We earn a commission when you buy through the Amazon links on this page. How this works.
What reviewers say
Reviewers are warmer about the conditioner than the shampoo. Fans single out its slip and say it cut their frizz noticeably, and a reviewer with very thick, shoulder-length curls and coils calls it expensive but effective and consistent. The most common reservation is value: one long-time user suspects a supermarket conditioner does much the same job. A reader whose hair needed more protein got on better with Curlsmith. One commenter who hadn't tried it was put off by benzyl alcohol high in the ingredients; another pointed out that it is a preservative, not a drying alcohol.
Praised for
- Lots of slip for detangling
- Noticeably less frizz
- Consistent on very thick curls and coils
- Available unscented
Complaints
- Hard to justify over supermarket conditioners
- Not enough protein for some hair
- Too heavy for very fine hair
Every review
Positive
Switched shampoo, conditioner and gel all to Only Curls. Shampoo cleans very well with a tiny amount so it lasts; also likes the accessories. Suggests buying starter packs resold on Vinted to trial.
u/Worried-Chocolate-54r/CurlyHairUK, 2026Original comment
Read the full comment
Yes I love it, have switched my shampoo, conditioner and gel all to OC. The shampoo makes my hair feel SO clean with the tiniest bit of product so it does last ages. Also love their accessories. There are sometimes people selling the 'starter pack' on Vinted for a reduce price - might be a good way to trial.
Positive
Expensive but the only shampoo and conditioner that has ever worked for them; conditioner has loads of slip, shampoo does not strip or leave hair greasy, and waves stay defined, not weighed down.
u/bankingontheshoreThick, dry 2c hairr/CurlyHairUK, 2026Original comment
Read the full comment
unfortunately, yes. expensive but it's the ONLY shampoo and conditioner that has ever worked for my thick dry 2c hair. the conditioner has loads of slip and the shampoo doesn't make my hair feel stripped or greasy, and my waves are defined and not weighed down after
Positive
Used the shampoo and conditioner too and all have been great.
u/BooeySchmooeyr/CurlyHairUK, 2022Original comment
Read the full comment
I used either only curls or curlsmith and they are top tier in my opinion. The crème from only curls is great, makes your hair less frizzy and a lovely smell. They also have a mousse and differing levels of hold gels for preference. I've used the shampoo and conditioner too and all have been great.
Positive
Very good, no complaints. Expensive but effective and consistent.
A deleted accountMale, 46; wild curls and coils; very thick; shoulder lengthr/CurlyHairUK, 2022Original comment
Read the full comment
I have the shampoo, conditioner and curl creme. They've been very good, no complaints. I've got some other things to try so won't be going straight back, they're expensive but i found them effective and consistent. I paired the curl creme with some Shea moisture hibiscus mousse to get a bit more oil in. Edit. Male aged 46, wild curls and coils, very thick, shoulder length.
Positive
Drastically reduced frizz and made hair way less greasy. Probably overpriced.
u/2shadowsdeepFirst-ever curly-specific productsr/CurlyHairUK, 2022Original comment
Read the full comment
I use the shampoo, conditioner, cream and gel. They've drastically reduced frizz and made my hair way less greasy. However, these are the first products I've ever used that are designed specifically for curly hair, so I don't have anything to compare them to. I would guess they are probably overpriced but I really like that they supply unscented versions.
Positive
The unscented shampoo and conditioner stop my scalp getting itchy.
u/SignNotInUseScalp gets itchyr/CurlyHairUK, 2022Original comment
Read the full comment
The curl cream is to heavy for my hair, but the unscented shampoo and conditioner stop my scalp getting itchy.
Mixed
Fine but probably not worth paying extra for; the 75p Tesco conditioner probably does the same job.
u/jolie_jr/CurlyHairUK, 2022Original comment
Read the full comment
I went to a curly specialist hairdresser and they used Only Curls products on me. My hair came out looking the best it's ever looked, so I rushed to buy the products. I totally failed at matching the salon results no matter how hard I tried and I've since stopped using most of the products as I found cheaper versions give me the same results. * Cleansing co-wash - This was the first dedicated co-wash I've tried so I don't have anything to compare it to, but my hear did feel lovely and clean after using it - this is the main one that I might consider buying again, but I'd want to try some cheaper options first * All Curl Conditioner - Fine but probably not worth paying extra for.. the 75p Tesco conditioner probably does the same job * Exfoliating scalp scrub - I like it as a bit of a "luxurious" wash - I don't use it every time but it feels good to remove build up with it. It's very tricky to work into my hair though, especially before it's been detangled * Hydrating curl cream - Not sure I saw the advantage of this - I suspect comparable products from Boots do the same job * Enhancing curl gel - I didn't find this gel strong enough. It was my first time using gel so I wasn't sure if it was me doing something wrong or the gel, but I agree with some reviews I've seen that it's not a strong gel. I have not tried the Mega Hold Curl Gel * Microfibre towel - Personally I don't see the advantage over using a regular towel or a tshirt.
