Believe it or not, Only Curlsstarted out as a small business, where customer orders were packed up at the kitchen table by its founder, Lizzie Carter. Now, the haircare brand has amassed a loyal fanbase, has recently been stocked at beauty behemoth Boots, and has emerged as one of thebest brands for wavy and curly hair. From salon endorsements to celebrity recommendations with the likes of Stacey Solomon, Trinny Woodall, Rita Ora and Lydia Bright, Only Curls has taken the haircare industry by storm. The brand has a range of cleansing, conditioning and styling products, curly tools and hair accessories galore. The question is doesOnly Curlsactually work on wavy hair? This is what I have to say about some of the bestsellers in the range.
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SHOP: Tried and tested Only Curls products
NEW
Only Curls
Price: $22
onlycurls.com
A new launch at Only Curls, I'm so glad the brand has introduced the Shine & Define Serum to the range. Usually, the serums I've tried simply coat the hair, but this serum felt as though it was actually penetrating through multiple layers to nourish your hair as you wear it. It calms frizz and flyaways, smooths and adds shine, all while adding definition to your curls. Plus, it smells delicious, which is always a bonus. I absolutely love this serum and have been using it ever since it landed on my desk.
Only Curls
Price: $35 (was £40)
onlycurls.com
The Starter Pack is amazing at getting you started on your curly hair journey. It includes 100ml bottles of theAll Curls Cleanser,All Curl Conditioner,Hydrating Curl CremeandEnhancing Curl Gel. It might be called a mini travel collection, but they'll honestly last you forever. They've been formulated without the use of any nasty ingredients like parabens, sulphates, silicones and paraffins so they're fab for restoring moisture to your hair.
Only Curls
This All Curl Cleanser is made with a kind to hair formula that gently foams and cleanses without stripping your hair of its natural oils.Bringing the hydration back to hair, this shampoo leaves your hair feeling moisturised. It smells gorgeous, with a coconut scent and a blend of hydrating natural ingredients. This shampoo has definitely brought back my bouncy waves without stripping colour or drying out my hair.
Only Curls
Price: $18
onlycurls.com
With a blend of natural oils, the All Curls Conditioner works to penetrate the hair shaft and nourish the hair. It has a fresh, clean scent and the oils add shine to the hair. Extremely hydrating, the All Curls Conditioner reduces any feelings of frizziness or tangles. I've noticed that this conditioner definitely makes my waves pop, all without weighing down my hair or leaving it feeling greasy.
Only Curls
Price: $18
onlycurls.com
If you're really looking to get definition through your waves or curls, the Enhancing Curl Gel is for you. This oil-infused gel locks in moisture and creates lasting curls. I've definitely seen a difference after using this gel, and I'd have to say it might just be one of my favourites from the range.
Only Curls
Price: $18
onlycurls.com
Team it up with the Mega Hold Curl Gel, perfect for those humid days or when you want your curls to last a little longer. Infused with natural oils, this gel works in a similar way to the Enhancing Curl Gel, but with a stronger hold. The Mega Hold Gel is slightly thicker and contains natural sugar, which helps lift the curls and holds them tighter throughout the drying process.
Only Curls
Price: $18
onlycurls.com
Another holy grail in the range is the Volumising Curl Mousse. Whether you use it in your daily curly hair girl routine or use it the next day to refresh curls or waves, this protein-rich mousse is in high demand. Its ingredients work to restore the hair, strengthen curls, replenish moisture and prevent breakage. Another favourite of mine, it works wonders on my hair to boost volume, smooth frizziness and define waves with a weightless hold.
Only Curls
Price: $18
onlycurls.com
The Hydrating Curl Creme is a leave-in styling cream you apply to freshly cleansed, soaking-wet hair that smooths out curls and leaves them free from frizz. Made with nourishing natural oils, this Hydrating Curl Creme distributes moisture evenly throughout the curl pattern. As someone who suffers from dry ends, I use this cream when my ends are in need of a little love.
Only Curls
Price: $24
onlycurls.com
Treat yourself to the Deep Hydration Hair Mask when you're winding down on a Sunday evening. Delivering a shot of nourishing hydration to your hair, it's perfect if your locks are in need of a little TLC. I tend to apply this mask to my mid-lengths to ends, as applying to the roots made them a little greasy. But, the shea butter, argan, coconut and natural oils replenish and revive hair for super-defined, glossy curls and waves.
Only Curls
Price: $18
onlycurls.com
We're always told to use an old t-shirt when we're drying waves and curls, but now you won't have to with the Microfibre Hair Towel. Soft against hair and kind to curls, this award-winning microfibre towelis designed to speed up drying timeand reduce frizz. Leaving the hair cuticles intact and reducing the amount of damage drying does to your hair, the Microfibre Hair Towel absorbs the right amount of moisture. I can say I've definitely seen a difference when it comes to the smoothness of my hair.
