Someone on TikTok recently asked me for curly hair products to gift their friend writing, “I know that shit is expensive”….
First of all, get this gal a metal! Hair products are expensive and so much of living with curly hair is trying different products. Which, unfortunately, gets pretty expensive and we end up spending a lot of money on products that may not even make it into our hair routine. Here’s a list of my go-to curly hair products if you’re looking for something specific –
My Go-To Hair Products
Because every curl type is different and most products are not one size fits all, buying products for someone can be tricky. I’ve found a dozen products that will work across a variety of curly hair types + some products that your curly friend/sister/mom/partner might not have thought to try on their own! Here’s what I found….
For all hair types
If you’re worried about choosing the right products, you can’t go wrong with hair accessories! Resin clips, oversized scrunchies and headbands are a great gift to suit all hair types!
Shower & sleep essentials, like a microfiber hair wrap, silk pillowcase, and scalp massaging brush are also great options for the curly in your life!
For the one who just started their curly hair journey
People just starting their natural hair journey have probably spent a LOT of time using heat to tame their mane. Help them regain that moisture with a rich, deep conditioner and protein treatment.
They might also be in need of some new styling tools, these brushes will make a great addition to their hair routine:
For the one who’s tried it all
Like I said, curly hair is a lot of trial and error and splurging on a new product that ~might~ not work for you is a challenge. If you’re shopping for someone who’s seemingly tried everything with no luck, try one of these!
New Wash is a hair cleaners that doesn’t strip natural oils and actually allows you to skip the conditioner. A sulfate/silicone/paraben free shampoo + conditioner set is another great option! My fave is the Brilliant Gloss collection from Fekkai.
It wasn’t until 9-months into my natural hair transition that I first picked up a diffuser. Many people I interact with on TikTok and IG tell me they’ve never tried one. Gift a universal diffuser! It fits most standard blowdryers and is an inexpensive way to try a new technique for styling curls.
For the one who’s looking for an upgrade
The first thing on my holiday list this year is the Dyson Supersonic Dryer with diffuser attachment. If you’re shopping for someone who diffuses their hair on a regular basis, get them this diffuser! It’s got a pretty hefty price tag at $399, but will reduce try time and damage (and they will literally never stop thanking you for this one!).
Make it custom! Prose offers a customizable hair oil and shampoo/conditioner sets. Gift a Prose gift card and allow them to create their own personalized haircare! Here are some gift sets from reliable, curl safe hair brands:
What NOT to buy for curly gals & guys
You’ll want to avoid gifting products with sulfates, parabens, mineral oils, waxes and non soluble silicones. See below for a list of ingredients to avoid:
- Dimethicone
- Cyclomethicone
- Amodimethicone
- Pheryl Trimethicone
- Ceteraryl Methicone
- Dimethiconol
- Stearyl Dimethicone
- Sodium laureth, myreth, lauryl sulfate
- Sodium coco sulfate
- Ammonium lauryl and laureth sulfate
Clean haircare products have become more prevalents at varying price points and brands make it VERY clear on their packaging that they are free of these ingredients! So, you shouldn’t have to look too hard to see if a product is curl safe. It’s also NOT the end of the world to use these ingredients on curly hair, but it’s advised to avoid them to achieve healthier, hydrated curls!
I hope this guide helps you find the perfect gift for the curly gal or guy in your life (or maybe you’re the curly one looking for something to ask for this holiday season!). Happy holidays & happy shopping!
*Melissa
