1. Curls Blueberry Bliss Control Jelly is a jelly-based styler formulated for 2a–4c hair types. The ingredient list is impressive — think organic blueberry extract, raw castor oil, and aloe leaf juice — that's perfect for twist-outs, braid-outs, and roller sets.
Curls is a woman-owned business! Promising review: "Wow. My curls (2b/2c) have never looked better. This is an instant holy grail product.
" — rickdog Get it from Amazon for $17.99 . 2.
Bunzee Bands are built with two major features in mind: the first is durability (each band has a lifespan of up to two years) and the second is comfort, with an adjustable band that guarantees pain-free styling for Afro puffs, locs, dreads, and thick ponytails. Bunzee Bands is a small business dedicated to providing pain-free hair ties for people of all hair shapes and sizes. Promising reviews : "This is the first hair band that does not hurt my head.
It stretches very well and does not cause any tension. It’s like the holy grail of hair bands." — Brittney M.
Stancil "I have long, thick, curly hair and had been searching for some kind of hair band, hair tie, etc. that could hold my hair up in a messy bun without it pulling. Can't tell you how many black Goody bands have snapped and how many plastic hair claw clips I've broken trying to hold my heavy hair.
I would often be frustrated with hair ties that wrapping 2x was not enough to stay, but it was impossible to get a third wrap without the band snapping or feeling like my hair was pulling. BUT THESE BANDS work amazingly well. The fact that they are adjustable is great, so I can decide what size I need to wrap 3x or not.
The beads seem to "lock" against themselves without the feeling of my hair being pulled. Will be buying more." — Ellebe52 Get a pack of two from Amazon for $15.
95 (available in two colors, a single pack, and a smaller size). 3. Tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask is a deep-conditioning treatment that contains an unbeatable trio for glass-like shine and lasting hydration: raw honey, jojoba, and olive oil.
This conditioning mask leans on the power of raw honey, olive oil and jojoba oil to noursh and repair hair from the inside out. Promising review: "This product has no comparison that is how great it is in my hair. I have read tons of reviews and YouTubers have raved about this so I decided to give it a try and my only regret is not getting more than one.
I have thick kinky 4c hair and this is a holy Grail deep conditioner. My hair has been soft and manageable ever since I used this. If I have to write about the greatness of this product it will be too long.
If you want the best deep condition experience give this honey mask a try.the smell is amazing, the moisture is unbelievable and the price is worth the product." — Twirls Get it from Amazon for $17.
19 . 4. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer protects hair from the drying dangers of sun exposure and heat damage.
Consider this the sunscreen of your daily haircare routine — except this simultaneously fights frizz and won't ruin color-treated tresses. Promising review: "I’ve been using this consistently since April 2021 and I love this product if you have colored and curly hair this is the ultimate holy grail!!!" — Liz Paredes Get it from Amazon for $16+ (available in three sizes). 5.
Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls Unisex Lotion is a hair gel without the stiff finish of a hair gel, i.e. it provides medium hold without making your curls look crunchy.
Anticipate gloss and big, soft curls. Promising review: "LOVE this product. You know how us curly girls search for years to find the perfect product? THIS IS IT.
Very light hold, not crunchy, not heavy, oily or waxy. When I first started using it, I was using way too much for my shoulder-length hair..
. about the size of a nickel. Now I use the size of a dime or large pea and it's perfect.
So glad this comes in a large tube, it's definitely worth the price. I will definitely be repurchasing this again and again. This is my holy grail hair product, for sure.
" — Melissa Get it from Amazon for $17.99 . 6.
Verb Ghost Oil fights frizz and flyaways with ease, adding a sleek and soft finish to even the thickest of tresses. Plus, a little goes a long way; bamboo extract, moringa seed oil, and argan oil restore dehydrated ends with very small deposits of product. Promising review: " Solid option for keeping my kinky curls from drying.
Not my favorite scent but not bad, doesn't linger and reasonably priced. All that said, I've stumbled upon a great combination: I use ghost oil to cut/add more moisturizing nutrients with the (far more expensive) Oribe gold lust oil and have found the combination something of a 'holy grail' for adding sheen and moisture. I generally combine in 2:1 ratio or 1:1 when hair is really dried out.
" — Ready Eddie Get it from Amazon for $20+ (available in two sizes). 7. Denman's Hair Brush quickly detangles and shapes curls in a pinch *and* is the perfect vessel for evenly distributing product.
Plus, consider this $20 a lifetime investment; several reviewers have been using the same brush for decades . Promising review: "Denman is the OG holy grail for me! I have been using it since I was 17 years old and I am now 62! When I was younger, I wanted to straighten my naturally curl hair and this was it with the blow dryer. Since my 30’s I embraced my natural curl and this has still been it! I am a hairdresser and always recommend this brush.
It defines my curl texture beautifully." — Veronica Salas Get it from Amazon for $16.95+ (available in three styles and two colors).
