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Ria Bhatia profile imageRia Bhatia

Curly hair products are built around nourishment. From gels and mousses to masks and shampoos, these formulas soften, define, and make styling curls, waves, and coils far more manageable

A woman with curly hair on the beach

Curly hair has a mind of its own. It resists uniformity, reacts to humidity, and demands a different approach to care. However, when styled correctly with the right curly hair products, curls, waves, and coils can all make a statement. Unlike most hair care products that focus on cleansing, volumising, and detoxification, curly hair products have a singular memo: nourishment. 

What to look for in the best curly hair products

Curly hair products—be it gels, mousses, serums, masks or shampoos—are loaded with hydrating ingredients to soften the hair, making detangling, combing, styling, and shaping curly hair easier. The best curly hair products feature honey, ceramides, glycerin, keratin, proteins, and oils like coconut, argan, almond, and castor. 

The best curly hair products in India that prioritise hydration, definition, and control across curl types 

A bottle of hair spray for the best curly hair products in a woman's hand
Photograph: (3TENX)

1. 3TENX Hydrify Gloss Mist: The best curly hair product for nourishment 

This lightweight hair mist from homegrown hair care brand 3TENX bottles the double-duty nourishment of jojoba and raspberry seed oil along with keratin, collagen, hydrolysed silk, and soy and wheat protein. It boosts shine, controls frizz, provides UV protection, and keeps hair soft and shiny—perfect to prep the curls for styling. 

Priced at ₹1,800

Available atNykaa.com

A woman with curly hair with a glass in her hand containing a curly hair product spray
Photograph: (Fix My Curls)

2. Fix My Curls Curl Gelly Activator Spray: The best curly hair product for scrunching

Whether you have wavy, curly or coily hair, this spray is perfect to style and refresh hair. The fruity-scented formula comprises grape seed oil, avocado oil, castor oil, squalane, and panthenol to hydrate the locks and allow curls to make a comeback. The product ditches waxes, parabens, and sulphates to protect the hair.   

Priced at ₹400

Available at Fixmycurls.com

A bottle of curl creme from OUAI squeezed out in the hand
Photograph: (Pinterest/OUAI)

3. OUAI Curl Creme: The best curly hair product to enhance waves

Trust this curly hair product to pump your hair with a solid dose of nourishment coming from a blend of coconut, babassu, chia seed and linseed oils. Its tropical scent is just a bonus; the real effect is evident when it is used to scrunch and style waves and curls. Additionally, it tames frizz and unruliness. 

Priced at ₹3,875

Available at Tirabeauty.com

A bottle of the best curly hair product from Kerastase
Photograph: (www.kerastase.in)

4. Kérastase Curl Manifesto Gelée Curl Contour Gel-Cream: The best curly hair product for textured hair

A global salon-expert favourite, this curly hair product features a malleable gel texture that can be used on the finest to the thickest hair. Packed with manuka honey, shea butter, and ceramides, this softening formula is a winning curl enhancer for even the most textured hair—without weighing the mane down.

Priced at ₹3,000

Available atKerastase.in

A jar of hair mask for curly hair from Dove
Photograph: (Dove India)

5. Dove Beautiful Curls Deep Moisture Hair Mask: The best curly hair product for dry and damaged hair

Curly hair products from drugstore beauty brands are effective too—and this moisture-boosting hair mask from Dove is proof. The cruelty-free formula includes tried-and-tested hydrators, such as aloe vera, coconut oil, shea butter, and glycerin, to intensely nourish the hair, promising soft, defined, and healthy-looking curls.

Priced at ₹599

Available at Amazon.in

Olaplex Bonding Oil, the best serum among curly hair products
Photograph: (Instagram.com/bamterestfinds)

6. Olaplex Bonding Oil No.7: The best curly hair product for taming frizz

With curly hair, the amount of nourishment required only multiplies, owing to its tendency to become unruly or dry. The post-wash hair oil repairs bonds, imparts silky shine, and softens every strand to effortlessly style and shape curls. What makes this oil rank among the best curly hair products is its ability to smooth and enhance the appearance of the locks.

Priced at ₹2,950

Available at Nykaa.com

Frequently asked questions on curly hair products

Where to buy the best curly hair products?
The best curly hair products can be found at any local beauty store or online at marketplaces such as Nykaa, Tira, Myntra, and Amazon.
What are the best products for curly hair?
Some of the best products for curly hair are Fix My Curls Curl Gelly Activator Spray, Dove Beautiful Curls Deep Moisture Hair Mask, and OUAI Curl Crème.
What products to use on curly hair?
The best products for curly hair include curl creams, mousses, gel sprays, and curl-enhancing mists. 
How to layer products on curly hair?
Firstly, use a shampoo and mask made specifically for curly hair. To layer products on curly hair, start by dampening your locks. Once they’re wet, add a curl crème or mousse to enhance the look and texture of the curls. Then, let your hair dry—preferably, using a diffuser. Follow it up with a nourishing hair serum to prevent split ends and dryness.  
Do curly hair products work for wavy hair?
Yes, most curly hair products can be used for wavy hair too.
How do I choose curly hair products based on my curl type?
Curly hair can be classified into Type 1, 2, 3, and 4, and A, B, C. While the numbers denote how wavy and curly the hair is, the alphabets indicate how tight or loose the curls are. Type 2 refers to soft, S-shaped waves. Using a volumising and texture-enhancing hair care routine with sea salt sprays would be ideal for 2A and 2B. 2C can add a hydrating mask to the mix. Type 3 refers to soft curly hair. Combining a hydration-boosting hair wash routine with curl creams, mousses and anti-frizz serums would be ideal. Type 4 refers to extremely coily hair. The focus should be on anti-frizz and anti-breakage products. Using an ultra-nourishing curl styler can be helpful. 
Ria Bhatia profile imageRia Bhatia
Ria Bhatia is the associate beauty editor at The Established. She explores beauty and wellness through industrial, cultural, and social lenses, with bylines in Femina, ELLE India, Harper’s Bazaar India, Masala UAE, and VOGUE India.

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