Want to ensure that your curls have the moisture and nutrients they need throughout the week? Then you need a conditioner that’s targeted to your curls’ unique needs.
Your conditioner can make or break your hair care regimen, so not just any hair conditioner will do. In this article, we’ll share 3 of the best conditioners for curly hair. That way, you’ll be able to build a curly hair routine that can support your curls and promote your long-term health.
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Best Conditioner For Curly Hair
The best conditioner for curly hair is Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner, which offers intense hydration, making it excellent for those with tight, thirsty curls.
We also really liked using Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Conditioner because it’s perfect for those seeking a silicone-free and paraben-free product for natural curls. Lastly, Moroccanoil Curl Enhancing Conditioner is suitable for those looking to enhance their natural curls and infuse them with moisture.
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We tested all three conditioners, and each one of them has unique benefits, so the best one will depend on your hair type and personal preferences. Keep reading for more details about our testing results.
1. Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner
Curls need moisture – it’s as simple as that. The thing about curls that makes them difficult to maintain is that they can be tricky to moisturize.
And even after achieving increased moisture in your curls, there’s the matter of keeping them moisturized. Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner can handle both parts of the equation – moisturizing your hair AND keeping it moisturized.
Overview
The Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner is intensely hydrating, which is exactly what you need in your curl regimen. It contains various ingredients that are specifically targeted to remedy dryness and encourage curl formation.
This is good news for those who have curls but want to maximize their definition. The conditioner is especially for tight curls but may be used by those who have looser curls as well.
Key Ingredients
The main ingredients that make Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner great include botanicals, glycerin, vitamin B, and fatty alcohols. Here is the rundown of what each of these ingredients does to the hair.
- Botanicals – Botanical extracts, like lemon and Matricaria, work to soften rough hair and reduce your risk of breakage. They can also make your hair smoother and shinier.
- Glycerin – Glycerin increases your hair’s hydration levels by drawing moisture from the outside environment into your hair. This makes your hair easier to manage and ensures that it won’t get too dry.
- Vitamin B5 – Vitamin B5 nourishes your hair follicles, facilitating healthy hair growth.
- Fatty Alcohols – Fatty alcohols, like Cetearyl alcohol, lubricate the hair shaft to smooth out frizzy hair and keep your mane from losing moisture too quickly.
- Proteins – Proteins are the basic building blocks of your hair. In this conditioner, proteins help to strengthen and smooth the hair by filling in cracks and holes in your strands.
All of these ingredients and more make this conditioner a real boon for anyone with thirsty or unmanageable curls.
How to Use It
Using Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner is super easy. To start, you’ll shampoo your hair to prep it for the nourishment and hydration to come. After doing that, you’ll separate your hair into 2 to 4 sections and apply the conditioner to each section, focusing mainly on the ends.
Pull out your wide tooth comb and get to work detangling your hair section by section. Wait for about 3 minutes, and then rinse the conditioner out. Move forward with the rest of your hair care and styling routine.
Pros and Cons
Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner carries a ton of benefits for those with curls. But no formula is perfect, and this one is no exception. Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of this conditioner.
Pros
- The conditioner makes your hair look and feel hydrated, which leads to higher elasticity and a lower risk of breakage.
- You can use this conditioner as a detangler, since it’s formulated to be slippery. You won’t have as much pain or frustration as you would if you used a conditioner without as much slip.
- This conditioner won’t weigh your hair down or make it feel greasy.
- After using this conditioner, you’ll find that your curls pop more than usual.
Cons
- The conditioner isn’t formulated for all curl types. Per the manufacturer, it’s mainly for tight curls.
- The conditioner does contain silicones and an artificial fragrance. Those who usually avoid these ingredients may be put off.
Our Review
On Curl Centric, Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner has earned an outstanding rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. We loved the conditioner for how soft and hydrated it made our hair feel. You also get a lot of value for the price.
On the other hand, during our research, we found that dissatisfied customers stated that the conditioner was way overpriced and didn’t perform to their expectations.
But we should reiterate that the conditioner received several times more positive reviews than negative reviews. Chances are you’ll have an amazing experience with this conditioner should you give it a try.
Should You Try It?
Not sure whether Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner is the right fit for you? If you have tight curls, chances are it’s a great fit. Tight curls are prone to dryness and can be difficult to manage, and this conditioner can help tremendously with these issues.
