my hair and it felt so smooth and it was super easy to detangle my hair with. The shed hairs literally melted in my fingers. When I washed it out, my hair still felt mositurized and smooth. It gave my curls definition as well.” – Leparisianfreak
- Price: $9.99
- Size: 15 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $0.66
EDEN BodyWorks Coconut Shea Cleansing CoWash
“I love this cowash. It is not watered down and you only need a little bit. It cleans my hair like I just washed it with shampoo and conditioner. I can go two weeks maximum without washing my hair and using the cowash three times a week. I just use some on my scalp and my hair. It’s about two quarter sized portions. It has a slight coconut smell, but it is not strong at all. It works wonders for my curly, 3B hair and the rest of my family with wavy hair. I would recommend this product and am in love with it.” – amaharaj
- Price: $8.99
- Size: 16 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $0.56
EDEN BodyWorks Coconut Shea Curl Defining Creme
“I’ts my favorite product. I use it in my wash-n-go and twist outs. It keeps my hair super soft and my curls are very defined. I also use this when my hair is dry and it works just as well. But I prefer applying it when my hair is soaking wet.” – shadaiyork
- Price: $8.99
- Size: 16 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $0.56
Karen’s Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia Leave-In Conditioner
“This leave-in is the perfect water-based moisturizer. It is not too thick, not too thin, smells nice and fruity, and helps to detangle. Great base before applying oils or gels and doesn’t flake with my ecostyler gel. It was also very helpful on my transitioning hair. I have fine 4a curls and it works great for me!” – Ashleigh.Dar
- Price: $12
- Size: 8.5 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $1.41
Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter
“This is my all time favourite butter ever! I’m on my fourth jar and I’ve used this butter for everything! From wash and go’s to twist outs, braid outs, perm rod sets, flexi rod sets and the list goes on and on. If you’re looking for a moisturizing butter that’s great for pretty much all hair types then you have to try this butter! It never disappoints and I always rave about it to all my friends and family. Now my sister uses it religiously too! The ingredients are just stellar and the scent is light and delicious like Almond cookies! I love the curl definition it gives me and how shiny, soft and moisturized it makes my hair feel. This is literally the best hair butter out there!” – nknaturals
- Price: $16.99
- Size: 8 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $2.12
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Leave-In Conditioner
“THIS has become my most coveted HG product! My 3c hair is extremely curly, very fine, and extremely prone to frizz. It’s been a long journey finding just the right daily moisturizer. Shea’s JBCO Leave-In is very light with a pleasant fragrance and is fabulous when it comes to refreshing my curls. I also use it as a leave-in after co-washing and conditioning, paired with Deva’s B’Leave In and a lotion or gel, depending on the weather, but its value to me for the days following my co-wash, are nothing short of extraordinary.” – Anonymous
- Price: $10.99
- Size: 16 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $0.69
Curl Junkie BeautiCurls Leave-In Hair Conditioner
“I’ve been really impressed with this. I wanted a basic leave-in without protein or glycerin for the summer, and I’m really glad I decided to try this one. All the products that normally give me mediocre results in terms of frizz control, or that are a bit too drying, somehow work perfectly over this leave-in. My curls are soft and well-defined, and close to frizz-free despite the humidity. I’m hoping this works equally well in the dry winter weather, but for summer, this is definitely HG for me.” – Themedievalist
- Price: $19
- Size: 8 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $2.38
Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo
“This is the best shampoo I have ever used. I hope the formulation does not change any time soon, as sit is fantastic. I hope you read the reviews and give this moisturizing shampoo a fair shot. It is worth it!” – Anonymous
- Price: $9
- Size: 10 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $0.90
OBIA Naturals Curl Moisture Cream
“Simply amazing moisture cream for me. I use it as my main leave-in on freshly washed hair. It gives my very dry and frizzy hair such great hydration and best of all, it still works really well even if my hair isn’t sopping wet unlike some products. It is light enough that I can reapply it whenever I feel like during the week, and a little goes a long way so don’t be too heavy handed with it. My hair is mainly 4a with some coarse 3c curls right at the centre of my head and this leaves all my coils and curls very happy. Thank you Obia for an affordable and effective product.” – Anonymous
- Price: $18
- Size: 8 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $2.25
