If you have curly hair what products do you use?

[Moomachine]

I just can't find a shampoo and conditioner I like since they discontinued tigi curls rock!

I've tried some sulphate free ones, Moroccan oil, argan oil, Aveda, and just some random ones that looked good in the shops but nothing has suited my hair like curls rock.

As a guide my hair looks similar to how Sarah Jessica Parker looked in Sex and the City when she wore it curly (I don't look anything like her though)!

I'm looking for recommendations on shampoo, conditioners and styling products. I have read up on the curly girl method and although I'm not sure I'm ready to give up shampoo yet, I would also like any recommendations on thin and rich conditioners if you use that method as feel a bit lost as to what they might be.

Thanks everyone

[Pumpkinette]

Hi I'm kind of CG I low poo and avoid using lots of silicones. I use body shop rainforest rescue shampoo and conditioner (the moisture one.

I alternate between boots pink cream and Sami big curls cream. I don't use gel or mousse anymore as it makes my curls frizz. I also love fudge 1 shot + spray for when I use heat on may hair but is silicone heavy so I save it for when I'm going out.

I find the CG a bit hit and miss with regards to getting nice curls but it has made my hair grow - its never been so long as it is now.

What's your curl type? I'm a 2c so more on the wavy side.

[SoyYo]

Hi I am a curly too, similar to your type and long past my shoulders. Curly girl "no poo" method is also too extreme for me, I like the feeling of freshly shampooed hair, but I limit it to once a week, followed by rich nourishing hair butter that I leave on for at least 5 minutes while I shower. Best to go for non silicone and low sulphates options. Then in between (every 2 days for me otherwise I go all tangly and hate it) just wash with conditioner and leave the shampoo alone.
I like L'Occitane Ultra Rich Hair Cream although that does have dimethicone and "cones" are supposed to be a nono for curly haired girls.
I really recommend the Body Shop Rainforest moisture range: the hair butter is great, and the low sulphate shampoo too for the weekly wash.
Not too expensive and they have a "buy two, get two free" offer online right now.
This website has lots and lots of product recommendations and forums where curlies exchange and found it really useful, though some curly girls are completely obsessed with products so take it with a pinch of salt and try what looks/sounds interesting for your hair/budget:
www.britishcurlies.co.uk/

I have learnt to live with my curls and I love them they are part of who I am. Cannot see the point in "fighting" with nature straightening and damaging them and wasting hours where the product nature gave me is great in any case. Also find a hairdresser who appreciates the beauty and wildness of your natural locks and you are there!

[SoyYo]

Pumpkinette, I also use Boots Pink Cream for styling. Dirt cheap, lasts for ages and works better for me than Aveda curly or any other more expensive brands, and it's cone free.
I also like a little gel, I use Umberto Giannini Flirty Curls Pink HairGel, with really wet curls straight out of shower, then towel dry a little and apply the Boots pink cream (just a small blob). That is all it takes to tame mine and avoid frizz.
For Conditioner only washes (in between) I try all kinds of cone free conditioners, lately Tres Somme Naturals (silicone free, available in all supermarkets) Nourishing Moisture conditioner, quite thin and leaves curls silky and nicely conditioned. Very very cheap too!
I travel a lot with work, so need travel sized cosmetics for flights, and I discovered on Amazon a little kit by Deva Curl trial and travel kit plus which is also great for a few nights away, I am quite taken with the Deva Curl No Poo cleanser, though I think it would be too extreme to use only that all the time. Curls always look better if they are shampooed (low sulphate) once a week.

[Moomachine]

Argh, did whole long reply and it didn't post!

Thanks for all your replies so far, looks like the body shop rainforest range is the one to try.

Do you find the no poo method leaves your hair still looking good after sleeping on it? My hair is frizzy and loses definition once it's slept on, and I'd love to know if anyone has any ideas on how to deal with that. Or is it just something I'm just going to have to live with?

