Thousands of community members voted, and the results are in! These NaturallyCurly Best of the Best Award-winning curly hair products are the Holy Grails your curls, coils and waves stay thirsty for.
WHAT ARE THE NATURALLYCURLY BEST OF THE BEST AWARDS?
Since 2006, NaturallyCurly.com, the leading resource for natural and textured hair, has polled the community for your favorite curly hair care products of the year. Thousands of community members vote and the winners receive NaturallyCurly Best of the Best Awards by product category, and by curl pattern. The awards are “now considered the ultimate seal of approval by curl brands both large and small” says NaturallyCurly Founder Michelle Breyer, “the gold standard for the textured hair community.” The Best of the Best Awards are an opportunity for the curly haired community to share your Holy Grail products with others in the community and give well-deserved recognition to the brands who’ve earned your trust.
“Winning the Best of the Best award put us on the map on a much broader stage than anything we had before,” says Canadian stylist Jonathan Torch, creator of Best of the Best Award-winning Curl Keeper, which won “Best Frizz Fighter” several years. “I still appreciate this victory, and I will always be grateful for the recognition and support that I have gotten from this award.”
WHAT SETS BEST OF THE BEST APART FROM OTHER BEAUTY AWARDS?
Our awards give you the opportunity to vote on products that work for your unique curl pattern, whether you have waves, curls, coils or locs. And this year, we’ve expanded our survey to be even more inclusive with new categories for men and kids’ products too.
Onto the winners, these are the products so good you buy them in bulk. Scroll on for the NaturallyCurly Best of the Best curl products of 2023.
- Best Conditioners
- Best Shampoos
- Best Styling Products
- Best Hair Treatments
- Best Men’s Products
- Best Products For Kids
- Best Tools
- Best Brands
- Best Blogger
Best Conditioners for Wavy, Curly & Curly Hair
Best Co-Wash
It’s not a wash-day without using this co-wash.
Best Co-Wash for All Curl Types: Eden BodyWorks All Natural Cleansing CoWash
Best Co-Wash for Type 2 Wavy Hair: As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner
Best Co-Wash for Type 3 Curly Hair: Curlsmith Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash
Best Co-Wash for Type 4 Coily Hair: Eden BodyWorks All Natural Cleansing CoWash
Best Leave-In
You can’t get enough of this leave-in conditioner.
Best Leave-In for All Curl Types: Camille Rose Naturals Honey Hydrate Leave-In Conditioner
Best Leave-In for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Bounce Curl Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner
Best Leave-In for Type 3 Curly Hair: Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Curly Hair Cream
Best Leave-In for Type 4 Coily Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Honey Hydrate Leave-In Conditioner
Best Conditioner
The conditioner so good you buy it in bulk.
Best Conditioner for All Curl Types: Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing & Detangling Conditioner
Best Conditioner for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl-Defining Anti-Frizz Conditioner
Best Conditioner for Type 3 Curly Hair: Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing & Detangling Conditioner
Best Conditioner for Type 4 Coily Hair: Donna’s Recipe by Tabitha Brown Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Moisturizing Conditioner
Best Deep Conditioner
When your curls need some extra loving, you reach for this DC.
Best Deep Conditioner for All Curl Types: Tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask Deep Conditioner
Best Deep Conditioner for Type 2 Wavy Hair: amikaThe Kure Intense Bond Repair Hair Mask
Best Deep Conditioner for Type 3 Curly Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Black Castor Oil + Chebe Deep Conditioner
Best Deep Conditioner for Type 4 Coily Hair: Tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask Deep Conditioner
Best Shampoos for Wavy, Curly & Coily Hair
Best Shampoo
It’s not a true wash-day without a squirt of this shampoo.
Best Shampoo for All Curl Types: Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Best Shampoo for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Cleansing Sulfate Free Shampoo
Best Shampoo for Type 3 Curly Hair: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Best Shampoo for Type 4 Coily Hair: Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Best Pre-Shampoo Treatment
Not all pre-poos are created equal.
