Products for Natural Hair Textures: 9 New Products We’re Excited About

This is Texture Talk, a weekly column that deep dives into the dynamic world of curly hair, from crowns of curls that are free flowing to strands that are tucked away in a protective style.

We all know that wonderful feeling when you find the perfect new hair product that meets the needs of your unique texture. Not only is it a major win to come across a shampoo, conditioner or styling product that’s worthy of adding to your haircare lineup, but when it comes to products for natural hair textures, who doesn’t love having more options to choose from? Here’s a look at the latest cleansers, conditioners and styling product launches that have hit shelves in 2021, each designed with curls and coils top of mind.

Pattern Beauty Scalp Serum

All hail two new treatments from Tracee Ellis Ross — a.k.a. the queen of celebrity curls! The latest members of the Pattern Beauty family emphasize the restorative value of intensive care rituals, tending to hair from root to tip with a Scalp Serum and Treatment Mask. The former, for use on any type of curls or protective style, is a mix of peppermint, rosemary and lavender oils, plus hydrating aloe vera juice for what Ross calls “a soothing, cooling and calming salve for your roots.”

Garnier Whole Blends Sulfate Free Remedy Royal Hibiscus & Shea Butter 5-in-1 Conditioner

Curly hair pros champion sulfate-free formulas. Why? The shape of textured strands makes it challenging for emollient natural oils originating at the scalp to reach all the way to the ends, so hair is typically dry. Adding sulfates to the mix, which strip natural oils, will only leave it more parched. Part of a new collection of shampoos and conditioners made without sulfates, mineral oil or petrolatum, this conditioner uses gentle ingredients as well as shea butter to deeply hydrate curls and coils. It’s a workhorse that can be used to pre-wash or co-wash, for traditional conditioning or a combing cream and as a leave-in treatment.

Shea Moisture Papaya & Neroli All Day Frizz Control Shampoo, Conditioner and Milk Gel

If smoothing waves and curls is your haircare M.O., then this is the collection for you. Blended with fair-trade shea butter, it boasts hydrating papaya, soothing neroli and softening elderflower. The shampoo and conditioner work together to deliver long-lasting moisture, and the humidity-resistant milk gel raises the bar by adding a silky, shiny finish to puff-prone strands.

Attitude Curl Ultra-Hydrating Shampoo

Each curl is unique, but all curl happiness starts in the shower. And a fresh batch of made-in-Canada cleansers and conditioner is up to the task. Loaded with plant-based ingredients, hair types 2 and 3 can choose the frizz-reducing coconut oil and chamomile blend of the Curl Amplifying set, while the Curl Moisturizing duo uses moringa and olive oils to offer light hydration and easy detangling to any dry waves and curls. And those seeking intensive moisture and restoration (i.e. tight curls and coils that tend to be brittle) can pick up the Curl Ultra-Hydrating set made with shea butter and papaya leaf extract.

All About Curls by Zotos Professional

Clocking in with eight products, this collection aims to cater to every curl type. Each of the cleansers, conditioners and styling formulas are created without the use of SLS/SLES sulfates and silicones to leave curls nourished and defined. The variety in formulations here, such as no- and low-lather cleansers plus soft and high definition gels, is a considerate touch that allows you to easily choose what works best for your hair.

Gold Series Anti-Breakage Combing Crème

Brought to us by a team of Black scientists, the latest additions to the Gold Series line are formulated to support the fragile nature of Black hair. Each of the four Hair Repair products contain biotin (a strengthener) and kukui nut oil (for deep moisture). This lightweight cream claims to reduce breakage by a whopping 69% and lends hydrating slip that aids with detangling, but without a heavy residue that can weigh down curls or contribute to build-up.

Hairitage by Mindy Double Down Co-Wash

Inspired by a blended family’s diverse hair needs, this new-to-Canada collection takes an inclusive stance and offers something for every texture. This creamy co-wash is made with grapeseed oil, yarrow extract and oat peptide to gently cleanse and hydrate hair types ranging from 2B to 4C. You won’t find sulfates, silicone or mineral oil in the vegan line, but you will discover an affordable price point that facilitates guilt-free generous use.

Klorane Nourishing and Repairing Mask with Cupuaçu Butter Range

Thanks to a star ingredient and deliciously rich formulas give dry, damaged hair can get the deep nourishment it needs. The three-step line features organic cupuaçu butter, a potent emollient that has a reparative effect on the rough outer layer and breakage points of dry curls. We’re here for the versatility of the mask: choose to rinse it out after five minutes, allow it to absorb overnight or use a dab as a leave-in conditioner.

LUS Brands Fragrance-Free 3-Step System

A scentless version of a best-selling Canadian hair care line is worthy of celebration! This collection of sulfate-free shampoo, silicone-free conditioner and multi-use cream retains the original recipe of shea butter and moringa oil that fans of the brand love, but leaves out fragrance. Sold as a set or individually, this is sweet relief for anyone with a wavy, curly or kinky-coily texture who has to manage allergies, skin sensitivities and asthma related to beauty products, or the demands of a scent-free work environment.