Frizzy curly hair is the bane of every Curly Girl’s existance.
I grew up thinking I had to either accept that frizz came with curly hair, or straighten my hair to get any kind of control.
But it turns out, this isn’t true!
It’s actually possible to have curls that are practically frizz-free! Following the Curly Girl Method has made this a daily possibility for me. But the products I’ve used also play a significant role.
Frizz is typically a sign that your hair needs moisture, so some of the best ways to cut back on frizz is with hydrating and moisture-locking products.
With that in mind, here are seven products I’ve used that have helped me control my frizzy curly hair.
Side note: This page does contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something using the product links on this page, I may get a small commission. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps keep this site running. Thank you!
Also, I follow the simplified version of the Curly Girl Method most directly derived from the Curly Girl Handbook. This means the only ingredients I look to avoid are sulfates, silicones, and drying alcohols. If you have more ingredients that you look to avoid, it would be a good idea to check the ingredients for yourself before making a purchase.
Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner
This product has very quickly become my favorite leave-in conditioner. It’s lightweight, smells great, and does a pretty fantastic job hydrating my curls.
This is my current favorite leave-in because of how lightweight it is. I use it as a post-wash leave in and to refresh. (For more on this, check out my wash day routine and my refresh routine.)
So if you’re looking for a moisturizing leave-in that doesn’t weigh your hair down, you might want to give this a shot.
Aunt Jackie’s Quench Leave-in Conditioner
Before I started using the Kinky Curly Knot Today, I was using Aunt Jackie’s Quench.
It’s a little bit heavier than Kinky Curly, and I eventually moved on from it because my hair got healthier, it started weighing my hair down. But it served me well for months!
So if you find that Kinky Curly isn’t giving you enough moisture and/or you’re looking for an extra punch of leave-in hydration, this may be a good option for you.
Get it on Amazon.
Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Curl Cream
This is another Curl Cream I used for an extended period of time and it was a favorite!
It left my hair soft, hydrated and will killer, frizz-free curls.
Similar to the leave-in above, I ultimately moved on because my hair got healthier and needed something a little less intense. But in my early Curly Girl days, this was my go-to.
You can read my complete review here.
Get it on Amazon.
Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
When I moved on from the Not Your Mother’s curl cream, I started using this Cantu Cream and it turned out to be a game-changer for me.
A little goes such a long way with this product. I’ve found it to be lightweight and hydrating.
And it does such a good job keeping my hair moisturized, that it made it possible for me to start refreshing my hair. My next day frizz is so minimal, thanks to this product.
(You can read more about that in my first refresh routine.)
For more on this product, check out my full review.
EDEN BodyWorks JojOba Monoi Deep Conditioner
Deep conditioning can do a lot to cut down on frizz. In a recent post, I said I didn’t have a favorite regular deep conditioner. That was true at the time, but I’ve since tried this product and it’s quickly become my favorite.
It’s thicker than most deep conditioners I’ve used, but slides right into my hair and leaves it soft and moisturized.
And it’s ridiculously affordable (especially considering the amount you get).
For more on deep conditioning, check out this post.
Mielle Babassu Oil and Mint Protein Deep Conditioner
This product is a protein deep conditioner, and if you’ve been a reader of this blog for a while, you know this has been a favorite of mine for quite some time.
This product melts into my hair and leaves it hydrated and refreshed.
Because this has protein, I use it less frequently than the Eden deep conditioner above.
You can learn more about protein and curly hair here!
Get it on Amazon.
Tresemme Mega Sculpting Gel
In order to control your frizzy curly hair, it’s just as important to lock moisture in as it is to hydrate your hair in the first place. That’s where gel comes in.
I had a harder time with hard-hold gels, but this Tresemme gel was one that worked really well for me.
It did a good job locking that moisture in without coating my hair in a super heavy cast.
As my hair got healthier, I found a medium hold gel works better for me, but early on when I needed the hard hold, this was my favorite.
You can read my full review here.
Get it on Amazon.
Biotera Alcohol-Free Styling Gel
When I moved on from the Tresemme gel, this was the gel I tried and it’s be my staple product ever since.
I love that this gel creates enough of a gel cast to lock in the moisture from my products, then breaks up easily when my hair dries.
It leaves my hair soft without a thick product feel, and it keeps my curls in great shape with minimal frizz for days.
You can read more in my full review here.
For more frizz control tips, check out this post!
Looking for more guidance on your curly hair journey?
For beginners
If you’re new to curly hair care and looking for some help, you should check out the No-Stress Guide to Curly Hair Care!
After spending two years learning and caring for my curly hair, I wanted to create my own, in-depth guide to help fellow curlies create incredible curls in the easiest way possible.
It took me a while, but I eventually found an approach that helped me create a curly hair routine that fits into my life in the simplest way possible. And now I want to help you do the same!
For more intermediate/advanced guidance
If you’ve been on your curly hair journey for a while but still have some struggles, check out Curly Hair Problems!
After spending hours scouring the internet looking for solutions to my own curly hair problems, I found myself wishing for an easier, more comprehensive guide to the most common problems.
So that’s what I created!
Curly Hair Problems offers you 78 total solutions to the five most common curly hair care problems, including frizz, curl clumps, limp curls, product issues, and scalp issues.
Sound off: What products help you control your frizzy curly hair? Tell us about it in the comments!
I was wondering why some of the products I started out with began feeling kind of heavy on my hair even after periodically clarifying… After reading your article, I am thinking (and hoping) my hair is getting healthier and I do not need something as “heavy duty.” **LOL** Thanks for a great post!
I hope that’s the case too! I’m glad this post could help. 🙂 Thanks so much for reading!