The Best Curly Hair Products of 2021

Sorry it’s a little late, but here’s a roundup the best curly hair products of 2021. Many of these curly hair products will come as no surprise to my long-time readers. And pretty much all of them are available world wide. And of course, I’ve got some great discount codes for you, and lots of tips and tricks.

Each year I continue to try new curly hair and curly girl approved brands and products. Some of them make it onto my favourites list, others have been my favourite for years! But with over 600 curly hair products on my shelves. And 60-70 brands to choose from, my standards are high. So it takes something pretty special to make it into the best curly hair products of 2021, which has over 20 categories this year!

My Hair Type

Before we get started on the best curly hair products of 2021. Here’s a little background on my curly hair, for reference and/or comparison. I’ve been following my Curl Maven Method for almost five years. I have medium-high porosity, fine hair – and lots of it! A mix of 2c – 3b curls, that get easily weighed down and over-moisturized. I’ve still got some highlights from 2020, but here’s how I managed to maintain healthy hair despite bleaching and colouring my hair twice.

The Best Curly Hair Products of 2021

Similar to last year, I’m going to list the best curly hair products for each category from the last four years, and what’s made the top spot this year for the best curly hair products of 2021.

This way you can see what products truly stand the test of time, and continue to be the best curly hair products on the market. And what new products are genuinely worth the hype, and money. I’ve also got my Product of the Year 2021 which you can read more about here.

Almost all links and discount codes are affiliated, which means I make a small commission on any purchases you make. But this hasn’t influenced the products featured in this post, or why I love them so much. It’s also a great way to support me and this blog if you find this post helpful.

Scalp Treatment:

Kicking off The Best Curly Hair Products of 2021 with a new category: scalp treatments. I’ve been testing out quite a few over the last year or so, but there are two in particular which stand out.

If you have an oily, itchy, irritated or sensitive scalp, I highly recommend Act + Acre Scalp Detox. It’s a super lightweight oil to calm, soothe and re-balance the scalp – more like a tonic than an oil.

If you have a dry, flaky scalp or dandruff, I cannot recommend The Innate Life Scalp Treatment enough! It’s a rich, creamy, buttery texture that hydrates the scalp and removes dandruff like nothing else I’ve tried.

Use either of these scalp treatments once/week. Apply a small amount and massage into the scalp 20-30 mins before shampoo. Both scalp treatments help to promote hair growth too!

• Act + Acre Scalp Detox – buy here if you’re in the USA, or buy here if you’re outside the USA
• The Innate Life Scalp Treatment – buy here if you’re in the USA, or buy here if you’re outside the USA

Co-Wash:

• 2017: As I Am Coconut Co Wash
• 2018: As I Am Coconut Co Wash
• 2019: As I Am Coconut Co Wash
• 2020: As I Am Coconut Co Wash
• 2021: Miribel Naturals Creamy Hair Cleanser – CURLMAVEN for 10% off

A new entry this year! I don’t use a co-wash very often, but when I do, it’s the Miribel Naturals Creamy Hair Cleanser. Formerly known as the My Soigne Hair Cleanser. I love the scent, it’s lightweight, hydrating without being heavy. It has a slight gritty texture to it, but it’s not exfoliating – which I like. It leaves your scalp, roots and hair feeling really clean without feeling stripped. Love!

Get 10% off Miribel Naturals using code CURLMAVEN at the following distributors/online retailers:

• USA: Miribel Naturals
• Outside the USA: Kiyo Beauty in the UK – ship worldwide

Top Tip: A co-wash is a great way of boosting moisture levels in really dry/damaged hair. However, for most people, using a co-wash long term will cause the hair to become over-moisturized. So I suggest switching to a low-lathering cleanser if you have wavy or curly hair that gets easily weighed down or over-moisturized.

