Best of the Best Winners 2012

Best Cleansing Conditioner

As I Am Coconut CoWash

Experienced curlies know the importance of co-washing and now manufacturers are offering dedicated co-wash products to meet our needs — Curl Power!

You say:

“This is my all time, number one, HG, never ever going to run out favorite. Unless they change the formula or go out of business (which I know they won’t”> this will be in my arsenal forever and ever! AMEN!!!!” – User aprilrain2606

Best Daily Conditioner

TRESemmé  Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner

This bang-for-your-buck conditioner is perfect for curlies who use lots of product on their copious curls and coils. It’s cone-free, has natural ingredients and costs just $6.50 for a whopping 25 fluid ounces.

You say:

“On my 8th month of transitioning and love this conditioner. Great slip for detangling and cheap. No cones which I love and the aloe and avocado does great in my hair. Great even on my daughters hair.” – 2C User GabbyPooh

Best Leave-in Conditioner

Kinky Curly Knot Today

This leave-in has plenty of lovable ingredients, but we actually love it most for what it left out! You won’t find any dreaded glycerin, parabens, proteins, silicones or sulfates here.

You say:

“This is the best leave-in I have ever used. This stuff is great and somehow it helps to define my curls and leaves my hair looking so healthy. I have used this under several different products and it actually enhances them. When I use other leave in’s, the results are subpar. This stuff is magic!” – 4A User leslie2877

Best Deep Conditioner

SheaMoisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque

Every curl is unique but we all have one thing in common — we need moisture! We recommend a weekly deep treatment to repair damaged curls, coils and waves.

This shea butter masque boasts sea kelp to detoxify hair follicles and argan oil to restore shine and elasticity.

You say:

“Life could never go on for me if this product was discontinued lol. Best healer for damaged hair..defines curls..brings out the true beauty of my hair all the way. I have seen a new side of my hair with this. I deep condish with this and put a little back in..or just use it as a leave in after a wash or co wash. Either way it does absolute wonders..wonders..” – 3B User NaturalLife

Best Styling Gel

Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel

Those were your cleansing and conditioning picks, but that’s only half the battle — next comes styling!

This Ouidad gel acts as a shield against humidity, protecting the hair shaft and preventing hair from expanding.

You say:

“I’ve tried everything to keep my hair from expanding and frizzing in the Florida humidity. This is the only product I use in my hair and I’ve used if for over a year. I absolutely love it!!!” – 3B User Tampa, Fl

Best Styling Cream

SheaMoisture Organic Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

This all-natural smoothie is the most delicious way to feed your curls. It’s packed full of nutrient rich vegetable butters like coconut, avocado, and carrot — yum!

You say:

“I love this!! I typically use this when I do twist outs and I get good results, but I started using it when I do two strands and it’s great!! It moisturizes, defines my curls, gives my hair shine, and keep my twists frizz free. Also it is sulfate free, which is the main reason why I started using it.” – 3C User curly14

Best Styling Pudding, Butter or Custard

Kinky Curly Curling Custard

Not only is KCCC (as its adoring fans call it”> your top pick for best styling custard, it also won “Best product for curls,” Best of the Best Hall of Fame, AND won our Editors’ Choice Award!

High five KCCC!

You say:

“KCCC is the absolute best curl product. Much easier to apply than other curl systems, more cost effective, and a longer lasting resulting curl. My hair is shinier and feels healthier than with other products. I’ll be using it until you stop selling it.” – User surething

Best Styling Mousse

Jane Carter Wrap and Roll

We curlies can be a picky bunch when it comes to ingredients, and Jane Carter knows just how to please us. Paraben free, silicone free, sulfate free and glycerin free, this natural mousse will give you curls without the crunch. 

You say:

“1st. Love the smell. 2nd: Love the Shine. This was a staple for me during my transition. I used it for rod sets, twist outs and to tie down my edges. The results were always perfect.” 3C User sammysam

Best Hair Oil

Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil

This oil is a total multi-tasker. Jamaicans have been using this product for ages on everything from hair breakage, dandruff and eczema to itchy scalp, acne, even eyelash growth!

You say:

“Great product! It’s very moisturizing and good for sealing after using a water based moisturizer. A little goes a long way and if too much is used it can weigh your hair down. But overall I love it! Also good to use mixed in with your deep conditioner” – 4B User love2323

Best Frizz Fighter

Curl Keeper by Curly Hair Solutions

In the battle against humidity, this product is a winner! From Best of the Best Hall of Fame 2009-2012 to the NaturallyCurly Editors’ Choice Awards, this frizz fighter has totally won our hearts.

