Let’s face it. Curly Hair products can be quite pricey.
If you’re just starting the CG Method for the first time, you’re so confused already.
And then if you’re still in school, college or just have a small budget, you can’t really afford to spend a lot.
‘Please tell me budget friendly product names only, I can’t afford more than Rs.500 or Rs. 1000 per month’ is a common request from my readers.
I’m here to tell you that you can absolutely have beautiful hair without breaking the bank.
I’ve listed routines and products that are light on the pocket…
AND I personally know they work rather well on most dry, frizzy hair, be it wavy or curly!
Try the techniques and tips mentioned with such products FIRST before you move on to more expensive ones.
This way, you won’t blame a potentially good product just because you didn’t know how to use it well.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please read this first- Curly Hair Tips for Beginners
Table of Contents
Beginner Friendly Curly Hair Products
When you’re starting, just buy at least a good conditioner (most important) and a shampoo. Choose the closest to your budget from the list below.
You can add more expensive products later! Remember, shampoo is NOT the most important thing for curly hair, it’s a conditioner.
A conditioner can be made to use as a leave in conditioner by mixing it with some water. It can be made into a deep conditioner with a few drops of oil and honey which makes it a great multi-tasking product!
To Wash
Shampoo
- Mamaearth Happy Heads Natural Protein Hair Shampoo– CG Approved with Caution (Rs.349)
I write caution because it has an ingredient, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, that is NOT as drying as sulphates but it will still cleanse your scalp strongly than other CG Friendly shampoos. I think anyone who has an itchy or oily scalp will actually enjoy a stronger shampoo. If you have a very dry scalp you can choose something else. - Mamaearth Onion Hair Fall Shampoo for Hair Growth & Hair Fall Control– CG Approved with Caution (Rs. 349)
Here the Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is further down in the ingredient list making this more gentle on the scalp. - WOW Apple Cider Vinegar No Sulphate & Parabens Shampoo – CG Friendly (Rs.399)
ACV is great for reducing dandruff and restore the ph of the curls back to normal. - The Moms Co. Natural Protein Shampoo– CG Friendly (Rs.429) | Protein
- RE’ EQUIL Hair Fall Control Shampoo – CG Friendly (Rs. 450)
- RE’ EQUIL Dandruff Control Shampoo – CG Friendly (Rs. 450)
- Best Life Argan Nourish Shampoo – CG Friendly (Rs. 549)
- Curl Up Curl Moisturising Shampoo – CG Friendly (Rs. 575)
Read more in my review - Vilvah Goatmilk Shampoo – CG Friendly (Rs. 590)
Read my Review - Plum Goodness Olive & Macadamia Healthy Hydration Shampoo – CG Friendly (Rs.675)
A nice gentle shampoo. Does the job and I like the quantity. - Fix My Curls Squeaky Cleansing Shampoo For Curly and Wavy Hair– CG Friendly (Rs. 895)
Another favourite of mine. It cleanses scalp really well. Great for oily scalp.
Conditioner
- MATRIX Biolage Aloe Hydrating Conditioner – Not CG Friendly | Protein Free (Rs. 157)
Has IPA (Isopropyl alcohol but less than 1% of the whole product so you use it in a CG Routine) - Enliven Natural Fruit Extracts Coconut and Vanilla Conditioner – CG Friendly (Rs.305)
- Enliven Fruit Conditioner, Raspberry & Red Apple – CG Friendly (Rs.305)
These conditioners are light and great for loose waves. - RE’ EQUIL Babassu Anti Frizz and Smoothening Conditioner – CG Friendly (Rs. 350)
Has good slip. - RE’ EQUIL Murumuru Damage Repair Conditioner – CG Friendly (Rs. 350)
Has good slip. - Best Life Argan Nourish Conditioner – CG Friendly (Rs. 449)
- Curl Up Curl Hydrating Conditioner – CG Friendly (Rs. 590)
Read more about it in my review - Vilvah Cream Conditioner – CG Friendly (Rs. 750)
- Fix My Curls Mellow Hydrating Deep Conditioner For Curly and Wavy Hair – CG Friendly (Rs. 850)
Love this deep conditioner. Great slip.
