Kinky-Curly's Best Hair Products

Listen up all you curly-haired people: It's time to put down the flat iron and rock what your momma gave you. There's nothing more attractive than embracing your natural self. Lately, there has been a wave of inspiring natural hair stories, and we couldn't be prouder. That being said, #curlyhairstruggles are real so don't go thinking that you can just will frizz away (believe us, we've tried). And while there are plenty of tips for caring for and maintaining your curls, never underestimate the power of product when it comes to letting your curls live their best life.

After having tried countless hair products that only served to underwhelm my curls, I have finally come across a curl-friendly line that not only helps me to achieve confident curls but does so using 100 percent natural ingredients and without testing on animals. Kinky-Curly has become one of my favorite curl brands and caters to all curl types: wavy, coily, curly, and kinky. And while different textures will get different results, they will always share at least one thing in common: beautiful curls au naturel.

For those of you who check the ingredients in your beauty products, you'll be happy to know that Kinky-Curly is a proud signer of The Compact for Safe Cosmetics, meaning that their products use only natural ingredients. You won't find petroleum, silicone, parabens, mineral oil, alcohol, or any of those impossible-to-pronounce-ingredients in any Kinky-Curly product. Oh, and did we mention that they're cruelty-free? Kinky-Curly is invested in helping you achieve curls that will not only look great but will have you feeling great, too. If you want natural products to go along with your natural hair, you can feel comfortable using this curl-friendly line.

Ingredients aside, Kinky-Curly also invests in informing customers on how to get the best results when using their products. I cannot overemphasize how important it is to not only choose the right products but also to use them correctly. Each product label includes usage instructions, and I'm not just talking "lather, rinse, repeat." You'll actually get tips like how curls respond best to certain products when they're very wet, not in the middle of air-drying. The brand even has a tips page on their website, complete with a video from Shelley Davis, the brand's creator (one look at her curls and you'll be convinced). This extra detail is what really helps you achieve well-defined curls and I appreciate the extra effort and care Kinky-Curly takes in helping customers to get the curls they deserve.

So could Kinky-Curly really be as good as it sounds? I put the curl-friendly products to the test in order to find out. Here's how they measured up.

Come Clean Shampoo

Kinky-Curly Come Clean Shampoo $10.00

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The first step to great curls is a proper cleansing routine. Oily buildup is going to stand in the way of good definition, but you need a shampoo that is gentle on your strands. Come Clean is sulfate-free (perfect for those of you with colored hair) and chock full of organic ingredients that won't strip your hair. Like other sulfate-free shampoos, don't expect a lot of lather from this one—and that's actually a good thing. But if you have a lot of product buildup or an oily scalp, you'll need to shampoo at least twice in order to fully cleanse your strands.

After shampooing, my hair felt clean, but not squeaky. It also didn't feel dry, as some shampoos will leave it. Come Clean rinses easily and although I don't shampoo daily, this is probably suitable to use two to three times per week since it doesn't contain drying ingredients that are present in other brands.

Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner/Detangler

Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In Detangler $13.00

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As anyone with super-thick hair knows, detangling is no joke. To get full and even coverage of products, however, the hair needs to be combed through to ensure total saturation. Choosing the right products for detangling makes a world of difference.

Knot Today is now one of the best I've ever tried (and I've used a lot of detanglers and conditioners). You want "slip" to your hair? This one delivers. It's lightweight and lightly-scented and can be used as a regular conditioner or as a leave-in. Rather than rinse it out after shampooing like a regular conditioner, I preferred to use it as a leave-in in order to tame any frizzies that were eager to pop up.

Curling Custard

Kinky-Curly Curling Custard $18.00

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What separates the great curling gels from the average ones? Ideally, you want frizz elimination as well as curl definition—plus, long-lasting, non-crunchy hold helps. Curling Custard ranks up there as one of the top three products I've used in this regard.

It's not a conventional gel; it's much thicker, which is important for curls that need some weight. When used correctly and in conjunction with the other Kinky-Curly products, you should experience soft, defined curls that last. I made sure to section my hair and applied the Curling Custard thoroughly to each section. However, you don't have to saturate the hair or go overboard—it'll take longer to dry and your hair may dry hard. You may have to experiment to see what amount of product to use, depending on your hair length and thickness.

Spiral Spritz

Kinky-Curly Spiral Spritz $13.00

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As I prepped for bed, I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail, secured it loosely, and covered with a bonnet. Now normally on the morning following my hair washing day, I'm met with dry, smushed curls that no amount of fluffing can revive. The morning after using Kinky-Curly products, however, my curls were still looking pretty good. They felt light and weren't smashed together, but I did have some frizz.

Fortunately, Sprial Spritz is designed to combat the problems that often accompany second-day hair, as well as control flyaway strands. I sprayed my Spritz and waited for the results. While my curls didn't look as spectacular as the first day, this was one of the few times second-day hair didn't make me cringe and head straight for the shower. Needless to say, Spiral Spritz is now my best friend and second-day hair's worst enemy.

Gloss Pomade

Kinky-Curly Gloss Pomade $10.00

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This pleasantly light-scented pomade contains oils, but they're the good kind (such as avocado, jojoba, and safflower, among others) that aim to moisturize, soften, and enhance hair's shine. It's good for breaking up any crunchy spots and gives the hair a nice sheen. All you need is just one or two taps of pomade to tame frizz and flyaways. For best results, use pomade on completely dry hair as damp hair will dilute the product. Since the product is a little hard, you'll need to warm it up before using—just scoop a pea-sized amount onto your fingertips and rub them together.