Finding the right products for type 4 hair can be a struggle. Just walk into any beauty supply store specifically for Black and women of colour, and you’re hit with products all promising to take care of your curls or coils – but do they really? For me, it’s always been a battle to find products that both define my curls and keep them nourished. Usually, it’s one or the other. So, when I got my hands on The Doux’s line, I was genuinely curious – could these products really bring my hair back to life? Here’s how it went down...
How we test
Grace received a wide selection of The Doux’s products and carefully chose those best suited to her hair type and styling needs. Over the course of several weeks and multiple wash days, she tested the products and tools to see how they fit into her regular routine and how her hair felt compared to before using them.
Grace's hair story: One for always slicking back my hair into a bun or ponytail (for ease), I never really thought of myself as a “curly girl.” I always figured my hair was more on the fluffy side and stayed clear of curl gels or creams because I didn’t think wearing my hair “out” was really my thing. So, imagine my surprise when I tried The Doux’s range and saw my curls fully come to life after just one use. It was a game-changer.
The Doux products, reviewed
The Doux Sucka Free Moisturizing Shampoo
Made using hair-loving ingredients, such as aloe and shea butter, the Sucka Free Moisturizing Shampoo is perfect if your curls are in need of a little TLC. As I use quite a bit of gel in my hair, I need a shampoo that’s packed with nourishing properties and this one truly delivered.
It felt thick and luxurious, gently cleansing without stripping my hair like some shampoos tend to. Instead of leaving my curls dry or brittle, it kept them soft, hydrated, and manageable. Plus, the scent is gorgeous - fresh, clean, and just the right amount of sweetness – it brought me back to my childhood when my older sister would do my hair.
The Doux Fresh Rinse Moisturizing Conditioner
Packed with shea butter, aloe, and Silk Amino Acids, the conditioner deeply hydrates and soften curls. The thick, creamy consistency feels luxurious and provides great slip, but it rinses out cleanly without leaving any waxy residue behind. After using it, my hair felt noticeably smoother, more manageable, and well-moisturised. Like the shampoo, it has a beautiful scent. The only downside? The packaging. The bottle is quite firm and as the product is quite thick, it takes a good squeeze to get it out. That said, the results are more than worth the effort.
The Doux Big Poppa Defining Gel
The Doux Big Poppa Defining Gel 473ml
My absolute favourite product from the entire range. This gel had me loving - and fully embracing - my curls. After washing my hair with the Sucka Free Moisturizing Shampoo and using the Fresh Rinse Moisturizing Conditioner, I sectioned my hair and worked the gel in from roots to ends, just like it says on the tub. Within seconds, my hair was transformed.
My curls were beautifully defined, soft, and bouncy - not crunchy or stiff like a lot of curl gels tend can leave your hair feeling. They looked and felt so nourished, and honestly, I’d never really seen my hair like that before. It includes Babassu oil to fight frizz, keratin for a soft-touch finish, and oleifera seed oil that gives a flexible hold while letting your curls move naturally. This gel didn’t just style my hair, it helped me see and appreciate it in a whole new way. What I also love about it is that I could revert to my slick bun and my hair didn’t feel heavy with product. This gel is a product I’ll definitely be adding to my routine moving forward.
The Doux Push It! Honey Braid And Edge Gel
As someone who loves a slicked-back ponytail or bun, I like to think of myself as an edge control connoisseur. So, when I first tried The Doux’s PUSH IT! HONEY BRAID AND EDGE GEL, I wasn’t expecting much. The consistency is lighter than the heavy-duty gels known for keeping edges perfectly laid, but I decided to give it a go – and honestly, it did a good job!
Packed with super-charged honey for moisture as it holds, aloe and vitamins B, C & E for growth protection, and a strength-and-shine tag team of keratin and silk amino acids, this gel nourishes as it styles. I liked that it held my edges without any flakes or crunch, leaving a natural, polished finish. It might not offer the ultra-sturdy hold some edge control fans crave, but its clean beauty formula – free from harsh chemicals –makes it a standout. Finding an edge gel that’s both gentle and effective is rare, so this one is definitely a win for anyone wanting to style responsibly without sacrificing performance.
The Doux CRAZY SEXY CURL Honey Setting Foam
I really loved what the CRAZY SEXY CURL Honey Setting Foam did for my hair. It conditioned my curls, helped detangle, defined my pattern and set my style - all in one go. It dries quickly too, which is the bane of us natural girlies’ lives. Plus, there was no crispy, crunchy texture either. What I especially liked is how lightweight it felt - my hair moved naturally but still held its shape. This foam is definitely going to be my go-to for reviving my boho braids and other braided styles.
Grace Henry is Cosmopolitan UK’s Acting Entertainment and Lifestyle Director. She oversees the Entertainment and Lifestyle strategy across print, digital and video. Grace joined Cosmo in March 2025, after working as the Online Entertainment and Factual Editor at Radio Times. As a journalist for almost a decade, Grace has interviewed the likes of Caitlyn Jenner, Eva Longoria, Morgan Freeman, Sylvester Stallone and more. Grace loves all things reality TV, and when she’s not interviewing a big celeb you can find her binging old episodes of The Real Housewives, with Atlanta and Potomac being her top two faves from the franchise. She also loves a female-led drama series – think OITNB and Sex and The City – and is a sucker for a true crime doc!