8. Marc Anthony Strictly Curls 3x Moisture Deep Shampoo & Conditioner is adored by reviewers with both fine *and* coarse hair, swearing by its formula that detangles and defines without excaberating greasy scalps. Promising reviews: "I have fine, wavy curly hair that goes flat the second something weighs it down.
I have a super oily scalp no matter how much I do or do not wash it. This shampoo and conditioner COMBO for this INCREDIBLE price..
. has been an absolute game changer." — Tawny "My hair has been dry and brittle and lost it’s curls since I last bleached it.
I’ve tried buying everything I could including hair masks to help strengthen my curls and shine but nothing worked. But this, this is my holy grail. My hair is now thick and curly and shines beautifully.
" — Christina Arroyo Get it from Amazon for $17.99 . 9.
Ethique Curl Defining Solid Sulfate Free Shampoo Bar saves a ton of cash in the long run as just one bar equates to three bottles of liquid shampoo. That, in combination with a refreshing lemongrass scent and curl-enhancing ingredient list, makes this a shoe-in for your next shower staple. This curl-enhancing bar is formulated with nourishing shea butter, betaine (derived from sugar beets) and cocoa butter.
Promising review: "I’ve tried literally 20+ shampoos to try and tame my hair. I have particularly difficult hair (very thick combo curly/wavy, oily/frizzy medium porosity) and have been on a quest for shampoo that actually makes my hair manageable. This shampoo bar completely cleanses my hair of oil and product/mineral buildup and still manages to not strip my hair completely of moisture, which in turn makes my hair less likely to tangle and reduces frizz.
I wouldn’t recommend this for everyday use but i only wash my hair once a week ideally to prevent hair damage. Within two weeks (two washes) I have noticed my hair is a lot more manageable and generally less oily. Even after a few days my hair is still not overly greasy.
" — Lucy K. Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in 13 scents). 10.
JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Cream cuts styling time to, well, no time at all. Simply distribute this product in your hair, nix the diffuser entirely, and rest assured that this squalane, chia seed, and moringa trio will provide alllll the definition. Promising review: "Literally my holy grail for my curly hair! I hate diffusing my hair because I’m lazy but putting this in my hair after the shower gives the same effect as diffused curls when it dries!" — jennanicole26 Get it from Sephora for $14+ (available in two sizes).
11. SheaMoisture Curl Mousse adds volume, smells divine (hibiscus and coconut are simply a holy combination), and enhances natural curls. This is perfect for folks with wavy-to-curly tresses looking for more definition.
Promising review: "My holy grail. I’ve tried, no joke, about 60 different hair products and I can confidently say this is in my top 5. Gives your hair the perfect curls! Doesn’t leave the curls too hard and it’s not overly moisturizing.
either." — Priscila Get it from Amazon for $10.97 .
12. Bread Hair Oil Everyday Gloss provides shine, shine, shine (it's especially loved by reviewers with 3a–4c hair) thanks to vitamin C-rich kakadu plum. And no, scout's honor — this highly moisturizing product won't cause weigh down or look greasy.
Promising review: "This oil is better than anything I’ve ever used and smell is so so amazing. It’s CGM-friendly and a holy grail item in my hair care routine. It’s worth every penny!" — DoubleJarr Get it from Bread or Sephora for $14+ (available in three sizes).
13. COLOR WOW Dream Coat harnesses the power of several gels and creams into one solve-all product. A few spritzes means a sleek, crunch-free style; waterproofing technology locks in moisture and blocks humidity to ensure a frizz-free finish that stays frizz-free all day long.
Promising review: " This stuff is the holy grail for me. Enough so I did a picture. I use this and theorie marula oil.
My hair feels like butter. It curls so much better. I just ordered another bottle.
I bought a bottle in May of both this and Marula Oil. I have enough left to last till halfway through August, maybe September. But I don't want to run out.
" — BooksDevoured Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in two sizes). 14. Crave Naturals Detangling Brush delivers on its simple promise flawlessly — and that's that it uses flexible but durable bristles that glide through knots without ripping chunks of hair.
No more biting back an "ouch" when brushing. Promising review: "Holy grail for getting out tangles. I have tried combs, brushes, sprays and serums for getting the knots out of my daughters curly hair.
She no longer screams or hides when I use this brush." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in 10 colors).
15. Xtava Black Orchid Hair Diffuser is designed with 360 degree airflow, a fancy way of saying that heat is evenly distribute to dry each strand to perfection without causing unwanted frizz. Prepare for the most *chef kisses* defined curls of your life.
This diffuser has a 1.8-inch diameter, meaning it'll attach perfectly to ~most~ hairdryers. Promising review: "My holy grail.
Don't know how I lived without this thing. My hair is down to my hips and this makes my hair actually curly again instead of wavy!" — AS Get it from Amazon for $24.99 .
