Best Products for Curly Hair

Curly hair is one of the most rewarding hair types to work with in the salon, but it is also one of the most misunderstood when it comes to product choices. Walk into any supermarket and the curl care section is dominated by brands that coat the hair with silicones and heavy waxes that give an initial result but build up over time and actually make the hair harder to manage. Professional curl products work completely differently. They work with the structure of the curl rather than just coating the outside of it, and the results last longer, feel better and genuinely improve over time with consistent use.

We see a lot of curly hair at Revive Hair Artists in Codsall and it is something both myself and Matt really enjoy working with. Over the years we have tried a huge range of professional curl products and the ones featured in this blog are genuinely the ones we recommend most often to clients. Everything is available to order online with free UK delivery, or you can always pop into the salon in Codsall for a chat about what would work best for your specific curl type.

Understanding your curl type

Before choosing products it helps to understand your curl pattern. Most curl typing systems use a number and letter scale from 2A (loose waves) through to 4C (very tight coils). The most common curl types we see in the salon are 2B and 2C wavy hair, and 3A and 3B curly hair. Each curl type has different needs — wavy hair generally needs lighter products that add definition without weight, while tighter curl patterns need more moisture and stronger hold to maintain shape throughout the day.

There are also two other factors that matter more than most people realise: porosity and density. Porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. High porosity hair absorbs products quickly but loses moisture just as fast, while low porosity hair can be resistant to moisture absorption. Getting the right products for your porosity makes a huge difference to results.

Best shampoo for curly hair

Curly hair should almost never be washed with a harsh sulphate shampoo. Sulphates strip the natural oils from the hair, and curly hair is already naturally drier than straight hair because the curl pattern makes it harder for the scalp's oils to travel down the hair shaft. The result of using a harsh shampoo on curly hair is frizz, dryness and loss of curl definition.

Best conditioner for curly hair

Conditioner is arguably the most important product in a curly hair routine. Curly hair needs significantly more moisture than straight hair and a good conditioner applied generously and left for a few minutes makes a huge difference to how the curls look and feel. For very dry or tight curl patterns, a deep conditioning mask used once a week is essential.

Best curl defining products

Once the hair is washed and conditioned, the right styling product is what gives curls their definition, hold and bounce. The general rule is to apply styling products to soaking wet hair and then either diffuse or air dry — the less you touch the hair as it dries, the better the curl definition will be.

Best detangler for curly hair

Best treatment for damaged curly hair

Curly hair is naturally more vulnerable to damage because the twists and turns in the curl pattern create weak points in the hair structure. If your curls are also colour-treated or heat styled, they need regular bond-building treatments to stay strong and healthy.

The Olaplex Bond Shaper Curl Rebuilding Treatment is specifically designed for curly hair that has been weakened by chemical or heat damage. It rebuilds the bonds inside the hair while enhancing the natural curl pattern — it is one of the few treatments that repairs and defines at the same time. The L'Oreal Professionnel Curl Expression Long-Lasting Leave-In Moisturiser is also brilliant for damaged curly hair that needs continuous moisture and protection throughout the day.

Mens curly hair products

Mens curly hair has its own specific challenges, particularly when it comes to finding products that give definition and hold without looking overly styled or product-heavy. The best approach for mens curly hair is usually a lightweight curl cream or the Curl Wow Shook spray applied to damp hair, then either diffused or left to air dry naturally. The Amika Curl Corps Defining Cream works brilliantly for mens curly hair — it gives definition and hold without any shine or glossiness that can look unnatural on shorter mens styles.

Mens perms — the biggest trend in mens hair right now

If you have naturally straight hair but want curls or waves, a professional perm is the most effective and long-lasting way to achieve them. Mens perms have become one of the most requested services in salons across the UK right now and we are seeing huge demand for them here in Wolverhampton and Codsall. The Korean perm style in particular has become incredibly popular — it creates soft, natural-looking waves that give the hair texture and movement without looking overdone.

A well-executed mens perm can last between three and six months depending on the hair growth rate and how well the hair is looked after. The key to making a perm last and keeping the hair healthy is using the right products afterwards. We always recommend a sulphate-free shampoo and a good curl-specific conditioner to protect the perm and keep the waves looking defined.

We use Wunderbar Perm Kits in our Codsall salon — they are vegan certified and give consistently brilliant results across all hair types. If you are looking for a mens perm in Wolverhampton or a mens perm in Codsall, you are very welcome to get in touch with us or book online to chat about what would suit you. We are based in Codsall and serve clients from across the Wolverhampton, Codsall, Albrighton, Perton and South Staffordshire area.

Our top curly hair tips from the salon

After years of working with curly hair in the salon, here are the things that make the biggest difference:

Stop brushing dry curly hair. Brushing curly hair when it is dry breaks up the curl clumps and creates frizz. Detangle with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers on wet, conditioned hair only.

Apply products to soaking wet hair. The wetter the hair when you apply styling products, the better the definition. Do not wait until the hair is towel dried or damp — apply curl creams and gels to hair that is dripping wet.

Use a microfibre towel or old cotton t-shirt to dry. Regular towels create friction that disrupts the curl pattern and causes frizz. A microfibre towel or an old cotton t-shirt scrunches out excess water much more gently.

Diffuse on a low heat setting. If you use a hair dryer on curly hair, always use a diffuser attachment and keep the heat low. High heat disrupts the hydrogen bonds in the hair that hold the curl pattern in place. Always use a heat protectant before diffusing.

Refresh curls between washes. Curly hair does not need washing every day — in fact washing it too frequently can dry it out. On non-wash days, refresh second or third day curls with a spray bottle of water and a small amount of the Osmo Curl Enhancer Spray, then scrunch and leave to dry.

You can browse our full range of curly hair products at Curl Wow and across our professional haircare collections. Free UK delivery on all orders from Revive Hair Artists in Codsall.