Best Curly Hair Products

Some days curly hair seems to have a mind of its own. Types 3 and 4 hair are undeniably gorgeous, but it takes time and patience to lock down luxurious locks every week. Oils take longer to travel down curly tresses, which can leave the ends feeling dry and thirsty. Because of this, regular hydration is key to maintaining healthy hair. There are the three main steps to keep in mind:

• Cleansing
• Hydration
• Styling

Once you have this routine in place, nothing will stand in your way of a shiny mane! Take your curly hair to the next level with these pro-approved products.

Wash Day

After a week of wear, it's important to start with a fresh and hydrated base to support the rest of your routine. For a thorough scalp cleanse that won't strip the essential oils, the Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo is your best bet. Paired with the Lavender Mint Moisturizing Conditioner, the amino acids and ultra-rich conditioning formula improve manageability.

An additional option for a quick hair refresh is to cowash between wash days. The cowash is best described as a conditioning cleanser that gets rid of scalp impurities and dirt without stripping away moisture. The Lavender Mint Moisturizing Cowash is a non-lathering rinse, using monoi, pequi, and jojoba oils to detangle and lock in moisture. It's a rather effortless process, but to truly enjoy the maximum benefits, be sure to lather the product into your scalp for at least 5 minutes.

How to Moisturize Curly Hair

The best time to hone in on hydration is when your hair is still damp. The LOC method is a proven technique that involves layering different levels of moisture to the areas where oils produced by your scalp can't reach. For an in-depth explanation of the LOC method, check out our guide here.

After a quick towel dry, begin with the Tea Tree Hair and Body Moisturizer Leave-In Conditioner. This inserts hydration directly into your strands using tea tree oil, peppermint and lavender. The next layer in the LOC method consists of the Tea Tree Lavender Mint Nourishing Oil. The fast-absorbing oil soaks in another level to quench thirsty hair. Finally, a cream hydrator provides the final defense against drying outside factors such as heat or moisture-absorbing pillowcases. The Lavender Mint Taming Cream is a smoothing, curl-enhancing application that won't weigh down your curls.

The Curly Hair Routine

Now comes the best part: styling! There are many different approaches to this step and ultimately each person needs to find what is best for their hair. Most of the products in this step can be scrunched into the hair. This involves carefully taking the ends of your hair into your palm and moving your hand in an upwards motion towards your head, while gently squeezing the product into your hair and locking curls into place. Creating a cast like this ensures your curls will stay intact until the next wash day.

For a lighter hold, the Paul Mitchell® Foaming Pommade is best for those with thinner hair so that the curls are not weighed down. If the light hold is a concern, this pommade pairs well the Paul Mitchell® Soft Spray, which will secure your locks without sacrificing your curl pattern.

Those who desire a firmer cast can reach for the Paul Mitchell® Super Clean Sculpting Gel. After letting the gel dry, gently use the scrunching method again to loosen the cast while maintaining a wet look. This strong hold keeps curls intact but will still have natural movement as you go about your day.