The Best Products for Curly Hair in 2025

2025-07-03T18:47:15Z

For years, I struggled to find the right routine for my curly hair. Between a changing curl pattern, frizz, and one very bad salon appointment, my hair has been put through the test. But after years of trial, error, and a lot of wash days, I finally pinpointed 11 styling products that are guaranteed to give me a good wash and go.

From moisturizing curl creams to curl-defining mousse, here are the styling products that completely transformed my hair care routine.

My curl routine at a glance:

On wash days (1-2 a week), wash hair with shampoo, conditioner, or co-wash. Apply a deep conditioner for 5-30 minutes to lock in extra moisture.
While still wet, add curl cream, hard hold gel, or mousse, using a detangling brush or wide-tooth comb to spread the product evenly.
Scrunch out extra water with a cotton T-shirt and let air dry for 10-20 minutes.
Dry using a diffuser and heat protectant. Seal with anti-frizz oil.

Creams that keep my curls soft and defined

Most wash days, I combine a curl cream for moisture and set it with a hard gel. My hair has medium density and low porosity — it holds onto water for a long time but takes forever to actually soak it up in the shower. That means I have to be intentional about locking in moisture and using products that don’t just sit on top. These three creams are my go-to for keeping my curls nourished and defined throughout New York City’s many seasons.

Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Cream

Out of all my curl creams, this is hands down the most used. Part of Curlsmith’s Scalp Recipe line, the Weightless Air Dry Cream leaves my hair soft and defined without weighing it down or compromising moisture. It’s so consistently good that I rely on it year-round, even through cold NYC winters.

Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk

This thick, ultra-nourishing leave-in is my go-to during dry winter months when my hair is screaming for help. It smells just like a vanilla cupcake — rich, cozy, and kind of addictive. If you love gourmand or dessert-scented products and want to revive your curls, this one’s a dream.

Herbal Essences Curl Defining Cream

The moment I feel that sticky summer heat, I know it’s time to reach for this. What I love about this cream is how easy it is to use. It’s perfect for lazy days when you don’t want to do the most. It’s a cream-gel hybrid that defines, holds, and fights frizz all in one step. Brush it through and you’re ready to go.

Gels that lock everything in

Creams lay the foundation, but gels are what seal the deal. I’m picky with gels — I want a strong hold without a strong crunch, definition without flaking, and something that’ll last through a long day (or two) in the city. These three are all in rotation depending on my mood and needs.

Dippity Do Girls with Curls Light Hold Gelee

Dippity-Do Girls With Curls Light Hold Gelee

The holy grail of all curl gels. This one has been my tried-and-true since high school, and I haven’t found a single cream it doesn’t play nicely with. It’s a cult classic for a reason — it gives my curls amazing definition, locks in moisture, and creates the perfect “gel cast” that I can easily scrunch out once it’s dry.

Not Your Mother's

Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Flash Freeze Gel

When I need serious hold, like for a humid commute or a full day out, this is my pick. It gives that reliable all-day grip and, yes, it does leave a bit of a crunch. I know that’s a turnoff for some, but honestly? Sometimes a little crunch is necessary to lock everything in. I just scrunch it out with a little oil and boom — soft, defined curls. Pro tip: a light hand goes a long way with this one. When I get too heavy-handed, it can weigh my curls down or leave buildup.

Curlsmith Hydro Style Flexi Jelly

Curlsmith Hydro Style Flexi-Jelly

Flexible but strong, this gel is a staple in my routine. It pairs perfectly with the Weightless Air Dry Cream — together they give me a soft, touchable definition that never flakes. That said, this gel has a lighter hold compared to other Curlsmith options, so I usually need to refresh my curls sooner than I’d like. I’m super curious to try other options like the In-Shower Style Fixer more thoroughly to see how they compare on hold and longevity.

Mousses for volume and bounce

If I want a bit more volume or a softer hold, I reach for mousse. These are especially great for root lift or if I’m doing a curly updo. I also like using mousse when I want to avoid the weight of gels altogether, prioritizing body before definition.

The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam

This mousse is lightweight perfection. I use it to refresh curls midweek, lift roots for volume, or layer it under gel for a little extra bounce on wash day. It smells good, doesn’t flake, and gives my hair a nice, touchable texture.

