With the rise of sulfate-free and silicone-free hair products, the Curly Girl Method is more popular than ever before. In this post we’ve rounded up our favorite Curly Girl approved conditioners suitable for co-washing and conditioning!
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In A Hurry? Here Are Our Top Picks…
| Description | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Top
Top | Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food Banana 3-in-1, Nourishing Hair Mask | Buy on Amazon | |
Top | Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Conditioner | Buy on Amazon | |
Top | Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deep Moisture Conditioner | Buy on Amazon | |
Top | Bouclème Curl Conditioner | Buy on Amazon | |
Top | Bounce Curl Super Smooth Cream Conditioner | Buy on Amazon |
The Curly Girl Method
The Curly Girl Method was created by Lorraine Massey who wrote the book ‘Curly Girl, the handbook’. If you’re a complete beginner to the CG Method, I’d recommended giving it a read. You can easily purchase it from Amazon.
The Curly Girl Method essentially revolves around a more natural approach to curly hair care and this means following a few rules. They are:
- No sulfates, silicones, harsh alcohols or parabens
- No heat styling
- No brushing
- No regular towels
It may seem daunting at first, but it’s actually quite easy to follow CGM if you’re willing to do a bit of prep. Read my step by step guide to the Curly Girl Method for tips and advice on how to best get started.
To avoid the harsh ingredients above, you have to choose products that are so-called ‘Curly Girl approved’. This basically just means checking the ingredients list for any of these no-go ingredients. Curly Girl approved products will be much more gentle on your hair and scalp and will bring out the best in your waves and curls.
For this reason, it’s advised that you do not use shampoo if following the CG method. This is because most shampoos contain sulfates. Instead, co-wash (conditioner wash) your hair or use botanical sulfate-free cleansers to get rid of build-up and grease.
The following conditioners are all Curly Girl approved and are easily available online or in stores. Whether you have waves or curls or have low or high porosity hair, there’s something for everyone!
Also check out:
18 Best Curly Girl Approved Conditioners
1. Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food Banana 3-in-1 Dry Hair Mask Treatment
By far one of the most popular products amongst CG followers is the Hair Food range from Garnier Ultimate Blends Curly Girl range. This Banana Hair food mask is a 3 in 1 intensive hair treatment that works well both as a regular conditioner as well as a deep conditioner.
The product contains blended banana and Shea butter and leaves dry hair feeling intensely nourished. A fantastic lightweight conditioner with maximum impact.
2. SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner
There are many Curly Girl approved SheaMoisture products and their Coconut and Hibiscus conditioner is a firm favorite.
Great for those with thick hair as the product has a rich, creamy texture which helps soften hair. The conditioner detangles dry, frizzy hair and infuses your curls with intense moisture.
3. Giovanni Smooth As Silk Conditioner
Giovanni’s Smooth As Silk Conditioner is a budget-friendly CG friendly product that works well for a light-weight condition. It helps to detangle knots while increasing shine and protecting against split ends. This product is vegan and can be used daily.
4. Bounce Curl Super Smooth Cream Conditioner
This conditioner from Bounce curl is super hydrating and offers a light-weight cleanse of your curly locks. Packed with aloe vera (and no water) for added goodness, this product was made to create soft and defined curls.
The weightless texture means that you’ll not experience any build-up while achieving maximum volume.
5. TRESemmé Botanique Conditioner Nourish and Replenish Coconut and Aloe Vera
The TRESemmé Botanique conditioner is a very popular conditioner. It is light-weight and nourishing and helps to transform dry hair into bouncy, shiny locks.
The botanical formula was created for those with dry hair and contains coconut and aloe vera for maximum hydration. Use regularly and follow up with your favorite styling product.
6. Bouclème Curl Conditioner
The Bouclème Curl Conditioner is a slightly more expensive yet super hydrating conditioner that protects your hair on a daily basis.
It contains a unique formula made with coconut and Argan oil as well as aloe vera and honey. This product brings back softness and shine to dull curls.
7. XHC Banana Conditioner
This affordable conditioner from XHC is enriched with banana which leaves your hair feeling shiny, moisturized, and smooth. The conditioner has a lovely scent and helps clean hair from impurities and product build-up.