The best part is that those with fine curls can use this conditioner without worrying about it weighing their hair down. So, if you have tighter curls and want a conditioner with enough moisturizing power to really make a difference, this conditioner is a good pick.
2. Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Conditioner
Looking for a natural conditioner to rejuvenate your curls post-shampoo? You need one that contains everything your curls need and leaves out what they don’t. Unfortunately, many conditioners don’t fit the bill. But Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Conditioner gives your curls what they need to be great.
Overview
Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Conditioner is a largely natural conditioner created for thirsty curls and coils. It contains some deeply hydrating ingredients that can transform dry, brittle hair into a much better-moisturized version of itself.
It’s also free of silicones, parabens, petrolatum, mineral oil, and artificial colors.
Key Ingredients
The main ingredients in Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Conditioner include cetearyl alcohol, coconut oil, behentrimonium chloride, and more. Here’s a little about each of these ingredients and what they do to your hair:
- Cetearyl alcohol – Despite its name, it’s not the drying alcohol you may think it is. It’s a fatty alcohol which envelops the strands in moisture and creates a barrier against moisture loss and damage from outside influences.
- Coconut oil – This is a penetrative oil that raises the moisture levels of the hair and smooths away any frizzies. Coconut oil is also known to eliminate sebum buildup in hair follicles and calm scalp irritation.
- Behentrimonium chloride – This is a substance that combats frizz and conditions curls to make them easier to manage and style.
*These aren’t the only beneficial ingredients in the conditioner, but they are some of the most substantial.
How to Use It
To use this conditioner, you’ll wash your hair first, of course. Then, you’ll apply the conditioner to your wet hair all over. Take a couple of minutes to smooth and massage the conditioner into your hair; be sure to focus on the ends of the hair.
You don’t have to wait for the conditioner to sit – it works immediately. But you can use the conditioner to detangle your hair. If you want to, grab your wide tooth comb or use your fingers to remove any knots or tangles.
Rinse thoroughly afterward.
Pros and Cons
Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Conditioner comes with both pros and cons that you should take note of before test-driving it on your mane. We’ll get into them in this section.
Pros
- The conditioner makes your hair softer within seconds when used according to the instructions.
- The conditioner enhances your hair’s moisture levels so that it can better handle the rigors of hair care, styling, and environmental influences.
- It has a delightful scent that users tend to love.
- The conditioner can be used to detangle the hair due to its slippery consistency.
Cons
- The conditioner does have an artificial fragrance. This is undesirable for those who tend to be sensitive to fragrances or would rather avoid them for another reason.
Our Review
On Curl Centric, Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Conditioner is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars. The conditioner made our hair feel incredibly soft, and we loved the smell. In addition to that, our hair stayed moisturized for longer than it did with many other conditioners.
Those who didn’t love the conditioner stated that after using it, their hair got dry and looked dull. Others stated that their hair felt like straw post-conditioning.
Though we don’t discount these negative reviews, there’s no denying that they are a very small minority. So, we recommend that you take them with a grain of salt.
Should You Try It?
Everyone’s hair is different, so this conditioner won’t work the same for everyone who uses it. But if you’re looking for a conditioner that provides a good measure of moisture for the hair and doesn’t contain many of the ingredients forbidden by the curly girl method, Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Conditioner is a good one to try.
If you end up hating the conditioner, you can always switch it out for another – chances are you’ll love it, though.
3. Moroccanoil Curl Enhancing Conditioner
Sometimes it can be difficult to get your curls to show their true shape. If that’s an issue you’re dealing with, this curl-enhancing conditioner from Moroccanoil could be your hair savior.
It’s a hydrating and smoothing conditioner for all curl types – even color-treated curls. Want to know what’s so special about the conditioner? Keep on reading.
Overview
Moroccanoil Curl Enhancing Conditioner is a creamy curl conditioner that can bring out the best in your natural curls, whether they are looking a little droopy or are in desperate need of moisture. The conditioner contains various ingredients that work to nourish the hair from the inside, making it look and feel healthier overall.
Key Ingredients
A few of the key ingredients in Moroccanoil Curl Enhancing Conditioner include argan oil, vegetable protein, and Abyssinian oils. Here’s what they do to your hair:
- Vegetable proteins – Proteins target weak points along the hair shaft and fill them in to make them stronger.
- Abyssinian oil – The oil transforms the hair by increasing shine, moisture levels, and reducing frizziness.