Senior Commercial Content Writer, Samantha Price
©Samantha Price
I've always had a love-and-hate relationship with my wavy hair. When wet, my hair had no problems holding a defined wave. When dry? Whole different story. Years of straightening it to an inch of its life only contributed to the damage but seeing videos of fellow wavy-haired girls finding their waves, I started to look into how to wash, style, and care for wavy hair properly. Learning that moisture can struggle to travel down the curl pattern, leading to drier ends in wavy and curly hair was a game changer. Findingcurly hair productsthat nourish the hair, all while providing moisture is essential. Enter: Only Curls, the brand on a mission to encourage curly-haired people of all textures to ditch the chemicals, forget the straighteners, and start loving their natural curls. FollowingThe Only Curls Method, I had the opportunity to review all of the products listed above, including the brand-new Shine & Define Serum. You simply put a few pumps of the product in the palm of your hands, rub them together and comb the product through dry curls with your fingers.Before And After: Only Curls Shine & Define Serum
©Samantha Price
All products in the range are cruelty-free, smell unreal and are suitable for all curl types. While the different steps involved can take a little bit of time, you can also scrunch in a bit of product if you're in a rush. Sometimes I'll just use either the Curl Enhancing Gel or Volumising Mousse after washing to achieve lower-maintenance waves. I can't speak for all hair types as everyone's hair is totally unique, but I can honestly say that I don't think I'll ever turn to another product for my wavy hair again. • It's suitable for all curl types: From 2A hair to 4C hair, the range promises to deliver across waves, curls, coils and kinks. There are different products across the range that you can tailor to your hair type, or use as a full routine if you wish. • The formula is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free: Only Curls is a cruelty-free brand with sustainable packaging made from bioplastics derived from sugar cane. The brand's ethos means they have never tested on animals and do not use cosmetic materials that contain animal derivatives. • The range is free from sulfates, silicones, or parabens: For those who want to take a step closer to healthy hair, Only Curls products are free from sulfates, silicones and parabens that have the potential to weigh the hair down and strip it of moisture. • There are loads of bundles on offer: The Only Curls website is full of bundles so you can get great value packs for less and stock up on your entire styling routine while you're at it. Amazon also has similar styling bundles to take advantage of, too. • Too much product may make the hair greasy or crunchy: It can be hard to find a balance between the products, and I've found that using too much of the Mega Hold Hair Gel can make my hair crunchy no matter how much I scrunch it and try to 'break the cast' on my hair. • Takes an extra bit of time with added steps in your haircare routine: If you're someone who likes a low-maintenance hair routine, you might find the different steps overwhelming and time-consuming. In this instance, I'd recommend just using the Volumising Mousse or Curl Enhancing Gel on damp hair. Thanks to Only Curls, I finally managed to achieve fully defined waves that were free from frizz. Not only have these products given me the confidence to ditch the curlers, but I've also been able to cut back on heat damage from all of the straightening and drying. It only helps that the range is free from harsh ingredients like parabens that strip the hair of that much-needed moisture. Hands down, they've been my ultimate hair saviour.Pros:
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Final verdict
FAQs
Closer's tips for getting the best out of Only Curls:
Before trying Only Curls, get to know yourhair type. This will help you determine what products are best for your hair. Shorter, thinner hair that's on the wavy side might do better with a lightweight mousse. Applying heavy curl creams on thinner hair might weigh it down, which will mean your curls will drop.
Whereas for those with thick, curly hair, as well asafro hair, these products are formulated specifically for this hair type to help make curls, coils and kinks pop.
We can't emphasise this enough: scrunch, scrunch, scrunch! When it comes to drying your hair, air drying is usually best along with scrunching in your product. However,hair dryers for curly hairtend to come with diffusers that can help define your curl pattern. But, don't forget the heat protectant spray.
If you're not seeing results straight away - be patient! If you've bleached and straightened your hair for years, it'll take a while for your natural curl pattern to return. In the meantime, avoid using heat as much as possible, allow your hair to air dry and avoid using hair products with parabens, sulphates and silicones.
Continue using Only Curls and experiment with the different products to see what works for you. We'd recommend the Starter Pack for beginners. Read the full guide on how to use the products below.
Where can I buy Only Curls?
Not only can you findOnly Curlson their website, but you can also find their products stocked atcurly hair salons. Recently, Only Curls also launched with high-street retailer,Boots, where the range of haircare products is also available to shop in-store and online.Amazonalso stocks Only Curls so you can get those next-day delivery goodies withAmazon Prime.
How to use Only Curls hair products?
Only Curls has put togetherThe Only Curls Methodfor using their products in your curly hair routine. Here's a guide on how to achieve defined waves and curls, and a video tutorial on how to get started with achieving the curly girl look effortlessly.
Step one: Cleanse
Shampoo your hair using theAll Curl Cleanser and rinse thoroughly.
Step two: Condition
Gently comb theAll Curl Conditioner through the hair, so that curls are detangled whilst wet. Then, rinse thoroughly.
Step three: Hydrate
Apply theHydrating Curl Creme to soaking wet hair. Apply from root to tip using your hands and scrunch upwards.
Step four: Scrunch
Scrunch dry with the Microfibre Hair Towel. Scrunch upward and then hold each scrunch for three seconds and release.
Step five: Volume
Add volume and a protein boost to your curls by scrunching in a handful of Volumising Curl Mousse.
Step six: Define
Finish by applying the Enhancing Curl Gel or Mega Hold Hair Gel for extra hold and definition. Finer curl types may prefer to end their routine with the Volumising Curl Mousse. On next day hair, scrunch the mousse in to refresh curls.
Samantha Price is a Senior Commercial Content Writer for Closer. During her time at Bauer, she has worked on writing expertly crafted buying guides on beauty, fashion and lifestyle.
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