Best Curly Hair Products for Men: By Curl Type (2A to 4C)

Last updated: February 2026 by Jaylen Torres, Curly Hair Editor (IAT-certified trichologist)

I have tested somewhere north of 80 curly hair products in the last three years. Creams, gels, leave-ins, oils, mousses, and a few things that I still cannot identify by category. Most of them were designed for women with waist-length curls and marketed with flower petals on the packaging. Exactly zero of them included a guy with a 3-inch curly fade on the label.

That is the problem. Almost all curly hair products men search for online are reviewed by women, for women, with application techniques that assume you have 18 inches of hair and 25 minutes to spare. You have 4 inches and 5 minutes. The product science is the same, but the amounts, the techniques, and the expectations are completely different.

This guide organizes the best products by category (shampoo, conditioner, leave-in, styler, oil) and by curl type (2A wavy to 4C coily). I am also covering the Curly Guy Method basics, porosity and why it matters, and how to build a simple routine with three products, not thirteen. If you want to skip ahead, the master comparison table is waiting.

Know Your Curl Type (60-Second Guide)

Before you spend money on products, you need to know what you are working with. Curl type determines which products will actually help versus which ones will weigh your hair down or leave it dry. Here is the breakdown:

Important reality check: Your curl type probably is not uniform across your entire head. I have 3B curls at the crown, 3C near the nape, and something closer to 3A at the temples. That is completely normal, especially for mixed-texture hair. When I say “best for 3B,” I mean it works well in that general range, give or take half a type in either direction.

Not sure about your type? Wash your hair, skip all product, let it air dry, and look at what forms naturally. That is your baseline curl pattern. If you want style-specific advice for your curl type with a fade, check out our curly hair fade guide.

The Curly Guy Method: Simplified for Men

The Curly Girl Method (CGM) is the gold standard for curl care. But it was designed for women with long hair and a willingness to spend 45 minutes on wash day. I have adapted it into the Curly Guy Method, which keeps the science and drops the complexity.

The Four Rules

1. No harsh sulfates. Regular shampoo strips the natural oils curly hair depends on for moisture. Use a sulfate-free shampoo (low-poo) or a cleansing conditioner (co-wash). Clarify once a month with a stronger shampoo to reset any buildup.
2. No silicones (mostly). Silicones coat the hair shaft, creating a barrier that traps moisture out. They also build up over time and only come off with the sulfates you just stopped using. Check ingredient lists for anything ending in “-cone” (dimethicone, cyclomethicone, amodimethicone). Water-soluble silicones are the exception and fine to use.
3. Never brush dry curls. Brushing curly hair when dry separates curl clumps and creates frizz. Detangle only when wet, with conditioner in, using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. Always work from tips to roots.
4. Apply products to soaking wet hair. Not damp. Not towel-dried. Soaking. Water is your first styling product. It helps distribute everything evenly and reduces friction. Then scrunch, do not rub.

Why Men’s Approach Differs

• Shorter hair = less product. Women’s tutorials use golf-ball-sized amounts of gel. With 3-6 inches of hair, you need a dime to a nickel at most.
• Oilier scalps. Men generally produce more sebum. Full co-washing can leave the scalp greasy. A gentle low-poo shampoo 2-3 times per week works better for most guys.
• Faster routines. The full CGM wash-day routine can take an hour. I have trimmed mine to 15 minutes on wash day and 3 minutes on refresh days. Three products maximum in the daily rotation.

Master Product Comparison Table

Here are my top picks across every category. Scroll down for detailed reviews, or use this table to jump straight to what you need.

Best Shampoos and Co-Washes for Curly Hair

The shampoo aisle is where most curly-haired guys start their journey wrong. Grabbing a 2-in-1 feels practical, but most of those contain sulfates that strip your curls dry and silicones that build up over time. Here is what to use instead.

Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo (Best Shampoo)

Best for: All curl types, especially 2A-3B. Guys who want an actual shampoo (not a co-wash) that does not strip their hair.

