Justin Timberlake via Fact Mag
When your hair is curly, the length of your hair directly corresponds with how much time and effort you’ll have to put into styling it. With a closer crop (think Justin Timberlake), there are fewer ringlets to deal with. As you move into more grown-out lengths like Adrian Grenier’s signature shag, it’s vital to pay regular visits to the barber to keep things from looking unruly.
No matter what length and cut you settle on for your curly hair, the type of hair products you use will determine whether you look wild or winsome.
Read on for our picks for the best products for curly hair, with a few tips thrown in for good measure.
P.S. You can have a combination of different hair types – thin and curly, thick and curly. So be sure to reference our other hair guides too:
The Best Men’s Hair Products for Thin Hair
The Best Men’s Hair Products for Thick Hair
Enjoy!
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Gentle Shampoo
The biggest enemy of curly hair is frizz. When you wash your hair every day, you’re stripping hair follicles of moisture and causing hair to frizz out. Most days, guys with curly hair can actually skip the shampoo and just use conditioner.
But of course we understand there are those times we’re back from a long day or a gym session and things are starting to smell. In those cases, using some sort of cleanser becomes necessary for public decency.
A shampoo we like is Beever Daily Cleanse Shampoo, which preserves your hair proteins for moisture balance while still removing the gunk.
SHOP: Beever Daily Cleanse Shampoo
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Moisturizing Conditioner and Leave-In Conditioner
All of us get moisture from the natural oils produced in our scalp that travel down hair strands. However, these oils have a harder time traveling all the way down curly hair, making curls dry and your head puffy. Combat ‘70s hair with a hydrating conditioner that reduces frizz.
And if your hair is extra dry, we recommend a leave-in conditioner that also combats humidity.
SHOP: Baxter of California Daily Moisturizing Conditioner
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Pomade
A blend of wax and oil, pomades are strong enough to tame unwanted volume – and they can also give you much more control over bounce, no matter your hair length. An added benefit? That Don Draper-esque sleekness that’s perfect for black-tie events and romantic dinners.
Tip: Don’t use too much (it’s always easier to add more than to completely wash your hair and start over), and only use on areas that need extra shaping. Opt for a water-based pomade so it’s easier to wash out.
SHOP: Grant’s Golden Brand Original Pomade 4 oz
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Gel
Gel gets a bad rep for being crispy and flakey…which can be true, but only if you’re getting your gel from the the discount bin at the local drugstore. For fantastic hold and defined curls, look for a gel that doesn’t contain alcohol and promises medium to strong hold.
SHOP: Nivea Ultra Strong Styling Gel
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Frizz Tamer
If your hair is particularly frizzy or coarse, you may benefit from a frizz-taming cream. Living proof’s nourishing styling cream blocks humidity much better than silicones and oils, while smoothing hair strands to keep them shiny rather than greasy.
Frizz tamers are especially effective tools if you like to wear your curls at medium length or longer.
SHOP: Living proof nourishing styling cream
