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Curly Girl Approved Products for All Curl Types in 2023

Are you looking for a list of Curly Girl approved products? Curly hair can be a challenge to manage, but there are products that don’t just work well with curly hair, they were created for it!

This list of top curly girl approved products is great for those trying to adhere to the Curly Girl Method. It includes shampoos and conditioners, gels and hair masks.

So whether you have fine or coarse curls, this list will help you find the best products for your natural tresses!

curly girl approved products

Curly Girl Approved Products

This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. You can read my full disclosure here.

What are Curly Girl Approved Products?

Curly Girl approved products are products that meet the criteria set out in Lorraine Massey’s book “Curly Girl The Handbook“. The book recommends a hair care method which swaps harsh shampoos and heat styling with a healthier routine using hydrating conditioners and gels.

Since curly hair has a tendency to be drier than straight hair, using traditional shampoo products is not recommended as they can strip the hair of its natural oils and make curly hair even drier. Curly girl approved products help to keep curly hair moisturised, defined and frizz free.

As recommended in the Curly Girl Method, all products on this page are free from:

  • Sulfates (often found in traditional shampoos)
  • Silicones that are not water-soluble
  • Alcohols that can dry the hair out
  • Soaps including potassium hydroxide and lye
  • Waxes that are not water-soluble
  • Witch hazel (unless it’s alcohol-free!)

Related: The Beginner’s Guide to The Curly Girl Method

CG Approved Products from Best Selling Brands

Paul Mitchell

One brand that contains many CG friendly products is Paul Mitchell. Their tea tree line is fantastic for curly hair as it contains natural ingredients such as peppermint and tea tree oil which aids in scalp health while still cleansing the locks.

One of the best products in their line is the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint Taming Cream. This cream is great for those who need a lightweight conditioner to add moisture and softness to their locks.

Recommended Paul Mitchell Curly Girl Approved Products

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Aussie

If you’re looking for a good mousse or gel that’s curly girl approved, Aussie have a couple of great ones which work well for curly, kinky or wavy hair!

The Aussie Turn Up The Curl Mousse is a light weight mousse which helps hold the curls in place and adds definition. It also contains Tasmanian pepperberry, kakadu plum and macadamia nut oil to help with scalp health!

If you choose to use a gel, the Aussie Instant Freeze Sculpting Gel is perfect for keeping those curly locks under control as well as giving them definition. With added aloe vera, wild cherry bark and silk extract, the Aussie instant freeze gel is perfect for curly hair!

Recommended Aussie Curly Girl Approved Products

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Related: Using Aussie with the Curly Girl Method

Ouidad

This popular brand has a whole line of products designed specifically to help those with curly, dry or damaged locks. Their Ouidad Vitalcurl Clear & Gentle Shampoo is free of sulfates and silicones but still leaves the hair feeling clean.

A popular styling product includes the Ouidad Curl Shaper Memory Maker 3-in-One Revitalizing Milk that helps nourish the strands and protect them from humidity.

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Related: Using Ouidad with the Curly Girl Method

DevaCurl

If you’re looking for a brand with a variety of curly girl approved products, DevaCurl is great! They have everything from detanglers and oils to gels.

Their DevaCurl Wash Day Wonder pre-cleanse detangler is free from sulfates, parabens, and silicone and helps to detangle knots whilst strengthening and hydrating the hair.

If you’re looking for a good finishing product to smooth and moisturise dry and frizzy curls, their DevaCurl High Shine Multi-Benefit Oil is great! It’s a lightweight and silicone-free oil which adds shine and moisture to the hair whilst enhancing curl definition.

DevaCurl also make a great gel for curls. The DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel is perfect for those with wavy and curly hair. With added rosemary extract, this styling product adds shine whilst providing hold and definition. For best results, use it on very wet curls.

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Maui Moisture

This brand produces a variety of curly girl approved, moisturising products which help to hydrate and smooth the curls.