ApHogee Curlific! Texture Treatment
“I absolutely love this mask!!! It’s by far the best one I’ve found for my fine, high porosity, color-damaged 3a curls. Doesn’t weigh your hair down, lots of shine, frizz control, strength, moisture, EVERYTHING. It’s amazing for damaged curls! They bounce right back.” – curlygirlieliv
- Price: $9
- Size: 8 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $1.13
Oyin Handmade Hair Dew
“First, the fragrance is so good I want to eat it. To me it smells like (well”> burnt sugar, anyway; I usually don’t like light products like this because my hair is extremely thick, however; this stuff is wonderful. I can use it daily without leaving any residue, and it makes my hair feel really moisturized.” – Anonymous
- Price: $13.99
- Size: 8.4 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $1.67
DevaCurl One Condition Original Creamy Daily Conditioner
“I had been searching for a product that didn’t weigh my hair down, dry it out, cause more breakage, or cost too much. I found that One Condition solves all of those problems for me. I use it for almost all of my conditioning needs. As a pre-poo, as a leave in, mix it with water for a quick curl refreshing spray or with mixed with avocado and olive oil for a deep condition. I highly recommend this product for anyone looking for some control over their curls. For me it is cost effective, though I do use at least one bottle every month. $20 a month is worth it for my now healthy, bouncy, happy curls!” – theexotictree
- Price: $17.95
- Size: 12 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $1.50
As I Am Curling Jelly Coil And Curl Definer
“I have 3b/3c hair type and ive been looking for a product thats able to hold my hair lightly. I really liked this because it´s a light gel although the first time I applied too much it made them a little crunchy, so make sure you don’t over do it. Don´t be fooled this will hold your curls with just a little product which I love! I recommend this for wash and go as well as other style like bantu knots or even Curlformers. Great edge tamer too.” – Anonymous
- Price: $13
- Size: 8 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $1.63
Denman D3 Brush
“This product is a Godsend for my curls. On wash day, I use this brush to detangle my curls with, and it works like a dream. I have tried only finger detangling and detangling my hair with a comb, as well as having tried different brushes as well. But I have found nothing else that compares to this brush. I actually buy backups of this brush so that i am never without it. This is the best detangling tool ever invented!” – reservechic
- Price: $12.10
DevaCurl Arc Angel Gel
“Even though ArcAngel is much stronger than Light Definitng Gel, ArcAngel is still a very light, smooth, gentle gel. It’s superb for adding definition and popping strands into bouncy curls. Somehow ArcAngel shapes my hair in a way that really works for me so using it has become a necessary element of my curly bob.” – gardencurls
- Price: $19.95
- Size: 12 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $1.66
AG Hair Re:Coil Curl Activator
“I have 3a fine hair that has not been colored in the last 3 years. Recoil, in a very small amount, gives me curl definition, shine, volume and long-lasting style. I have tried many styling products and this one is kind to my scalp, keeps my curl, volume and shine throughout the day and is fairly economical, since I use less than a pea-size each morning. After a night’s sleep, my curls are still vibrant and I have volume. I love this stuff!” – SallyC
- Price: $19.80
- Size: 6 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $3.30
Camille Rose Naturals Aloe Whipped Butter Gel
“I used this in conjunction with the Curl Maker. Let me tell you, I HAVE NEVER…EVER…HAD CURLS SO BEAUTIFUL!! I have 3C/4A hair and I live in North Carolina. The humidity here wreak havoc on my hair! I always end up with a half frizzy, half curly fro. I tried this after watching several YouTube videos. The price was a deterrent for me. I was afraid to try it just to see it fail. Best money I’ve ever spent. This is my go to from now on!” – Anonymous
- Price: $16
- Size: 8 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $2
Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Sulfate-Free Shampoo
“LOVED this one! At first, I thought it would be a clarifying shampoo because of its transparency, but NO! It was more moisturizing than other shampoos I´ve tried so far. My hair got soft and easy to detangle. Also has great and gentle smell, not that sweet (hate sweet scents”>. Can´t wait to have another bottle!” – Anonymous
- Price: $10
- Size: 12 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $0.83
Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo – No Fragrance
“Excellent gentle shampoo. Everything Jessicurl makes is wonderful. Love that I can get in two fragrances or unscented. Just enough lather to let my brain know my hair is indeed getting clean. Has great moisture-so much so that I can get away with using very little conditioner after.” – Anonymous
- Price: $16.95
- Size: 8 Oz.
- Price per ounce: $2.12