This is my daily driver. Sulfate-free, cleans well, does not leave that squeaky-stripped feeling that regular shampoo does. The tea tree gives a cooling tingle on the scalp that feels clean without being harsh. Light enough for wavy hair, effective enough for curlier types.

Skip if: Your hair is very dry and coily (4B-4C). You need something more moisturizing. Try a co-wash instead.

Price per ounce: ~$0.94/oz. Mid-range. A bottle lasts me 6-8 weeks with 2-3 washes per week.

As I Am Coconut CoWash (Best Co-Wash)

Best for: 3B-4C curls and coils. Guys who want to skip shampoo entirely or alternate between shampoo and co-wash days.

A co-wash is a cleansing conditioner. It cleans your scalp without any detergent or sulfate, relying on friction and gentle cleansing agents instead. As I Am’s version is the gold standard. It has enough slip to detangle while washing, smells like coconut without being overwhelming, and leaves curls soft without being weighed down.

Skip if: Your scalp gets oily quickly or you use heavy styling products. Co-wash alone will not remove product buildup. Alternate with a regular shampoo once a week, or use a clarifying shampoo monthly.

Price per ounce: ~$0.56/oz. Excellent value for a co-wash. The 16oz container lasts months.

Best Conditioners

TRESemme Botanique Nourish & Replenish Conditioner (Best Value)

Best for: All curl types. This is the CGM community’s drugstore hero and for good reason.

Silicone-free, affordable, and available everywhere. I use it as my rinse-out conditioner 2-3 times per week. It provides enough moisture for 3B curls without being heavy enough to flatten 2C waves. The 22oz bottle means you are not buying conditioner every other week.

Price per ounce: ~$0.32/oz. Hard to beat.

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Masque (Best Deep Conditioner)

Best for: 3C-4C curls that need intense moisture. Use once a week as a deep treatment, 15-30 minutes under a shower cap or heat cap.

This is heavy. I mean it. If you have fine 2A waves and put this on your entire head, you will look like you have not washed your hair in a week. But for tighter curl patterns that lose moisture fast, this masque is transformative. It softens, adds slip, and reduces breakage noticeably after even one use.

Skip if: Your curls are looser than 3C or you have low porosity hair. The heavy butters and oils will sit on top of your hair instead of absorbing.

Price per ounce: ~$1.08/oz. Premium for a deep conditioner, but you use it weekly at most.

Best Leave-In Conditioners

A leave-in conditioner is the bridge between washing and styling. It adds moisture to damp hair before you apply your styler. For men with short-to-medium curly hair, this is often the most important product in the routine because it does the hydrating work that longer hair gets from rinse-out conditioner sitting on the strands longer.

Kinky-Curly Knot Today (Best for Lighter Curls)

Best for: 2C-3C curls, medium to high porosity. Guys who want moisture without weight.

Despite the name, this is not just for kinky hair. It is one of the lightest, most effective leave-ins on the market. It detangles like nothing else, adds moisture without a greasy feel, and layers well under gel or cream. I reach for this on days when I want definition without heaviness.

Application for short hair: Pump twice into your palm. Rub your hands together. Scrunch into soaking wet hair. That is all you need for a 4-inch curly top.

Skip if: You have very dry 4B-4C coils. You need something heavier.

Price per ounce: ~$1.50/oz. On the pricier side, but a little goes a long way on men’s hair.

Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In (Best for Tighter Curls)

Best for: 3C-4C curls and coils, high porosity hair that loses moisture quickly.

More moisture than the Kinky-Curly, with honey and babassu oil that lock water into the hair shaft. If your curls feel dry by mid-afternoon, this is the leave-in that fixes that. It also works well as a refresh product on day-2 hair with a spray bottle of water. For our friends with tighter coils, also check out our guide on the best moisturizers for Black men for more heavy-moisture options.

Skip if: You have fine or low-porosity hair. This will weigh you down and leave a coating that feels sticky.

Price per ounce: ~$0.83/oz. Very good value for the moisture level.

Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave-In (Best All-Rounder)

Best for: 3A-4A curls. The middle ground that works across a wide range of curl types and porosities.