You say:

“This stuff is amazing! It is like a very light gel that truly takes the frizz away and leaves your hair smooth, soft and shiny. Although it is a tiny bit stiff until fully dry, you don’t have to scrunch out the crunch. It is perfectly soft when fully dry.” – 3A User medusa28

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Best Sulfate-free Product

SheaMoisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo

SheaMoisture’s on a roll! This won for favorite shampoo AND your favorite sulfate-free product too. Their all-natural organic formula is a tried and true cleanser for curls, coils and waves.

You say:

“This is by far the best shampoo I have ever used. Before this product, my expectations of shampoo in general were pretty low. I expected them to clean my hair and that was it. I never knew a shampoo could moisturize and detangle like a conditioner! Well this product DOES. It even lathers really well, even though it’s organic. My favorite product by SheaMoisture.” – 3A User curlyfries1989

Best Straightening/Smoothing Product

Chi Silk Infusion

Obviously if you’re reading this then you love your natural curls; but if you’re looking to change things up then Chi Silk Infusion will help transform your curls into smooth straight locks.

Best Growth Product

Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Hair oil and growth are both hot topics amongst curlies, so a hair oil that will promote growth is something we can really get excited about.

JBCO increases blood flow to the scalp so we suggest massaging a small amount to your scalp each night and leaving it overnight, or as a hot oil treatment weekly.

You say:

“Of course using and oil is a must in my hair care regimen anyway… using this thick castor oil on my wet hair was great. I felt like I was really putting something good in my hair and it never felt like too much. That’s a good thing! My hair felt conditioned and moisturized… Good stuff!” – 4C User Cheles08

Best Hair Coloring Product

Jamila Henna

Hair coloring has typically been associated with damaging hair, but you love this natural colorant because it actually has a long list of benefits (beyond boosting color”> like volume, body and shine.

MORE: CurlyNikki’s Quick Henna Treatment

Best Silicone-free Product

TRESemmé Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner

This is the second Best of the Best win for this condish! Does that qualify as a, dare we say it, Holy Grail product?

 You say:

“My holy grail! There isn’t one thing I don’t like about it! I use it as a co-wash, conditioner, and leave-in. Has great slip and is great at detangling.” – 2C User Nhathaway26  

Best Finishing Product

Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle

Leave-in conditioner, frizz controller, shine booster — so many uses for this one product. No wonder they call it Curls in a Bottle!

 You say:

“This my favorite product in all that I use. I will always use it. It finishes my hair with just the right punch. I have very tightly coily hair and this product adds the right finish to my wash n go.” – 4A User meesh64

Best Second-day Product

Shea Moisture Organic Coconut and Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk

Mastering second-day curls is essential if you want to cut down on shampoo frequency. This hair milk will help.

You say:

“LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!! I recently did my big chop and this was the first product I used. LOVED IT!!!! It goes on smooth, keeps my curls hydrated, and gives me definition. Will definitely keep buying this as a staple!” – 3B User ashkristina

Best Styling Tool

CHI Original Flat Iron

One of the reasons being curly is the best (and there are many”> is the versatility! Feel like adopting a new look? This CHI flat iron is the top pick for both our readers and our Editors.

Best Curly Hair Necessity

Curls Like Us Cloths

Curls Like Us Cloths are no stranger to Best of the Best, they are a curly girl essential, Best of the Best Hall of Famer and Editors’ Choice Award winner!

You say:

“I could not imagine living without these towels. I use the towel out of the shower for a quick patting of the dripping water and then to scrunch in my styling products. They are fantastic and my curls are frizz free most of the time because of these lovely towels.” – 2B User curlysuzy

Best Product for Curly Kids

SheaMoisture Raw Shea Camomile & Argan Oil Baby line

We curlies care a lot about the products we use on our hair, but we care even MORE about the products we use on our babies! Secret tip: grown ups love it too.

You say:

“I am 3A protein sensitive and actually use this as a low poo when I wash my hair every 4th day. It seems very gentle, smells nice and works well with my other products. I would recommend this as an adult hair cleanser as well as for babies.” – 3A User Valerie J.

Best Transitioning Product

SheaMoisture Hair Repair & Transition Kit

We understand (better than most”> your Product Junkie urges to go out try all of the Best of the Best products. But if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to try a lot of products this kit is a one-stop shop.

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Best Product/line You Discovered in 2012

As I Am

“I’m a big fan of As I Am products. I have my mom addicted to this brand. The leave-in detangles as well as conditions:”> ” 4A User naturelle44

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Best Ingredient to Add to a DIY Hair Recipe

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

We love creating our own homemade treatments almost as much as we love trying products. EVOO is a