Best Products For Type 3C Curls, Recommended By A Hairstylist (2024)

Are you looking for the best products for 3c hair? We have the best ones listed. As gorgeous as 3C hair looks, it is also prone to breaking and dryness. It needs intense care if you belong to the curly hair family and want to keep up with the current styles. Intense moisturizing and hydration can help you keep the shine and bounce of your hair intact for long. Among the various products to look for, curl-defining gels, leave-in creams, hydrating shampoos, and masks are a few that help to keep your hair extra smooth. Go through our list of 15 effective haircare products for 3c curls.

What Does It Mean To Have 3C Hair?

There are mainly four different types of hair –type 1 (straight), type 2 (wavy), type 3 (curly), and type 4 (coily). Type 3C hair comes under the type 3 curls and has the tightest ringlets. If you have type 3C curls, it means your hair is densely packed and has a lot of volume.

What Does 3C Hair Look Like?

Type 3C curls look like tight corkscrews and have a very tiny circumference. They are tightly packed, have a high density, and appear coarser than type 2 or 3 hair. These curls have a fine texture and are more prone to frizz.

Let’s now take a look at the best products that work wonders on 3C curls.

Best Products for Type 3C Curls

1. Best Overall:Aunt Jakie’s Curls & Coils Curl La La Defining Curl Custard

4.4

Image: Aunt Jackie’s

BUY ON AMAZON | $6.99

The Curl La La Defining Curl Custard by Aunt Jakie’s Curls & Coils is a lightweight leave-in cream ideal for wavy, kinky, and coiled hair. It is enriched with shea butter, hydrolyzed quinoa, and olive oil that moisturize the hair and impart shine to it. If you are looking for curl-refreshing products for 3c second-day hair, this cream tames and revives lifeless, frizzy, and dull curls and enhances their definition without any flaking or caking. Check this video to explore a tester’s experience of using this product.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, Hydrolyzed quinoa, and Olive oil

Quick Tip

Gently stretch the curls with your fingers before applying this product. Air dry your curls with a diffuser or a hooded dryer after application.

2. Best For Soft Hair:Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Quench! Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner

4.4

Image: Aunt Jackie's

BUY ON AMAZON | $6.97

The Quench Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner by Aunt Jakie’s is moisture therapy for your hair. It is ideal for naturally curly, wavy, and coiled hair and enriched with olive oil, shea butter, and marshmallow root.  Packed with nourishing ingredients, it hydrates your hair and locks in moisture for a long time. The hair becomes soft and manageable with regular use. The natural ingredients like marshmallow root in the formula keep the scalp fresh.

Key Ingredients: Olive oil, Shea butter, and Marshmallow root

Pro Tip

Apply this all over towel-dried hair, from the middle of your tresses till the end. Use a wide-toothed comb and run it through your hair for even distribution of the product.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

More than 48,942 customers have given the product positive reviews on Amazon.

3. Best For Damaged Hair:SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo

4.5

Image: Sheamoisture

BUY ON AMAZON | $8.39

The Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo by SheaMoisture is ideal for dry and damaged coily, and heat styled curls. It is infused with aloe vera leaf juice, castor oil, clove oil, peppermint extract, and shea butter that keep your hair refreshed and hydrated, making it perfect for those bad hair days.

Black castor oil is rich in vitamin E and provides essential vitamins and minerals to the hair, reducing breakage and promoting new hair growth. Peppermint invigorates and keeps the scalp fresh. The natural oils in the formula strengthen chemically treated and heat damaged hair shafts. This clarifying shampoo removes scalp buildup without stripping the hair of its natural moisture, which works even for those with dry scalps. Moreover, it is not tested on animals. Watch this video to learn more about the product and a reviewer’s experience with it.

Key Ingredients: Jamaican black castor oil, Aloe vera, and Shea butter

Quick Tip

Massage the product until it lathers and let it soak for three to five minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.