Lightweight enough not to flatten 3A curls, moisturizing enough to help 4A coils. If you do not know your porosity yet and want something safe to start with, this is it. Blueberry extract is a nice antioxidant touch, and the slip is excellent for finger-detangling.

Price per ounce: ~$1.25/oz. Mid-range, widely available at Target and most drugstores.

Best Curl Creams and Defining Creams

Curl cream is the workhorse for most curly-haired guys. It provides moisture and light-to-medium hold in one product, which means some guys can use curl cream as their only styler. If your curls need more hold or definition, layer gel on top of the cream.

Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Defining Cream (Best Curl Cream)

Best for: 2C-3B curls. The sweet spot for wavy-to-curly guys who want definition without stiffness.

This is the cream I recommend to every guy starting out. Lightweight, affordable, zero crunch, and it defines curls without making them feel coated or heavy. It works on its own for looser curl types and layers beautifully under gel for tighter curls that need more hold. The scent is mild and disappears within an hour.

For men’s hair: A dime-sized amount for 3-4 inch hair. Nickel-sized for 4-6 inches. Scrunch into soaking wet hair, then either air dry or diffuse.

Skip if: You have 4A-4C coils. This is not moisturizing enough for tighter curl patterns.

Price per ounce: ~$1.33/oz. Solid value.

SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie (Best Heavy Cream)

Best for: 3B-4A curls, especially thick, dense hair that needs weight to behave. Mixed-race guys with non-uniform curl patterns often do well with this on their tighter sections while using something lighter on their looser areas.

This is the heavy hitter. Rich with shea butter and coconut oil, it delivers serious moisture and medium hold. On tighter curls, it defines and softens. On 4A coils, it provides the moisture base that a lighter cream cannot.

My abuela used to put straight-up coconut oil on my hair as a kid. She was not entirely wrong about the approach, just the execution. The SheaMoisture Smoothie takes that same moisture-first philosophy and makes it work for styling, not just conditioning.

Skip if: You have fine hair, low porosity hair, or waves (2A-2C). This will absolutely weigh you down. Your hair will look greasy, not defined.

Price per ounce: ~$1.08/oz. Good value for a heavy cream.

Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls (Best Definition Cream)

Best for: 3A-3C curls. Guys who want soft, touchable definition without crunch or stiffness.

The name is accurate. Your curls feel like you could sleep on them. It gives beautiful definition for 3A-3C curls with a hold level that sits between a basic cream and a gel. If you want one product that handles both moisture and definition, and your curls fall in the 3A-3C range, this is the one.

Price per ounce: ~$1.65/oz. On the higher end, but it replaces both cream and gel for some guys, which makes the math work.

Best Gels for Curly Hair

Gel is the definition king. If you want curls that hold their shape, resist frizz, and last all day, gel is how you get there. The key concept with gel is the “gel cast”: the slight crunchiness that forms when gel dries on your curls. You scrunch it out once it is fully dry, and what is left is soft, defined, frizz-free curls. That is the magic. Do not skip the scrunch.

Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic (Best Overall Gel)

Best for: 3A-4A curls. Medium-to-strong hold with zero crunch after scrunching.

This is the gel that converted me from a cream-only guy. It gives strong definition and hold without the crunchy helmet that cheaper gels leave behind. The hold lasts through Miami humidity, which is my personal stress test for any product. If it works in 90% humidity and 95-degree heat, it works everywhere.

Application: Apply to soaking wet hair in sections. Scrunch upward. Diffuse or air dry. Once the gel cast forms and your hair is fully dry, scrunch again to break the cast. The result is soft, defined curls with all-day hold.

Skip if: You have very fine 2A-2B waves. This has too much hold and will make your hair stiff rather than wavy.

Price per ounce: ~$1.50/oz. Premium, but the hold quality justifies it.

Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel (Best Budget Gel)

Best for: 3C-4C curls and coils. Strong hold at a price that is hard to believe.

