Last year, I tested a ton of curly hair products—some were total fails, while others completely transformed my routine. If you’re curious about what worked and what didn’t, stick around. Today, I’m sharing the worst and best curly hair products I tried in 2024, so you know exactly what to avoid—and what’s worth trying.

​

If you don’t see a product mentioned, it could be that I tried it prior to 2024 or that I am still testing it. Also, just because I mentioned a product that I didn’t like, it doesn’t mean they’re “bad,” they just didn’t work for my preferences. I’ll be sure to share who I think they may work for.

I’m also including the notes from my Curly Hair Tracker and Planner, which I used throughout the year to keep track of what worked for me and what didn’t. It’s. more than just a note-taker, though! It’s a daily guided assessment that allows you to pinpoint what to tweak in your routine and more.

Worst Products

​Olaplex No. 10 Bond Shaper Curl Defining Gel​

This gel had a great consistency but did not hold up to its frizz-control claims. Claims: ❌ 72-hour frizz control ❌ Humidity resistant ✅ 3x greater curl retention ✅ Smoother & easier detangling Who will this work for? Low porosity, healthy hair Those who like lighter hold and don’t mind refreshing

My tracker notes:

Very slippery and was easy to apply. I had a medium cast that fully dissolved after touching the hair.
Next day: Would have hoped for more hold but looks good overall. Not sure how well it would last if it was humid. The gel has great slip and moisture, but I had a lot of wet frizz and webbing. Curls look and feel good after dried but I have more frizz than with my strong hold gels. Strand test did show it breaks up but I was able to somewhat redefine it. Good refresh but a lot of frizz even after.

Content using this product:

​Wash day​
​Refresh day​

​Aveda Be Curly Advanced Coil Definer Gel + The Be Curly Advanced Line​

This entire line was a disappointment given the high price point. It’s very heavy with a lot of oils that can weigh down the hair. Claims: ❌ 72-hour frizz control ❌ Humidity resistant ✅ 2x the shine ✅ Definition Who will this work for? Low porosity, healthy hair that isn’t frizzy Aveda says 3c-4c, likely because it’s high in moisture but does not tame frizz long enough

My tracker notes:

More frizz than usual after scrunching. Hair was on the brink of being over moisturized. Did not last through the day. Next day: Hair was flat and super frizzy by the end of the day. Also did not like this whole line and did not feel they were worth the price.

Content using this product:

​Wash day​
​Refresh day​
​

​Miribel Silky Smooth Flaxseed Gel​

This gel did not give me enough hold so my hair frizzed by the end of the day. Claims: ❌ Medium hold, keep curls for days ❌ Tame frizz ✅ No crunch ✅ Silk smooth & slippery Who will this work for? Low porosity, healthy hair that isn’t frizzy Dry climates

My tracker notes:

I can tell the gel won’t last long but it’s better than most all-natural gels. Next day: Hair looked better before I refreshed. Should have left it as is but was trying to tame some frizz. Curls do re-group some after finger twirling but not as good as my Ouidad gel.

​Redken Sculpting Curl Gel​

This gel is pricey and didn’t live up to it’s long-lasting claims, so I don’t think it is worth it. Claims: ❌ 72-hour strong hold ❌ 76% frizz reduction ✅ Seals in hydration for 72 hours ✅ No crunch Who will this work for? Hair that isn’t frizzy or if you don’t mind light hold and refreshing.

My tracker notes:

Nothing stood out to me and I couldn’t tell a difference in terms of curl bounce and definition. Need to keep testing. I didn’t like how the products increase suburn risk. The cream was fine. The gel did not give enough hold but wasn’t too bad. Next day: High amount of frizz.

Content using this product:

​Wash day​
​Next day​

​Verb Curl Defining Mask​

This mask left a strange, waxy feeling in my hair that needed to be clarified out. Claims: ❌Rich moisture ❌84% frizz reduction ❌20% increase in curl retention Who will this work for? None, don’t recommend given the waxy residue.

My tracker notes:

Left an awful sticky film on the hair after rinsing. Added the Curlsmith conditioner which did not fix it, so I had to re-shampoo to get it out then condition again.

​Miribel Creamy Hair Cleanser​

This co-wash did not clean the scalp and the beads were hard to remove. Claims: ❌ Cross between co-wash and shampoo ❌ Gently cleans and exfoliates – Sensitive scalp friendly Who will this work for? None, given the poor cleansing performance.

My tracker notes:

Felt like applying a gritty lotion to my scalp, no lather, scalp still was dirty after multiple attempts to scrub.