	Aunt Jakie’s Curls & Coils Curl La La Defining Curl Custard	Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Quench! Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner	SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo
	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Hair Type	Coily	Curly	Wavy, Curly, Kinky, Damaged
Dimensions	3.25 x 3.25 x 4.25 inches	4 x 5 x 6 inches	2.68 x 2.68 x 6.2 inches
Weight	15 Ounces	11.22 Ounces	13 Ounces
Rating
Reviews	48,786	48,942	15,776
Price	$6.99	$6.97	$8.39

4. Best Lightweight:Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream

4.4

Image: Cantu

BUY ON AMAZON | $6.48

The Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream by Cantu is infused with shea butter, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, sage extract, grape seed oil, and mango seed butter. Coconut oil hydrates and protects the hair from damage, while the shea and mango seed butters provide intense moisturization to your curls. This curl activator cream smooths and defines the curls, reduces frizz, and makes your locks manageable. It also adds shine, volume, and bounce to the hair and makes it bouncy. Check this video to explore a reviewer’s experience of using this curl-activating and shine-enhancing product for 3C dull hair.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, Coconut oil, Sweet almond oil, and Sage extract

Remember

Do not apply the product all at one. Instead, apply it on damp hair section by section for added hydration.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

With over 18,040 reviews, this product has become a fan favorite among users.

5. Best For Frizzy Curls:Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Envy Cream

4.4

Image: Marc Anthony

BUY ON AMAZON | $19.52

If you are looking for some styling products for 3c frizzy hair, the Strictly Curls Curl Envy Cream by Marc Anthony is ideal for you. It is made for dry, coarse, and frizzy curls and is infused with avocado oil, shea butter, and soybean oil to nourish and moisturize your locks. Shea butter and avocado oil are rich in vitamin E that hydrates and moisturizes the hair. The provitamin B5 in the formula locks in and adds extra moisture while making your curls soft, smooth, and manageable. This animal-test-free styling cream helps repel humidity and keeps your hair frizz-free.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, Avocado oil, and Provitamin B5

6. Best Long Lasting:Cake The Curl Friend Totally-To-Die-For Defining Curl Cream

4.3

Image: Cake Beauty

Now 15% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $7.99

The Curl Friend Defining Cream by Cake Beauty is infused with avocado oil, soybean oil, and shea butter to offer long-lasting hydration and moisturization to the hair. This non-greasy, breakthrough formula for 3c hair offers a lightweight feel and doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue. This moisturizing cream coats each curl with a silky layer to make it appear shiny, tame frizz, and make your hair manageable. Plus, it is formulated without undergoing animal testing.

Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, Soybean oil, and Shea butter

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The extensive 792 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.

7. Best For Nourishment:Dark & Lovely Au Naturale Anti-Shrinkage Coil Moisturizing Soufflé

4.4

Image: Soft-sheen Carson

BUY ON AMAZON | $9.99

If you are looking for nourishing products for 3c afro-textured hair, try the Au Naturale Anti-Shrinkage Coil Moisturizing Soufflé by Dark & Lovely. It is specifically formulated for tight curls and coils and is enriched with bamboo milk and mango oil to smoothen and elongate the hair strands. The moisturizing formula instantly nourishes your hair and creates a strong hold while defining the locks without leaving behind any residue. It has generated multiple positive reviews on Amazon owing to its ability to render defined, soft, and tight curls and coils.

Key Ingredients: Bamboo milk and Mango oil

8. Best For Shine:Taliah Waajid Curly Curl Cream

4.4

Image: Taliah Waajid

BUY ON AMAZON | $9.29

The Curly Curl Cream by Taliah Waajid is ideal for curly, coily, and bouncy locks. It is infused with sage extract and shea butter that have proven efficacy in nourishing and hydrating the hair. The lightweight formula conditions the hair, locks in moisture, and smooths and defines the curls. This anti-frizz 3c product will make your hair manageable.

Key Ingredients: Sage extract and Shea butter

9. Best For Styling:Rizos Curls Curl Defining Cream

4.3

Image: Rizos Curls

BUY ON AMAZON | $21.99

The Curl Defining Cream by Rizos Curls is the best option for styling natural curls. It is infused with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, and shea butter that help define your curls and make them bouncy. This sulfate-free 3c haircare cream does not crunch or flake upon application. It tames frizz and makes hair manageable.

Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, Aloe vera, and Shea butter

10. Best Organic:Curls Blueberry Bliss Hair Growth Oil

4.5

Image: Curls

BUY ON AMAZON | $9.15

The Blueberry Bliss Hair Growth Oil is infused with certified organic blueberry extract, jojoba oil, avocado, aloe vera, chamomile extract, argan oil, gardenia flower oil, and pomegranate seed extract to repair and restore your curls. It helps repair damage, increases manageability and induces hair growth while replenishing the lost moisture to your strands. The hair oil also helps strengthen your hair, preventing breakage, defines your curls, and enhances the texture.

Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, Avocado oil, and Aloe vera

11. Best Hydrating:Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream

4.4

Image: Moroccanoil

BUY ON AMAZON | $36

The Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream is infused with argan oil that activates and defines your curls while hydrating your locks. It also contains vegetable protein that coats porous, thicker strands, and reverses split ends. This super moisturizing cream is formulated with a heat-activated technology that tames your frizzes, offers a soft hold to your hair, and delivers natural-looking, bouncy curls. This breakthrough formula is one of the must-have hydrating products for 3C dry hair.

Key Ingredients: Argan oil

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

More than 3,217 Amazon users have vouched for this amazing product.

12. Best Ph Balance:HoneyDew Nourishing Daily Shampoo

3.4

BUY ON AMAZON | $9.95

This shampoo from Honeydew is enriched with avocado oil and jojoba oil to provide intense nourishment and moisturization to the strands. The rich and creamy formula keeps your hair hydrated without weighing it down or stripping its natural moisture. This pH-balanced shampoo is gentle on your scalp and does not contain any harmful chemicals or harsh ingredients.

Key Ingredients: Avocado oil and Jojoba oil

13. Best Affordable:Jane Carter Solution Curls To Go! Curl Cocktail Conditioning Styling Cream

4.3

Now 10% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $14.74

The Curls To Go Conditioning Styling Cream by Jane Carter Solution is packed with nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera extracts. This defining cream elongates curls, makes them bouncy, conditions the hair, and locks in moisture. The cream also smooths the hair without leaving any residue or causing crunchiness, tames frizz, and makes your locks manageable.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, Coconut oil, and Aloe vera

14. Best For Hair Breakage:KeraCare Curlessence Moisturizing Curling Cream

4.4

Image: Keracare

BUY ON AMAZON | $9.95

The Moisturizing Curling Cream by KeraCare is ideal for naturally curly and coily hair. It is enriched with Jamaican black castor oil and coconut oil to nourish and moisturize your hair. Jamaican black castor oil helps strengthen the hair roots, reduces breakage, and induces new hair growth. The curling cream defines the curls and keeps them frizz-free.

Key Ingredients: Jamaican castor oil and Coconut oil

15. Best For Detangling:Novex Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

4.4

BUY ON AMAZON | $28.89

The Deep Conditioning Hair Mask by Novex is infused with vitamin E and pure avocado oil and offers intense hair repair treatment. It replenishes the lost moisture in the hair and gives it a boost of hydration. The vitamins in the formula nourish and strengthen the hair. This hair mask also repairs hair damage, eliminates frizz, and smooth sun tamable hair while protecting it from environmental and heat damage.

Key Ingredients: Avocado oil and Vitamin E

3C hair is tickly packed and is big on volume, making it hard to style. The good part is you don’t need to be a curly hair expert to improve the manageability of your hair. All you have to do is to pick the right products specifically formulated for 3C hair to moisturize your strands, define the curls deeply, and create those protective hairstyles with ease. To ensure that you choose the best, here are a few guidelines to consider before you select a product for your 3C-type curls to add to your hair care routine.

How To Choose The Best Products For Type 3C Curls

• Consider Your Hair’s Porosity

The most crucial factor to consider before you choose any product for your 3C hair is to know your hair porosity. Porosity is the ability of your natural hair type to retain moisture or absorb moisture based on the structure of its cuticle. Here is how you can find out if your hair is highly porous or has low porosity, along with the products to consider for your porosity type.

You have highly porous hair if your hair absorbs moisture but also loses it quickly. Therefore, you need high-porosity hair products with a thick and rich texture to preserve the curls.

