7 Best Water-Based Styling Products For Natural Curly Hair According To Experts
WRITTEN BY: JE’ANA C.
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To make your hair look good, you need the right products. But, what do you get when you have curly hair? If you have natural curly hair, you know that finding the right products can be a challenge. Natural hair needs moisture and strength in equal measure to stay healthy and strong. Water-based styling products are the best to use on curly hair because they're lightweight and can quickly be absorbed by the strands. They also allow your curls to stay in place, so you don't have to worry about having frizzy locks.
What Are Water-Based Styling Products? Water-based styling products are those that contain water as their main ingredient. They do not have oil or silicone, making them ideal for curly hair. The best part is that they are lightweight and won’t weigh your hair down while adding moisture to it without making it look greasy or oily. These products work well on all types of curly hair and can be used on damp or dry hair.
Finding the best water-based styling product for curly hair can be daunting. There are so many products out there that it can be hard to choose the right one. Whether you have fine, thick, coarse, or frizzy hair, there is a product for you. We've gathered a list of the top 10 water-based styling products for natural curly hair that will help you tame your curls, add moisture and give them shine.
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IMAGE SOURCE: PEXELS
Hair Masks
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Masque:
This hydrating mask has a nutrient-rich formula that offers deep moisture and healthy strength. It contains organic and natural ingredients like rosemary, mentha oil, honey, and coconut oil. This hair mask provides the hydration and nourishment your hair follicles have been craving!
Key Ingredients: Water, Biotin, & Aloe Vera
Curlsmith Hydro Creme Soothing Mask:
The mask is a soothing deep conditioning treatment that delivers moisture to the scalp and hair without dragging it down. The thick, buttery texture melts onto each hair strand without weighing the hair down. Also, this mask is formulated with Shea Butter for ultimate moisture and is designed for all curly hair types. This is definitely one of our favorites!
Key Ingredients: Water, Shea Butter, Hyaluronic Acid, Green Tea, Lavender, Thyme, Witch Hazel, Amla, and Cedarwood
Best Shampoos
Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo:
If your dry curly hair needs extra TLC, try the Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating/Clarifying Shampoo. This shampoo contains Bamboo Leaf Extract, which helps balance moisture levels in the scalp so that it does not produce too much oil or too little.
Key Ingredients: Water, Aloe Vera, Rosemary, and other Botanical Extracts
Kerastase Nutritive Oleo-Curl Shampoo:
The Kerastase Nutritive Oleo-Curl Shampoo is another great option for curly hair care. If you have dry or damaged curls, this may be just what you need to restore them to healthiness and get rid of product build-up. The main ingredient is water, and the formula is infused with almond oil, which can help improve manageability and shine.
Key Ingredients: Water & Almond Oil
Deep Conditioners
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner:
This conditioner is affordable and works wonders on low porosity hair and dry or damaged curls. It will leave your curls soft and moisturized without weighing them down or making them greasy or sticky afterward.
Key Ingredients: Water & Raw Shea Butter
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie:
Say goodbye to frizzy hair and hello to defined curls! The SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie is made with plant-based proteins that strengthen your curls as it reduces breakage. This product also contains organic coconut oil that deeply penetrates each strand's cuticle, sealing in moisture, locking out frizz, and adding shine.
Key Ingredients: Water, Raw Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, & Neem Oil
Camille Rose Algae Deep Conditioner:
This deep conditioner is one of our holy grail products. Camille Rose Algae Deep Conditioner is basically a vitamin pack treatment infused with Botanical blue-green algae and emollient mango butter, crafted to prevent strands from breaking, shedding, and thinning. It has a thick consistency that'll help strengthen your curls while keeping them hydrated throughout the day — perfect for transitioning between summer and fall weather conditions!
Key Ingredients: Water, Blue-green Algae, & Mango Butter
Excellent Conditioners + Leave-In Conditioners
Tresemme Botanique Nourish & Replenish Conditioner:
This conditioner has a light fragrance that will last all day long. It contains coconut oil & aloe vera, which help add shine to your curls while hydrating them simultaneously. This product also works well as a leave-in conditioner because it doesn't weigh down your curls like water alone would if you didn't use an additional styling product after applying it to your hair when washing it out of its normal state with water.
Key Ingredients: Water, Coconut Oil, & Aloe Vera
Ouidad Moisture Lock Conditioning Crème:
This is one of the best options if you have curly hair prone to frizz or lacking luster shine. This rich cream moisturizes without weighing down curls or creating buildup, which gives it a leg up on other water-based conditioners on the market today. Plus, it has a thick consistency that leaves hair feeling soft and hydrated. Also, it is perfect for curly haired girls who don't like their curls to feel crunchy after washing them.
Key Ingredients: Water, Green Tea Extract, Prickly Pear Cactus Extract, & Pro-Vitamin B5
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner:
This leave-in conditioner is an excellent choice for curly girls looking for a product that will help strengthen their curls without weighing them down. It contains Jamaican black castor oil, known for maintaining damaged strands and restoring the scalp's health. This leave-in conditioner also has added aloe vera juice, which helps lock in moisture while providing a lightweight texture that won't weigh down your curls. Also, it is suitable for almost any hair texture; curly hair, wavy hair, thick hair, and straight hair.
Key Ingredients: Water, Castor Oil, Raw Shea Butter
Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Quench Leave-In Conditioner:
This moisturizing product has a rich, lightweight formula that smoothens and smooths your curls while granting lasting hydration. It is comprised of shea butter, which has rich anti-inflammatory properties and decreases scalp irritations and other hair concerns. Additionally, it contains olive oil, which provides moisture and strengthens your hair from root to tip.
Key Ingredients: Water, Raw Shea Butter, & Olive Oil
Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Leave-In Cream:
This leave-in curl cream is a nourishing conditioner that supplies intense hydration to the hair. It contains castor oil that saturates the hair strands and helps to reinforce the weak strands. Plus, it is infused with black seed oil and ginger to strengthen your hair and resist breakage while maintaining its length. Overall, Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Leave-In Cream is chemical-free and helps to repair damaged hair.
Key Ingredients: Water, Black Seed Oil, Castor Oil, & Ginger
Other Styling Products
Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment by Kevin Murphy:
This styling product will hold your curls and maintain them without making them stiff or crunchy. This product is designed specifically for curly hair types, but it's also great for straight locks! Also, it is formulated with five different oils that work together to provide moisture while holding down frizzies, so you get beautiful bouncy curls every time!
Key Ingredients: Water
Kinky Curly Curling Custard - Natural Styling Gel:
The Kinky Curling Custard is another excellent option if you want something that offers hold without being too heavy. This product uses organic ingredients like aloe vera juice and coconut oil to help moisturize your curls while adding shine and definition.
Key Ingredients: Water, Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, & Chamomile
Do you currently use water-based hair products? Let us know in the comments!
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ABOUT FOUNDER & EDITOR
Je’Ana C. has been writing diverse content for clients and her own website for four years. She provides photography, ghostwriting, coaching, and content creation. Her educational background in the English Language & Humanities has given her a broad base from which to approach many topics. Her writing skills may be confirmed independently on shadesoftatiana.com.
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