Shampoo:

• 2017: MopTop Gentle Shampoo
• 2018: Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo
• 2019: Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo
• 2020: Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo
• 2021: Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo – CURLMAVEN for 10% off

I’ve simplified this category this year for the best curly hair products of the year 2021. In my opinion, the best shampoo for wavy and curly hair is the Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo. Hands down, no question, no competition.

It’s a lightweight, low-lathering, sulfate-free, colour-safe shampoo, or “lo-poo” if you follow the curly girl method. Great if you have any kind of scalp issues due to the gentle pumpkin and pomegranate enzymes. It leaves the hair and scalp feeling clean, without feeling stripped.

The Bounce Curl Clarifying Shampoo is the only shampoo I can use consistently, washday after washday, month after month, year after year that doesn’t leave my hair feeling dry. It’s really concentrated, you only need a small amount applied to soaking wet hair. If you feel you need more product, or it doesn’t lather enough, try adding more water. I go through one bottle every 6 months or so.

Please ignore the fact that it’s called a Clarifying Shampoo – it isn’t. It’s not a chelating, detoxifying, clarifying shampoo that’s strong enough to remove hard water build up, limescale, metal and mineral deposits from the hair.

It’s just not. It’s gentle enough to use 2-3 even 4 times a week. This is NOT the same as the Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo which you can only use once/month!

Get 10% off Bounce Curl using code CURLMAVEN at all of the following distributors/online retailers:

• USA: Bounce Curl
• IRELAND: The Clean Beauty Edit – ships worldwide
• UK: Kiyo Beauty – ships worldwide
• Canada: Curl Warehouse

Clarifying Shampoo:

• 2017: Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo
• 2018: Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo
• 2019: Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo
• 2020: Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo
• 2021: Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo

Still top of my clarifying shampoo favourites for a fifth year in row, Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo. And when I say clarifying shampoo, I mean a proper clarifying, chelating, detoxifying shampoo that properly removes hard water build up, limescale, metal and mineral deposits from the hair.

Which is absolutely necessary if you live in a hard water area, swim in the ocean or pool, or colour your hair – especially blonde/highlights! One bottle lasts two years if you clarify your hair once/month. I like to do it on the full moon which is all about ritual cleansing, releasing and letting go… of all that build up on the hair.

I’ve got a few blog posts you can read if you want to know more about clarifying, if you need to be incorporating it into your routine (spoiler alert: you do!). As well as what to use, and how often you need to do it. I’ll link them below for you:

• Why, When & How You Should Clarify Your Hair
• How to Maintain Healthy Hair when Colouring
• The Golden Triangle of Healthy Hair
• Summer Haircare

Dry Shampoo

• 2020: Living Proof Perfect hair Day Dry Shampoo
• 2021: Living Proof Perfect hair Day Dry Shampoo – CURLMAVEN for 20% off

A new category last year. I still love the Living Proof Perfect hair Day Dry Shampoo. Super easy to use, smells amazing. Does exactly what it says on the tin, with minimum effort and fuss.

The reason I like this dry shampoo more than others I’ve tried is because it not only absorbs grease, oil and sebum. It also cleans and deodorizes your hair! Especially great after a long run or sweaty work out.

You can get 20% off Living Proof Dry Shampoo at LOOKFANTASTIC who ship worldwide, using code CURLMAVEN.

Conditioner:

• 2017: MopTop Daily Conditioner
• 2018: Hairfinity Balanced Moisture Conditioner
• 2019: Innersense Hydrating Cream Conditioner
• 2020: Innersense Colour Radiance Conditioner
• 2021: Innersense Colour Radiance Conditioner

I’ve simplified this category again this year. Just because I want this to be a simple post of really great curly hair products and recommendations, without being overwhelming.

In general, Innersense Organic Beauty have some of the best conditioners on the market. Once you pick the right one for your hair: Pure Inspiration Conditioner if you’ve got fine, low density, loose wavy or curly hair that gets easily weighed down. Hydrating Cream Conditioner if you’ve got thick, coarse, dry, damaged, curly or coily hair – it often suits grey hair too.

