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For most of my life I dreaded wash day...until I lost my mid-back curls to chemo two years ago. During that time I missed washing my curls so much—and now that my curls are finally just touching my shoulders again, washing them is something I look forward to with renewed love and gratitude. That said, my curls tend to be porous and dry these days so my wash day routine is filled with curly hair products that replenish and restore my strands. This is especially true of my conditioner. For me (and most other curly girls out there), finding the right conditioner for your curly hair is key to a good hair day, which is why I've tested and reviewed countless formulas over the years. Here's a quick look at a few of my favorites:
Our top picks for best conditioner for curly hair of 2024:
Best Strengthening Conditioner for Curly Hair
Redken Acidic Bonding Curls Silicone-Free Conditioner
Read more
Best Nourishing Conditioner for Curly Hair
Read more
Keep scrolling for the full list of the 10 best conditioners for every curl type, according to my personal testing along with recs from expert hairstylists.
Pros
- Comes in a jumbo size bottle that will last for months
- Silicone-free
Cons
- Some testers with super dry hair said they wish it were more moisturizing
If you have curls and use hot tools on your hair, add this conditioner to your lineup ASAP. It helps repair broken bonds as a result of heat styling—plus it helps strengthen your hair so its more resistant to breakage in the future. I personally love how soft it leaves my hair and how much more bounce my curls have post wash.
- Key ingredients: Citric acid, glycine, coconut oil, shea butter
- Curl types: 3A to 4C
Glowing customer review: “This conditioner made my hair so smooth and I could easily comb through my hair in the shower with it in. Love the smell and can’t wait to see how much healthier my hair looks in a few more showers, I think it will really strengthen it!”
Pros
- Helps reduce frizz for up to 12 hours
- Ultra moisturizing formula helps seal the look of split ends
Cons
- May be too heavy for finer curl types
- Some users report the gourmand scent is overpowering
My hair survived New York's humid as hell summer thanks to this smoothing conditioner. The shea butter infused formula keeps curls defined and frizz-free but without feeling heavy or weighed down—the perfect combo for a truly excellent hair day in my book.
- Key ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, monoi oil
- Curl types: 2A to 2C
Glowing customer review: "I'm biracial, Black and German. I have thick, curly, kinda dry hair. I'm always on the hunt for hydrating products. I've tried everything on the market and always come back to Fekkai. People complain about Fekkai prices, but I can use a teaspoon of Fekkai where I need a tablespoon of other products. Fekkai products are a great value on top of making my curls bouncy, hydrated and smelling great.”
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3
Best Nourishing Conditioner for Curly Hair
Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hydrating Conditioner
Pros
- Testers (myself included) love the scent
- Contains a mix of calming plant extracts, making it ideal for sensitive scalps
Cons
- Contains a heavy dose of coconut oil, which may be too heavy for finer curls
Like a warm hug for your curls, this conditioner wraps strands in a layer of moisture for nourishing and softening effect you'll love. My curls literally drink up the coconut oil and aloe vera infused formula. Even when I air-dry my hair post wash, my frizz is significantly reduced after using this.
- Key ingredients: Coconut oil, turmeric, amla, and aloe vera
- Curl types: 2A to 3C
Glowing customer review: “This conditioner is the absolute best! I have curly hair, so a hydrating conditioner is a must for me. This one makes my hair soft and silky. It's super hydrating, smells amazing, detangles my hair, and leaves it smooth and healthy."
4
Best Deep Conditioner for Curly Hair
Pattern Intensive Conditioner
Now 15% Off
Pros
- Good for low porosity hair types
- Provides great slip for easy detangling
Cons
- Testers say its hard to get product out of the bottle when its running low
This award-winning conditioner for curly hair is loved by editors, celebs, and stylists alike. The formula is ultra rich (so it's best for tight curls and coils) and packed with a blend of safflower seed oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil to keep hair moisturized and resistant to breaking or snapping when styling.
- Curl types: 4a to 4c
- Key ingredients: Safflower oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil
Glowing customer review: "It truly feels designed for black women. Make sure you read the back of the conditioner to make sure you get the right one for your hair type (bc she made so many different ones for different hair types), but I LOVE IT. I have low porosity 4c hair, and this just helps me out so much with having that soft feeling :)"
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Pros
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Formula is color safe
- Helps give curls softness and shine without weighing them down
Cons
- Lightweight formula may not be rich enough for thick curls
I recently colored my hair for the first time since it grew back post-chemo, so I’m trying to be extra cautious about not causing further damage while keeping my dye job intact. That’s why I love this gentle conditioner. It's free any stripping ingredients and contains nourishing peptides (yes, peptides are good for your hair too) to keep my color shiny and my curls soft and frizz free.
- Key ingredients: Peptides, jojoba oil
- Curl types: 3A to 4C (if you have 2A – 2C hair, try V&Co. Beauty Wavy Conditioner)
Glowing customer review: "Smells great, I used this without any additional products so I could get a feel for what it's like. I have naturally curly 2C/3A curly hair. I felt like this moisturized well, conditioner is definitely on the thicker side. I enjoyed using it, and definitely appreciate that it doesn't have any of the damaging ingredients that are commonly found in other drugstore hair care products.”