The texture is rich and therefore aids in producing soft and tangle-free curls. Suitable for everyday use.
8. Garnier Ultimate Blends Papaya Hair Food 3-in-1 Mask Damaged Hair*
The papaya hair food from Garnier is used by CG followers all over the world. It has a creamy yet light-textured consistency and can be used for co-washing, conditioning, and as a deep conditioning hair treatment.
The papaya hair mask visibly reduces split ends even after just one use and contains hydrating Papaya and Alma extracts to replenish moisture to dry and dull hair.
9. Faith In Nature Lavender And Geranium Conditioner
This conditioner from Faith In Nature is a great product that helps to detangle unruly hair. It is lightweight and has a mild but wonderful scent made from 100% natural fragrances.
This product doesn’t lather too much and therefore offers a thorough but gentle cleanse. Suitable for everyday use.
10. Noughty To the Rescue Moisture Boost Conditioner
This popular conditioner from Noughty Haircare contains a unique blend of plant oils that help restore and smooth damaged hair. The hydrating formula which contains shea butter and coconut oil helps to reduce frizz and breakage. An affordable product that is gentle enough for everyday use.
11. Garnier Ultimate Blends Almond Crush Almond Milk & Agave Sap Conditioner
This gentle and weightless conditioner is brilliant for everyday use when co-washing or conditioning. The formula contains organic almond milk and organic agave sap and helps to cleanse your hair of build-up caused by products and pollution. Can be used daily and leaves hair feeling silky smooth and soft.
12. SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner
This Raw Shea Butter Conditioner can be used both for conditioning as well as deep conditioning. It offers a high dose of moisture and helps to restore dull, lifeless hair back to its natural shine.
You can use this as a conditioner on wash days or as a reparative treatment mask once or twice a month. Leave for at least 3 minutes.
13. The Mane Choice Pink Lemonade and Coconut Super Antioxidant and Texture Beautifier Conditioner
An affordable intense conditioner that turns dry hair into silky soft locks. Helps to revive unruly and damaged hair and restores your hair’s natural curl pattern.
This conditioner has a lovely scent of oranges and grapefruit and can be used both as a regular conditioner as well as a deep conditioner.
14. Camille Rose Moisture Milk
This leave-in conditioner from Camille Rose has a unique formula with is fortified with vitamins A, D, and B12. It contains moisturizing ingredients such as macadamia seed oil as well as aloe and green tea extract.
This is also popular as a leave-in that helps to detangle knots and prevent split ends and breakage.
15. Camille Rose Naturals Moroccan Pear Conditioning Custard
This conditioner from Camille Rose promises maximum hydration even for the thirstiest of curls. It helps provide daily nourishment through its creamy consistency and produces shiny, healthy results.
Contains Moroccan pear which accelerates hair growth and B vitamin for curl retention. This conditioner has a wonderful sweet scent and will transform your brittle and dry hair into silky smooth curls.
16. Only Curls All Curl Conditioner
Products from Only Curls are on the pricier side, however, their products have proven incredibly popular over the past few years. This conditioner is specifically formulated to hydrate your curls without weighing them down.
The formula contains a special formula that includes avocado, Argan, and macadamia oil which penetrates the hair shaft and offers intense, deep hydration.
17. Innersense Hydrating Cream Conditioner
This is a rich moisturizing conditioner from Innersense which is perfect for coarse and thirsty hair. It contains ingredients such as flaxseed, aloe vera and Shea butter for added nourishment which leaves hair soft and shiny.
Coconut oil helps to control frizz while ensuring that your curls stay hydrated.
18. Clever Curl Rich Conditioner
This rich curl conditioner can be used as a co-wash, conditioner, or even as a leave-in. The creamy consistency will banish frizz while providing optimum moisture to rehydrate thirsty curls. An upmarket brand that costs a little bit extra but is definitely worth the money.
Disclaimer: This site is not intended to provide professional or medical advice. All of the content on LovedByCurls.com is for informational purposes only. All advice should be followed at your own discretion. Ingredients may change at any time so always check the product label before using. Check our full disclaimer policy here.