Or my favourite, the Colour Radiance Conditioner – not just for colour treated hair, but great if you have curly hair that gets easily over-moisturized. This is the perfect medium weight conditioner with a good kick of protein but not too drying, with great shine and slip. With just the right amount of hydration, without being too rich or heavy.

Less is more, you need about 4-6 pumps applied to wet hair. Innersense is extremely concentrated, one bottle of conditioner lasts a year if you wash twice a week! If you think you need more product, or more slip to detangle, add more water first. You can also use any of these as a conditioner, deep conditioner or a leave-in conditioner.

Get 10% off Innersense Organic Beauty using code CURLMAVEN at all of the following distributors/online retailers:

• USA: Innersense Organic Beauty – 15% off your first order using code CURLMAVEN
• IRELAND: The Clean Beauty Edit – ships worldwide
• UK: Kiyo Beauty – ships worldwide
• Canada: Curl Warehouse

Leave In Conditioner

• 2017: Giovanni Direct Leave In Weightless Moisture Conditioner
• 2018: Giovanni Direct Leave In Weightless Moisture Conditioner
• 2019: Giovanni Direct Leave In Weightless Moisture Conditioner
• 2020: Giovanni Direct Leave In Weightless Moisture Conditioner
• 2021: Giovanni Direct Leave In Weightless Moisture Conditioner – CURLMAVEN for 20% off

I still very rarely use a leave in conditioner these days, I tend to just leave some of my regular conditioner in. But when I do use a leave in, it’s still the Giovanni Direct Leave In Weightless Moisture Conditioner. It’s just the best leave-in conditioner on the market. The affordability and light weight formula keeps me coming back, year after year, bottle after bottle. Get 20% off Giovanni at LOOKFANTASTIC using code CURLMAVEN.

Top Tip: Giovanni products are great if you’re just starting out the curly girl method, or you’re on a tight budget. You can get 20% off Giovanni at LOOKFANTASTIC using code CURLMAVEN – who also ship worldwide.

Protein-Free Deep Conditioner:

• 2018: Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment
• 2019: Phyto Joba Moisturizing Mask
• 2020: Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner
• 2021: Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner – CURLMAVEN for 10% off

For a second year in a row, the Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner is one of the best curly hair products of 2021 when it comes to a really good protein-free deep conditioner! Weightless and not so potent that you’re in danger of over-moisturizing your hair in one treatment. It’s concentrated like the rest of their products, so you only need a small amount. It’s great for slip, detangling, shine and just the right amount of hydration without being too heavy.

Get 10% off Bounce Curl using code CURLMAVEN at all of the following distributors/online retailers:

• USA: Bounce Curl
• IRELAND: The Clean Beauty Edit – ships worldwide
• UK: Kiyo Beauty – ships worldwide
• Canada: Curl Warehouse

Protein Deep Conditioner:

• 2017: Hairfinity Strengthening Amino Masque
• 2018: Hairfinity Strengthening Amino Masque
• 2019: Hairfinity Strengthening Amino Masque
• 2020: Hairfinity Strengthening Amino Masque
• 2021: Hairfinity Strengthening Amino Masque

If you’ve been following me or reading my blog for a while, this will come as no surprise! It’s STILL one of my most loved, most repurchased and one of the best curly hair products of 2021! I’ve lost count of the amount of tubs I’ve bought of the Hairfinity Strengthening Amino Masque! For me, it’s just the best protein-rich deep conditioner! I use it as a regular conditioner, and deep conditioning mask on it’s own. But I especially love it mixed my modified rice water treatment.

Mousse & Foam:

• 1999 – 2017: Pantene Defined Curls Mousse
• 2018: Pantene Defined Curls Mousse
• 2019: Pantene Defined Curls Mousse / Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam
• 2020: Pantene Defined Curls Mousse / Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam
• 2021: Pantene Defined Curls Mousse / Flora & Curl Curl Volumizing Foam – CURLMAVEN for 20% off

For me, mousse and foam are two different products. But I’ve put them in the same category, as I know many people class them as the same thing. Pantene Defined Curls Mousse. Yes, I’ve been using this mousse since I was a teenager in the 90’s!