16. Cake Beauty The Curl Friend Defining Cream guarantees glossy, frizz-free curls on second (or third or fourth or tenth) day hair with a blend of shea butter and lightweight natural oils. Lots of moisture, none of the weigh-down.
Added bonus? It smells like lemon meringue pie. Promising review: "Holy grail of hair creams. I have been a fan of this since my normal brand was out and honestly i'm glad I was forced into trying something new cause I LOVE this stuff.
This keeps my curly hair moisturized, relatively tame as far as frizz goes, and smells AMAZING. The lemon meringue scent is so so good. This doesn't leave my hair sticky or greasy, I'm hooked!" — Elyse Police Get it from Amazon for $8.
99 . 17. Olaplex No.
3 Hair Perfector Repairing Hair Treatment has a ~prime~ spot on Amazon's bestsellers list — and for good reason. Over 120,000 reviews (!) swear this product delivers intense repair for damaged strands, making it the ideal weekly treatment for folks who dye their hair frequently. Promising review: "I have 3c curly hair I am in transition from dark to very light blonde.
This has been a lifesaver! I apply a generous amount evenly to damp hair, focusing more on the chemically treated parts. I put my hair up and let it sit for about an hour and then I rinse and follow with a deep conditioner. I have done this twice a week and my hair has been able to keep its integrity throughout my transition.
I have even found that my curls are more defined and feel stronger than they did before I started applying chemicals. This is not a deep conditioner, but it does help reinforce and bridge the gap between broken bonds in your hair's structure. The bonds are broken any time we apply chemicals and/or heat and the damage intensifies if you are not caring for your hair by giving it the proper moisture and maintenance.
This Olaplex will help repair that damage but the stove ingredients do not provide the exact same thing as deep conditioners. If you understand what, exactly, it does and can use it in a system with other products for your hair type and problems then I think you will find that it is a holy grail!" — Kaila Hamilton Get it from Amazon for $30 . 18.
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Hair Oil harnesses the power of (surprise) rosemary mint to help hydrate your scalp and give new life to your curly tresses. Promising review: "Holy grail hair treatment oil. I love this hair oil, it is a staple in my hair care routine.
I like to apply it to my scalp and ends, then wash my hair like normal after 2+ hours. The tea tree oil gives it a nice scent and menthol coolness. In my opinion it’s too heavy to use before styling, but it might work depending on your hair type (my hair is fine, curly).
For reference it’s thicker than argon oil and thinner than castor oil." — GRJ Get it from Amazon for $8.89 .
19. Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner instantly nourishes dry hair with moisturizing ingredients that are both effective *and* smell delicious. Let's extend a round of applause to the following: pomegranate extract, honey, babassu oil, and citrus extracts.
Promising reviews : "Holy grail—I’ve been using this moisturizer for over a year now. I usually blow dry my hair and it does the job. Sometimes I can even sleep down my hair (it’s not perfect btw) with this products.
And okay, the bottle is pink and it smells amazing so it’s a win win! Love it!" — Okiki Sokoya "This leave in conditioner made it easier for me to detangle my curly/coily hair and left it soft and moisturized." — Traci Wynn Get it from Amazon for $12 . 20.
SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie Hair Cream enlists the help of coconut, hibiscus, neem oil, and silk protein to control frizz, add bounce, and tighten curls — all without sulfates or silicones. Promising review: " I have high porosity thick 3b hair. My hair loves heavier products.
And is really prone to frizz. This really helps to calm down the frizz,while bringing a lot of moisture. Also I love the smell I wish they sold a hair fragrance with this exact scent.
I've used it for wash and gos and it works well for that . But I most often use it for braid outs ,twist outs, everything under the sun. Sometimes things are overhyped, and they don’t deserve that much popularity when the product is mid.
But this is a holy grail, this is my eighth time repurchasing it and it never fails to amaze me. Over and over I looked for better products, but came back to it because this is the best of the best for a leave in conditioner. Especially if you have thick hair.
" — Celina Get it from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in two sizes). 21.
Elizavecca Hair Protein Treatment that's a dream come true if your ends have more splits than a banana sundae. This tames frizzy hair and delivers ultimate smoothness — all without weighing it down. Your tresses will look as if they've never even *heard* of hot tools and hair dye.
Promising reviews: " I am a hairstylist and have tried everything. I went from black, to blonde, to black, to purple, back to black and my hair was FEELING it! This stuff smells AMAZING and my hair has never felt better. I use it once a week with Olaplex shampoo and Olaplex leave-in and my hair is like new hair.
It is growing and not breaking off anymore. It is actually shiny and my friend couldn’t stop saying how soft my hair looks and feels. I have never had that.
I rarely leave reviews...
.but needed to with this holy grail." — kyleagogo "I am a licensed hairstylist with half a decade of industry experience, and I love this mask.
If you have dry curly hair, this is the mask for you." — Charlie Get it from Amazon for $7.20 .
The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity..
