Curlsmith Reviews: Here Are My Honest Thoughts on the 6 Products I Tried
Speaking from experience, finding products that’ll nurture coils can be a daunting journey. It’s overwhelming having to pick a hydrating shampoo, deep conditioner, curl cream, and gel. Luckily for you, though, I’ve spent a lot of time curating my own curly hair routine. Even luckier? As a beauty writer, I have access to great brands that leave my hair feeling (and looking!) luscious and bouncy. After reading many Curlsmith reviews, I got the chance to try the brand for myself and will be sharing my honest review in this article.
But first, let me share a bit of context. Perhaps obviously, I’ve had curly hair my whole life. Growing up, I wished that I had straight hair—thinking that it was prettier. But that’s not true at all; curls just require special attention when it comes to hair care. Namely, you have to know which products are curly girl-friendly. I’m happy to report that Curlsmith checks that box.
Keep reading for my honest review of Curlsmith products and whether or not they are worth your hard-earned cash.
Curlsmith Reviews
Curlsmith was founded in 2018 by Kate and Michal Berski. The company is headquartered in New York and also has offices in London. In November 2024, I tested a handful of Curlsmith products—which the brand sent to me due to my work as a beauty reporter. I was curious to see how these would perform considering that the brand’s name implies they’ll make your curls pop.
Before getting into the products I did try, I should caveat that I didn’t try some of the more popular items. These include the Hold Me Softly Style Balm and the Curlsmith Strength Line as well as products with light hold. Because of my hair concerns, I went with the volume, anti-frizz, and shine lines—usually opting for medium hold.
Each of the six products I tested really impressed me, though. Read why, below. (Also, on the off chance you’re wondering how to know if your hair is healthy, we wrote about that, too.)
What Are The Best Curlsmith Products?
Curlsmith Shine Recipe Fragrance-Free Shine Shampoo
Available on Curlsmith ($13)
Formulated with lemon peel, jasmine, and hops, this Curlsmith shampoo says that it’s gentle, light, and foaming. After just one use, I found this to be true. I applied this honey-colored product to soaking wet hair, which helps it lather, and felt my locks soften immediately.
Curlsmith Shine Recipe Fragrance-Free Shine Conditioner
Available on Curlsmith ($13)
The conditioner and shampoo have similar ingredient lists, with lemon peel, jasmine, and hops. Unlike the shampoo, though, the conditioner comes with a pump dispenser. The bottle says this formula is silky, smooth, and detangling—which is also true. Almost immediately, it helped get all the tangles and knots out of my hair and I noticed less hair falling out in the shower.
Curlsmith Shine Recipe Fragrance-Free Shine Cream
Available on Curlsmith ($13)
This is a really lightweight leave-in conditioner that I use as the first step of my routine. I like to use a quarter-sized amount at a time and will usually do that two or three times since I have a lot of hair. Like the shampoo and conditioner, this formula is free of perfumes, sulfates, and silicones.
Curlsmith Shine Recipe Fragrance-Free Shine Jelly
Available on Curlsmith ($13)
The last product I tried under the Shine Recipe line was this shine jelly. It’s a clear color and has a runnier consistency than gel, so it doesn’t feel as sticky. This pick boosts frizz control, is lightweight, and has a flexible hold. The best news? It’s good for all hair types. That said, I think it’s best as a curl-defining product.
Curlsmith Volume Recipe Root Boost Uplifting Spray
Available on Curlsmith ($28)
Because I have a lot of strands and don’t have fine hair, my curls sometimes get weighed down. This Curlsmith spray solves that problem. It offers volume and lift in a liquid that smells really good and has a medium hold. The spray contains silver linden bud, ivy leaf, calendula flower, scots pine bud, and olive leaf. It comes in a six-ounce bottle and does a great job of keeping my roots perky throughout the day.
Curlsmith Anti-Frizz Recipe Frizz Rescue Curl Retainer
Available on Curlsmith ($28)
I used this anti-frizz “curl retainer,” which is essentially a jelly styler for all curl types, a couple of times. It contains sunflower seed, blackcurrant, coconut butter, squalane, and watermelon seed oil. It’s also ranked a medium hold—which is classified as a six. I liked it less than the shine jelly, but it still did a good job of keeping my curls intact. I just prefer the flexible hold to the medium hold.
Is Curlsmith Worth It?
Yes, Curlsmith is worth pretty much every penny and honestly, all the Curlsmith reviews out there will tell you that. It’s definitely more expensive than a drugstore shampoo, but it’s less than $30 a bottle for most products. And a little product goes a long way.
Where To Buy Curlsmith Products
FAQs About Curlsmith
Is Curlsmith Black-owned?
No. Curlsmith is not Black-owned, founded, or operated.
Is Curlsmith color safe?
Yes. Curlsmith is safe for color-treated hair.
Is Curlsmith good for wavy hair?
Yes. Per Curlsmith reviews, these products are good for wavy hair.
Is Curlsmith good for low-porosity hair?
While not all Curlsmith products are meant for low-porosity hair, some are. These include the: Hydro Creme Soothing Mask, Hydro Style Flexi Jelly, and Bonding Oil.
Can you use Curlsmith on straight hair?
Yes. The brand is designed to provide the type of hydration and nourishment that curly hair needs, specifically, but that doesn’t mean straight hair won’t benefit from it.
Is Curlsmith gluten-free?
Yes and no. Most Curlsmith products are made without gluten, but this isn’t true across the board.
Is Curlsmith vegan?
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty, “Curlsmith is cruelty-free but not 100% vegan, meaning that some of their products contain animal-derived ingredients.”
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