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We tried Only Curls’s products for three weeks and achieved salon-worthy results

Our locks have never felt more moisturised, and the mousse added the extra volume we lack

Dominique Boulan
Monday 15 May 2023 10:16 BST
We’d say our locks are most similar to curl type 2C
We’d say our locks are most similar to curl type 2C (The Independent)

Whenever we speak to straight-haired friends, they seem to believe that managing curly hair is an easy job. More often than not, curly locks come with plenty of volume and don’t get greasy as quickly as straight hair, meaning washing days can be few and far between.

However, we most certainly have our own struggles. Curly-haired folks will recognise the endless battle of keeping frizz at bay, and keeping our locks well-hydrated feels like a full-time job, at times.

We’ve been staying away from sulphates and harmful chemicals for years now, and feel like we’re coming a little closer to finding our holy grail of haircare routines every day, especially now that we’ve tried Only Curls. We prefer to keep our routine simple, minimising the amount of products we use to about four or five (including shampoo and conditioner). Luckily for us, Only Curls’s core range includes just that: a cleanser, conditioner, curl cream and gel – what’s easier than that?

Lizzie Carter, founder of the brand, started packing orders at her kitchen table back in 2016. Nowadays, it’s still a small, London-based business, but has made a big name for itself among the curly-haired community. All products in the brand’s range are free from sulphates, silicones and parabens, and they’re also made in the UK, cruelty-free, 100 per cent vegan and packaged in bio plastic.

The brand’s products have been used by our hairdresser in the styling process before, and if there’s one time our locks look their finest, it’s after a visit to the salon. So, we put a range of Only Curls’s products to the test, to find out whether we could recreate that look from the comfort of our own home.

The brand offers full-sized products, as well as mini sets
The brand offers full-sized products, as well as mini sets (Dominique Boulan)

How we tested

We replaced our regular haircare routine with several of Only Curls’s products for three weeks, but have continued to reach for each of them since. Wash day takes place twice a week, and, in between, we refresh our dry locks with some product. We tried the curl cleanser, conditioner, curl cream, mousse, enhancing gel and mega hold gel and added in the hair mask for one of the washes too. During this period, we’ve also been using the Only Curls silk pillowcase, to keep our hair from getting frizzy overnight.

For reference, we’d say our hair is most similar to type 2C on the curly scale but, on a good day (read: when we just come back from the hairdresser), can look more like type 3A. We’ve used the products as recommended by the brand, and will walk you through our routine step-by-step below.

Results got better with each wash day, and our curls were bouncier when using the mousse
Results got better with each wash day, and our curls were bouncier when using the mousse (Dominique Boulan)

Only Curls full-size bundle

Only Curls review curly hair full size bundle
  • Size: Cleanser and conditioner: 300ml; Styling products: 250ml
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Only Curls deep hydration hair mask

Only Curls products review curly hair hydrating hair mask
  • Size: 250ml
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Only Curls volumising curl mousse

Only Curls review curly hair mousse
  • Size: 200ml
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Only Curls silk pillowcase

Only Curls product review curly hair silk pillowcase
  • Size: 50cm x 75cm
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The verdict: Only Curls

We absolutely love this range, and have carried on using it after the testing period ended. Using the bundle in combination with the hair mask and mousse has probably been the closest we’ve ever been to re-creating whatever magic our hairdresser works on our curls. However, if you want to keep your routine simple, the bundle is the way to go.

There’s many different types of curly hair, and it’s good to keep in mind these products may not work wonders for everyone. Only Curls says its products are formulated to suit all curl types, from kinks and waves to curls and coils, so we’d say Only Curls is well worth a shot, whatever your curl type. The brand offers mini-sets for those not ready to commit to full-sized formulas, too.

We’ve rounded up the best heat protection sprays to shield your locks from damage when styling

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