Not Your Mother's Activating Curl Talk Mousse

Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Mousse

Affordable and dependable, this mousse gives me that extra boost of volume without drying my curls out. I like using it when I’m going for a more carefree, voluminous look, especially when I plan to diffuse my hair.

Oils for anti-frizz and strength

Oils are the finishing touch that make everything come together in my routine, especially when it comes to locking in moisture, adding shine, and taming frizz. I typically use them as the final step on wash days or to scrunch out the crunch from gel. These two are my go-tos for different reasons, but they both deliver when it comes to strengthening and smoothing my curls.

Rizo Curls Strength Oil

Rizos Curls Strength Oil

This oil is all about long-term hair health. It’s packed with ingredients like lavender, amla, and flaxseed that support hair growth, improve elasticity, and strengthen strands over time. I love using it on my ends or to break a gel cast because it adds shine without feeling greasy or heavy.

Bonus: A multitasking heat protectant

Not Your Mother's 10-In-1 All Eyes On Me Hair Perfector

Not Your Mother’s All Eyes on Me Hair Perfector

Whether I’m diffusing or doing a quick blow-dry, this product does it all — it protects, smooths, detangles, and hydrates. I like that it’s lightweight and doesn’t mess with my styling products, and I always feel better knowing my hair is protected from heat. I use this every wash day without fail.

My best curl advice

There’s no magic product that works for everyone, but here’s what’s helped me stay consistent:

Understanding my hair’s porosity and density. Once I figured out that my hair is low porosity and medium density, everything started making more sense. Products that were too thick would sit on my hair, and light, buildable formulas started working much better for me.
Layering with intention. I stopped throwing a bunch of stuff in my hair and hoped for the best. Now, I layer lightest to heaviest (cream → gel or mousse → oil), and it’s helped with everything from frizz to longevity.

Trying products seasonally. My hair needs different things in winter versus summer. I learned to rotate in more hydrating or protective products based on the weather and humidity levels.
Listening to my curls. They’ll tell you what’s working. If they’re dry, dull, or limp, switch it up. A good hair routine is about checking in with your hair and adjusting accordingly.

The bottom line

side by side showing the front and back of a woman's curly hair — These days I’m proud of my curly hair, whether I’m letting it air dry or styling it with heat tools.

Layla Melendez/Business Insider

All in all, my routine changes depending on the look I’m going for and the season I’m in. The key is building a solid base of products that work for your hair type, and making sure they’re flexible enough to adapt to your environment, whether you’re fighting off winter dryness or summer humidity. Focus on products that help you build a strong foundation, then mix and match based on your hair needs.

Layla Melendez

Personal Finance Editing Fellow

Layla Melendez is a personal finance editing fellow based in New York City, specializing in optimizing content to help readers navigate financial decisions with ease and confidence. With over a year of experience in student journalism, she has developed expertise in copyediting, content creation, and digital media management, including working with CMS platforms to organize, upload, and manage digital archives. She joined the team at Business Insider in January 2025, where she works on enhancing the accessibility and visibility of personal finance content for a global audience.ExperienceLayla is passionate about making financial literacy approachable and practical. In her role, she focuses on optimizing personal finance articles, with a focus on student loans, personal loans, and mortgages.Before joining Business Insider, Layla gained experience in communication, journalism, and media through a variety of roles:

At Relentless Awareness, she developed press materials and advocacy campaigns, including efforts that contributed to a $50 million funding boost for upstate NY cities.
As a World News Intern for GBH’s The World, she edited and published digital stories, designed social media posts, and contributed to newsletter production.
During her time with the NYC Comptroller’s Office, she managed social media accounts, created engaging IG Reels, and captured event photography featured in outlets like Politico and City & State NY.

ExpertiseLayla’s growing expertise includes:

SEO strategy and content optimization
Financial literacy education for beginners
Digital storytelling, copywriting, and social media management
Multimedia content creation using tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and WordPress

EducationLayla holds a degree in Communication and Journalism from the University at Albany, SUNY, where she has been recognized for academic excellence with awards such as the Spellman Academic Achievement Award and the Summa Cum Laude distinction.When she’s not working, Layla enjoys travel, listening to music, reading, and seeking out new experiences across the city.