Cowash
Deep Conditioner
Learn how to use these below products in this post – Deep Conditioning for Curly Hair
- DIY Deep Conditioners
a. Mix any good conditioner+ 3-4 drops of oil+ 1 tbsp honey
b. Banana puree+ few drops of oil+ 2-4tbsp of yoghurt
c. Coconut milk+ few drops of oil
d. Aloevera gel (pureed once in the mixer)
e. Find more DIY hair masks here
Note- Don’t use ONLY DIY hair mask as a store bought one will be more powerful and easier to remove. You can deep condition with a DIY recipe twice a month and with any of the products listed below if you’re worried about products finishing quickly. - Lotus Herbals Soyasmooth Protein Creme Deep Conditioner – CG Friendly (Rs. 189)
- Bella Vita Organic Keratin Hair Mask Spa Cream For Frizzy, Dry, Coloured & Damaged Hair – CG Friendly (Rs. 399)
- Aaranyaa Spa At Home Argan Oil Hair Pack – CG Friendly | Protein Free (Rs. 400)
- MATRIX By fbb Hydra Creme Intense Ultra Hydra Source Hydrating Masque – NOT CG Friendly | Protein Free (Rs.445)
Has IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) which isn’t allowed in CG but it is less than 1% of the whole product, should not be drying and can be used in a CG Routine.
Read my review
I love the fact there this is a big tub and has a lot of slip. I recommend this often to beginners. - Mamaearth Argan Hairfall Control Mask – CG Friendly | Protein (Rs.589)
I quite like this mask too. Read my review - Plum Olive & Macadamia Mega Moisturizing Hair Mask – CG Friendly (Rs.785)
To Style
Leave in Conditioner
- DIY leave in conditioner – Take a spray bottle and add some conditioner (1/4th) to it. Add 3/4th water and mix. Spray and apply on hair as you would a normal conditioner.
- Giovanni Organic Leave in Conditioner Spray – CG Friendly (Rs. 530)
Great for loose curls and wavy hair - Giovanni Organic Natural Mousse Hair Styling Spray Foam – CG Friendly (Rs. 595)
Great for loose curls and wavy hair - Fix My Curls Stay Leave In Cream For Curly and Wavy Hair – CG Friendly (Rs. 725)
- Ashba Botanics Right Ringlets Leave-in Conditioner for Curly/Wavy Hair – CG Friendly (Rs. 949) Made by India’s first Curly Hair Blogger Asha Barrack! LOVED this leave in conditioner
- Aveda Be Curly Style-Prep – CG Friendly (Rs. 950)
Curl Cream
I usually recommend curl creams or hair creams to anyone with very curly hair. Since its rich, it can weigh down wavier or looser curls.
But I know many wavy hair peeps who use a tinyyy amount of a cream to make their hair clump better. Experiment and see what works! But if you’re starting out and you have a wavier texture, start with a lighter styling product like watery leave in conditioners, mousse and gels.
- Arata Hair Cream – CG Friendly (Rs.599) or Buy Here (Use code CURIOUSARATA & get 25% OFF on orders above Rs.999)
I love this cream and its gel. Great for Type 3 hair and above.
Read my review - Curl Up Curl Defining Cream – CG friendly (Rs. 690)
Rich, creamy- love! Another Indian brand like Arata. - Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream – CG Friendly (Rs. 974)
My holy grail, the curl cream that showed my what my curls were capable of way back when I just discovered about curly girl techniques.
Gel
- DIY Flaxseed Gel
So effective and easy to make! Incredibly cheap too. Watch this video to learn how to make it right. - Set Wet Hair Gel Cool Hold – CG Friendly (Rs.75)
- Himalaya Men Daily Nourish Styling Gel, Strong Hold – CG Friendly (Rs. 90)
- Set Wet Hair Gel Ultimate Hold – CG Friendly (Rs.180)
- Schwarzkopf Taft All Weather Looks Marathon Power Gel, Long Lasting Hold – CG Friendly (Rs. 350)
- Giovanni Organic LA Natural Styling Gel – CG Friendly (Rs.595)
- Arata Hair Gel – CG Friendly (Rs.599) or Buy Here (Use Code CURIOUSARATA & get 20% OFF on orders above Rs.999)
Read my review
I love this gel! It’s like a store bought flaxseed gel with more hold. - Fix My Curls Glaze Defining Hair Gel For Curly and Wavy Hair – CG Friendly (Rs. 775)
Another Indian brand whose gel I love.
