3 Editors Test Curly-Hair Products
Ask any curly-haired person for their curl routine, and prepare to be met with a long list of miscellaneous products that somehow create their admirable curly looks. The beauty of textured hair lies in how it’s maintained. The maintenance is no joke—they call it “wash day” for a reason. Washing, conditioning, and prepping curly hair for a week (or more) of styles truly can take a full day.
But if you’re committed to the curls (or at least trying to be) like I am, finding the right products for your curls is the first step of maintenance, and that’s where Aveda comes in. The brand has been creating products for luscious locks for years and just relaunched its be curly advanced™ line with an expanded assortment designed specifically for coils, curls, and waves. All seven products are lightweight, vegan, and silicone-free. I tapped editors Jasmine Fox-Suliaman and Erin Fitzpatrick to join me in sharing our curly-hair stories and testing Aveda’s new line. We tested every product and have glowing reviews for you below. If you want to see how this collection works on coily, curly, and wavy hair, keep scrolling.
Jasmine’s hair journey in three words: constantly changing curls
Jasmine’s story: My hair story is as old as time: The girl with curly hair doesn’t actually like her hair until she grows up. Looking back throughout middle and high school, I know that I bought into the idea that only straight hair was beautiful—this was long before the natural-hair movement. Beyond the pressure of beauty standards, practically speaking, I had no idea how to care for my texture (neither did my father—bless him), so I found it easier to straighten it.
It wasn’t until my early 20s, after the start of my journey to embrace my curls, that I finally put down the flat iron. As I started taking hot yoga classes, I found it incredibly hard to maintain the upkeep of flat-ironing, and it became a moment of reckoning for me. I realized that I was holding onto ideas about beauty I didn’t necessarily believe and a haircare routine that wasn’t appropriate for me. From those revelations, I began my natural-hair journey by wearing box braids for a year to give my curls a break from damage that came with years of heat styling. After that, I started watching every tutorial, trying every product, and playing with different routines. Yes, it’s taken me a long time to grow my hair and to learn what works for me, but I’m so grateful I’ve given myself the space to have “bad hair days” because it’s healed that little girl in me who never felt like her hair was good enough. It’s been seven years since I’ve used any heat styling on my hair, and honestly, I’ve never been happier.
Jasmine’s hair goal: Hydration is of the utmost importance to me because it’s the key to maintaining the health of my curls. But since I have low-porosity hair, hydration can be a challenge.
How Aveda’s be curly advanced™ line helped Jasmine achieve her hair goal: My first requirement for a new curly-hair product line is that the line has all the key products that are a consistent part of my routine. This line offers a solution for every step of the haircare process—from a deep-conditioning mask to a co-wash—and the formulas are hydrating. I’m incredibly picky about products, and I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of these formulas. Aveda’s line doesn’t have any products with drying alcohols or other ingredients that could dry out the hair.
Jasmine’s favorite product: I added the curl enhancer cream to lock in a final layer of moisture for my curls for the day. I’m used to the idea that a heavy, butter-based cream is the key to making my curls look hydrated, but this product changed my mind. The product is a bit smoother and lighter in texture, but when I worked it into my curls, it made them a bit bouncier and brighter overall.
Aniyah’s hair journey in three words: unexpected, experimental, self-discovery
Aniyah’s story: Growing up in a household of women, I witnessed a variety of protective hairstyles, hair treatments, and chemical processes at a very young age. Despite being exposed to braids, extensions, and wigs, all I knew was that I could get straight hair like my cousins had once I turned 9 years old. It was the norm in my family to get your hair chemically straightened with relaxers, and I couldn’t wait for my turn. I just knew I’d feel and look my prettiest with bone-straight hair, and at the time, I did. My hair was relaxed for 17 years and maintained through Dominican blowouts and my mom’s natural ability to do hair in our living room. Once the pandemic hit, and I couldn’t travel back to my hometown for my relaxer, I decided to go natural without a big chop. I wouldn’t have to deal with going to school or work during the awkward grow-out stage, and I could finally see my “real hair” for the first time in nearly two decades. And I’ve been wearing my curls natural ever since. I even wore my hair in an afro to the office for the first time this month, and I’m so proud of myself for finally embracing my curls.
Aniyah’s hair goal: Definition is all I want after washing and styling my hair. I’ve spent the past three years testing products to see which make my curls pop and give me moisturized, shiny ringlets.
How Aveda’s be curly advanced™ line helped Aniyah achieve her hair goal: It’s pretty hard to get me to put the scrunchies away and give my hair a break from the slicked-back buns, but a good wash will do it! My natural hair has always been pretty unpredictable. One day it looks incredible, and the next it’s a dry, frizzy mess. (Don’t even get me started on how humidity impacts my hair when I travel home to Florida.) But I love being able to rely on an ecosystem of vegan, plant-powered products designed to work together for the nourishment and health of my curls. I love how healthy and moisturized my curls look, and I have this entire line to thank for that. I finally have the shiny ringlets I’ve wanted in even the hottest climates. Sorry to the half-used shampoos and curl creams under my bathroom sink—these green bottles are taking center stage and single-handedly getting my hair through the summer.
Aniyah’s favorite product: I will admit to skipping primer when doing my makeup. (Don’t judge me.) But I’m vowing never to skip primer in my haircare routine. The curl perfecting primer detangled and prepped my hair before I used the curl enhancer cream and coil definer gel. My hair is prone to single-strand knots, so it’s nice to have a step in my routine that takes care of them with just a few spritzes.
Erin’s hair journey: complicated, stressful, accepting
Erin’s story: As you can see in my baby photo, I’ve always had curly hair. I hated my hair for so many years, mostly because of how frizzy it was. In college, I did permanent straightening, which I regret because it damaged my hair so much. But I did it because I had no clue what to do with my hair other than straighten it. On top of that, I also dyed my natural red hair dark brown because I wanted desperately to fit in. I also vividly remember buying my first frizz-fighting cream at the drugstore as a pre-teen, and I thought all my problems would be fixed. Little did I know that there was no magic solution! I still had to learn how to work with my hair instead of fighting against it. It’s certainly been a journey.
Erin’s hair goal: One of my biggest goals is to minimize frizz, which the Aveda line has been super helpful with. In particular, the curl enhancer cream is formulated with ingredients to help keep frizz under control, such as kokum seed butter.
How Aveda’s be curly advanced™ line helped Erin achieve her hair goal: My hair not only looks great but also feels great. After using the be curly advanced™ line consistently, I started to feel like a better version of myself. I love the curl enhancer cream because it helps define my curls and makes my hair look a bit more uniform even though it’s a mix of curly, wavy, and limp strands. Also, the intensive curl perfecting masque smooths my hair beautifully. These products have been super helpful in giving me the confidence to wear my hair naturally and not give in to the temptation to straighten it.
Erin’s favorite product: When I need an extra boost, I use the intensive curl perfecting masque instead of the conditioner. It smooths my hair beautifully—it’s like giving CPR to my dull strands.
Shop Aveda’s be curly advanced™ line:
Aveda
be curly advanced™ curl enhancer cream
Aveda
be curly advanced™ co-wash
Aveda
be curly advanced™ conditioner
Aveda
be curly advanced™ curl perfecting primer
Aveda
be curly advanced™ shampoo
Aveda
be curly advanced™ coil definer gel
Aveda
be curly advanced™ intensive curl perfecting masque