6
Best Volumizing Conditioner for Curly Hair
Amika Big Hit Volumizing Conditioner
Pros
- Adds volume and body to fine curls
- Provides hydration without any heaviness
Cons
- Not suitable for thicker, coarser curls
My friends with fine, curly hair are all obsessed with this conditioner, and after some research I can see why. Many conditioners (especially ones for curls) can be heavy and end up leaving fine strands flat and limp. Not this though. It's hydrating and softening but has volumizing benefits that keep curls nice and bouncy.
- Key ingredients: Caffeine, glycerin, sea buckthorn
- Curl types: 2a to 3a
Glowing customer review: "AMAZING volumizing conditioner. I have very thin, fine hair and this gave my hair a wonderful lift. My hair had volume and looked amazing after using this product.”
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7
Best Multitasking Conditioner for Curls
Sienna Naturals H.A.P.I. Hydrating & Frizz Control Untangled Conditioner
Pros
- Contains plant-based ingredients that provide a healthy environment for hair growth
- Excellent for minimizing frizz
- Works for the majority of curl types
Cons
- Even though its technically fine for fine and thick curls, finer hair may find it too heavy
I consider myself to be a top tier multitasker, and I like my hair products to be the same. Enter: This do-it-all conditioner from Sienna Naturals. It hydrates, softens, minimizes frizz, detangles, and strengths weak strands all at once.
- Key ingredients: Patauá fruit oil, marshmallow root extract
- Curl types: 2a to 4c
Glowing customer review: "I’ve been using the H.A.P.I wash set for about a year now and I love it! The untangle conditioner makes it super easy to comb through your hair the makes it feel light and hydrated."
8
Best Scalp-Friendly Conditioner for Curly Hair
Head & Shoulders Royal Oils Moisture Balancing Conditioner
Pros
- Developed especially for natural hair types
- Provides long lasting dry scalp relief
Cons
- Testers say they only got a good result when using with the matching shampoo
If dry, itchy scalp is one of your main hair concerns, this conditioner is a must-try. It's specially formulated for natural hair types (although many curl types can benefit from using it) and contains coconut oil and apple cider vinegar to keep your scalp moisturized and balanced—all while nourishing your delicate curls and coils too.
- Key ingredients: Coconut oil, apple cider vinegar
- Curl types: 3a to 4c
Glowing customer review: "This conditioner is everything Ive been looking for. My scalp didn't itch at all after using like it usually does. Its thick and very moisturizing for my 4c hair. This conditioner does it all—I wont be using anything else!"
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Pros
- Excellent value for the price
- Has a delicious tropical scent
- Silicone free
Cons
- Some testers said it caused buildup on their scalps
This is the least expensive conditioner for curly on the list but DW, just because its low in price doesn't mean its low in quality. Reviewers love that the affordable formula contains a ton of moisturizing ingredients to revive curls, make detangling NBD, and keep frizz at bay.
- Key ingredients: Coconut oil, argan oil, shea butter, and vitamin E
- Curl types: 2a to 3c
Glowing customer review: “I can't believe how well this conditioner has worked for my hair. I've tried many more expensive natural curl care products, but this has honestly produced the best results. I have 3c, high porosity hair, with some fine and some coarse strands on top from sun damage. It has really smoothed the coarse hair and helped my hair clump again.”
Is conditioning good for curly hair?
Conditioning isn't just good for curly hair—it's a must, says hairstylist Marc Ballance. "Shampooing tends to raise the cuticle layer of the hair shaft, increasing the likelihood of flyaways and frizz," explains Marc Ballance, who adds that "the right conditioner will help lay the cuticle flat, leaving your curls more defined and shiny." Conditioner helps nourish your dry ends and, depending on the formula, can strengthen hair and prevent damage from hot tools and chemical treatments, adds Ballance.
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What’s the best way to dry curly hair?
In my experience (and per the recommendation of most stylists I've interviewed) plopping your curls is the best way to dry them (read more about how to do it here). This method saves curls from damage and allows them to dry in their natural shape with minimal frizz.
Which hair brand is best for curly hair?
No two curls are alike, even when they’re part of the same head of hair, so it's impossible to deem one hair brand the best for curls since everyone's needs are different. But!! When you're shopping for products for your curly hair, it's always helpful to keep this in mind: “Look for brands that focus on hair health and are sulfate-free," says hairstylist Sarah Potempa. "Sulfates tend to dry the hair strands out, causing them to look dry, dull, and at an increased risk for breakage,” says Potempa. Curls already tend to be fragile and lacking moisture, so it’s even more important to use sulfate-free formulas if you want your curls to be soft, shiny, and defined.
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Meet the experts:
- Marc Ballance is an NYC-based celebrity hairstylist and creative director of Ballance Hair.
- Sarah Potempa is a celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of award-winning hair brand The Beachwaver Co.
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Jaclyn Smock is a freelance beauty writer with over a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing stories on hair care and curl maintenance. Her product selections are based on reviews, expert advice, and personal testing—after losing her wavy hair to cancer, she had to completely redo her routine as her chemo curls grew back.
Jaclyn Smock
Jaclyn Smock is a freelance beauty editor who has written for Allure, Byrdie, The Zoe Report, Well + Good, Real Simple, Elle.com, and more. She can't live without facials or two-hour naps and loves being the friend you can count on when you need an SPF reapplication, a spritz of perfume, or a hydration reminder.