Best Pre-Shampoo for All Curl Types: Curlsmith Super Slip Pre-Wash Primer
Best Pre-Shampoo for Type 2 Wavy Hair: SheaMoisture Apple Cider Vinegar Anti-Dandruff Pre-Wash
Best Pre-Shampoo for Type 3 Curly Hair: Curlsmith Super Slip Pre-Wash Primer
Best Pre-Shampoo for Type 4 Coily Hair: Mizani Wonder Crown
Best Clarifying Cleanser
When your hair and scalp need a deep clean.
Best Clarifying Cleanser for All Curl Types: Design Essentials Oat Protein and Henna Deep Cleansing Shampoo
Best Clarifying Cleanser for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Aveeno Scalp Soothing Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo
Best Clarifying Cleanser for Type 3 Curly Hair: Pattern Clarifying Cleansing Shampoo
Best Clarifying Cleanser for Type 4 Coily Hair: Design Essentials Oat Protein and Henna Deep Cleansing Shampoo
Best Styling Products for Wavy, Curly & Coily Hair
Best Mousse
Just a few pumps for soft hair that lasts.
Best Mousse for All Curl Types: The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam
Best Mousse for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam
Best Mousse for Type 3 Curly Hair: Design Essentials Curl Enhancing Mousse
Best Mousse for Type 4 Coily Hair: The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam
Best Styling Cream
The all-in-one styling creme that holds and moisturizes without leaving a heavy residue.
Best Styling Cream for All Curl Types: Melanin Haircare Twist Elongating Style Cream
Best Styling Cream for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Defining Hair Cream
Best Styling Cream for Type 3 Curly Hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream
Best Styling Cream for Type 4 Coily Hair: Melanin Haircare Twist Elongating Style Cream
Best Gel
Flyaways be gone with this holding gel that doesn’t dry hard.
Best Gel for All Curl Types: The Doux Bee Girl Curl Custard
Best Gel for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel
Best Gel for Type 3 Curly Hair: Curls Sea Moss Curl Slime
Best Gel for Type 4 Coily Hair: The Doux Bee Girl Curl Custard
Best Hair Butter
The moisturizing butter giving cocoa butter kisses to your hair.
Best Hair Butter for All Curl Types: Mielle Organics Moisture Rx Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Hair Butter
Best Hair Butter for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Innersense Inner Peace Whipped Creme Texturizer
Best Hair Butter for Type 3 Curly Hair: Mielle Organics Moisture Rx Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Hair Butter
Best Hair Butter for Type 4 Coily Hair: Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream
Best Product for Braids and Twists
A product your braids and twists stay thirsty for.
Best Product for Braids and Twists for All Curl Types: Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Honey Curl Forming Custard
Best Product for Braids and Twists for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Not applicable for this curl pattern.
Best Product for Braids and Twists for Type 3 Curly Hair: Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Honey Curl Forming Custard
Best Product for Braids and Twists for Type 4 Coily Hair: The Mane Choice Tropical Moringa Pearly Braid Out Glaze
Best Product for Locs
Your holy grail loc product.
Best Product for Locs for All Curl Types: Taliah Waajid Black Earth Products Lock It Up Tight Hold
Best Product for Locs for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Not applicable for this curl pattern.
Best Product for Locs for Type 3 Curly Hair: Lockology Peppermint Tea Tree Oil For Locs
Best Product for Locs for Type 4 Coily Hair: Taliah Waajid Black Earth Products Lock It Up Tight Hold
Best Edge Control Product
A product that sculpts, smooths, and slicks hair back like a recliner.
Best Edge Control Product for All Curl Types: tgin Miracle RepaiRx Smooth & Protect Edge Control
Best Edge Control Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Not applicable for this curl pattern.
Best Edge Control Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: tgin Miracle RepaiRx Smooth & Protect Edge Control
Best Edge Control Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Flawless by Gabrielle Union Repairing Edge Control
Best Refresher Product
When you’re already running late but the hair needs a refresh.
Best Refresher Product for All Curl Types: Camille Rose Naturals Rosemary Water Daily Strengthening Mist
Best Refresher Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Maui Moisture Lightweight Curls+ Flaxseed Curl Refresher Mist
Best Refresher Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Restore + Revive Bi-Phase
Best Refresher Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Rosemary Water Daily Strengthening Mist
Best Anti-Frizz Product
This product keeps frizz out and moisture in.
