Curly hair products do different jobs, so the best routine is usually a few products, not one. This page compares eight popular picks on Amazon Australia across shampoo, conditioner, leave in conditioner, gel and foam, plus one for kids, using each listing's own words and its rating.
If you buy only one thing, start with a leave in conditioner. Our top pick is the Mielle Organics Pomegranate and Honey Leave In Conditioner, and the other seven cover the rest of a curly routine.
Best overall for curly hair: Mielle Organics Pomegranate and Honey Leave In Conditioner
Best overall for curly hair: the Mielle Organics Pomegranate and Honey Leave In Conditioner, because the listing describes a moisturising curl primer and detangler for thick curly hair.
The listing names a curl primer and detangler to repair damage and prevent frizz, in a bottle of about 355 ml. It describes pomegranate extract, honey, babassu oil and citrus extracts in a lightweight leave in formula that does not leave a greasy or sticky residue, gentle enough for daily use and applied from root to tip. It holds 4.6 stars from 15,809 ratings, the joint highest rating on this page.
It suits anyone with thick, curly or coily hair who wants one product that detangles and moisturises. The honest catch: the listing is written for thick curly Type 4 hair, so check it suits looser curls, and it is a leave in, not a shampoo or a styler.
Best curl conditioner: Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Conditioner
Best curl conditioner: the Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Conditioner, because it is named for curl and shine and has more ratings than any other adult curl product here.
The listing gives the name and the size, a 384 ml Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Conditioner, and little else. It holds 4.4 stars from 22,466 ratings, the most of any product here made for adults.
It suits anyone who wants a straightforward curl conditioner to sit alongside the leave ins on this page. The honest catch: 4.4 stars is below the Mielle's 4.6, and the listing gives no ingredient or curl type detail, so there is little to judge it on beyond its ratings.
Best curl gel: Aunt Jackie's Don't Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel
Best curl gel: Aunt Jackie's Don't Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel, because the listing says it is for natural curls, coils and waves and is sulfate free and paraben free.
The listing describes an elongating curling gel enriched with flaxseed and wheat proteins, shea butter and extra virgin olive oil, in a pack of about 425 g. It also says no mineral oil and no petrolatum. It holds 4.4 stars from 21,276 ratings.
It suits natural curls, coils and waves where you want a gel that elongates. The honest catch: it is a styling gel, not a conditioner, so pair it with the Shea Moisture conditioner or a leave in from this page.
Best curl mousse: Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Enhancing Styling Foam
Best curl mousse: the Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Enhancing Styling Foam, because the listing says it creates high definition curls with strong hold and intense shine.
The listing describes a 300 ml curl enhancing formula that leaves curls looking polished, sophisticated and frizz controlled. It says the foam is free from sulfates, SLS, parabens and phthalates. It holds 4.4 stars from 11,503 ratings.
It suits curls that need hold, and anyone who prefers a foam to a gel. The honest catch: the listing sells strong hold, so it is a styler to use alongside a conditioner, not instead of one, and its 4.4 stars is a middle rating on this page.
Best value leave in: HASK 5 in 1 Leave In Spray
Best value leave in: the HASK 5 in 1 Leave In Spray, because it is sold for all curl patterns and is the lowest priced pick here.
The listing describes a 175 ml spray with coconut oil, argan oil and vitamin E that hydrates and protects curl texture from damage and frizz. Its directions say shake well, spray generously on damp hair, work through to the ends, do not rinse and style as usual. It holds 4.4 stars from 8,810 ratings.
It suits anyone who wants a leave in on a tight budget, or a second bottle for the bathroom. The honest catch: it is a 175 ml spray, a smaller bottle than the Mielle, and the listing says it has a fruity coconut scent, so it may not suit anyone who prefers an unscented product.
Best curly hair shampoo: OGX Quenching Coconut Curls Shampoo
Best curly hair shampoo: the OGX Quenching Coconut Curls Shampoo, because it is made for curly hair, rates 4.5 stars and comes in a 385 ml bottle.
The listing describes a Coconut Curls Quenching Shampoo to tame frizz, in a 385 ml bottle, the larger of the two shampoos here. It holds 4.5 stars from 4,152 ratings.
It suits anyone who wants an everyday shampoo made for curly hair in a large bottle. The honest catch: it is a mainstream shampoo, so if you want a premium formula look at the Kerastase below.
Best premium shampoo: Kerastase Curl Manifesto Bain Hydratation Shampoo
Best premium shampoo: the Kerastase Curl Manifesto Bain Hydratation Shampoo, because it is a premium shampoo made for wavy and curly hair that holds 4.6 stars.
The listing says it gently cleanses wavy, curly hair and infuses it with hydration without weighing it down. It names Manuka Honey, Glycerine and Ceramides, and says it removes dirt, impurities, pollution and build up and helps enhance curl pattern and volume. The size is 250 ml, and it holds 4.6 stars from 4,349 ratings.
It suits anyone with wavy or curly hair who is happy to spend more on a shampoo. The honest catch: it costs several times as much as the OGX for a smaller bottle, 250 ml against 385 ml.