- Argan oil – The oil is known to boost the hair’s slip and softness, making it easier to care for and manage during styling. And that’s not even half of what argan oil can do.
As a bonus, the conditioner is sulfate, paraben, and phosphate-free. So, those who actively try to avoid these ingredients will be happy that they’re nowhere to be found in the formula.
How to Use It
To use Moroccanoil Curl Enhancing Conditioner, you’ll shampoo your hair like you normally would, and then you’ll gently squeeze out any excess water. Then, apply the conditioner to your hair in sections – 2 to 4 should work just fine.
Then, after all of your hair is coated, grab your wide-tooth comb or use your fingers to detangle. Rinse your hair after the conditioner has been sitting for about 1 to 2 minutes.
Pros and Cons
Despite its amazing benefits for curly hair, Moroccanoil Curl Enhancing Conditioner has some unique pros and cons that you should know about. They can help you decide for sure whether you should give this conditioner a shot.
Pros
- The conditioner contains argan oil, often called liquid gold, which is chock full of fatty acids to smooth the hair and make it more manageable. It also contains antioxidants that help to protect the hair from everyday damage. You also get hydrating aloe vera, vegetable extracts, and proteins to smooth and strengthen the hair.
- The scent of the conditioner is sweet with floral notes. Most love it.
- The conditioner is formulated in a way that it won’t cause your hair to fall limp. Those with fine or thin hair will appreciate that.
- The conditioner can be used to bring life to your curls – more bounce, more shine, more vibrance.
Cons
- The conditioner’s delightful scent comes from an artificial fragrance.
- This conditioner costs more than the majority of curly hair conditioners.
Our Review
Moroccanoil Curl Enhancing Conditioner has earned a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Curl Centric. We believe that it’s one of the best curly hair conditioners we’ve ever used. It made our hair feel very bouncy and lightweight.
During our research, there were also some not-so-positive reviews online, though.
Some of the most dissatisfied reviewers stated that they did not like how the conditioner smelled. Other negative reviews mentioned issues like the price, less-than-expected curl enhancement, and increased hair dryness.
Your chances of experiencing the negative effects are minuscule, given the astronomical number of positive reviews for this product.
Should You Try It?
If you struggle with curl definition or dryness, Moroccanoil Curl Enhancing Conditioner is a conditioner to try. It’s formulated to increase your hair’s moisture levels, make your curls more manageable, and give your mane a beautiful shine.
So, we say go ahead and give it a try if that sounds good to you. If it doesn’t work for you, you can always try another product.
Which Conditioner is Best for You?
Sometimes, having access to several of the best hair products in a category can be more bad than good. With so many great options, choosing the right one can be more than a challenge. But we can help you with that in this section.
Consider Your Hair Type
The best way to choose between two or more conditioners is to take a good look at your unique hair type (or natural curl pattern), what you intend to use your conditioner for, and your budget. For those who have fine or thin hair, you’ve got to be careful with conditioners that are too heavy or oily.
In this case, you should definitely consider a more lightweight conditioning option, like Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Conditioner, over the other options. And the reverse is true if you have super coarse, thick hair.
The more substantial your conditioner is when you’re dealing with thirsty thick or coarse curls, the better. In those cases, you might be better off with the conditioners by Moroccanoil or Ouidad.
Think About Your Hair Issues
Moving on to the utility piece – what do you plan on using your conditioner for? Each conditioner on our list was formulated for a unique set of uses.
For instance, the Ouidad Curl Quencher Conditioner and Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Quenching Conditioner are for deep moisture and hydration. These products can also be used as deep conditioners and to infuse intense moisture.
The Morrocanoil conditioner is more for styling and smoothing, though it still provides moisture to the hair. Choose based on what you need most in your haircare regime.
Check the Price
Lastly, consider the price. The most expensive conditioner on our list is the Moroccanoil conditioner, followed closely by the Ouidad conditioner.
This means that the most affordable conditioner is the Carol’s Daughter conditioner. Price shouldn’t be the only factor considered, but it should definitely be on your mind as you stock up on your curly hair product stash.
SheaMoisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner is also very affordable.
- Deep Conditioning on Dry Hair
- How Conditioner Is Used
- Do Conditioners Expire
- How Often Should You Use Conditioner
So there you have it – the 3 best conditioners for curls. These products also work well on straight hair, wavy hair, and coily hair strands, in addition to damaged hair. We hope that one or more of the conditioners on our list is what you’re looking for in your curl regimen.