The Best Products for Curly and Coily Hair of 2026

Design Essentials products are not new in my routine, so I had high expectations before trying out these products. The soothing Rosemary & Mint scent was perfect for a head massage in the middle of washday. The light tingle from the peppermint made it feel like a salon treatment in my own bathroom. —Chioma Odom, global marketing associate manager

After just a few uses of the Phyto Intense Curls Nourishment Mask & Shampoo, my curls felt noticeably softer, more defined, and nourished. It gave my hair that healthy, bouncy look without weighing it down. Definitely a winner in my curl routine. —Loneeja Talukdar, senior analyst

I’ve heard a lot about Cécred, Beyonce’s hair care line, so I was excited to try it, and it definitely lived up to the hype. I use this shampoo after coming out of protective styles, and it leaves my hair squeaky clean. Not only does it smell amazing, but it really removed all the oil and buildup from my scalp and strands without stripping my hair completely. —Jazmin Gathers, senior social media manager

I’ve tried many detanglers, and Garnier’s is great for my fine curly hair. I wear my hair slicked back most of the time, so I am frequently detangling knots. With just a few sprays, the hydrating formula melts into strands to loosen up hair and prevent breakage. Not only does it perform, but I don’t need to use much to get the job done. — P.H.

Let’s start with the packaging: Something about a clean glass bottle feels so luxe. I’ve only recently introduced co-washes to my hair care routine and this product is testament to why it's such a game changer. Its clean and organic ingredients like fennel and tapioca starch left my hair feeling moisturized and lightweight. —C.O.

I love to switch up my hairstyles every month and get creative. However, the constant tension on my hair can have my curls feeling dry and in need of intense moisture. That’s where Ouidad’s Curl Therapy Intense Repair Mask comes in. This hair mask is like heaven for my curls. With ingredients like keratin and ceramides, it’s super hydrating, works in easily, and has a nice and refreshing scent. My curls feel brand-new after using this product. I’m obsessed! —Aisha Kassim, marketing manager

I have natural curly hair that I’m constantly styling, so I need a hair mask that can lock in softness and keep away frizz. This product did that in spades. Made with ceramides and collagen, it gave me bouncy and hydrated curls without any extra weight or greasiness. —Lauren Brown, associate visual director

This product fulfills two things I ask of a leave-in conditioner: It moisturizes my hair, and it doesn’t cause build up. We were already off to a great start after the first use! As I continued to use it in between washes, I found I could go a little longer without needing to use additional product on my braid-outs, because my hair was already so moisturized. I’m a huge fan of this formula and scent! —C.O.

I love a pre-wash oil that you can apply right before shampooing, and I’m always looking for ways to specifically incorporate rosemary into my wash routine. This product is perfect for that! It’s incredibly easy to apply, and it didn’t feel overly oily or create any mess. After using it, my scalp honestly felt so clean and refreshed. I can truly tell the difference between when I use the prewash oil and when I skip it. It makes my hair care routine feel complete! —Lola Laguda, senior analyst, advertising research

I worked this curl cream into my usual routine, which includes gel and mousse. I really like the consistency compared with some others that can be too watery and weigh down my curls. This one also had a nice fresh scent that wasn’t overpowering (which can sometimes happen when all your curl-routine products are fragrant). The cream helped my wet curls without getting too sticky or crunchy, which is exactly what I want from a curl cream. I noticed that my curls were more defined when I diffused them, and I’m excited to try the cream on its own for soft waves! —Sam Reed, senior trending news and entertainment editor

Day-two curls are always unpredictable—I usually wake with flattened, frizzy sections. A pump of this serum scrunched into damp or dry hair helps smooth and define my pattern so it looks fresher. It’s slightly sticky at first, but not heavy, and has a fresh, floral scent. —Malia Griggs, commerce editor

I’ve seen videos online of the scalp refresher spray, so I was excited to try it for myself. I put it to the ultimate test—attempting to refresh two-month-old knotless braids. To my surprise, it actually left my scalp feeling clean and hydrated—I noticed an immediate difference. I didn’t even have to rinse it, and there was no residue left. It smelled amazing and instantly felt soothing, which is exactly what my scalp needed. —J.G.

This is my all-time favorite hair oil to date. My hair gets very dry, and I am constantly trying to find oils that help to lock in moisture. This is the first oil I’ve ever used that softens my hair and actually lasts! I love to use it post-wash when I’m doing two-strand twists or as a prewash treatment for my scalp. I’m so happy I finally found an oil that I can confidently say is my go-to. —P.H.

I genuinely loved the Rizos Curls Sleek Styling Cream + Taming Wand. It smoothed everything down without making my hair feel stiff or greasy, and the wand made it so easy to tame flyaways on the go. It just made my hair look polished and put together with barely any effort. — L.T.

No matter how many Pilates classes I go to, my arms will always tire out when blow-drying my hair—but not with this dryer! I was able to dry my whole head in one go, and touch up my bangs in one pass. It also comes with a concentrator nozzle and a comb attachment, so you can detangle and elongate curls. —Sam Gasmer, associate fashion editor

As a 4C natural who wears her hair pressed, this is my secret weapon for blending new growth. It smooths my roots quickly and evenly, so I can stretch my straight styles without a full redo. —Natarsha Gilliard, global director, marketing and creative strategy