I’ve tried pretty much every other mousse on the market, and I can still say, even after all this time. It’s still the best mousse out there, and it’s the most affordable product I use! It’s saved so many experimental wash days and styling combinations.

It’s a lightweight, curl enhancer and definer that gives shine, definition and hold with a little volume too. Works well with loads of other styling products or perfect as a one and done styler if you have fine wavy or curly hair!

Top Tip: If you can’t find the Pantene Defined Curls Mousse, then check out Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Mousse. The ingredients, formula and results are almost identical!

A foam gives more volume, body, texture, movement and softer curl definition. Although more lightweight than a mousse, they tend to be a little more drying. If you want volume without having to sacrifice definition, or you’re going for a more lived-in, less perfectly defined look – then a foam would be perfect for you! The best foam for wavy and curly hair that gives volume, body, texture, movement, definition and thick juicy curl clumps is the Flora & Curl Curl Volumizing Foam!

I’ve been hugely impressed with this foam, and have reached for it washday after washday and had incredible results every single time. It’s the most hydrating and defining foam I’ve tried. I seem to need less of this foam than others I’ve used in the past. Cannot recommend it highly enough! Get 20% off using code CURLMAVEN at LOOKFANTASTIC who ship worldwide.

Serums:

• 2019: Innersense I Create Volume
• 2020: TréLuxe Reflex Curl Styling Serum
• 2021: TréLuxe Reflex Curl Styling Serum – CURLMAVEN for 15% off

Serums are more hydrating than mousses and foams, and give thicker, juicier curl clumps with some medium hold. No surprises here, TréLuxe Reflex Curl Styling Serum is still the best curly hair product in this category for a second year in a row.

If you’re looking for definition, this is ringlets in a bottle – simple as that. But if you want texture and Diana Ross x Tina Turner level volume, then Innersense I Create Volume is for you! Use it like a dimmer switch to turn the volume up. Both serums are best applied to wet hair – but not soaking, dripping wet.

Where to Shop TréLuxe in the EU

I wouldn’t usually do this, but I want to give a heads up to my Irish curlies because I take my influence, recommendations and YOUR hard earned money very seriously. I’ve got a lot of heat over this, so I’m going to be be as clear (and fair) as I possibly can.

There’s an Irish website who stock TréLuxe. Although their shipping is cheaper, the price of this serum is DOUBLE the price than Kiyo Beauty in the UK. Who “now includes shipping & handling and all applicable customs, duties & taxes and guarantee no additional charges on delivery” – as per their website. And the Irish website are almost a third more expensive than Sari Curls in Germany, within the EU, who offer free shipping over €79.

Most companies offer free shipping for a minimum spend, and most consumers will reach that minimum spend and/to avail of this free shipping. Therefore, shipping doesn’t come into an accurate price comparison when there’s such a huge price difference in the cost per item being purchased – not the shipping it costs to get to you.

All three are small, female-run, independent businesses. So if you’re in Ireland and prefer to shop and support local, please do. But for those who can’t afford the more expensive luxury of shopping Irish, or shopping local. Please be aware that there are other, more affordable options for these great products.

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Get up to 15% off Innersense Organic Beauty and 15% off TréLuxe using code CURLMAVEN at the following distributors/online retailers:

• USA: 15% off your first order at Innersense Organic Beauty and 15% off TréLuxe
• IRELAND: 10% off The Clean Beauty Edit – stocks Innersense and ships worldwide
• UK: 10% off Kiyo Beauty – stock Innersense and TréLuxe and ships worldwide
• Canada: 10% off Curl Warehouse – stock Innersense and TréLuxe
• EU: Sari Curls – stocks TréLuxe, working on a discount code…

Curl Creams & Lotions:

• 2017: Devacurl Styling Cream
• 2018: Devacurl Styling Cream
• 2019: Devacurl Styling Cream / Bounce Curl Clump & Define Cream
• 2020: Bounce Curl Clump & Define Cream
• 2021: Flora & Curl Curl Activating Lotion – CURLMAVEN for 20% off

I’m going to switch things up a little and combine Curl Creams with Lotions. Because curl creams are too heavy for most people, especially if you have fine/medium hair that gets easily weighed down. Or you have loose waves or curls that get easily over-moisturized.