Best for kids' curls: SoCozy Leave In Conditioner Spray for Kids' Curly Hair
Best for kids' curls: the SoCozy Leave In Conditioner Spray for Kids' Curly Hair, because the listing describes a paraben free detangler for kids' curly hair with the most ratings of any pick here.
The listing describes a spray of about 237 ml with keratin, vitamin B5, olive oil and jojoba oil that unravels knots and tangles. It says no parabens, sulfates, phthalates or synthetic colours, and to spray onto damp or dry hair. It holds 4.5 stars from 33,076 ratings, the most of any pick on this page.
It suits parents of children with curly hair. The honest catch: it is made for kids' hair, so for adults the Mielle or HASK leave ins are the better fit.
How to choose curly hair products
Choose the job first
Each product here does one job. The OGX and Kerastase are shampoos, the Shea Moisture is a conditioner, the Mielle, HASK and SoCozy are leave in conditioners, and the Aunt Jackie's gel and Marc Anthony foam are stylers. Most buyers will want a leave in or conditioner plus a styler, so choose across jobs rather than buying three of the same.
Match the curl type to the listing
Listings name different hair. The Mielle is written for thick curly Type 4 hair, the HASK is sold for all curl patterns, the Aunt Jackie's gel is for natural curls, coils and waves, and the Kerastase is for wavy and curly hair. Where a listing names no curl type, as with the Shea Moisture, we say so rather than guess.
Gel, foam or cream
Gel and foam both add hold: the listings describe the Aunt Jackie's as elongating and the Marc Anthony as strong hold with intense shine. If you would rather use a cream, our curl cream guide compares them, and none are on this list.
Fine and thin curls
No listing here is written for fine hair, so we do not name a winner. The Kerastase listing says it cleanses without weighing hair down and the Mielle listing says it does not weigh hair down, but the Mielle is written for thick hair. Compare the listings against your own curls.
Mainstream or premium shampoo
The OGX and Kerastase listings both describe shampoos for curls. The OGX is the larger bottle and costs far less, while the Kerastase has the higher rating and lists Manuka Honey, Glycerine and Ceramides. Our clarifying shampoo guide covers the other kind of wash.
Drying and extras
Products are only part of a curly routine. Our hair diffuser guide covers diffusers for curly and wavy hair, and our hair mask guide covers masks to use alongside a conditioner.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best curly hair products in Australia?
For most people the Mielle Organics Pomegranate and Honey Leave In Conditioner is the best single product, because it is a curl primer and detangler for thick curly hair. Add the Shea Moisture Curl and Shine Conditioner, the Aunt Jackie's flaxseed gel or the Marc Anthony foam to cover conditioning and styling.
Which curly hair products have the best reviews?
The Mielle leave in and the Kerastase Curl Manifesto shampoo share the top rating here at 4.6 stars, from 15,809 and 4,349 ratings. The SoCozy kids spray has the most ratings at 33,076 and 4.5 stars. The Shea Moisture conditioner is next with 22,466 ratings at 4.4 stars.
What are the best styling products for curly hair?
The Aunt Jackie's Don't Shrink Flaxseed Elongating Curling Gel and the Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Enhancing Styling Foam are the two stylers here. The listing describes the gel as elongating and for natural curls, coils and waves, and the foam as strong hold with intense shine. Both are styling products, not conditioners.
What are the best products for curly frizzy hair?
Three listings here are written around frizz. The Mielle leave in describes taming stubborn frizz and flyaways, the HASK 5 in 1 spray protects curl texture from damage and frizz, and the Marc Anthony foam leaves curls frizz controlled. The OGX Coconut Curls shampoo listing says tame frizz too.
What are the best affordable curly hair products in Australia?
The HASK 5 in 1 Leave In Spray is the lowest priced pick here, followed by the OGX Coconut Curls shampoo. The Shea Moisture Curl and Shine Conditioner is the next cheapest and has 22,466 ratings. Together they cover shampoo, conditioner and leave in for much less than the Kerastase shampoo alone.
What are the best curly hair products for fine or thin hair?
None of these listings is written for fine hair, so we do not claim one. The Kerastase Curl Manifesto listing says it cleanses wavy, curly hair without weighing it down, and the Mielle listing says its formula does not weigh hair down, though it is written for thick Type 4 hair.
Which of these products work for wavy hair?
The Kerastase Curl Manifesto shampoo listing says it cleanses wavy, curly hair, and the Aunt Jackie's gel listing says it is for natural curls, coils and waves. The HASK spray is sold for all curl patterns. The Mielle leave in is written for thick Type 4 hair, so check it before buying for waves.
Which of these products suit the Curly Girl Method?
The method avoids sulfates and silicones. Three listings here say sulfate free: the Aunt Jackie's gel, the Marc Anthony foam and the SoCozy kids spray. No listing on this page says whether it contains silicones, and the Mielle, HASK, OGX, Shea Moisture and Kerastase listings do not mention sulfates, so read the ingredient label before you buy.
What is the best curly hair product for kids?
The SoCozy Leave In Conditioner Spray is the pick for kids' curls. The listing describes a paraben free detangler with keratin, vitamin B5, olive oil and jojoba oil, and it holds 4.5 stars from 33,076 ratings, the most of any product on this page. For adults the Mielle and HASK are the leave in picks.
