How to Style Curls that Fall Flat, Don’t Last, or Are Overly Soft
If your curls fall limp, frizz, struggle to hold a curl, or feel too soft and flat, then you need a to make these teaks
I have tried so many curly hair products over the last year, but which ones do I actually think are worth the money? In this post, I share the best curly hair products that I found in 2023 from each category.
If you’re wondering why some of my favorites that I mention all the time are missing, it’s because I wanted to focus on products that were new to me last year, versus products that are my all-time favorites year-over-year. To see all-time favorites, check out this post category.
If you’re not already pre-treating your hair before shampoo, I highly recommend trying it out, especially if you have damaged hair. The TreLuxe primer is multi-purpose so you can use it as a detangler on wet hair before you shampoo, as a leave-in before styling, or as a refresher. It provides more slip compared to conditioner making it great for detangling.
Another option is to use an oil to pre-treat and detangle on dry hair before shampooing. This is the method I usually use. This Ouidad oil was new to me last year and I love how lightweight it is and how it absorbs fast. The spray nozzle is nice because I can really target my ends and make sure they get coated.
It’s multi-purpose so it can also be used as a finishing oil to add shine and soften the hair.
When it comes to clarifying shampoos, I prefer something that has ingredients to remove hard water minerals in addition to buildup so you can kill two birds with one stone. This Ouidad shampoo was new to me last year and I fell in love with it. It’s very effective at cleansing but isn’t to harsh. It can be used more frequently than something like the Malibu Undo Goo, which I also like but it can be harsh if used too frequently. I wanted to try an option for those who may want to clarify weekly.
Watch me use it here and see a full routine to restore your curls.
Yes, I have more Ouidad products, but I discovered some great things from them last year and they made such high-quality products. This duo is very gentle and also repairs broken bonds. They seem to really target salt bonds which can be damaged by changes in pH. I can tell this because they’re extremely softening and help to smooth the cuticle. This is ideal for those with high porosity and/or coarse hair but could be used by any hair type.
I have yet another bond-building product for this category. I feel like 2023 was the year of bond repair, with products coming out left and right that contain bond-building ingredients. This mask from Not Your Mother’s is super affordable and it makes it easy to get in bond-repair when you need to deep condition anyway. The rest of this line is great too, including the shampoo and conditioner.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use leave-on bond-repair product, this one has been a favorite of mine lately. I’ve tried a few and I’ve enjoyed them all, but I wanted to shout this one out because it’s unique in that it provides heat protection and smooths the cuticle. It does have to be activated with heat of at least 140 degrees F for it to repair covalent bonds, which is what I usually diffuse on.
Fortunately, you only need 2 pumps because it is a small bottle. YOu also only use it once per week max.
Watch me use it here where I compare bond-builders to protein.
I first tried this curl cream in January of last year and used it quite a bit in the first half of the year. It’s unique in that it provides a bit of hold and humidity protection, so if you’re someone who likes to just use a curl cream, I’d go with this. It can build up though over time if you have fine hair, so ensure you’re using a good shampoo.
I would love to try more from this brand this year, so please let me know your favorites.
Watch me use it here where I show how to get fuller-looking curls.
My favorite category! I’m so picky when it comes to gel and I tend to stick to my tried and true gels. However, I wanted to find more strong hold gels so I have a variety to recommend depending on your hair’s needs. This one from Jessicurl is one of the most lightweight strong hold gels I have and it’s low in moisture. It can be drying on me so I have to use a curl cream underneath. It also comes in fragrance-free too which is nice.
Hairspray tends to be an underrated product for curly hair routines, but it can be really helpful at extending your style and adding extra hold and grit for those who struggle with getting a cast. I prefer a more flexible hold hairspray that way my hair doesn’t feel more brittle and isn’t hard to refresh. the next day. Curlsmith released 2 new hairsprays in 2023, in a flexible and strong hold.
I tend to stick to the same tools that are my favorites, but last year I tried the viral Bounce Curl styling brush. It has the most unique design I’ve ever seen and separates the curls as it clumps them. This makes it a great option for those who want more volume like me and don’t want to over clump the curls. It also provides the most shrinkage out of all of my brushes.
If you’re looking for more product recommendations, browse my shop page for all of the products I’ve tested and filter by your needs.
I hope you all had a nice holiday season and a happy New Year! 2023 was such a big year for me, including growing my brand, making 50+ videos, launching the shop page on my blog, and best of all, quitting my corporate job to pursue this full-time. I did both careers for about 10 years, and always enjoyed both but ultimately wanted to give my business a shot at being full-time. I have so many fun things up my sleeve for this year, including ways to connect with you more and be more helpful, such as curl consultations coming soon. I cannot thank you all enough for your support.
Cheers to 2024 🥂
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© 2024 Gena Marie