If that sounds like you, then you might find better success using a lotion instead. Curl creams are great for drier and coarser hair types who need lots of moisture to get curl definition and frizz control.

Top Tip: You don’t need to apply a leave in conditioner if you’re using a curl cream. That would be too moisturizing for most hair types. And you’ll rarely ever get a cast when using a curl cream either, as they are all about moisture, not hold.

The Bounce Curl Clump & Define Cream is still my favourite curl cream – but it’s rich, heavy, extremely concentrated and potent! You only need the smallest pea-sized amount, applied to wet hair using wet hands. Curl creams won’t give much hold, neither will lotions.

The Flora & Curl Curl Activating Lotion is my favourite, to me it’s somewhere in between a leave in conditioner and a curl cream. Lightweight, defining, hydrating without being heavy or too rich and it plays really well with lots of other styling products.

Use code CURLMAVEN to get 20% off Flora & Curl Curl Activating Lotion at LOOKFANTASTIC who ship worldwide.

10% off Bounce Curl at all of the following distributors/online retailers:

• USA: Bounce Curl
• UK: Kiyo Beauty – ships worldwide
• Canada: Curl Warehouse

Custard:

• 2017: MopTop Curly Hair Custard
• 2018: MopTop Curly Hair Custard
• 2019: Bouclème Super Hold Styler
• 2020: MopTop Curly Hair Custard
• 2021: MopTop Curly Hair Custard – CURLMAVEN for 10% off

If you want thick, juicy curl clumps, then definitely try using a custard! One of the best curly hair products for years now! I discovered MopTop Curly Hair Custard in 2017 and have continued to purchase tub after tub ever since. It can cause white flakes on the hair if you use too much. But I love the lightweight, creamy formula with just the right balance protein and moisture for my hair.

It’s a great one and done styler, but also plays really well with so many other styling products! It’s only available in the USA, but Canadian curlies: you can get it from Amazon here. If you’re outside the USA or Canada, the Bouclème Super Hold Styler is the closest thing to it. CURLMAVEN for 20% off at LOOKFANTASTIC who ship worldwide.

Gel:

• 2017: Aussie Instant Freeze / Bouclème Curl Defining Gel
• 2018: Aussie Instant Freeze / Bouclème Curl Defining Gel / Jessicurl Spiralicious Gel
• 2019: Aussie Instant Freeze / Bouclème Curl Defining Gel / Jessicurl Spiralicious Gel
• 2020: TréLuxe Hi! Definition Gel
• 2021: TréLuxe Hi! Definition Gel – CURLMAVEN for 15% off

For a second year in a row, the TréLuxe Hi! Definition Gel is still my favourite, holy grail gel, my Product of the Year 2020 and it’s been featured many times on the blog and on my YouTube channel. The consistency is somewhere between a gel, a custard, a jelly and a purée or soufflé.

Great at enhancing curls, providing good slip, long-lasting curl definition, as well as shine. Enough protein to define, enhance and tighten natural curl patterns. Combined with enough moisture to give hydrated, frizz-free, juicy ringlets and curl clumps! I’ve tried it with leave-in conditioners, lotions, mousses, foams, serums, other gels and hairspray, all with great success.

Top Tip: If you use too much Hi! Definition Gel, you’ll get white flakes on the hair. If you don’t use enough, you won’t get enough hold. So start with the amount you think you should use for your hair. If you don’t get the hold you want, increase the amount. Keep increasing until you get those white flakes! Then reduce the amount just a little.