To SOTC/Pre-poo (Oil)
- Castor Oil, Sesame Oil and Black Seed Oil is great for hair growth. (Castor can be very thick and hard to remove with a cg friendly shampoo. Use it mixed with another oil or don’t apply too much to the scalp. You can also do castor oil massage right before you clarify.
- Tea Tree & Rosemary essential oil is great for dandruff prone scalp. Mix a few drops of this to a carrier oil like coconut, sesame and then apply as such oils are powerful in small amounts.
- Coconut oil is the only oil that penetrates the hair the most. You can be sensitive to coconut however so remember to check that on your hair. If your hair comes out more dry and frizzy after using coconut oil as compared to any other oil, then you’re sensitive!
- Jojoba Oil is the only oil that comes close to matching our body’s oil production. It is wonderful for hair.
- Argan Oil is one of the lightest oils that is great in reducing frizz and protecting your hair from environmental damages.
Accessories for Curly Hair
- Roots Broad Teeth Comb for Wavy/Curly Thick Short Hair – (Rs. 189)
- Shampoo Brush – (Rs. 223)
Great for massaging your scalp, increasing rate of hair growth & brilliant to cleanse your scalp when you’re co-washing! I love to use this because I have a itchy sensitive scalp. - Satin Bonnet – (Rs. 499)
- Denman Medium Hair Styling Brush– (Rs.900)
Ah! My holy grail! It gives me incredibly defined curly hair. You don’t NEED to get this, you can also use a wide tooth comb+narrow comb. I won’t recommend this brush for wavy hair or loose curls since it can break wave clumps.
Read more in my review.
Diffuser
- Agaro-HD-1150-Turbo Pro Hair Dryer – (Rs. 1499)
- Wahl 5439-024 Hair Dryer With Diffuser (Rs.1999)
Please note, this is not the full list of products but just some good+affordable ones you can start out with.
If you want more options, go here- All Curly Hair Products in India
Video Tutorials with Pocket-friendly Indian Products
International Curly Hair Products For Beginners
If you’re staying in the UK or USA, most of the brands mentioned below are found easily at departmental stores, Sally’s, Trader Joe’s, Wallmart and any ethnic hair store. They are also usually affordable.
- Sheamoisture Shampoo, Conditioner, Deep Conditioners
- Trader Joe’s Tingle Tree Shampoo & Conditioner
- Suave Naturals Conditioners
- Tresemme Botanique Nourish & Replenish Conditioner
- Vo5 Herbal Escapes Conditioners
- Aussie Instant Freeze Gel
- L.A. Looks Sport Look Gel
- As I Am Coconut CoWash & Leave in Conditioner
- Not Your Mother’s (NYM) Conditioners
- Eden Bodyworks
Disclaimer
Some of the links above are Amazon affiliate links, which means I get a small commission at no cost to you for purchased orders. Thank you for supporting the blog! 😊
How should you use these products once you buy them, you ask?
If you have wavy hair, follow this routine- Step by Step CG Method for Wavy Hair
Those with more curly hair, follow this routine- Step by Step CG Method for Curly Hair
I hope this list of budget-friendly, CG Friendly curly hair products encourages you to try the tips and techniques I’ve written on this blog and shown on my Youtube Channel.
If you have any doubts, please join my private FB group- Ask Jalebi and ask me, I’d be happy to help!
Follow me @thecuriousjalebi on Instagram if you’re there, I post tips & videos there often!
34 Comments
Enid Sobrinho
atHi, can you please suggest a clarifying Shampoo? 2c/3a curls, high porosity, low density fine hair
Pallavi Juneja
atHi, which country, location?
Malavika A R
atA clarifying shampoo for 2C type hair, from Kerala, India???
Pallavi Juneja
atLook at these- https://www.amazon.in/shop/thecuriousjalebi?listId=1F9ZJR2731Y5X
Anuradha Mohapatra
atHi Pallavi,
I used to have normal to wavy hair which I smoothened few years back and now they are back with the worst frizz ever. It looks so kinky all the time. Can you suggest a regime for gradually getting rid of the frizz and kinky look?
