10 Best Conditioners for Curly Hair 2024 | UK Hair Blogger Reviewed
Another challenge for British curlies is that it can be difficult (or impossible, even) to buy products that our American cousins rave about across the pond. The good news is that there are now many good quality, affordable conditioners in the UK from drugstores and online stores like Amazon, Boots, and eBay. Read on to discover the ten best products and hear the advice of our resident curl specialist Shannon of UK Curly Girl!
Quick List - Top Conditioners for Curly Hair
John Frieda
Rich Creamy Nourishment for Bouncy Defined Curls
Shea Moisture
Contains Castor Seed Oil and Jojoba to Restore Moisture and Strength to Your Locks
Noughty
An Affordable Vegan Hair Product With 97% Natural Ingredients
Shannon of UK Curly Girl is a natural curly hair blogger, YouTuber and owner of 'O So Curly'. She's a huge fan of natural beauty and hair products, and a self-proclaimed 'product junkie'.
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
- With Specialist Advice From UK Curly Girl
- How to Choose a Conditioner for Curly Hair in the UK
- Select a Product to Suit Your Hair Type From Lightweight Conditioners for Loose Waves to Oils and Deep Moisturising Treatments for Tighter Curls1
- Decide if You Need a Protein-Based Conditioner, Depending on Your Hair’s Porosity2
- Avoid Drying Ingredients Like Silicones and Stay Away From Humectant-Infused Formulas During Humid Weather3
- Check That the Conditioner Contains a Mix of Emollients and Cationic Surfactants to Provide Enough Slip for Detangling Your Curls4
- 10 Best Conditioners for Curly Hair in the UK
- No. 1John Frieda | Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl-Defining Conditioner
- No. 2Shea Moisture | Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner
- No. 3Noughty | Wave Hello Curl Defining Conditioner
- No. 4DevaCurl | One Condition Original
- No. 5Maui Moisture | Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Conditioner
- 5 more products
- The Best Way to Apply Conditioner to Curly Hair
With Specialist Advice From UK Curly Girl
Shannon of UK Curly Girl is a natural curly hair blogger, YouTuber and owner of brand 'O So Curly'. She's a huge fan of natural beauty and hair products, and a self-proclaimed 'product junkie'.
With a gorgeous head of curls herself, she's previously shared her favourite curly hair accessories and deep conditioners with us, so we thought we'd ask her to share some pointers to think about when buying a conditioner for curly hair, too!
How to Choose a Conditioner for Curly Hair in the UK
- Choose a Product According to Your Hair and Curl Type
- Do You Need a Protein-Based Conditioner Based on the Porosity of Your Hair
- Keep an Eye Out for Potentially Damaging Ingredients Like Silicones and Humectants
- Ensure That the Conditioner Has a Good “Slip” to Detangle Your Curls
Select a Product to Suit Your Hair Type From Lightweight Conditioners for Loose Waves to Oils and Deep Moisturising Treatments for Tighter Curls
Opt For a Lightweight Formula if You Have Loose “S”-Shaped Waves, as Too Much Oil Will Weigh Your Locks Down
Need a curl cream to add to your hair care routine? Check these out!
The looser your curls the less oil and cream-based products you need! Looser curls should avoid heavy oils as it creates a build-up and weighs the curls down (resulting in less volume and definition).
If you have this hair type, I would recommend that you opt for more water-based products, look out for ingredient lists with glycerin and aloe vera which will give both great slip and moisture without the heaviness!
Those With Clear 'S' -Shaped Curls Should Look For a Deep Moisturising Conditioner That Will Prevent Frizz
Some bestowed with curls like to use light oils to seal in moisture and prevent frizz. At the same time, thick products can weigh your ringlets down, so it can be difficult to find a balance between too heavy and too light.
The tighter your hair texture, the more moisture you will need! The more kinks in your strand make it harder for our scalps natural oil to make it down the hair shaft (hence why curly hair is more prone to dryness than straight hair).
If you have this hair type I recommend that you opt for leave-ins and styling creams that are strictly for moisture, usually including shea butter and coconut oil. These will make sure to moisturise your hair enough to prevent frizz and dryness after styling.
Nourishing, Oil-Based Products Are Best for Tight 'Z' -Shaped Coils and Afro Curls
Natural oils with an affinity for hair protein such as coconut and babassu oil have been shown to penetrate the hair shaft, reducing swelling and preventing protein loss. These oils are excellent for all curl types, but especially for porous or damaged hair. Shea butter is great for increasing curl elasticity, while jojoba oil is a liquid wax that resembles sebum, and castor oil is excellent for shine.
Explore the best curly hair products for men here!
Z shaped curls require heavier creams, oils and butters to lock in moisture as it's highly prone to dryness. Applying products in the LCO or LOC (Liquid, Cream, Oil) method will really help to moisturise each strand and lock in the moisture to last you throughout the day and few days before you need to refresh.