See “Where to Shop TréLuxe in the EU” for more information. Get up to 15% off TréLuxe using code CURLMAVEN at the following distributors/online retailers

• USA: 15% off at TréLuxe
• UK: 10% off at Kiyo Beauty – ships worldwide
• EU: Sari Curls – working on a discount code…
• Canada: 10% off at Curl Warehouse

Heat Protectant

• 2020: Briogeo Heat Protectant Cream
• 2021: Innersense Serenity Smoothing Cream

New category for the best curly hair products of 2021! Because let’s face it, sometimes we want to straighten our hair, and use some heat styling tools. And that’s okay! I wouldn’t recommend doing it often, and make sure you use a heat protectant when you do.

For years I’d been using the Briogeo Heat Protectant Cream, but Innersense Organic Beauty launched Serenity Smoothing Cream in 2021 and I immediately fell in love. I use it any time I want to use heat styling tools other than a diffuser to give me a different look from a bouncy blow dry to boho waves.

Both creams are very similar, both contain protein. But the Briogeo feels richer and heavier – more suitable if you have thick, coarse, tighter curl patterns or you live in a dry climate.

The Innersense Serenity Smoothing Cream is more lightweight – more suitable if you have fine hair, loose waves or curls that get easily weighed down or over-moisturized.

How to: Rinse out your conditioner fully if you’re heat styling, then apply a small amount of either heat protectant cream the same way you would your conditioner – from the ends up. Smooth a little extra over the top canopy layer, then dry.

Get both of these heat protectant creams at the following distributors/online retailers:

• USA: Briogeo Heat Protectant Cream or outside the USA at Cult Beauty
• USA: Innersense Serenity Smoothing Cream – 15% off your first order using code CURLMAVEN
• IRELAND/EU: 10% off at The Clean Beauty Edit – ships worldwide
• UK: 10% off at Kiyo Beauty – ships worldwide
• Canada: 10% off at Curl Warehouse

Curl Towel:

• 2017: Bouclème Curl Towel
• 2018: Trepadora Curl Towel
• 2019: Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Towel
• 2020: Aquis Charmeuse Hair Turban
• 2021: Aquis Charmeuse Hair Turban – CURLMAVEN for 20% off

I still love my double-layered Aquis Charmeuse Hair Turban! A hair towel and silk turban in one. If you don’t have time to fully diffuse your hair, use the Lisse Luxe towel side to squeeze/scrunch dry and excess water from your hair after diffusing for however long you can.

I love to use the luxuriously soft, silk charmeuse side of this Aquis double sided turban to scrunch out the crunch for beautiful, frizz-free curls! I also love the new Aquis Copper Sure Turban which launched in 2021. You can get 20% off Aquis at LOOKFANTASTIC who ship worldwide using code CURLMAVEN.

Top Tip: If you’re air-drying, you need to wait at least 10-15 mins before you use a towel or t-shirt. Because other wise that dry towel or t-shirt is going to soak up your styling products way quicker than your wet hair will.

Brushes:

• 2017: Denman Large Paddle Brush
• 2018: Denman Large Paddle Brush / Tangle Teezer (as a scalp brush)
• 2019: Denman Large Paddle Brush / Bouclème Scalp Brush
• 2020: Denman Large Paddle Brush / Bouclème Scalp Brush
• 2021: Denman Large Paddle Brush – CURLMAVEN for 20% off

I’ve been using a Denman Large Paddle Brush for as long as I can remember. It’s the best out there. I’ve tried many other brushes over the years, even other ones from Denman. But this is the best brush for curly hair!

Especially if you have hair that gets easily knotted and tangled. It’s the only brush/comb we use in the house. Only ever use it when your hair is wet and full of conditioner, or wet with styling products.

How to: Brush from the ends and the underneath of your hair upwards. To distribute the product evenly throughout your hair, detangle your hair and only remove what’s naturally, excess shedding. And when you’re able to go one pass through the hair – to define those waves and curls!Then gently scrunch to get those defined waves and curls to bounce up, and encourage your hair to drink up and absorb your conditioner or styling products.