Regards,
Anuradha
Pallavi Juneja
atHi Anuradha, I suggest you gradually trim the straightened section off, chemically treated hair doesn’t go back to how it naturally is. Next, follow these steps – https://thecuriousjalebi.com/2019/01/21/how-to-start-cg-method-on-wavy-hair/
This will help you get nice healthy hair, it won’t remove the kink as my posts are for grooming and accepting naturally wavy or curly hair 🙂
Priya Arun
atHi Pallavi, your reviews on either of these? Giovanni Organic Leave in Conditioner Spray or Giovanni Organic Natural Mousse Hair Styling Spray Foam. What is the difference between these two?
Swatilekha Majumdar
atHey. I am new to CGM. I currently use Mamaearth Onion Hairfall Shampoo for clarifying (every 3 days) and co-wash using Mamaearth Onion Hairfall conditioner. However, my curls are really frizzy and I feel the conditioner weighs down my hair. Can you help me on what I am doing wrong. My routine is: Clarify using shampoo, then condition and finger detangling. Keeping the conditioner for 3 minutes (I use conditioner on the tips and not on the roots). This is followed by removing excess water using gamcha and using the same conditioner as leave-in. Then scrunching the hair for about 2 minutes (using a t-shirt). Applying Patanjanli aloevera gel and scrunching again for 5 minutes using the t-shirt. Letting it air dry.
The frizz starts coming after the first scrunching itself.
Please help.
Pallavi Juneja
atCan you drop me an email at pallavijuneja92(at)gmail.com with some hair pictures for reference?
Khushboo
atHi Pallavi,
I am newbie to here. I read your amazing and organized blog
I need your suggestion on what product I should go with
Well, I have 2a fine hair type and I would like to keep it wavy with low proposity…. I have used high poo shampoo with harsh chemical .. I just want to shift my product
Can you suggest me a better product
Initially I thought of plum ( from your recommendation list ) but the review turned out mind changing and confusing … So does plum actually works or should I see some other product … If thats the case please suggest me a product
Thank you 😊
Awaiting for your reply
Pallavi Juneja
atHmm 2A hair doesn’t need much, infact can use non cg products also since your hair is mostly straight. Try using a shampoo that creates volume and a light conditioner like Plum or Enliven. Don’t style unless its a spray type product like giovanni or its mousse!
Khushboo
atI don’t have complete straight hair .my hair is wavy from below . I am planning to use vilvah goatmilk and have started using enliven . Would you suggest me to use leave in conditioner and gel . I do have hair fall and frizz . Due to hair fall my volume has not gone decreased.
Vandana Joshi
atHey! I just discovered you and I am so glad. Watching your before and after pictures have given me hope that even my har can look good and I am determined to work on them. I had a doubt though. I have fine wavy hair (mostly 2B, 2C) which never clump together. I was wondering if the set wet gel be good option for me or is it only for thick wavy hair?
Pallavi Juneja
atHmm I recommed Giovanni’s spray leave in or mousse more, gel on very light waves can leave them stringy
Nihaal
atHi Pallavi, love your blog.
So I recently got on the co wash train and my hair is def better than before. But my scalp still gets dry and itchy and then begins to shed. By the time I start to see results from co washing I have to oil and shampoo again. So now hair are frizzy again until I co wash a couple times. Rinse and repeat. What should I do? Also whats a nice water based styling product that I could rinse off without shampoo. Btw I live in NCR so the weather could be super hot and dry one week and then humid the other.
Pallavi Juneja
atDon’t co wash more than a week, and in case co washing is causing more shedding, you can skip it and use a gentle cg friendly shampoo.
Also a nice water based styling product are mentioned here- https://www.amazon.in/shop/thecuriousjalebi?listId=1OXNE1IT2CBT0
Personally love the giovanni water leave in treatment spray and curl keeper original!
Akhila
atHi Pallavi,
Thank you for the good work you do 🙂
I have curly 3A type hair. After I shower, my hair dries in 5 minutes and gets really frizzy and the curls get very dry. How can I get this fixed? I tried the SheaMoisture Hibiscus & Coconut Enhancing Smoothie , but it makes my hair more dry and tangled.
Also, what about hair serums? when can we use them?
Should we use both leave-in conditioner and gels after showers?
Kudos to you! Thankyou in advance
Akhila
Pallavi Juneja
atI’m curious to see why your hair dries after the smoothie. Send me the picture as I relayed on your previous comment and we will take it from there!
