Type 3C Hair – Best Products For Type 3C Curls
Achieve lustrous tresses and prevent unwanted hair fall with products for kinky curls!
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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 and hence needs intense care if you want to keep up the style. 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.
In This Article
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. Aunt Jakie’s Curls & Coils Curl La La Defining Curl Custard
Image: Aunt Jackie’s 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
Pros
- Lightweight
- Pleasant scent
- Non-sticky
- Non-crunchy
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Petroleum-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Value for money
Cons
None
Quick Tip2. Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Quench! Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner
Image: Aunt Jackie's 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
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Pleasant scent
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Petroleum-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Value for money
Cons
None
Pro Tip3. SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo
Image: Sheamoisture 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.
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. This clarifying shampoo removes scalp buildup without stripping the hair of its natural moisture. 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
Pros
- Nice fragrance
- A little goes a long way
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Petroleum-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Silicone-free
- Value for money
Cons
- Tends to dry out the hair ends
Quick Tip4. Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
Image: Cantu 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
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Mineral-oil free
- Silicone-free
- Phthalate-free
- Gluten-free
- Value for money
Cons
- May leave a residue
Remember5. Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Envy Cream
Image: Marc Anthony 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 moisture and makes 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
Pros
- Lightweight
- Doesn’t leave residue
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Silicone-free
- Value for money
Cons
- May weigh the hair down
6. Cake The Curl Friend Totally-To-Die-For Defining Curl Cream
Image: Cake Beauty 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
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Mineral-oil free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Value for money
Cons
None
7. Dark & Lovely Au Naturale Anti-Shrinkage Coil Moisturizing Soufflé
Image: Soft-sheen Carson 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
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-sticky
- Non-flaking
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Drying alcohol-free
- Petroleum-free
- Value for money
Cons
None
8. Taliah Waajid Curly Curl Cream
Image: Taliah Waajid 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
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Smells great
- Value for money
Cons
- May cause flaking
9. Rizos Curls Curl Defining Cream
Image: Rizos Curls 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
Pros
- Lightweight
- Pleasant scent
- Non-sticky
- Non-flaking
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
Cons
- May weigh the hair down
10. Curls Blueberry Bliss Hair Growth Oil
Image: Curls 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
Pros
- Absorbs well
- Nice smell
- Non-greasy
- Lightweight
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Sulfate-free
- Artificial color-free
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Value for money
Cons
None
11. Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream
Image: Moroccanoil 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 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
Pros
- Gentle
- Easy to apply
- Long-lasting
- Blends quickly
- Paraben-free
- Phosphate-free
Cons
- Overwhelming fragrance
12. HoneyDew Nourishing Daily Shampoo
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
Pros
- Mild on scalp
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Color-safe
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
Cons
- May cause frizz
13. Jane Carter Solution Curls To Go! Curl Cocktail Conditioning Styling Cream
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
Pros
- Lightweight
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Phthalate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Value for money
Cons
None
14. KeraCare Curlessence Moisturizing Curling Cream
Image: Keracare 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
Pros
- Holds well
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Phthalate-free
Cons
None
15. Novex Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
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
Pros
- Lightweight
- Salt-free
- A little goes a long way
Cons
None
3C hair is tickly packed and is big on volume, making it hard to style. This is why it is ideal that you pick the right products specifically formulated for 3C hair to moisturize your strands and define the curls deeply. To ensure that you choose the best, here are a few guidelines to consider before you select a product for your 3C-type curls.
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 hair 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 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 treatment once a week.
- 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.
- 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
Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.
Download Infographic
The Bottom Line
As gorgeous as it looks, 3c curls can be an ordeal to maintain. It requires a lot of special care, intense hydration, and proper nourishment to keep them shiny, bouncy, and well-defined. The Aunt Jakie’s Curls & Coils Curl La La Defining Curl Custard is a go-to product for nourished and enhanced curls, and f you have damaged hair, you should try the SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo as it promotes healthy hair growth. You can also consider using Cantu Shea Butter For Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream for long-lasting and hydrated curls. The best products for 3c hair can ease the process and allow you to keep your curls well-defined effortlessly. Our list covers a variety of products, including leave-in conditioners, cream, shampoos, and oils that have chemical-free formulas. They are lightweight and non-greasy and keep your hair from feeling crunchy. However, steer clear of products that cause flaking or weigh down your hair.
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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