Decide if You Need a Protein-Based Conditioner, Depending on Your Hair’s Porosity
Low-Porosity Hair Types Should Avoid Protein-Based Products Which Can Cause Buildup
Porosity is the degree of how open or closed your hair cuticles are, and how well your hair can take in and keep moisture. It's another important way to determine what kind of products to use. Spray a section of your curls with some water: if it gets wet quickly, you most likely have high-porosity hair. If the water droplets stay on the surface, you probably have low-porosity hair.
Low porosity means that your hair’s cuticles are close together, so they do not absorb hydration easily. Therefore, as products may not be absorbed completely, avoid heavyweight conditioners which might cause buildup. Products with lots of protein, such as keratin, are known to make low-porosity hair feel brittle and dry, so exercise caution.
I have low porosity hair and often suffer with product build-up, meaning I have to deeply cleanse my scalp once a week! If you have low porosity hair you are better off using water-based products, instead of oil-based. The water will help to feed the cuticles whereas oil typically sits on top of low porosity hair causing dryness and build up (due to it not penetrating the hair cuticles).
If You Have Medium or High-Porosity Hair, Look For a Conditioner With Plenty of Protein to Strengthen Strands
If you have medium-porosity hair, your hair probably has a good balance of absorbing and repelling hydration. However, you will still need to experiment to find the right balance of moisture and protein in your conditioner; using too much of one or the other could make hair frizzy or brittle.
High porosity hair is open to product and welcomes it! This means that applying heavier oils and protein will be a breeze, so take advantage as you can moisturise your hair with ease. Due to the ease of product/moisture absorption into your hair, you will want to balance this out with protein-based products to maintain strength because too much moisture can become damaging, strangely enough!
Avoid Drying Ingredients Like Silicones and Stay Away From Humectant-Infused Formulas During Humid Weather
Steer Clear of Silicones, SLS and Paraffin, Which Will Weigh Curls Down and Dry Them Out
If you cannot be without these silky silicones, go for water-soluble alternatives such as dimethicone copolyol, or those which start with PEG, which will not cause buildup. Other ingredients people with curly hair should avoid in conditioners include sodium laureth sulphate (SLS), paraffin, mineral oil, and strong alcohols (such as isopropyl alcohol).
Silicones are a huge no-no! Growing up I remember so many products "for curly hair" would make my curls look great at first but they would soon dry up, create frizz, noticeable flakes and build-up. They are something to steer far away from especially if you desire moisture and definition from your hair products.
Only Use Products Containing Humectants Like Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid and Hydrolysed Proteins in Mild Weather, as They Can Attract Too Much Water in High Humidity
Humectants are most beneficial for your hair in mild weather as they hydrate hair by drawing water molecules from the air. In humid weather, humectants can attract too much water, causing excess frizz and volume, especially in high-porosity hair. Whereas in cold and dry weather, humectants may attract moisture from the hair instead, leading to damage and dryness.
These anti-frizz serums are sure to tame the wildest of frizzes!
Humectants are amazing for giving moisture to dry hair, which is most of us curlies! Deep conditioners and masques infused with natural humectants like honey are perfect for when your hair needs some extra moisture.
However, you'll need to steer clear of humectants when the climate is overly humid or dry. Instead, use plenty of moisturising emollients such as oils and butters to keep your hair healthy and happy!
Check That the Conditioner Contains a Mix of Emollients and Cationic Surfactants to Provide Enough Slip for Detangling Your Curls
You know a conditioner has good slip if it has a mix of emollients and cationic surfactants. Common emollients include natural oils, shea butter, and cetearyl alcohol. Cationic surfactants include behentrimonium methosulfate and behentrimonium chloride.
Without slip where would we be?! A huge tangled mess! Opt for products with slip if like me you have very curly and thick hair, it makes the detangling process much easier - and faster, allowing your detangling comb/brush or fingers to slide through any knots with ease, preventing breakages.