​Dove Scalp & Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo​

This was not effective at cleansing and definitely would not clarify. Claims: ❌ Purifies hair and removes scalp build-up ❌ For oily fine hair ✅ Gentle Who will this work for? None, given the poor cleansing performance.

My tracker notes:

The shampoo was not effective at all and I had to cleanse 3 times and still had residue until finally using a shampoo scrub brush. The conditioner was fine, but with the leave-in also having silicones it was just too softening. The scalp spray did nothing.

​Innersense Refreshing Dry Shampoo​

This left a buildup residue on my roots, which seemed to be from it being incompatible with products already in my hair. Claims: ✅ Absorbs excess oil ❌ No powdery residue ❌ Soothe the scalp – Builds body & texture Who will this work for? None, given the residue.

My tracker notes:

While this refreshing foam did make the scalp feel cleaner, the created a gunky film and residue on my hair that flaked and pilled.

Best Products

Prose Custom Curl Cream + Custom Gel​

These 2 products worked great for me when combined, but not on their own. ✅ Definition & bounce ✅ Hydrating ✅ Lightweight ✅ Protects from frizz – Fights humidity Who will this work for? Worth the money to try them if you can’t find products that work for you.

My tracker notes:

Didn’t like my results with just the gel which is odd for me. Cream and gel together worked best, likely because the cream has ingredients I usually like for longer-lasting results: polyquaternium and silicone. Note: only tested in dry climate so far.

Content using this product:

​Wash day + next day​

​Tootilab All-Weather Styling Gel​

This gel was a true medium hold and refreshes well. Only downside is it does not hold in humidity for me. Claims: ✅ Medium flexible hold ✅ Defines curls and prevents frizz ❌ Protects from humidity ✅ Protects from flakes or stickiness ✅ Protects from heat Who will this work for? Those who like medium hold; also those with healthy, low porosity hair. Also those that live in dry climates.

My tracker notes:

Great medium hold gel. Some frizz but average for medium hold. Next day: Frizz as expected with a medium hold. Refreshed easily with just water. Did not hold up in humidity, major frizz.

Content using this product:

​Wash day​

​Umberto Giannini Crème De Curl Control Cream​

This is a very lightweight cream and contains heat protection. Claims: ✅ Moisturizing ✅ Protects from heat ✅ Invisible – De-frizzes Who will this work for? All, especially those who want to minimize products due to the built in heat protection.

My tracker notes:

Very lightweight curl cream, moisturizing, and not too softening.

Content using this product:

​Wash day + next day​

Tootilab Shampoo & Conditioner​

Great performing shampoo and conditioner that is suitable for all hair types. Claims: ✅ Gentle deep cleanse ✅ Nice lather – Balances the scalp ✅ Detangles with high slip ✅ Won’t weigh hair down ​ Who will this work for? All.

My tracker notes:

Great shampoo and conditioner. Shampoo thoroughly cleanses without stripping and has a high lather. Conditioner isn’t too heavy and has great slip.

Content using this product:

​Wash day​

​TreLuxe Aloe Vera Curl Primer​

This primer detangles like a dream before shampooing. Claims: ✅ 70% reduction in detangling time ✅ Smooths ✅ Moisturizes Who will this work for? All. Very high slip. Tangles just melt away quickly when used as a pre-shampoo treatment.

My tracker notes:

This detangles so well. I used it as a pre-shampoo detangler. I would not prefer to use it as a leave-in or as a refresher because I don’t want to soften my hold with additional products under or over my gel.

Content using this product:

​Wash day​

​Curlsmith Hydrate & Plump Leave-in​

This is a very lightweight yet moisturizing leave-in, which is hard to find! Claims: ✅ Gently moisturizes ✅ Lightweight – Increases volume Who will this work for? All.

My tracker notes:

Very lightweight leave-in. Unsure about volume claims from a leave-in but got the most volume when paired with the Curlsmith Volume Mousse.

Content using this product:

​Wash day​

​Living Proof Scalp Care Density Serum​

While it’s hard to determine if this truly made a difference on my hairline, I do feel like my overall density has improved this year. Claims: ✅ Visible reduce thinning ✅ Promotes hair growth – Reduce appearance of gray hair Who will this work for? All.

My tracker notes:

Love the feel of the water-based serum. It’s easy to apply and doesn’t mess up my hair. I used it daily for about 8 months and finished 8 bottles. I was consistent other than a break during the summer. My hair thickness has improved. I can’t tell if growth is more than normal. Grays look the same.

Content using this product:

​Wash day​

Results

Below are my results before and after about 8 months of using the serum around my temples and crown area.

Shop & filter products

Use the shop page filters on my blog to narrow down your product search. You can find filters for formula weight, hold level, and more.