Carrie Lapides
atI’ve love to know your response to this question! I’ve watched every video & researched every product. I have 3A long curly hair. The last year it has gone crazy frizzy on my crown only. I think it may be a hormonal imbalance issue. However. I’ve tried everything! Just got a haircut with layers and still frizzy straight crown. I made homemade flaxseed gel and just diffused hair. Looks great, except frizzy crown and straight. Roots wont curl & top layer frizz. Help! If u can. Thank u in advance.
Carrie
Pallavi Juneja
atHi Carrie, are you conditioning your hair well and then combing? Are you using a leave in/mousse or something before the gel to keep that frizzy section moisturised?
Shweta Bendre
atHey Pallavi, I am a huge fan of all your content, thank you so much for all the amazing info about CG friendly routines & products. I have dry wavy 2c hair and am just starting out with my own CG journey (They may even be 3A curly, but only time will tell I guess!) I am overwhelmed with the products available and all the reviews I have read. I had been using OGX Argan combo till now and it worked really great for me ( heartbroken to discover silicones in it).
Would be a hugggggeeee help if you could suggest a good CG friendly Shampoo+conditioner/deep condition mask combo for me in a budget of 1000 – 1500 rs that has personally worked for you too? Also would be great to know where you buy products like Shea moisture/Cantu/ Maui moisture online in India?
Pallavi Juneja
atTry Vilvah Goat Milk Shampoo, Reequil Conditioner and Aaranya Hair mask!
Prathima
atHi Iv come to realise that my curly hair doesn’t like protein. It acts funny with it. Tried many international products and always wondered what was wrong. It took me a while to realise protein was the culprit. I have low porosity hair too. Can u kindly suggest me a shampoo, conditioner and styling gel and creams without protein and best suited for low porosity hair? (Budget friendly if possible )
Pallavi Juneja
atPutting a post on protein free products soon!
Apurva
atHey can you review the aroma magic moisture boost shampoo???……it’s completely natural and doesn’t dry out my hair like other sulphate free shampoos….also it’s extremely affordable
Pallavi Juneja
atWill check it out!
Mahi hussain
atHi, pallavi di… I have one question the khadi shampoo has mentioned only the key ingredients. So how can u sure about the shampoo is completely cg friendly or not? Plz can u clear my doubt?!
Ranjana
atHi Pallavi,
Thank you for this tutorial it really helps many frizzy and tangled hair girls like me , Can you pls suggest a hair dryer and diffuser, as I have never used these thinking heat makes more frizz and breakage. Pls suggest a good hair dryer and diffuser, it will be great help.
Pallavi Juneja
atHi Ranjana, glad I could help! Nova has a hair dryer and diffuser, so does Agaro, Baby Bliss etc 🙂
Ramya M
atHi Pallavi,
I did try bblunt curl definition cream and loreal smooth and shine conditioner as leave in. So far after using various products i found that only tresseme shampoo and conditioners are best suiting my hair. Please suggest some moisturizing products. budget within 1000rs would do. let me know how to get rid of these tangles.
Pallavi Juneja
atRamya, look at As I Am cleansing leave in conditioner on flipkart as well as miss jessie leave in condish. They’re around 800 ish bucks. There is also alba botanica leave in on Amazon India for 900 bucks. That’s also great!
Pallavi Juneja
atPlease also do deep conditioning every week. Either get a hair mask or make your own at home. Add conditioner, some honey, olive oil and apply on to your hair. Keep it on for an hour or so under a shower cap and then wash off and style as normal. This will restore moisture in your hair and reduce tangles over time . Also keep your hair from getting tangled at night by pineappling your hair and using satin bonnet. I’ve made a tutorial on the same on my routine channel
Ramya M
atHi Pallavi,
I tried you curly hair routine. normally sulphate and silicons work for my hair but when i switched to non sulphate and silicon i noticed my hair is very tangled once its air dried. I am not sure what is wrong.
I even tried bblunt curl cream and giovanni la natural.
Regards,
Ramya
Pallavi Juneja
atHey Ramya! Your hair takes time to get used to a cg friendly routine. It might also not suit your hair! For some curly girls, it doesn’t. Even I don’t mind minimal sulphates and mild silicones in my products. You should switch to more moisturising products ( reduces tangles). Also a very good leave in. What is your budget? Can suggest accordingly. 🙂