I Finally Embraced My Natural Hair, and These 22 Products Made It So Much Easier

No matter what curl type you have, it can be challenging to land on a washday routine that addresses all your concerns. Luckily, there are shampoo-and-conditioner sets that can make the job easier. Infused with botanicals (aloe, neem, and rosemary oil), this shampoo-and-conditioner duo gently removes impurities from the hair and scalp while keeping your curls frizz-free.

Another helpful shampoo-and-conditioner set I always have in my shower for a fuss-free washday is this one from Carol's Daughter. The color-safe shampoo gently cleanses your strands and scalp while replenishing moisture levels, and the hydrating conditioner gently detangles your hair, leaving curls and coils soft, shiny, and easy to style.

The right conditioner for your curls will gently detangle them while offering the elasticity and volume they need to look their best. Part of Davines's line of essential curly hair products, the Love Curl Conditioner works overtime to add ample volume and shine with a blend of protein, B vitamin, and Noto almond extract.

Is there anything better than having plump, hydrated curls? Using this best-selling leave-in conditioner is key to creating them. It nourishes the cortex with a plant-based stem cell complex, jojoba oil, and ivy leaf, leading to hydrated and voluptuous curls in minutes. If you like this one, try pairing it with Curlsmith's Full Body Milk Conditioner ($26).

When it comes to ultra-hydrating leave-in conditioners, this one sets the bar high. It has a weightless formula that reduces frizz, adds shine, and defines texture. A blend of nourishing Tsubaki Meadows, field mustard flower extract, and sugar beet extract condition the hair and tame frizz. It also has spa-like notes of sparkling yuzu, green tea, bergamot, and sandalwood.

Growing up, I was told that air-drying my tight coils would lead to frizz and a loss of definition, so when I found Curlsmith's Weightless Air Dry Cream, I was beyond excited to try it out. Not only did my hair dry frizz-free after using this hair cream, but it also enhanced my hair texture and kept my curls hydrated all day without weighing them down using a unique blend of babassu oil, murumuru, and hyaluronic acid.

I was introduced to this hair mask years ago by another curly girl when I was on the hunt for a mask that could reconstruct my damaged post-relaxer curls. Using a nourishing blend of manuka honey and ceramides, this rich mask coats your curls with moisture for defense against breakage and split ends. If that weren't already enough, it also promotes elasticity, leaving the hair shiny and smooth.

If achieving endless shine and definition is your goal, snag the Oribe Curl Gelée. It combats frizz, defines curls, and adds shine without leaving your hair crunchy. It's formulated with the Oribe Signature Complex (watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss-flower extracts), a nourishing butter complex (murumuru, mango, and cocoa-seed butters), and so much more for healthy, nourished curls.

This nourishing hair mask by Briogeo has been one of the most affordable ways to revive my 4c curls after wearing protective styles for weeks on end. It can be used as a weekly protein-free curl treatment to define your curls with avocado, castor, chia, and flaxseed oils. It's also formulated with rice amino acids and tomato-fruit ferment to promote a consistent curl pattern.

The best advice I ever got from a stylist was to use a curl mousse for all-day hold, volume, and definition. Pattern's Palo Santo Curl Mousse is my top pick for achieving all of that and more because it's powered by two of the best ingredients for curls: marshmallow root and castor oil. The two work in tandem to hold curls and set styles with volume and shine.

In case you missed it, Olaplex launched one of the best curl-friendly gels on the market. Its No.10 Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel uses the brand's patented Bond Building Technology and Curl Retention Compound to quickly repair and strengthen broken bonds. It enhances curl definition while also reducing breakage and promoting shine.

If you struggle with finding ways to add volume to your fine hair, try using a flexible hair foam. This one is a lightweight, protein-enriched styler that promotes hold and volume using nourishing hempseed and a rice protein complex. Your hair will have the volume you've always dreamt of and the extended wear time of curly styles, including wash-and-gos and twist-outs.

To promote length retention and curl definition, consider adding this curl-enhancing leave-in cream. Infused with vitamin and protein-rich Noto almond extract to elasticize the hair, it moisturizes your strands from root to tip for a boost of hydration while also minimizing frizz. In the end, your curls will be soft, defined, and shiny.

Issa Rae's Sienna Naturals offers a wide selection of beginner-friendly curlcare products, including the Dream Curl Cream. It uses the brand's unique Curl Memory Technology to revive your natural curl pattern as well as shea butter and mango-seed butter to moisturize and fortify the scalp and strands. The best part? You'll have multiday hold without crunch or a white cast.

For high-porosity hair, having a heavier curl cream on hand can make a huge difference in extending the wear time of styles. The Baomint Moisturizing Curl Defining Cream, for example, gently detangles your curls and coils with silk amino acids, honey, and shea butter for healthy hair. Not only is the formula uniquely designed to be buildable, but it also provides a soft to medium hold that's ideal for wash-and-gos.

If you've been on the hunt for a curl-defining spray to make your curls pop, you'll want to get your hands on Mizani's Coco Dew Curl (P)restyling Spray. It can be used to prep the hair before natural styling and revive your day-two curls. It has coconut extract to moisturize, strengthen, and nourish the hair follicles while leaving behind a light tropical fragrance.

Yes, there's a Color Wow Dream Coat treatment formulated with curls and waves in mind. The lightweight all-in-one styler delivers definition and uses a proprietary Tri-Polymer Complex, hydrolyzed keratin, and glycerin to moisturize and repair your strands while adding bounce and shine. It also plays defense against frizz while keeping your curls soft and flexible.

Adding shine to your strands has never been easier. Pattern's ultralight Shine Spray contains castor oil and plumeria-flower extract to enhance the natural luster and softness of your curls. The spray also helps combat dryness and frizz while protecting your curls from humidity. It also happens to have a refreshing and light floral scent.

Without the right products in your tool kit, having to detangle your curls can be a daunting process. This Mane brush prevents tangles while moving with (not against) your natural hair type and texture. Plus, it can be used on wet or dry hair and has bendable bristles that prevent tugging and snagging. Its flexible base helps the brush glide through knots.

When I'm not slicking down my curls with gel, I prefer using a lightweight wax-based styling stick. Using a vegan formula enriched with castor-seed oil, this styling stick instantly tames flyaways and frizz to create a satin finish with a medium hold. It's ideal for effortless styling on the go without having to get your hands covered in product.

This might seem like a simple one, but our curly-haired beauty editors and network of experts agree that having an easy-to-use, multipurpose spray bottle on hand like this one by Alpree can be extremely helpful for any styling process. It's an aerosol and leak-free bottle that distributes water evenly, creating ultrafine mist that covers large areas quickly.

Incorporating a hair steamer into my routine was one of the best things I could have done in my haircare journey. Not only did it help revive my curls post-braids by leaving them hydrated and shiny, but it also made sure my products could work the way they needed to, especially when it came to making sure hair masks and deep conditioners could penetrate deeper.