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The best conditioners for smooth, shiny as hell curls
I've legit tested hundreds of conditioners, and these ones are the best for curls and coils
For most of my life, I dreaded wash day... until I lost my mid-back curls to chemo two years ago. During that time I missed washing my curls so much – and now that my curls are finally just touching my shoulders again, washing them is something I look forward to with renewed love and gratitude.
That said, my curls tend to be porous and dry these days, so, my wash day routine is filled with curly hair products that replenish and restore my strands. This is especially true of my conditioner. For me (and most other curly girls out there), finding the right conditioner for your curly hair is key to a good hair day, which is why I've tested and reviewed countless formulas over the years. Here's a quick look at a few of my favourites:
Our top picks for best conditioner for curly hair of 2024:
- 1
Best strengthening conditioner for curly hair
Redken Acidic Bonding Curls Conditioner for Damaged Curly & Coily Hair, Curl Defining, Bond Repair 300ml
Read review - 2
Best smoothing conditioner for curly hair
FEKKAI Shea Butter Conditioner Intense Moisture 250ml
Read review - 3
Best nourishing conditioner for curly hair
FABLE & MANE HoliRoots™ Hydrating Conditioner 250ml
Read review - 4
- 5
Keep scrolling for the full list of the seven best conditioners for every curl type, according to my personal testing along with recs from expert hairstylists.
Redken Acidic Bonding Curls Conditioner for Damaged Curly & Coily Hair, Curl Defining, Bond Repair 300ml
If you have curls and use hot tools on your hair, add this conditioner to your lineup ASAP. It helps repair broken bonds as a result of heat styling – plus it helps strengthen your hair, so it's more resistant to breakage in the future. I personally love how soft it leaves my hair and how much more bounce my curls have post-wash.
Key ingredients: Citric acid, glycine, coconut oil, shea butter
Curl types: 3A to 4C
Glowing customer review: “This conditioner made my hair so smooth and I could easily comb through my hair in the shower with it in. Love the smell and can’t wait to see how much healthier my hair looks in a few more showers, I think it will really strengthen it!”
FEKKAI Shea Butter Conditioner Intense Moisture 250ml
My hair survived New York's humid as-hell summer thanks to this smoothing conditioner. The shea butter-infused formula keeps curls defined and frizz-free but without feeling heavy or weighed down –the perfect combo for a truly excellent hair day in my book.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, monoi oil
Curl types: 2A to 2C
Glowing customer review: "I'm biracial, Black and German. I have thick, curly, kinda dry hair. I'm always on the hunt for hydrating products. I've tried everything on the market and always come back to Fekkai. People complain about Fekkai prices, but I can use a teaspoon of Fekkai when I need a tablespoon of other products. Fekkai products are a great value on top of making my curls bouncy, hydrated and smelling great.”
FABLE & MANE HoliRoots™ Hydrating Conditioner 250ml
Like a warm hug for your curls, this conditioner wraps strands in a layer of moisture for a nourishing and softening effect you'll love. My curls literally drink up the coconut oil and aloe vera-infused formula. Even when I air-dry my hair post-wash, my frizz is significantly reduced after using this.
Key ingredients: Coconut oil, turmeric, amla, and aloe vera
Curl types: 2A to 3C
Glowing customer review: “This conditioner is the absolute best! I have curly hair, so a hydrating conditioner is a must for me. This one makes my hair soft and silky. It's super hydrating, smells amazing, detangles my hair, and leaves it smooth and healthy.”
Pattern Intensive Conditioner 384.5ml
This award-winning conditioner for curly hair is loved by editors, celebs, and stylists alike. The formula is ultra-rich (so it's best for tight curls and coils) and packed with a blend of safflower seed oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil to keep hair moisturized and resistant to breaking or snapping when styling.
Curl types: 4A to 4C
Key ingredients: Safflower oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil
Glowing customer review: “It truly feels designed for black women. Make sure you read the back of the conditioner to make sure you get the right one for your hair type (bc she made so many different ones for different hair types), but I LOVE IT. I have low porosity 4c hair, and this just helps me out so much with having that soft feeling :)”
amika big hit volumizing conditioner
My friends with fine, curly hair are all obsessed with this conditioner, and after some research, I can see why. Many conditioners (especially ones for curls) can be heavy and end up leaving fine strands flat and limp. Not this though. It's hydrating and softening but has volumising benefits that keep curls nice and bouncy.
Key ingredients: Caffeine, glycerin, sea buckthorn
Curl types: 2A to 3A
Glowing customer review: “AMAZING volumizing conditioner. I have very thin, fine hair and this gave my hair a wonderful lift. My hair had volume and looked amazing after using this product.”
Head & Shoulders Royal Oils Moisture Balancing Conditioner
If dry, itchy scalp is one of your main hair concerns, this conditioner is a must-try. It's specially formulated for natural hair types (although many curl types can benefit from using it) and contains coconut oil and apple cider vinegar to keep your scalp moisturised and balanced – all while nourishing your delicate curls and coils too.
Key ingredients: Coconut oil, apple cider vinegar
Curl types: 3A to 4C
Glowing customer review: “This conditioner is everything I've been looking for. My scalp didn't itch at all after using like it usually does. It's thick and very moisturizing for my 4c hair. This conditioner does it all—I won't be using anything else!”
HASK Curl Care Detangling Conditioner
This is the least expensive conditioner for curly on the list but don't worry, just because it's low in price doesn't mean it's low in quality. Reviewers love that the affordable formula contains a tonne of moisturizing ingredients to revive curls, make detangling no big deal, and keep frizz at bay.
Key ingredients: Coconut oil, argan oil, shea butter, and vitamin E
Curl types: 2A to 3C
Glowing customer review: “I can't believe how well this conditioner has worked for my hair. I've tried many more expensive natural curl care products, but this has honestly produced the best results. I have 3c, high porosity hair, with some fine and some coarse strands on top from sun damage. It has really smoothed the coarse hair and helped my hair clump again.”
Is conditioning good for curly hair?
Conditioning isn't just good for curly hair – it's a must, says hairstylist Marc Ballance. "Shampooing tends to raise the cuticle layer of the hair shaft, increasing the likelihood of flyaways and frizz," explains Marc, who adds that "the right conditioner will help lay the cuticle flat, leaving your curls more defined and shiny." Conditioner helps nourish your dry ends and, depending on the formula, can strengthen hair and prevent damage from hot tools and chemical treatments, he adds.
What’s the best way to dry curly hair?
In my experience (and per the recommendation of most stylists I've interviewed), plopping your curls is the best way to dry them. This method saves curls from damage and allows them to dry in their natural shape with minimal frizz.
Which hair brand is best for curly hair?
No two curls are alike, even when they’re part of the same head of hair, so it's impossible to deem one hair brand the best for curls since everyone's needs are different. But!! When you're shopping for products for your curly hair, it's always helpful to keep this in mind: "Look for brands that focus on hair health and are sulfate-free," says hairstylist Sarah Potempa.
"Sulfates tend to dry the hair strands out, causing them to look dry, dull, and at an increased risk for breakage,” says Sarah. Curls already tend to be fragile and lack moisture, so it’s even more important to use sulfate-free formulas if you want your curls to be soft, shiny, and defined.
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