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Curly hair is gorgeous, bouncy, and versatile. While oftentimes thick and fluffy, coily strands are also one of the most sensitive hair types to maintain. Achieving and maintaining healthy curly hair is a lifestyle for many and can sometimes become a years-long process.
Our Top Picks
- 1
Best Smoothing Conditioner
Hair Food Smooth Conditioner, Avocado & Argan Oil
$10 at Amazon$10 at AmazonRead more
- 2
Best Leave-In Conditioner
Mielle Organics Avocado & Tamanu Leave-In Conditioner
$14 at Target$14 at TargetRead more
- 3
Best Conditioner for Coarse Hair
Redken All Soft Mega Curls Conditioner
$52 at Ulta Beauty$52 at Ulta BeautyRead more
- 4
Best Conditioner for Dry, Damaged Hair
SheaMoisture Conditioner Intensive Hydration for Dry, Damaged Hair
$8 at Amazon$8 at AmazonRead more
- 5
Best Conditioning Hair Mask
Bond Intense Moisture Mask
$27 at olaplex.com$27 at olaplex.comRead more
Show more
Over the past decade, with brands from Mielle to Pattern, the natural hair industry has evolved and expanded, giving curly-haired girls a plethora of products to choose from. And whether it’s a twist-out or a wash ‘n go you’re seeking, one of the most important steps in your routine takes place on wash day. Finding the best shampoo and conditioning routine for your hair can feel like a lifetime commitment and a never-ending research project. But one thing professionals and curly-haired girls can agree on is the importance of a good wash routine and, most importantly, a good conditioner.
Not only does a good conditioner aid in maintaining hydration but the right product can also help repair, restore, and protect natural hair from heat and weather damage, color treatments, and everyday manipulation. To aid in your search for a good conditioner, we’ve compiled a list ranging from affordable favorites to products professionals swear by.
1Best Smoothing Conditioner
Hair Food Smooth Conditioner, Avocado & Argan Oil
1Best Smoothing Conditioner
Hair Food Smooth Conditioner, Avocado & Argan Oil
$10 at Amazon$6 at WalmartCredit: Hair Food
If you’re not quite ready to spend 30+ dollars on hair products, Hair Food’s Avocado Conditioner is the next best thing. This product has very similar ingredients to leading competitors but is a fraction of the price. Hair Food’s Avocado Conditioner leaves the hair feeling softer than ever, and if left on for 5 to 15 minutes acts as a deep conditioner sure to keep hair moisturized for the next week.
2Best Leave-In Conditioner
Mielle Organics Avocado & Tamanu Leave-In Conditioner
2Best Leave-In Conditioner
Mielle Organics Avocado & Tamanu Leave-In Conditioner
$14 at Target$13 at Walmart$14 at Ulta BeautyCredit: Mielle Organics
If you’ve found your favorite wash routine but are still in search of a good midweek refresher, then this is the product for you. This Avocado and Tamanu Anti-Frizz Slip and Seal Leave-in Conditioner is worth its weight in gold, especially if you find yourself on vacation and in serious need of a hair pick-me-up. This product not only reawakens dry hair but also seals in moisture. Add a little water to the party, and your hair will feel brand-new.
3Best Conditioner for Coarse Hair
Redken All Soft Mega Curls Conditioner
3Best Conditioner for Coarse Hair
Redken All Soft Mega Curls Conditioner
$52 at Ulta Beauty$27 at WalmartCredit: Redken
If there was one word to associate with this product, it would be "sold-out." Hairstylist and color expert Andoni Wasaya suggests all curly girls keep this in their arsenal. Redken All Soft Mega Curls Conditioner for severely dry hair is great for coarser textures, and enriched with aloe vera and other nourishing ingredients to rehydrate the hair shaft. If this summer heat has been drying your curls seemingly beyond repair, use this product to repair and strengthen those tresses.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below4Best Conditioner for Dry, Damaged Hair
SheaMoisture Conditioner Intensive Hydration for Dry, Damaged Hair
4Best Conditioner for Dry, Damaged Hair
SheaMoisture Conditioner Intensive Hydration for Dry, Damaged Hair
Now 20% Off$8 at Amazon$17 at WalmartCredit: SheaMoisture
This oldie-but-a-goodie conditioner not only hydrates but also smells otherworldly. If you want a wonderfully scented hair-repairing conditioner, revisit the SheaMoisture Manuka Honey conditioner.
5Best Conditioning Hair Mask
Bond Intense Moisture Mask
5Best Conditioning Hair Mask
Bond Intense Moisture Mask
Now 10% Off$27 at olaplex.comCredit: Olaplex
If you haven’t heard of Olaplex No. 8, you may have just found the solution to the damage you may be experiencing. Hairstylist and coloring professional Andoni Wasaya swears by this brand, which is known for penetrating the hair shaft, repairing and re-bonding hair follicles from the inside out. Olaplex has an entire system aimed at repairing and replenishing your hair back to its most luxurious state, but if you only purchase one product, make it this intense mask that works as both a conditioner and a repairing treatment.
6Best-Smelling Conditioner
Mielle Organics Avocado & Tamanu Conditioner
6Best-Smelling Conditioner
Mielle Organics Avocado & Tamanu Conditioner
$14 at Target$13 at Walmart$14 at Ulta BeautyCredit: Mielle Organics
If you haven’t tried Mielle’s new Avocado and Tamanu Anti-Frizz Conditioner, this is your sign to run-not-walk to your nearest store. This conditioner does exactly what it says on the bottle, leaving your hair soft and your curls defined, with a great smell to boot! Mielle, known for catering to hair growth and retention, really hit the jackpot with this one.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below7Best Curly Hair Product from Pattern
PATTERN Medium Conditioner for Curlies
7Best Curly Hair Product from Pattern
PATTERN Medium Conditioner for Curlies
$28 at Target$26 at Walmart$25 at Ulta BeautyCredit: PATTERN
We love Tracee Ellis Ross for so many reasons, the newest being this
Pattern Conditioner. Her company caters to curly and coily hair types, and this product replenishes moisture without leaving the hair heavy, coating it with a light pleasant scent signature to the brand. Thick and moisturizing, this conditioner will quickly become a must on wash-day. If you’re looking to try a new brand, Pattern is available at your local Ulta or Target.
8Best Lightweight Conditioner
amika Normcore Signature Conditioner
8Best Lightweight Conditioner
amika Normcore Signature Conditioner
$24 at AmazonCredit: Amika
New to the natural-hair scene, Amika is a paraben-free conditioner filled with vitamins and fatty acids. With shea butter as it leading ingredient, this brand promises lightweight hydration, sure to change the way your hair looks and feels. Visit the website to figure out which system best fits you.
9Best Strengthening Conditioner
OUAI Medium Conditioner – Strengthening Keratin
9Best Strengthening Conditioner
OUAI Medium Conditioner – Strengthening Keratin
$32 at Amazon$48 at Walmart$32 at Ulta BeautyCredit: OUAI
This product promises to strengthen, smooth, and hydrate the hair with keratin and coconut oils. It’s carefully curated to cut your wash time down, leaving the hair feeling soft and fresh.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below10Best Anti-Frizz Conditioner
Rice Amino + Shea Curl Defining Conditioner
10Best Anti-Frizz Conditioner
Rice Amino + Shea Curl Defining Conditioner
$28 at BriogeoCredit: Briogeo
Briogeo should definitely be on a naturlista’s must try list. This curl-defining conditioner is silicone-free and filled with nutrients that "seal the hair cuticle, lockout frizz-causing humidity, and enhance[s] moisture retention to support consistent curl formation."