[SoyYo]

Hi yes my curls do loose definition after sleeping, but still Ok on second day, that is why I then condition wash on the third day (also to disentangle, as otherwise end up with birds nest underneath). If I could be bothered and always wanted it perfect then I would have to condition wash every day, but life is too hectic for that palaver! So low sulfate shampoo and hair butter once a week, and condition wash in between.
As you know it has a mind of its own so difficult to predict how it will behave (and if it's a really windy day forget it), if having a bad curl day then defo reach for the condition wash! Too much poo dries it out too much. Also I dry with diffuser, and hairdryer also not good every day hence the every other day condition wash routine.

[SoyYo]

I read something once on the curlies website about sleeping on silky pillows but never tried it. Drying it with a t shirt or microfiber towel does help though, as the curl cuticles don't go crazy and helps keep away the frizz.

[DaftSkunk]

I use Naked rescue shampoo and conditioner, bit of serum and pink curl creme from Boots.

[cheeseandcrackers]

I used Naked Stuff hair cream after washing, much better than anything else I have tried. I wash my hair every other day and just rinse it in between. If I don't have time to rinse it I will tie it back but I can't wear it down without washing / rinsing in the morning - it looks like a bird's nest...

What is this poo everyone is talking about??

[SoyYo]

Hi cheese and daftskunk, yes Naked it ok too, I have used it but personally prefer Body Shop rainforest moisture, sp. the hair butter. I guess whatever works for you.
Poo is shampoo... low poo method for low sulphate, less frequent shampoo washes, with conditioner only washes in between. Some curlies don't use shampoo at all which is a bit extreme for me.

[ScarletStar]

Mark Hill products are bloody amazing for curly hair, I got mine from Boots. I can't remember which type I used but the bottles of Shampoo and Conditioner were bright orange.

[TwinkleTwinkleNeverwhere]

this is all a revelation to me! i have been fighting my curls since teenage years - going to try low poo method from tomorrow and embrace them!

[BornToFolk]

I do CG...well I avoid silicones and SLS.

So, I co-wash with Tresemme Naturals (quite thin and almost lathers when you use it), then condition with either Fructis Sleek n Shine, or Inecto Coconut (both v cheap in Savers)
I wash with shampoo about once or twice a week. I'm using a Timotei one at the moment but I really like the Bodyshop rainforest one too
I style with Boots Pink Curl Creme and Umberto Giannini gel.
About once a week I put a bit of coconut oil or murumuru oil through my hair before bed.

I have to wash my hair everyday, it always looks shit after I sleep on it! That's partly because it's quite short at the moment so it always ends up flat on one side, crazy sticking up on the other. It doesn't take long though, I wash it in the shower, whack the products in and then have breakfast. I give it a quick scrunch and blast with the drier before I leave the house.

My hair is definitely better for CG and I must have saved a fortune. I was a slave to Frizz Ease before but now most of my products cost £1-£2. The Umberto Giannini gel is the most expensive product but it's often in a 3 for £10 deal so I stock up then.

[Back2Two]

My son has curls. Every now and again he'll let me put a bit of product on and recently it's the naked serum that others have mentioned.
I find it can last for a couple of days (only if I can persuade him Not to wear hoods all the time!)

[Back2Two]

I very rarely shampoo his hair either

[Pumpkinette]

Moom You can pineapple your hair to the top of your head or but a satin sleep bonnet (£2 from Sally's)

Silk or satin pillowcases also help to stop frizz - cotton absorbes moisture and takes moisture out of your hair causing frizz. Another bonus is less face creasing in the morning when you use a satin or silk pillowcase.

The next day some people spray water with a bit of conditioner on the curls to redefine. It doesn't work for me but its worth a go as it works for loads of folk.

[TheDayOfMyDoctor]

I use the jessicurl range from the British curlies website. I tried the rainforest range before but didn't like it.

I also use a teeny tiny bit of argan oil mixed with my styling products which helps keep frizz at bay. I need to rinse my hair every day.

[Moomachine]

Thanks everyone for your help. Will check out these products and continue in my fight against the frizz!

[Emo76]

I have similar hair to what you describe. I use the curls rock curl amplifier after washing my hair usually just with Pantene smooth and sleek conditioner. I know everybody is different, but I actually prefer to use silicons to control my frizz!