Finding the right shampoo and conditioner for my hair hasn't been a walk in the park. Once upon a time, I used to heat-style almost every single day, and it altered my naturally curly hair texture so immensely that when I finally stopped, I thought my hair was far less curly than it actually is. In the beginning stages of my natural-hair journey, I came to the conclusion that I had 3c curls, but as my hair continued to grow back into its natural state, I actually realized that my curls were more 4a rather than 3c. It seems like a small difference, but the texture isn't actually as similar as you'd think.
The shampoo and conditioner I was using that was designed for type 3 hair no longer felt like it was enough for me (much to my frustration), and I wondered if I needed to reevaluate. I tried a lot of different options and always felt like I came up short until a recent launch from French haircare brand Phyto served up some serious curly hair goodness on a silver platter. While the brand does have a curls collection, it's designed for curl types 2a to 3a (more like waves). This new collection, the Curls Intense range, caters specifically to curl types 3b to 4c. I always check new products for coconut oil before testing them out because, previously, it was the secret culprit keep my low-porosity hair super dry and was ecstatic to learn that this collection is coconut-oil free. If you have a similar hair type and love French beauty staples, you're going to want to keep reading.
I'm sharing everything I love and what you need to know about Phyto Paris's new curl collection below.
The above photo was taken the day after my washday routine using the Phyto Paris Curls Intense range.
Shampoo for type 4 hair is so tough. I've found that a lot of shampoos that cater to curlier hair focus a little too much on the hydration aspect without really cleaning the hair. I won't lie to you; this shampoo is a very light cleanser and teeters on this issue at times, but I still really like it, and it never dries out my hair. You may need to use a scalp exfoliant once or twice a week with it to avoid too much buildup over time (I love Drunk Elephant's T.L.C. Happi Scalp Scrub), but it's still a great hydrating shampoo that could even be used daily if you're someone who needs extra cleansing.
Using this nourishing mask is where the magic happens. Much to my frustration, it's hard to find curl products that don't contain coconut oil, but this, luckily, is one of them. It's also silicone-free, another ingredient that can be a real no-no for curly hair types. It's packed with super hydrators like shea butter, white mallow extraction, castor oil, and sunflower seed oil. Even after just one use, my curls felt so soft and moisturized and had shine for days.
Usually, I can use a collection once or twice and know if my hair is going to respond well to it, and I was thoroughly impressed after I used this mask for the first time. It is on the heavier side, so keep that in mind if your hair is fine, but if you have super-thick, curly, low-porosity hair like I do, this will be your ticket. The hydration it offers also lasts quite a while. Even when I woke up the next day and took my hair out of my wrap, my curls felt so soft and had so much definition and moisture still.
For even more hydration, I slather on this rich curl-defining cream next, and it's the step that really locks everything in for me. My hair is crazy dry, so I need to condition it every day to keep it healthy and use a leave-in cream on top of that. This combo is honestly perfect. Yes, it's super rich on the hydration, so my fine-haired folks may want to use it sparingly, but if you have perpetually dry hair like I do, trust me, it's a holy-grail product.
I'm so relieved to have found a brand and set of products that actually get curly and coily hair types. I've tried almost every curly hair collection on the market at this point, and I can still only count on one hand how many I truly love due to the fact that most brands that formulate for curls constantly use coconut oil in their formulas. It may work great for finer hair types or ones that are not low-porosity, but this range actually feels inclusive and like every type of curl was thought about here. Major points to Phyto for that!
Gels can be really tricky for me since some of them leave my curls really dry the next day, but this one is packed with hydrating ingredients like aloe that won't make your hair feel crunchy or brittle later on. It adds a lot of definition and shine without weighing curls down. I like using this on nights I have an event to smooth down any frizz and really give my curls a little extra bounce. The formula isn't overly sticky, which I appreciate. It just glides onto the hair like another light cream and provides a bit of hold, but not so much that my hair becomes stiff. It also isn't hard to rinse out, which is another gripe I have with most other gels. This one is the perfect balance of all the things.
More Curly Hair Staples I Love
DesignMe offers another really great shampoo for curls. If you need something that cleanses well without stripping the hair, this formula is it. It strikes the perfect balance between cleansing and hydrating, which, like I said, is tough to do when it comes to curl products.
This conditioner is also a perfect match for low-porosity curls. It's hydrating enough that your curls feel silky and protected but not so heavy that it weighs your hair down or leaves any kind of buildup.
I've been using argan oil on my hair for a few months, and wow, does it strengthen your strands. It also adds so much shine and is lightweight enough that it's great for finer hair types too.
I'm also a huge fan of Bread Beauty Supply and its curly hair formulas. They're truly some of the best, and this leave-in conditioner is superior AF. It really conditions the hair without making my hair feel greasy after a few days. It's great for refreshing curls between washdays too.
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