Best products for curly haired kids

Overly dry hair leads to frizz, so curly tresses need a shampoo that will cleanse without stripping out the moisture. But the gentle ingredients in SheaMoisture's kids shampoo clean away dirt and daily buildup yet leave curls soft and silky. Added vitamin B-5 and vitamin E help prevent breakage, the carrot oil and mango and shea butters impart moisture, and the luscious scent will make you want to nuzzle your kid’s hair all the time.

Heads up

The scent lingers for a few days, which can be off-putting to those sensitive to fragrances.

Parents say

“I use SheaMoisture in both of my sons’ hair. They both have curly hair and I love the curl products on their hair. And no harsh chemicals of course.”

“I use SheaMoisture shampoo. The lack of chemicals is awesome and I really like how delicate the smell is (not overpowering).” 

Specs

• 8 fluid ounces
• Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, paraffin, and gluten
• No synthetic color or fragrance

This leave-in will make your child’s coils feel like butter. Thanks to jojoba, safflower, and evening primrose oil, the conditioner softens and nourishes hair, making it more manageable. It’s lightweight but super moisturizing, which means your kid will be left with beautifully defined frizz-free curls that boast a healthy shine. Even better, the leave-in gives a light hold to keep curls in place, without making your child’s hair crunchy or flaky.

Heads up

A little goes a long way. Being too heavy-handed can make hair feel greasy.

Parents say

"We switched to Mixed Chicks and I am a HUGE fan!!! The leave-in conditioner works like no other on DD's curls."

"Our sons are biracial (black/white) and we always have used Mixed Chicks Kids shampoo and leave-in conditioner. We do baths at night and they wake up with soft tamed curls... sometimes a bit of water in the morning to refresh if needed."

Specs

• 8 fluid ounces
• Colorless and fragrance-free
• Paraben-free 

Oyin Handmade is all about natural and organic products. This hair tonic spray is gentle enough for kids and contains food-grade ingredients and no chemicals. It conditions and refreshes thirsty hair, which is perfect whether your child is rocking styles like braids or twists, or letting their curls hang. This yummy, berry-smelling leave-in also has humectants to help draw moisture from the air to further hydrate hair.

Heads up

This version of the product does contain a fragrance oil. Another version, Oyin Handmade Greg Juice (a mild citrus-herbal scent), doesn’t contain a fragrance oil.

Parents say

“I seriously loooove Oyin products. All of them.”

Specs

• 8.4 fluid ounces
• Contains water infused with horsetail, lavender, nettle, chamomile, and red rose petals. Other ingredients include organic flax seeds, aloe leaf juice, vegetable glycerin, lavender oil, and orange peel oil
• Natural preservatives (grapefruit seed extract and citric acid)

Curly hair tangles easily, which can lead to a whole lot of crying as you try to comb through it. Infused with a blend of pure shea butter, coconut oil,l and honey, this detangling spray helps knots slip right out. The result: less breakage, fewer tears, and less time spent trying to work your way through with your fingers or a comb. Whether your kiddo’s hair is fine or thick, curly, coily, or wavy, this spray means no more detangling nightmares. Psst: It’s also good for your strands.

Heads up

If you use too much, it can leave a sticky residue.

Parents say

“For my son with big curls (and thinner hair), I use Cantu detangler spray! It’s not too heavy and refreshes the curls in the morning.”

Specs

• 6 fluid ounces
• Contains no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates
• No mineral oil

Want your child’s “just right” bouncy style to last more than a few hours? This custard enhances curls and provides a light hold so your kid has shiny, long-lasting curls that pop. The custard has a gel-like consistency so it’s easy to apply and doesn’t weigh down the hair or make it feel sticky or crunchy. It’s perfect for styles like finger twisting, coiling, wash-and-gos, and ponytails. And when we say this lasts, we mean it. If you spritz a little water on the hair the next day, the curls will bounce right back!

Heads up

Use a light touch. If you apply too much, it will cause flaking.

Specs

• 6 ounces
• Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates
• No mineral oil or petrolatum

This product is a go-to in the Black natural hair community for a reason. It can be used as a leave-in conditioner for people with thicker, curlier hair, a rinse-out conditioner for people with finer waves and curls, and it detangles. This is a product people use to prevent knots in the first place. It also comes through in a clutch when hair is already a ball of tangles. The creamy herbal conditioner smooths the hair cuticle and removes all those annoying knots. After using this, the comb will glide through your child’s hair.

Heads up

This can be heavy on thinner, less coarse textures as a leave-in conditioner. If your child’s hair is fine and more wavy than curly, it’s best to apply this product after washing and then rinse lightly to evenly distribute it.

Parents say

“It’s amazing!! It made her hair soft and it made her curls look better and less frizzy.”

“I also use Knot Today for my twin girls – great detangler and leaves hair ever so soft for days.”

Specs

• 8 fluid ounces
• Free of silicones, plastic, mineral oil, petroleum, parabens, wax, and alcohol.
• Made mostly of botanical extracts, including organic mango, slippery elm, marshmallow root, and lemongrass

Curly hair tends to be drier than straight hair because it’s difficult for the scalp’s natural oils to travel down curly hair strands. If you let your child’s hair get too dry, it can cause frizz, damage, and breakage. With ingredients like shea butter, soybean oil, and sweet almond oil, Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk is ultra-moisturizing and makes hair feel softer and more manageable. Added agave nectar seals the deal by locking the moisture in the hair.

Heads up

Some people feel the scent can be overpowering.

Parents say

“I love it! I use it on my hair and DD's and it's fab! We both are 3c's.”

“I really recommend Hair Milk by Carol's Daughter. I've been using it in DD's hair for a few months now. It’s so soft & easy to comb through.”

Specs

• 8 fluid ounces
• No parabens, mineral oils, petroleum, or artificial colors