money I Review Curly Hair Products for a Living, and I Recommend This Brand to Everyone
Instagram/@hithisistess
The world of curly hair influencers might sound niche, but once you're sucked in, you're a member for life. Ever since I decided to embrace my natural curls in college, my Instagram Discover page has been flooded with perfect ringlets. Photos of such expertly styled hair used to send me spiraling (ha!) — it seemed my strands would never reach that level of definition and sky-high volume. But soon enough, I stumbled upon the account for a hair care brand called Rizos Curls, and its products proved me wrong.
According to founder and CEO Julissa Prado, Rizos was created as a solution for curlies who feel like they've run out of options. "As a little girl, I saved my money to buy every curl product I found — but nothing ever worked," she writes on the brand's website. That struggle led her to years of perfecting a foolproof hair care system, one without potentially damaging silicones, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
Rizos' inventory has recently expanded to include detangler, gel, and styling tools, but its original regimen featured a just few key products: The Hydrating Shampoo, Deep Conditioner, and Curl Defining Cream, which are packed with nourishing ingredients like shea butter for moisture, argan oil for elasticity, and coconut oil for definition and frizz reduction. In 2018, I purchased all three in a reduced-price bundle, and using them for the first time was like watching my hair spring back to life.
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Shop now: $58 (Originally $62); rizoscurls.com
I apply the Rizos shampoo the way I would any other, working a nickel-sized amount through my roots. Once I wash it out, I follow up with a quarter-sized dollop of conditioner on my ends, which I disperse with a wide-toothed comb. I wait a few minutes before flipping my head upside down (it promotes volume) and rinsing until the water runs clear down the drain. While my hair is still soaking wet, I work the defining cream through the same way I did the conditioner and scrunch the ends to encourage curl formation.
After a single use, I was left with the biggest, bounciest curls I'd ever had. Since then, my hair has only looked better, and I'd venture to say it's stronger, too. With every shower, I notice less fallout circling toward the drain.
Tess Garcia
One look at Rizos' Instagram will show you its products do just as much good for straight hair. They're all surprisingly lightweight, and they might even bring out waves you didn't know you had. Of course, the line is also ideal for tightly-coiled, textured hair — shoppers' before-and-after photos will completely blow your mind.
The Rizos Curls shampoo and conditioner will run you $20 a pop, while the Curl Defining Cream costs $22. Even if you buy just one, you're almost certain to see a dramatic difference.
Courtesy
Shop now: $20; rizoscurls.com
Courtesy
Shop now: $20; rizoscurls.com
Courtesy
Shop now: $22; rizoscurls.com