Popular products include the Maui Moisture Coconut Milk Shampoo which contains coconut milk, guava oil and mango butter to deeply moisturise dry strands.

For general care, they also have a great shampoo called the Maui Moisture Thicken & Restore + Bamboo Fibers Shampoo which cleanses the hair whilst adding thickness and strength.

Recommended Maui Moisture Curly Girl Approved Products

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Related: Using Maui Moisture with the Curly Girl Method

SheaMoisture

Another great brand for curly hair is SheaMoisture, and nearly all of their products are curly girl approved! Like other products in this list, they contain natural and organic ingredients which are gentle to the hair and scalp.  

Popular shampoos include the SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl and Shine Shampoo which moisturises dry curls and detangles them, as well as their Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Conditioner which smooths and adds shine to the hair – perfect for maintaining soft curls!

If you’re looking for a curly girl approved gel, SheaMoisture’s Coconut and Hibiscus Curling Gel Souffle is great for defining and moisturizing curls without drying them out. It also contains silk protein and neem oil to strengthen the hair.

Recommended SheaMoisture Curly Girl Approved Products

Last update on 2025-02-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Related: Using SheaMoisture with the Curly Girl Method

Kinky-Curly

Kinky-Curly is a brand that was originally created for those with Afro-textured hair, but it has become popular amongst people of all curl types!

The Kinky Curly Knot Today leave in conditioner lotion detangles the strands and prevents breakage, and is perfect for soft, defined curls. They also have a great Curl Custard which acts like a gel and helps to define curls, hold them in place and add shine.

The Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave in Detangler is one of the most effective and affordable hair products for removing knots and freeing matted hair. It should be used after washing with a cleansing conditioner, and helps to promote healthy hair and bouncy curls.

Recommended Kinky-Curly Curly Girl Approved Products

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Olaplex

Olaplex is a brand that is known to strengthen and repair the hair, whilst adding gloss and shine. If you are looking for an effective deep conditioner to enhance your natural curls, Olaplex make two products that are curly girl approved.

The Olaplex No. 0 and No. 3 help to restore broken bonds in the hair, leaving it glossy and moisturised.

Recommended Olaplex Curly Girl Approved Products

Last update on 2025-02-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Related: Using Olaplex with the Curly Girl Method

OGX

If you’re looking for a brand that can help you maintain healthy curls, OGX is perfect. They have everything from shampoos and conditioners to oils which hydrate and moisturise the strands.

Their Shea Soft and Smooth Shampoo contains shea butter to deeply moisturise dry hair, and coconut oil to help reduce frizz.

Another popular product from this brand is their Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo which helps to add volume, body and shine to your curls. It’s great if you’re looking for a lightweight product for hydration.

Recommended OGX Curly Girl Approved Products

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Related: Using OGX with the Curly Girl Method

Garnier Fructis

Garnier Fructis is another great brand which contains a lot of nourishing organic ingredients. Their Banana Hair Food mask is one of my favourites for the cg method as it contains 98% natural ingredients, and no mineral oil, parabens or sulphates.

Their Pure Clean Styling Gel is also a great product for enhancing natural waves and curls. It helps to smooth frizzy hair and doesn’t have any drying alcohols or soaps in its ingredient list.

Recommended Garnier Fructis Curly Girl Approved Products

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Related: Using Garnier Fructis with the Curly Girl Method

Suggested Hair Care Regimen

According to the Curly Girl Handbook in order to get beautifully hydrated curls, and reduce frizz, you should create a hair care routine containing the right cleansing, conditioning and styling products. You should also avoid heat tools that could damage your curls.

The products you choose will depend on whether you have low or high porosity hair, and your curl type, however I have created a suggested regmin with curly hair products that work for most hair types.

Wash

If you are starting the curly girl method for the first time you should start with the “final wash” which involves using a clarifying shampoo to remove any product build up on the hair.

After this you should continue to use either a sulfate-free shampoo or a cowash.