Mixed
The shampoo and conditioner are ok. Wouldn't rush to buy more.
u/GemOharer/CurlyHairUK, 2022Original comment
Read the full comment
I use it all. I like it. Especially the curl crème and gel. The shampoo and conditioner are ok. Wouldn't rush to but more.
Negative
Didn't love the conditioner; switched to a Curlsmith conditioner.
u/KikiVee87Hard water area; hair needed a lot of proteinr/CurlyHairUK, 2022Original comment
Read the full comment
I've used that set. I didn't love the shampoo or conditioner but I'm in a hard water area and my hair needed a lot of protein so I switched to a curlsmith conditioner. But I love the curl crème. And it lasts for ages as I only use a little bit under my gel. I did use their gel and it was ok but I found another I preferred.
Negative
Rest of the stuff is a bit too heavy to use regularly. Fragrance cloying; would buy from the fragrance-free line next. (Hasn't tried the curl cream.)
u/Extension_AntReally fine hairr/CurlyHairUK, 2022Original comment
Read the full comment
I've tried all the products except for the curl cream. The foam is the only thing I actually use and it's pretty good. I have really fine hair and the rest of the stuff is just a bit too heavy for me to use on a regular basis. I also find the fragrance cloying so if I buy anything else from them, it'll definitely be from the fragrance-free line. I'm a fan of the pillowcases and scrunchies though!
Hasn't used it
Benzyl Alcohol is 5th ingredient, which makes them nervous. (Natetranslates replied it's a preservative, not a drying short-chain alcohol.)
u/disgusting_perv3rtVery sensitive hair that dries easilyr/CurlyHairUK, 2022Original comment
Read the full comment
I haven't heard of it before, and not only is it extortionately priced but their conditioner having Benzyl Alcohol so high up on the ingredients list makes me a little nervous, too. It's the 5th largest ingredient in the conditioner, and Benzyl Alcohol being that high up in a conditioner just makes me a little nervous for how my own hair would find it. Other than that from what I can see the ingredients look fine, but I just don't know if they're life changing enough to pay £16 for 300ml of shampoo. I pay maybe £6 for nearly 400ml of a fantastic co-wash, so I just wouldn't see the need for these products. If nothing else is working for you and the reviews make you feel like it may be the answer, why not. But I just cannot see anything overwhelmingly special about these products to justify paying so much when something less than half the price could do just as well!
What reviewers use instead
Garnier
Hair Food mask (as leave-in) Positive
Really likes the Hair Food range, especially using the mask as a leave-in conditioner.
u/GeekysubfrOriginal comment
Hair Food Banana (co-wash) Positive
Fantastic co-wash; normally £6.99 but always on sale around £3.50.
u/disgusting_perv3rtOriginal comment
Fructis Watermelon Shampoo & Conditioner Negative
Made my hair have a gross film over it.
u/disgusting_perv3rtOriginal comment
Noughty
Intensive Care (leave-in) Positive
Good results as a leave-in.
u/EyeSpy1359Original comment
Shampoo & Conditioner Positive
Currently uses it and likes their low-maintenance routine (also uses Boots Curl Cream).
u/LovesAMusicalOriginal commentShop
Shampoo & Conditioner Positive
Noughty is really good though.
u/NatetranslatesOriginal commentShop
Aldi
Apple conditioner (also at Sainsbury's) Positive
Uses it for co-washing and conditioning with good results.
u/EyeSpy1359Original comment
Curlsmith
Conditioner Positive
Switched to a Curlsmith conditioner (suited hair's protein needs).
u/KikiVee87Original comment
Nexxus
Shampoo & Conditioner Positive
I just prefer Nexxus shampoo and conditioner.
u/GemOhareOriginal comment
Ultimate Blends
Rice Water Infusion Conditioner Positive
Alternative conditioner with good results.
u/EyeSpy1359Original comment
Umberto Giannini
Curl Jelly Care Conditioner Positive
Current go-to conditioner; £8.75 for 250ml, not cheap but better than £16.
u/disgusting_perv3rtOriginal comment
How we collated these reviews
Our reading of 11 comments in 2 Reddit discussions, not verified customer ratings.
Method and sources
We read every comment in the threads below and logged each product a commenter had an opinion on. The review text on this site is our condensed version of what they said; the full comment is one click away. The verdict is our reading of each comment as positive, mixed or negative. People who said they hadn't used a product are shown, but left out of the counts.





