Men with curly hair tend to settle on a routine and stick with it, even when it is not working well. Good gifts make that routine easier: a dryer that does not blow curls into frizz, a brush that defines instead of breaking them up, and products that hold moisture. This guide is sorted by what the gift does, from the big one to the small add-ons.
If you are not sure what he uses now, look in his shower. Our guide to the best curly hair products for men explains what each type of product does.
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Quick picks
- The big gift: Dyson Supersonic Nural with its diffuser.
- A diffuser dryer for less: Wavytalk Blown Away or Revlon Volume Booster.
- A curl brush: Denman D3.
- For tight curls and coils: Red by Kiss Twist King.
- A leave-in: Briogeo Curl Charisma or Bevel Leave-In.
- Small add-on: a satin pillowcase.
A dryer with a diffuser
A diffuser spreads the airflow so it dries curls without blowing them apart. For a man who air-dries because a regular dryer leaves him frizzy, a diffuser dryer is the gift that changes his routine most.
Dyson Supersonic Nural
The Dyson Supersonic Nural comes with five attachments, including a diffuser and a styling concentrator. Its sensors switch on features automatically: a scalp protect mode holds the air at a target 130 degrees Fahrenheit at the scalp for close-up drying, and the dryer recognizes each attachment and remembers his preferred heat and airflow for it. It is the biggest gift on this page and the one he is least likely to buy himself.
Shark FlexStyle with diffuser
The Shark FlexStyle HD435 is a dryer that twists into a multi-styler. This version comes with a curl-defining diffuser, two 1.25-inch auto-wrap curlers, an oval brush and a styling concentrator. It has 4 heat and 3 airflow settings, a cool shot, and is designed for straight, wavy, curly and coily hair.
Wavytalk and Revlon diffuser dryers
For a simpler dryer, the Wavytalk Blown Away is an 1875-watt ionic dryer made for curly hair, with a diffuser, a concentrator nozzle and a comb attachment, three heat settings, two speeds and a cool shot. The Revlon Volume Booster is another 1875-watt option with a curl-enhancing diffuser, infrared heat, ionic frizz control and a ceramic coating.
A brush or comb that defines curls
The Denman D3 is the classic curl brush: a 7-row brush with round-ended pins on an anti-static rubber pad, used on wet hair to define curls. For tight curls and coils, the Red by Kiss Twist King is a washable alternative to a twist sponge, designed for afro and 4C hair. For detangling, the Tangle Teezer wide tooth comb has long, firm teeth on one side and flexible two-tier teeth on the other, for wet or dry hair.
Leave-ins and stylers
Curly hair usually needs a leave-in for moisture and a styler for hold. These make good gifts because he goes through them. Our guide to the best leave-in conditioner for curly hair covers more.
- Briogeo Curl Charisma Leave-In Defining Creme uses rice amino acids, avocado oil and shea butter to hydrate and define wavy, curly and coily hair. It is vegan and free of silicones, sulfates and parabens.
- Bevel Leave-In Conditioner is made for coarse, curly and textured hair, with hemp seed oil and biotin, to soften, detangle and control frizz.
- Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Gel is a stronger-hold curl gel made to block humidity and frizz without a crunchy finish.
- Davines This Is A Curl Building Serum gives light hold and bounce for wavy to curly hair.
- Uncle Jimmy Curl-Kicker is a medium-hold men’s styling cream with black seed oil and honey and a matte finish.
- The Pattern Beauty mini stylers kit has four 3-ounce stylers, a hydrating mist, curl gel, styling cream and strong hold gel, so he can find the one his curls like.
Wash-day sets
A matched set takes the guesswork out. The Uncle Jimmy thick, tight curly and kinky hair regimen is a 3-step men’s set: a hair, beard and body wash, a leave-in conditioner and the X-Tra Curl-Kicker. The SheaMoisture Curl and Shine shampoo and conditioner set is sulfate free, with shea butter, coconut oil and silk protein, to moisturize and help detangle. Follow our curly hair routine for men to put it all together.
Small add-ons
Cotton pillowcases and terry towels both rough up curls. A Kitsch satin pillowcase is made to reduce friction compared with cotton and has a zipper so it stays on the pillow. MICROFI microfiber hair towels are lint free and quick drying. Both fit in a stocking; see our grooming stocking stuffers for men for more.
How to choose
If he air-dries and fights frizz, a diffuser dryer is the biggest upgrade. If he already has a routine he likes, give him a better tool, such as a Denman brush, or a premium version of what he uses up, such as a leave-in or gel. If you do not know his products, a wash-day set or a sampler kit lets him try a full routine.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good gift for a man with curly hair?
A diffuser hair dryer if you want a bigger gift, or a curl brush plus a leave-in conditioner for something smaller. Both fit how most curly-haired men already style.
Why does curly hair need a diffuser?
A regular dryer blows a strong stream of air that pulls curls apart and causes frizz. A diffuser spreads the air out so curls dry in their shape.
Is a satin pillowcase worth it for men?
It is a small gift that reduces friction on hair overnight compared with cotton, which helps curls keep their shape.