Recommended Product for Your Final Wash

OGX Charcoal Clarifying Shampoo for Oily and...
  • Die Detox Kur für das Haar – Das OGX Purifying Charcoal...
  • Besonders angenehmer Duft – Das angenehm nach Kokosnuss duftende...
  • Glanz Shampoo mit ausgewogenem pH-Wert – Das pflegende...

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Recommended Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Sale
Noughty 97% Natural, Wave Hello Curl Defining...
  • CURLY HAIR CARE: Cleanses and moisturizes dry, wavy hair leaving strands shiny, frizz-free with curl...
  • PLANT POWER TO THE RESCUE: Suitable for everyday use, this curl-defining shampoo helps hair feel...
  • TAME YOUR HAIR: Carefully selected natural ingredients nourish curls, helping to improve suppleness,...

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Recommended Co-Wash

Sale
As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner 16...
  • Cleanses hair
  • Maintains curls and coils
  • Light conditioning cream

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Related: What is Co Washing for Curly Hair?

Condition

After you have finished cleansing your scalp and hair, rinse it with a diluted solution of warm water and apple cider vinegar. This will help remove any dirt, product build up or extra oils from the hair.

Next apply your conditioner. You should use good conditioners regularly to moisturise your strands, smooth down the cuticles and reduce frizz and flyaways. The right products will improve your natural hair texture and leave you with a healthy shine.

The following products work well on all types of curls including coily hair, corkscrew curls or loose spirals. They help to define your natural curl pattern and leave you with frizz-free locks!

Recommended Leave-In Conditioner

Sale
As I Am Leave-In Conditioner, 237ml/8 fl oz....
  • Value for money
  • Good product with good quality
  • Easy to use

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Recommended Hair Mask

Sale
Curlsmith - Double Cream Deep Quencher - Vegan...
  • MOISTURE & NOURISHMENT - The Double Cream is a deep conditioner created specifically for ultra-dry...
  • HOW THE MAGIC HAPPENS - Curly hair is dry by nature, so deep conditioning weekly is key to maintain...
  • WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT - Inspired by generations of homemade hair remedies, Curlsmith blends fresh...

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Style

There are a number of different styling products that work well to enhance curls, including creams, gels, mousses, jellies and hair yoghurts.

Styling products like mousses and jellies help to moisturise, while hair gels give better hold. Depending on the brand it is usually best to apply your styling product to wet hair as this helps to seal in moisture.

Once you have finished applying your products, wrap your hair up in a cotton t-shirt to allow it to dry without loosing moisture.

Recommended Cream

Sale
Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream, 355ml (...
  • Activates curls revealing frizz-free, bouncy curls
  • Delivers volume and shine
  • Great for a quick Wash and Go

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Recommended Gel

Sale
Cantu Moisturizing Twist & Lock Gel 370g
  • Controls frizz for a silky smooth hold
  • Unique moisturizing cream gel viscosity
  • Great for twists & braid outs

Last update on 2025-02-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Recommended Mousse

Sale
Cantu Wave Whip Curling Mousse 248ml
  • Defines natural curl pattern
  • Curls are moisturized, frizz-free & full of volume
  • Ideal for Wavy and Curly

Last update on 2025-02-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Related: How to Use a T Shirt Towel to Prevent Frizz

Which Products Are Curly Girl Approved?

Check out the following posts to find out whether your favourite hair care brand is CG approved.

POST FROM OTHER BEAUTY BLOGS

If you found this article helpful, you may enjoy the following posts from other beauty blogs that I follow and trust.

NATURALLY CURLY

BYRDIE

CURLY NIKKI

MANE ADDICTS

This post was a list of Curly Girl Approved Products

Thank you for reading my post about curly girl approved products. If you have discovered a great product that’s curly girl approved please leave me a comment below!

Further reading: The best Curly Girl Method products for achieving healthy, silky smooth curls