Best Anti-Frizz Product for All Curl Types: Mizani Press Agent Smoothing, Frizz Control Blow Dry Styling Serum
Best Anti-Frizz Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment
Best Anti-Frizz Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Living Proof No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer
Best Anti-Frizz Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Mizani Press Agent Smoothing, Frizz Control Blow Dry Styling Serum
Best Heat Protectant
Before the heat, apply this treat.
Best Heat Protectant for All Curl Types: EDEN BodyWorks Hibiscus Honey Blow Dry Cream
Best Heat Protectant for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Pantene Heat Protectant Spray with Jojoba Oil for Curly Hair
Best Heat Protectant for Type 3 Curly Hair: OUAI Hair Oil, Multitasking Oil Protects from UV/Heat Damage and Frizz
Best Heat Protectant for Type 4 Coily Hair: EDEN BodyWorks Hibiscus Honey Blow Dry Cream
Best Hair Treatments
Best Hair Oil
If you could only use one hair oil, it would be this one.
Best Hair Oil for All Curl Types: Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil
Best Hair Oil for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Pattern Beauty Jojoba Oil
Best Hair Oil for Type 3 Curly Hair: Mielle Organics Rice Water Treatment
Best Hair Oil for Type 4 Coily Hair: Alikay Naturals Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil
Best Hair Growth Product
Growing out your hair takes consistency, patience, and one of these hair growth products.
Best Hair Growth Product for All Curl Types: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Best Hair Growth Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Best Hair Growth Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Best Hair Growth Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Best Strengthening Treatment
The back on track treatment for dry or brittle hair.
Best Strengthening Treatment for All Curl Types: Olaplex No. 3
Best Strengthening Treatment for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!™ MegaStrength+ Rice Water Protein + Moisture Strengthening Treatment
Best Strengthening Treatment for Type 3 Curly Hair: Olaplex No. 3
Best Strengthening Treatment for Type 4 Coily Hair: Tgin Miracle RepaiRx Curl Protein Reconstructor
Best Men’s Products
Best Men’s Shampoo
The weekly squeaky clean shampoo every man needs.
Best Hair Color for All Curl Types: SheaMoisture Men Refreshing Shampoo
Best Hair Color for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Brickell Men’s Products Daily Strengthening Shampoo for Men
Best Hair Color for Type 3 Curly Hair: Young King Hair Care Shampoo
Best Hair Color for Type 4 Coily Hair: SheaMoisture Men Refreshing Shampoo
Best Men’s Conditioner
Not too heavy, not too light, the just right conditioner.
Best Men’s Conditioner for All Curl Types: Hair Conditioner for Men by Bevel
Best Men’s Conditioner for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Hims Thick Fix Conditioner
Best Men’s Conditioner for Type 3 Curly Hair: Hair Conditioner for Men by Bevel
Best Men’s Conditioner for Type 4 Coily Hair: Scotch Porter Nourish & Repair Hair Conditioner for Men
Best Men’s Moisturizer
What you reach for when you need a quick-fix of moisture.
Best Men’s Moisturizer for All Curl Types: Cantu for Men Leave-In Rinse-Out Conditioner for Hair & Beard
Best Men’s Moisturizer for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Tea Tree Hair Moisturizer
Best Men’s Moisturizer for Type 3 Curly Hair: Cantu for Men Leave-In Rinse-Out Conditioner for Hair & Beard
Best Men’s Moisturizer for Type 4 Coily Hair: OKAY Black Jamaican Castor Oil
Best Men’s Styling Product
The product you trust to hold the style all day long.
Best Men’s Styling Product for All Curl Types: Bevel Daily Hair Styler
Best Men’s Styling Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Uncle Jimmy Curl Kicker
Best Men’s Styling Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Cantu for Men Cream Pomade Flex Hold
Best Men’s Styling Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Bevel Daily Hair Styler
Best Men’s Beard Product
Beards need love too.
Best Men’s Beard Product for All Curl Types: Uncle Jimmy Beard Softener
Best Men’s Beard Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Scotch Porter Moisturizing Beard Wash for Men
Best Men’s Beard Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Uncle Jimmy Beard Softener
Best Men’s Beard Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Bevel Beard Conditioner
Best Curl Products For Kids
Best Kids Line
A kids line so good, you sneak it for yourself sometimes.