10 Best Conditioners for Curly Hair in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl-Defining Conditioner | | Rich Creamy Nourishment for Bouncy Defined Curls | |
2 | Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner | | Contains Castor Seed Oil and Jojoba to Restore Moisture and Strength to Your Locks | |
3 | Noughty Wave Hello Curl Defining Conditioner | | An Affordable Vegan Hair Product With 97% Natural Ingredients | |
4 | DevaCurl One Condition Original | | A Staple Product From the Pioneer of the Curly Girl Method | |
5 | Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Conditioner | | A Lightweight, Softening Coconut-Based Conditioner | |
6 | Faith in Nature Jojoba Conditioner | | Totally Silicone-Free and Packed With Essential Oils | |
7 | OGX Quenching+ Coconut Curls pH Balanced Conditioner | | Coconut Heaven for Soft, Light, and Defined Curls | |
8 | Aunt Jackie’s In Control Anti-Poof Moisturizing and Softening Conditioner | | Defrizz Your Curls With Shea Butter, Olive Oil and Keratin | |
9 | Aveda Be Curly Conditioner | | Botanical-Based Nourishment for Wavy Locks | |
10 | Cantu Shea Butter Hydrating Cream Conditioner | | A Budget-Friendly Conditioner That's Incredibly Creamy |
John FriedaFrizz Ease Dream Curls Curl-Defining Conditioner
Rich Creamy Nourishment for Bouncy Defined Curls
Formulated with curl enhancing technology and frizz-defying formulas, this conditioner is sure to bring the best out of your unique curls while keeping the frizz and tangles to a minimum. This conditioner is suitable for wavy and curly hair, as well as colour-treated hair.
Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner
Contains Castor Seed Oil and Jojoba to Restore Moisture and Strength to Your Locks
People with fine or low-porosity hair may find this product to be too heavy for their hair, and the protein might make their curls feel dry or brittle. This powerful conditioner is best for normal-porosity or high-porosity curly and kinky hair types who need to give their hair some extra love.
An Affordable Vegan Hair Product With 97% Natural Ingredients
Added ingredients such as Irish moss and sea fennel also help to soften and smooth your curls. What’s more, this 97% natural product is on the more affordable side considering the amount of beneficial ingredients used.
A Staple Product From the Pioneer of the Curly Girl Method
This product has beneficial ingredients such as behentrimonium chloride, glycerin and olive oil, so it will help to detangle and hydrate hair. Some may find this product too lightweight, but it is good for those with low-porosity hair. It is expensive compared to other conditioners, but worth it if you want a staple that you can trust.
Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Conditioner
A Lightweight, Softening Coconut-Based Conditioner
This is a great choice for those who need a conditioner with great slip that will make their hair smooth and soft. Just bear in mind that this product does not contain protein, so may not help to strengthen damaged hair.
Totally Silicone-Free and Packed With Essential Oils
Those who need more nourishing ingredients may find this falls short – the lack of humectants and cationic surfactants mean that it might not provide much moisture or slip. However, it is a great choice for wavy or curly girls who need lightweight but good-quality products.
OGXQuenching+ Coconut Curls pH Balanced Conditioner
Coconut Heaven for Soft, Light, and Defined Curls
Softness and definition are enhanced while frizz is kept to a minimum, leaving you with beautifully soft and shiny hair. It's worth mentioning that it does contain silicones such as amodimethicone as well as some alcohols which means those with easily-weighed down curls may want to proceed carefully.
Aunt Jackie’s In Control Anti-Poof Moisturizing and Softening Conditioner
Defrizz Your Curls With Shea Butter, Olive Oil and Keratin
Delicate humectants will keep your hair moisturized and hydrated, making this a great treatment for any hair type or texture. This conditioner does have silicones, although they are water soluble. It is also quite thick so those with fine hair should make sure to rinse it all out properly.
Botanical-Based Nourishment for Wavy Locks
A Budget-Friendly Conditioner That's Incredibly Creamy
It does contain isododecane which is water-insoluble, so there is a chance that this conditioner will cause buildup and weigh down lightweight curls over time. Nevertheless, curlies who use this conditioner with the accompanying Cantu shampoo say that they make their curls feel soft and shiny.
The Best Way to Apply Conditioner to Curly Hair
With plenty of conditioner throughout your hair, gently detangle with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. Don’t mind if lots of hair comes out! Leave the conditioner in for a few minutes in order to make sure it penetrates each hair.
When rinsing, leaving some conditioner in your hair will help to define curls and weigh your hair down, whereas washing all the conditioner out will give more volume. After finishing, gently scrunch the extra water out with a micro-fibre towel or cotton t-shirt, and style. Et voila, beautiful moisturised curls!
The best way to apply conditioner to your hair is in sections! I spent years applying conditioner on top of my hair all in one go (just slapping it on) without any water and expecting moisturised and defined results.
This is a huge mistake that can be fixed if you simply section your hair in 2-4's (or more if you have thicker hair) and apply some water and conditioner per section, detangling as you go. It's similar to if you straighten your hair without sectioning it, you never get the sleek/straight results without taking your time and reaching every single strand.
Written and researched by Brigid Bernard
Top 5 Conditioners for Curly Hair
No. 1: John Frieda｜Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl-Defining Conditioner
No. 2: Shea Moisture ｜Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner
No. 3: Noughty ｜Wave Hello Curl Defining Conditioner
No. 4: DevaCurl｜One Condition Original
No. 5: Maui Moisture ｜Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Conditioner
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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