The Eco Styler tub is a staple in barbershops and bathrooms across the country. At roughly $4 for 16 ounces, you are paying about $0.25 per ounce for serious hold. It forms a strong gel cast, works well for wash-and-gos on tighter curl patterns, and layers over leave-in conditioner without flaking. You will also find this recommended in our 360 waves guide for laying down wave patterns.

The tradeoff: It can be crunchy. You absolutely need to scrunch out the crunch once dry. And it contains some ingredients that strict CGM followers avoid (like PVP). If you are flexible on ingredients and want maximum hold for minimum cost, this is the move.

Price per ounce: ~$0.25/oz. Unbeatable value.

Aussie Instant Freeze Gel (Best Lightweight Gel)

Best for: 2C-3B curls. Strong hold without heaviness. Great for guys with thinner or finer curls that flatten under heavier gels.

If your curls are on the looser side and heavier gels pull them straight, Aussie Instant Freeze is the fix. It provides a firm gel cast that scrunches out to soft, defined curls without weighing anything down. Available at every drugstore for a few bucks. The grape-candy scent is not subtle, which is either a plus or a minus depending on how you feel about smelling like a Jolly Rancher.

Price per ounce: ~$0.57/oz. Budget-friendly.

LA Looks Extreme Sport Gel (Best Value Gel)

Best for: All curl types. If you are experimenting with gel for the first time and do not want to spend $18 on a product you might not like, start here.

The 20oz bottle costs about $3. That is not a typo. It provides medium-to-strong hold, minimal flaking, and a decent gel cast. It is not the most refined formula, but it does the job. Many experienced curly guys still keep a bottle around because the price-to-performance ratio is ridiculous.

Price per ounce: ~$0.15/oz. The cheapest effective gel on the market.

Best Oils for Curly Hair

Oil is the finishing step, not the starting step. It seals in the moisture that your leave-in and cream provided. Applying oil to dry hair without moisturizing first does nothing. Applying it over a moisturized, styled curl locks everything in.

Moroccanoil Treatment (Best Finishing Oil)

Best for: All curl types. A few drops on dry, styled hair reduces frizz and adds a light shine without making curls greasy.

This is the oil that convinced a lot of guys that hair oil is not just for women. It absorbs quickly, smells incredible (the scent is subtle and universally liked), and gives curls a polished, healthy look. One pump for short hair. Two pumps for medium length. Rub between your palms and smooth over the surface of your curls after they are dry and scrunched.

Skip if: You are on a tight budget. The per-ounce cost is high. Jojoba oil does 80% of the same job for a fraction of the price.

Price per ounce: ~$18.82/oz. Premium. But the 0.85oz bottle lasts 2-3 months on short hair.

Pure Jojoba Oil (Best Budget Oil)

Best for: All curl types and porosities. Jojoba is the closest oil to your scalp’s natural sebum, which means it absorbs well and does not leave a heavy coating.

A few drops in your palms, smoothed over styled curls. That is the whole technique. Jojoba is also excellent as a scalp treatment if you deal with dry scalp between washes. Massage a few drops into your scalp the night before wash day.

Price per ounce: ~$2.50/oz. Excellent value for a pure oil.

Porosity: Why the Same Product Works for Him But Not You

Here is a scenario I hear constantly: “My friend has the same curl type as me and uses Product X with amazing results. I tried it and my hair looked terrible.” The answer is almost always porosity.

Porosity is how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. Two guys with identical 3B curls can have completely different porosity levels, which means they need different products.

The 30-Second Water Test

1. Take a clean hair strand (no product on it). A strand from your comb or brush works.
2. Drop it in a glass of room-temperature water.
3. Wait 2-4 minutes.
4. Check where the strand is:

Porosity-Based Product Selection

Low porosity + curly (any type): Giovanni shampoo + TRESemme Botanique conditioner + Kinky-Curly leave-in + Aussie Instant Freeze gel. Keep everything lightweight. Apply products to warm, wet hair (the warmth opens the cuticle).