In case your hair has low porosity, the products you use tend to build up on the surface of your hair instead of being absorbed. To induce moisture, you need lightweight, hydrating, and more gel-based products. You can also use protein-rich products for 3c low-porosity hair to strengthen them.

• Look For Hydration

Ensure your products are infused with that tackle dryness, control frizz, and ensure the curls stay intact. Look for hydrating products that replenish moisture in your 3C curls. Shea butter is a natural emollient rich in vitamins. It helps seal in moisture to treat dry and itchy scalp. Argan oil is a non-greasy, easily absorbed ingredient found in hair serums and leave-in conditioners. It reduces frizz and flyaways and nourishes your strands. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe and moisturize your curls. Some other natural ingredients in 3c products that you can look for include aloe vera, jojoba oil, and olive oil.

• Ingredients To Avoid

Avoid harsh ingredients like parabens, sulfates, SLS, phthalates, and drying alcohol that can cause frizziness and damage your curls in the long run.

Maintaining 3C curls is tricky, but the following tips will make it seem like a breeze.

3C Hair Guide: How To Style and Care for 3C Hair

Caring For Your 3C Hair

• Hydrate: 3C hair tends to be dry and brittle if it isn’t properly looked after. Make sure to use hydrating shampoos and conditioners that lock in moisture. You can also opt for a deep conditioning hair treatment once a week. Squeeze out the excess water from your strands using a microfiber towel to keep frizz at bay.
• Limit Using Heat Tools: Regular straightening of type 3C curls may affect the hair’s moisture levels, texture, and pattern. Hence, use heat styling tools sparingly. Always use heat-protectant products for 3c heat-styled hair.

A great styling tip is that you can always make sure to use lowest heat possible to limit damage to your 3C hair. While doing so, comb your hair from bottom to the top. This will keep your curl pattern from breaking.

• Use Silk Pillow Cases: Cotton pillow covers cause friction and increases hair fall by making the hair dry and brittle. Silk pillowcases reduce friction and keep hair fall in check.
• Use Natural Products: Regular shampoos and conditioners contain harmful ingredients like sulfates and parabens that strip off the hair’s natural moisture and leave it lifeless. Opt for natural and organic ingredient-based products for a healthy mane.
• Use A Diffuser: Using a regular hair dryer will alter the texture of your curls. A diffuser is a wise choice as it does not dry out your strands.

Styling Your 3C Hair

• Natural Wash & Go: Once you have a hair care regimen in place, you can simply wash, dry, and go out with natural hair. To add more shine and definition, you can use curl-defining products for 3c wavy hair. Opt for defrizzing products for 3c hair in humid weather.
• A Top Bun: A top bun is the most casual yet classy way of styling your 3C curls. Tie up your hair into a messy bun and lock in any flyaways with a bit of hair gel, and you are good to go. You can also use hold-enhancing products for such 3c hairstyles.
• A Colorful Band: Tie your hair in a colorful band for a chic look. Comb the front section of your hair and secure it with a gel. Push back the flyaways for a cleaner look.

Infographic: Infographic: An Ultimate Guide Of 3C Hair Products

3C hair is prone to breakage and damage. Hence, you need to opt for hair products that reverse hair damage and moisturize the curls. The below infographic lists the ingredients that enhance the texture of 3C hair. It also includes quick tips to detangle curly hair and enhance its slip and shine. Check it out to understand the maintenance, styling, and blow-drying tricks.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Shiboli Chakraborti is a certified skin care coach passionate about hair care. She conducted extensive research and went through several user reviews on online forums and brand websites before compiling this list of the best products for 3C hair types. All of the budget-friendly 3c products listed here are described in detail, along with their benefits and drawbacks. This post also includes a styling and caring guide to assist you in choosing the right product.

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Jill TurnbullHairstylist

   

Jill Turnbull is an internationally acclaimed freelance hairstylist, colorist, and makeup artist with over 47 years of experience. She founded her own beauty brand and her work has been featured in editorial magazines worldwide.

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Shiboli ChakrabortiCommerce Editor

 

Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.

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Aditi NaskarAssociate Commerce Editor

Aditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate commerce editor with 5 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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