Thermal Heat Cap:

Where would I be without my Curl Maven Thermal Heat Cap?! It continues to make a huge difference to my hair’s health, shine, definition and frizz control. I use it every time I deep condition, to maximise the benefits of my deep conditioner and give me salon results at home. By heating it up in the microwave to open up the hair’s cuticle, so products can penetrate deeper into the hair shaft.

It’s especially great for low porosity hair, dry, brittle or damaged hair. But not just for curly hair, it’s suitable for any hair type! Handmade in Ireland using 100% cotton and 100% organic flaxseeds. Eco-friendly, microwaveable, reusable, reversible, stylish and easy to use. Sign up here to be notified when the new limited edition collection launches in March! Ps. I ship worldwide and you can’t use it if you don’t have a microwave.

Hair Dryer & Diffuser:

• 2017: Diva Professional XL Diffuser
• 2018: Diva Professional XL Diffuser
• 2019: Diva Professional XL Diffuser
• 2020: Diva Professional XL Diffuser
• 2021: LanaiBLO Hairdryer and Diva Professional XXL Diffuser

I’ve got a dedicated blog post on The Best Hair Dryers and Diffusers for Curly Hair if you want more in depth information, reviews, recommendations and comparisons. My favourite diffuser of all time is STILL the Diva Professional XXL Diffuser, I’ve been using this for almost two decades, I’ve even got back ups! Great for any hair length, but this is the best diffuser for volume, definition AND shape! Thanks to the little grips inside the bowl. It also cuts down on drying time because of the size and depth of the bowl.

I’ve finally found the hairdryer I’ve been looking for! It’s the LanaiBLO, Irish designed, Italian made – just like me. It’s got a really long cord, powerful and super lightweight. All the things I look for in a dryer, especially diffusing wavy and curly hair where you move around a lot, and hold it in all different angles and positions. It also has multiple speed and heat settings. Only available in the UK, Ireland and Sweden though.

Top Tip: Diffuse on medium heat, medium speed. If you’re in a hurry, up the speed – not the heat. You want to dry your hair faster, not hotter.

Sleep Protection:

• 2018: Coorie Curls Satin Scrunchie & Buff
• 2019: Puff Cuff, Silke London Hair Wrap & Slip Silk Pillowcase
• 2020: Puff Cuff & Silke London Hair Wrap
• 2021: Puff Cuff, Silke London Hair Wrap & Slip Silk Pillowcase – CURLMAVEN for up to 20% off

Protecting your hair at night is as important as what styling products and application techniques you use! It makes a huge difference to creating long-lasting curl definition and reducing breakage and frizz.

Yes I use three different things to protect my hair at night, and yes they’re all quite pricey BUT… not only do they make your washday results look good and last longer. They also save you time each morning refreshing your hair, and money on the products you’d use each morning if you were to refresh. Watch this video to see how I protect my curls at night.

I bought one multi pack of PuffCuffs almost 5 years ago and I still have every single one, as perfect as the day I bought them. Silke London Turbans are the only ones that hold all my hair, are tight enough to stay on all night without falling off. But not so tight that they flatten my curls, leave a mark on my forehead or give me a headache. Slip Silk Pillowcases are my favourite, come in lots of colours and wear and wash better than others I’ve tried.

Get up to 20% off using code CURLMAVEN at the following distributors/online retailers

• PuffCuff – 15% off at PuffCuff in the USA. Or 10% off at Kiyo Beauty in the UK who ship worldwide.
• Silke London – 20% off at LOOKFANTASTIC who ship worldwide
• Slip Silk Pillowcases – 20% off at LOOKFANTASTIC who ship worldwide

Hair Growth Vitamins:

Another new category this year, but something I get asked about all the time! I’ve been meaning to write a dedicated blog post on this and I absolutely will. Because hair growth vitamins DO WORK, but…

Most of the hair growth vitamins on the market are just glorified multi vitamins – don’t waste your money! There’s only three brands that I’ve found that have the necessary ingredients, and quantity of those ingredients to ACTUALLY increase hair growth – in both length, and density!