Medium porosity + curly (any type): Almost anything on this list works. Start with Giovanni shampoo + TRESemme conditioner + Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk cream + Uncle Funky’s gel.

High porosity + curly (any type): As I Am CoWash + SheaMoisture Manuka Honey Masque (weekly) + Mielle leave-in + SheaMoisture Smoothie + Eco Styler gel + jojoba oil to seal. Layer moisture aggressively and seal it in.

What Works Across Curl Types and Cultures

Curly hair does not care about your ethnicity. A 3B curl is a 3B curl whether you are Black, Latino, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, South Asian, or mixed. The products that work are determined by your curl type and porosity, not your background.

That said, some cultural contexts are worth noting because they affect what products you have been exposed to and what advice you have received:

• Mixed-race curls: Often non-uniform (different curl types in different zones on the same head). This means you might need two different stylers for different sections. Apply a heavier cream on tighter sections and a lighter one on looser areas. This is normal, not extra.
• Latino waves (2A-2C): Many Latino men have thick, dense hair with a subtle wave pattern that they have been treating as straight hair. If you have been using regular shampoo and blow-drying your hair straight, try skipping the blow-dryer for a week and see what your natural pattern does. You might discover waves you did not know you had. For thick hair styling tips, see our hispanic men hairstyles guide.
• Black men’s coils (4A-4C): The product world is better for this hair type than it was 10 years ago, but many formulas are still targeted at longer women’s hair. For 4A-4C guys who keep it short, less product per application is key. For specialized picks, our best shampoo for Black men guide goes deeper on this specific texture.
• Mediterranean and Middle Eastern curls (2C-3B): Often thick and dense like Latino hair but with more defined curl pattern. These curl types respond well to lightweight creams and medium-hold gels. Humidity resistance is especially important if you are in a coastal or tropical climate.
• East Asian and South Asian waves/curls: Wavy and curly hair absolutely exists in Asian communities, though it is less commonly discussed. For style inspiration, see our Asian hairstyles for men and Korean hairstyles for men guides. Product-wise, lightweight gels and creams work well on finer Asian curl patterns.

The bottom line: match your products to your curl type and porosity. Your cultural background gives you context for your hair’s likely characteristics, but it does not dictate your product choices.

Building Your Routine: 3 Products, 5 Minutes

I am not here to sell you 14 products. I am here to find you the 3 that actually matter. Here are four starter routines based on curl type.

Routine 1: Wavy Hair (2A-2C)

Total monthly cost: ~$6-8. Daily styling time: 3 minutes.

Routine 2: Curly Hair (3A-3B)

Total monthly cost: ~$10-14. Daily styling time: 5 minutes.

Routine 3: Tight Curls (3C-4A)

Total monthly cost: ~$8-12. Daily styling time: 7 minutes (longer on deep-condition days).

Routine 4: Coily Hair (4B-4C)

Total monthly cost: ~$10-15. Daily styling time: 8-10 minutes.

Application Techniques That Actually Matter

Having the right product and putting it on wrong gives you the same result as having the wrong product. Application technique is half the equation. Here is what I have learned from years of trial, error, and one very regrettable period where I thought towel-drying was fine.

The Scrunching Method

Scrunching is the foundation of curly hair product application. Take your product-coated hands, cup the ends of your hair, and push upward toward your scalp in a squeezing motion. This encourages curl formation instead of disrupting it. Repeat on all sections.

Do not rake products through your curls with a comb or brush after applying. Raking separates curl clumps. Scrunching keeps them together.

The Praying Hands Method

For distributing product evenly on medium-to-long curly hair: put product on both palms, then slide a section of hair between your palms like you are praying with the hair between your hands. This coats every strand without disturbing the curl pattern. Follow with scrunching to encourage definition.

Drying: Diffuse vs. Air Dry

• Diffusing (blow-dryer with diffuser attachment on low heat): Faster, more volume, slightly more frizz potential if you move the diffuser too much. Best for 2C-3C curls that need lift. Cup curls in the diffuser bowl, hold still for 30 seconds per section, then move to the next. Do not scrub the diffuser against your head.
• Air drying: Slower, softer definition, less frizz. Best for 3B-4C curls that already have volume. Takes 30-90 minutes depending on density. Do not touch your hair while it dries. Touching = frizz. Sit on your hands if you have to.