Best Kids Line for All Curl Types: Camille Rose Naturals Kids
Best Kids Line for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Kinder Curls by Curl Keeper
Best Kids Line for Type 3 Curly Hair: Camille Rose Naturals Kids
Best Kids Line for Type 4 Coily Hair: Taliah Waajid Kinky, Wavy & Natural for Children
Best Tools for Wavy, Curly & Coily Hair
Best Hair Styling Tool
No hair day is too tough for this tool.
Best Hair Styling Tool for All Curl Types: Pattern Mist Spray Bottle
Best Hair Styling Tool for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Pattern Beauty Hair Pick
Best Hair Styling Tool for Type 3 Curly Hair: Pattern Mist Spray Bottle
Best Hair Styling Tool for Type 4 Coily Hair: Baby Tress 3-in-1 Edge Styler Tool
Best Hair Dryer
If you’re going to use heat, you only trust one of these dryers for the job.
Best Hair Dryer for All Curl Types: RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer
Best Hair Dryer for Type 2 Wavy Hair: InfinitiPro by Conair 1875-Watt Salon Performance AC Motor Styling Tool
Best Hair Dryer for Type 3 Curly Hair: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Best Hair Dryer for Type 4 Coily Hair: RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer
Best Detangling Tool
Even the tender headed crew doesn’t mind wash-day with help from this detangler.
Best Detangling Tool for All Curl Types: Detangler Brush by Felicia Leatherwood
Best Detangling Tool for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Crave Naturals Glide Thru Detangling Hair Brush for Adults & Kids Hair
Best Detangling Tool for Type 3 Curly Hair: Tangle Teezer NaturallyCurly Brush
Best Detangling Tool for Type 4 Coily Hair: Detangler Brush by Felicia Leatherwood
Best Diffuser
You could live without this diffuser, but would you want to?
Best Diffuser for All Curl Types: Xtava Black Orchid Hair Diffuser
Best Diffuser for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Xtava Black Orchid Hair Diffuser
Best Diffuser for Type 3 Curly Hair: The Curly Co Collapsible Hair Diffuser
Best Diffuser for Type 4 Coily Hair: Conair Volumizing Universal Hair Diffuser
General
Best Holy Grail Product
The only product you keep on auto-subscribe.
Best Holy Grail Product for All Curl Types: Oyin Handmade Hair Dew Daily Quenching Hair Lotion
Best Holy Grail Product for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Flaxseed Recipes Seal It Up Hydrating Sealing Butter
Best Holy Grail Product for Type 3 Curly Hair: Kinky Curly Knot Today
Best Holy Grail Product for Type 4 Coily Hair: Oyin Handmade Hair Dew Daily Quenching Hair Lotion
Best Value Brand
Even your frugal side is proud when you stock up on this line.
Best Value Brand for All Curl Types: SheaMoisture
Best Value Brand for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Cantu
Best Value Brand for Type 3 Curly Hair: Ecoco
Best Value Brand for Type 4 Coily Hair: SheaMoisture
Best New Brand
And the best new brand goes to…
Best New Brand for All Curl Types: Pattern Beauty
Best New Brand for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Flawless by GU
Best New Brand for Type 3 Curly Hair: Donna’s Recipe
Best New Brand for Type 4 Coily Hair: Pattern Beauty
Best Blogger
The blogger responsible for your screen time being up last week.
Best Blogger for All Curl Types: Bianca Renee
Best Blogger for Type 2 Wavy Hair: Manes by Mell
Best Blogger for Type 3 Curly Hair: Bianca Renee
Best Blogger for Type 4 Coily Hair: iamblackgirlcurls
Congratulations to all of the Best of the Best Award winners! We love to see the research and investment in new and innovative products and tools for this community, both from legacy brands as well as the emerging brands on the market. We hope you find your next Holy Grail product amongst these curly-approved Best of the Best winners!
Read next: These NaturallyCurly Best Of The Best Winners Are The OG Holy Grail Curl Products