BUT, you have to take them for AT LEAST 3-6 months to see noticeable, visible, measurable growth. I tripled my hair length in just over 12 months. Here’s the only three brands I recommend:

• Bounce Curl – CURLMAVEN for 10% off at Bounce Curl in the USA, The Clean Beauty Edit in Ireland/EU, Kiyo Beauty in the UK or Curl Warehouse in Canada.
• Hair369 – CURLMAVEN for 10% off, ships worldwide. This is the brand I’ve taken the most consistently.
• Act + Acre Hair Capsules – only available in the USA. This is the brand I’ve been taking most recently, and contain a higher quantity of vitamin A than the other two – anti-ageing benefits for the skin too!

How to put it all together

Once you’ve got your products, I highly recommend reading this post: How to Build a Curly Hair Routine. It’s how to put it all together, to build a routine that suits your hair and lifestyle – with some alternative product suggestions to suit different budgets.

Or check out The High Low Routine if you want to know the best products to spend money on, and the best products to save your money on.

Then once you’ve got your products and routine, read my Washday Workbook for all my best tips, tricks and techniques to get the best results from your products on washday. It features many of the tips and advice I give in my 1:1 Curl Clinics.

Feeling overwhelmed?

But if you’re still feeling overwhelmed, or you just want me to put everything together for you in one routine. Designed to suit your hair type, lifestyle, budget or healthy hair goals. Where I tell you what to use, where to buy it and when and how to use it.

Then I highly recommend you book in for a Curl Clinic, which is a 1:1 consultation where I do just that! You can find out more info here, or read lots of reviews and book here.

Also available as a Gift Voucher if you’d like to give the gift of curls to someone else, or drop a hint to a friend, family member or loved one.

Important!

Please remember that what works for my curly hair, may not work for yours. There is no shortcut to finding a product that will work for your hair. It all about trial and error; patience, persistence and consistency.

As a curly girl, you need to try a product for at least 2-3 weeks to know if it’s making a difference or working for your hair. And that’s just to see any signs of improvement!

It takes 4-6 weeks or sometimes more, to see more long-lasting improvement – depending on how healthy/damaged your hair is. You simply cannot tell from one wash day!

But most importantly, if you want consistent results, you have to have a consistent routine! You cannot keep switching up your products and somehow expect your hair to look amazing every time.

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Did you like the Best Curly Hair Products of 2021 post?

So that completes the Best Curly Hair Products of 2021 – easily the longest post I’ve ever written! What did you think? Do we have any of the same favourite products? Have I introduced you to any new products that you want to try? Or have I introduced you to any products that have worked really well for your hair in the past? Are there any products or brands I haven’t mentioned, but you think I should try? Or have I listed some products that just don’t work for you? Let me know in the comments below.

Make sure to subscribe to my Curl Maven Collective Newsletter, for new content and exclusive giveaways for subscribers only. Subscribers are also the first to know about new events and masterclasses.

Check me out on Pinterest and subscribe to my YouTube channel. As I’m going to be doing lots more on there this year, which I’m so excited about!

Gratitude & Support

I work hard to ensure this site is free from annoying pop ups and Google Ads ruining your experience. If you found this post or any of my content helpful, and would like to show your Gratitude & Support, you can click here to make a donation.

I’m so incredibly thankful and grateful to everyone who supports me, my content and my platform. Thank you so much! Gabriella x

*This post may contain some gifted items and affiliate links. Which means I get paid (a very small) commission on any products you purchase through my links. This in no way affects you, the price you pay or the way in which I write about products featured on this site. My content and opinion is not influenced by advertisers, sponsorships, affiliate partnerships, brands or PRs.