Day-2 and Day-3 Refresh

You do not need to re-wash and restyle every morning. On non-wash days:

1. Spray your hair lightly with water. Just enough to dampen, not soak.
2. Add a tiny amount of leave-in conditioner to your hands and scrunch into the damp sections.
3. Let air dry or diffuse briefly.
4. Total time: 2-3 minutes.

Sleep matters too. A silk or satin pillowcase reduces friction and frizz overnight. Cotton pillowcases absorb moisture from your curls and rough up the cuticle. If a silk pillowcase feels like too much, a satin-lined beanie or a durag works just as well.

7 Product Mistakes Curly-Haired Guys Make

I have made every single one of these. Learn from my years of looking like a confused poodle.

1. Using too much product. Women’s tutorials are calibrated for 12-24 inches of hair. You have 3-6. Cut every product amount in half, then cut it in half again. Start small. Add more only if needed.
2. Applying product to dry or barely damp hair. Product on dry curly hair = frizz and uneven distribution. Always apply to soaking wet hair. Water is your first product.
3. Rubbing with a terry cloth towel. The friction from a regular towel roughens the cuticle and creates frizz. Use a microfiber towel or an old cotton t-shirt. Scrunch to remove water, never rub.
4. Skipping conditioner. “I have short hair, I don’t need conditioner” is the most common mistake I hear. Your curls need moisture regardless of length. Condition every single wash.
5. Brushing dry curls. Brushing separates curl clumps, destroys definition, and creates a frizz cloud. Detangle only when wet, with conditioner in, using fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
6. Choosing products by brand loyalty instead of curl type. What works for your friend might not work for you. Match products to your curl type and porosity, not to what is popular or what someone else recommended.
7. Never clarifying. Even sulfate-free products leave some buildup over time. Once a month, use a clarifying shampoo (yes, one with sulfates) to strip everything clean and reset. Then go back to your regular sulfate-free routine.

Budget Breakdown: What to Spend at Each Level

You do not need expensive products to have great curls. Here is what a monthly routine costs at each budget level.

Start at the Bare Minimum level. Seriously. You can always upgrade once you know what your hair responds to. Spending $50 on premium products before you know your porosity is like buying running shoes before you know your foot size.

Ingredients to Know (and Avoid)

You do not need a chemistry degree. Just learn these five categories and you can evaluate any product label in 30 seconds.

If a product’s first three ingredients are water, a silicone, and a sulfate, put it back on the shelf. If the first three are water, aloe vera, and shea butter, you are probably in good hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Start Here, Adjust Later

Bro, I know this is a lot. I just threw 15+ products and 4 routines at you. So let me make it simple.

If you take one thing from this guide, make it this: buy three products that match your curl type and porosity, and use them consistently for two weeks before changing anything. Your curls need time to adjust. The first wash might not blow you away. By week two, you will see the difference.

Here is your action plan:

• Do the water float test to determine your porosity (takes 3 minutes).
• Pick one of the four routines above based on your curl type.
• Buy the three core products (cleanser, conditioner, styler). Total cost: $15-20 to start.
• Follow the routine for two weeks. No swapping products, no adding extras, no panicking after day one.
• Adjust after two weeks. Need more moisture? Add a leave-in. Need more hold? Add gel. Need less weight? Downgrade to a lighter product.

Your curls are not broken. I spent years thinking mine were. Turns out I was just using the wrong products for my porosity and applying them to barely-damp hair like the instructions said for straight hair. *No me gusta* that approach. Once I matched the right products to my actual hair, everything changed.

For style ideas once your curls are defined, check out our curly hair fade guide for the best ways to frame your curls with a clean cut. And if you are curious about how different cultures approach textured hair, our types of fades guide covers the full range.

Got questions about a specific product or curl type? Drop them in the comments. I read every one.