Silicones were once touted as the wonder ingredient in hair care. However, in recent years, silicones have started to get a bad rap, especially in the curly world. In fact one of the common first steps to many curly journeys is to cut silicones out of your hair product regimen.
Why avoid silicones?
Because, while silicones in hair products make the hair smooth and shiny, they can also build up over time, leaving the hair ultimately dull and brittle. The way silicones work is by coating the hair strand, smoothing the cuticle. However, this barrier can also prevent necessary oils, other nourishing ingredients and, more importantly for curly hair, water from getting into the hair follicle. Over time, the hair is starved of the moisture it needs and can become brittle.
Many curly girls simply avoid silicones altogether but scanning ingredients lists can be time-consuming and confusing. We’ve rounded up a handy list of silicone-free curl styling products to help with some of the leg work!
Going cone-free? Here’s Everything You Need to Know.
1. Camille Rose Natural Kids Brown Butter Melt Mandarin Oil Hair Balm 40z $8.99
Start off on the right foot! Children’s hair can be particularly delicate. Applying healthy, gentle products from early one will help their curls to flourish. Try this hair balm to help tame unruly curls and frizz.
2. Cantu Care for Kids Curling Cream 8oz $5.29
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Another gorgeous products for little curlies, this winner of the Best of the Best Awards in 2020 defines, softens and strengthens with shea, coconut oil and honey.
3. SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie 12 oz $12.99
Another Best of the Best Award Winner, this leave-on curl cream smells divine and contains silk protein and neem oil to moisturise and smooth unruly curls.
4. Kinky Curly Curling Custard 8oz $16.99
A favourite amongst curl influencers, this styling gel creates definition, hold and shine all in one product. The price tag is slightly higher but it’s very concentrated so a little goes a long way. It claims to give weight to hair, define curls and remove frizz, without going crunchy.
5. Ecoco Eco Styler Professional Styling Gel with Olive Oil 32oz $5.29
This is a great gel for people starting out, either on a healthy curl journey or for going silicone-free. The price tag is low, while the product goes a long way and is not too complicated. If you’re worried olive oil will be too heavy, fear not. This is a lightweight gel with good hold to last you throughout the day.
6. Jessicurl Gelebration Spray 8oz $16.95
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This product has been specifically designed for finer-haired curlies. Its’s strong enough to give definition to curls but won’t weight them down. Easy application with a spray bottle too!
7. Curly Hair Solutions CurlKeeper Refresh Styling Spray (3.4 oz”> $10.99
This water-based curl booster to refresh and reactivate curls claims to remove odours and restore volume and shine. The ultimate in time saving!
8. Curls The Green Collection Avocado Hair Mousse 8oz $14.99
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Moisturising and vitamin-packed, this mousse nourishes hair while providing hold and body to your curls.
9. Curls Dynasty Twisted Definition Twisting Cream 8oz $13.99
With its gorgeous packaging, this cream is already a winner. Apply it to your twist outs for real definition and shine.
10. Ampro Pro Styl Protein Styling Gel Super Hold 32oz $5.99
For the ultimate in value and hold, this strong hold gel is perfect for moulding and sculpting curls and styles that last.
Check out Silicones: Where They (Sometimes”> Fit in a Curly Girl Routine
11. Oyin Handmade Whipped Pudding 4oz $13.99
A rich moisturising cream combining shea butter, coconut butter and castor oil which is great for denser, coilier curls. An added benefit is it can be used as a body butter too!
12. Soultanicals Can’t Believe It’s Not Butta 8oz $15.99
Another mix of butters – this time mango and shea, combined with honey and castor oil – creates this super creamy, rich butter for smooth, coily curls.
13. OGX Moroccan Sea Salt Spray $5.99
Texturising sprays often include silicones, but this lovely lightweight spray uses argan oil and sea salt instead to create gorgeous, tousled beach waves.
14. Innersense I Create Hold $26
This super-hold gel contains organic aloe and honey to moisturise as well as locking in curls. A little goes a long way. Try emulsifying in water for a lighter hold on the curls.
15. Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Oil Shine and Hold Mist $5.99
For a cheaper refresh spray, try this rich mist that will add shine and tame flyaways. Also good for twists and braids.
16. Maui Moisture Frizz Free and Shea Butter Elongating Gel 10oz $7.99
Aloe vera, shea butter and macadamia oil help to tame frizz while elongating curls to add length to your mane!
17. CURLS Cashmere + Caviar Hair Gelee 8oz $18.99
A bit of luxury for type 4 curlies, this lightweight gel reconstructs damaged hair while adding shine and definition to kinks and coils.
18. Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow and Restore Styling Lotion 8oz $10.99
An oil based lotion which adds protection while heat styling and helps to moisturise and strengthen damaged or stressed curls.
19. The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam 7 floz $15,99
A 2021 Best of the Best winner, this mousse provides definition and hold for every hair type and pattern.
20. Rizos Curls Curl Defining Cream 10 oz $21.99
Shea butter and coconut oil in place of silicones help to define and moisturise curls, while reducing frizz and dandruff. A firm favourite of curlies of all hair types!
Find next: Top 20 Silicone-Free Daily Conditioners
