Home > Curly & Coily Hair

Curly and Coily Hair Isn't High-Maintenance. It's Different Maintenance.

expert guidance from milajne, founder & president of zennkai — professional hair care across metro vancouver since 1984.

from loose waves to tight coils, every curl type has its own routine. we carry the professional products for all of them.

SHOP CURLY & COILY

SHOP CURLY & COILY

Build your Curl Routine

Every brand below makes products specifically for curly and coily hair. Weight notes indicate which products suit finer waves vs richer coily textures — but most work across the full curl range. When in doubt, start lighter and build.

STEP 1

SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

Sulfate-free formulas that cleanse without stripping the natural oils curly hair depends on. The most common cause of chronic curl dryness is an overly stripping shampoo.
Redken All Soft Mega Curls Shampoo - Zennkai
Redken All Soft Mega Curls Shampoo - Zennkai
Redken All Soft Mega Curls Shampoo - Zennkai

Redken All Soft Mega Curls Shampoo

Abyssinian Oil + Amino Acids — rich moisture-retaining cleanse for thick, coily, or very dry curl types. Rich — best for coily and thick curl types (3C–4C).
Davines Essential LOVE Curl Shampoo - Zennkai

Davines Essential LOVE Curl Shampoo

Coconut Extract + Linden Blossom Extract — nourishing curl-enhancing system. Enhances natural curl definition and adds lasting softness. Color-safe.
MoroccanOil Curl Enhancing Shampoo - Zennkai

MoroccanOil Curl Enhancing Shampoo

Argan Oil + Sunflower Seed Oil — gentle curl-specific cleansing system. Color-safe. Works across all curl types.

STEP 2

MASK & TREATMENT

The most important step for curly hair. A weekly mask delivers sustained hydration that rinse-out conditioner can't replicate. Apply after shampoo, leave 3–5 minutes minimum, comb through with wide-tooth comb in the shower.
Kerastase Curl Manifesto Nourishing Mask - Zennkai

Kerastase Curl Manifesto Nourishing Mask

Shea Butter + Ceramide Cx + Manoi Oil — richest mask in the Curl Manifesto range. Deep nutrition without residue. Rich — best for coily and very dry curl types.
R+Co CASSETTE Curl Defining Masque - Zennkai

R+Co CASSETTE Curl Defining Masque

Mongongo Oil + Murumuru Butter + Oat Extract — deeply conditioning curl mask that defines and enhances spiral patterns while reducing frizz. Adds elasticity and softness without weight. Color-safe. All curl types.
Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask - Zennkai

Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask

Sea Buckthorn + Hyaluronic Acid — intensely hydrating mask for all curl types. Lightweight enough for wavy, effective enough for curly. Color-safe.

STEP 3

GELS · SERUMS · CURL CREAMS

The defining products for curl pattern, frizz control, and hold. Applied to soaking wet hair after rinsing out the conditioner or mask. Rake through, scrunch upward, and do not touch until dry.
Bumble and bumble. Curl Anti-Humidity Gel-Oil - Zennkai

Bumble and bumble. Curl Anti-Humidity Gel-Oil

Jojoba, Avocado & Coconut Oils + UV Protection — frizz-fighting gel with the hold of a gel and the hydration of an oil. Particularly effective for Vancouver's damp coastal climate. All curl types.
MoroccanOil Curl Defining Cream - Zennkai

MoroccanOil Curl Defining Cream

Argan Oil + Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein — defines and controls frizz in wavy through curly types. Flexible hold, natural movement. Lightweight — good choice for wavy and fine curl types.
Kevin Murphy Killer.Curls Defining Creme - Zennkai

Kevin Murphy Killer.Curls Defining Creme

Shea Butter + Coconut Oil + Vitamin E — rich curl-defining cream that enhances and elongates the curl pattern with flexible hold and lasting hydration. Reduces frizz and adds shine without crunch or buildup. Medium-rich — suits curly through coily types (3A–4B).

STEP 4

LEAVE-INS · CURL ACTIVATORS

Applied to soaking wet hair before or instead of a gel — adds moisture, primes the curl pattern, and reduces frizz without hold. Also the category for day 2–3 refresh products that reactivate definition without washing.
AG Re:coil Curl Activator - Zennkai
AG Hydrating Hand Wash Soothing Lavender - Zennkai
AG Re:coil Curl Activator - Zennkai
AG Re:coil Curl Activator - Zennkai
AG Re:coil Curl Activator - Zennkai
AG Re:coil Curl Activator - Zennkai
AG Re:coil Curl Activator - Zennkai
AG Re:coil Curl Activator - Zennkai
AG Re:coil Curl Activator - Zennkai

AG Re:coil Curl Activator

Sage Extract + Chamomile + Marshmallow Root — curl-activating leave-in cream. Defines without weight. Lightweight — good choice for wavy and fine curl types (2A–3A).
Kerastase Curl Manifesto Second Day Curl Refreshing Spray - Zennkai

Kerastase Curl Manifesto Second Day Curl Refreshing Spray

Manoi Oil + Abyssinian Oil — lightweight finishing oil that seals the cuticle, eliminates frizz, and enhances curl definition with a natural shine. Apply 1–2 drops over styled curls before or after diffusing. All curl types.
MoroccanOil Treatment Mist - Zennkai
MoroccanOil Treatment Mist - Zennkai
MoroccanOil Treatment Mist - Zennkai
MoroccanOil Treatment Mist - Zennkai
MoroccanOil Treatment Mist - Zennkai
MoroccanOil Treatment Mist - Zennkai
MoroccanOil Treatment Mist - Zennkai
MoroccanOil Treatment Mist - Zennkai

MoroccanOil Treatment Mist

Argan Oil — lightweight mist format delivers the signature Moroccanoil Argan Oil treatment in a spray. Seals the cuticle, adds shine, and controls frizz without weight. Ideal for refreshing curls between washes or as a finishing step after styling. All curl types.

Shop Curl Bundles - Save up to 15%

SHOP BUNDLES

Have another concern with your curls?

HAS YOUR CURL PATTERN CHANGED AFTER COLOUR OR HEAT?

SCALP OILY OR IRRITATED UNDER YOUR CURLS?

HARD WATER DULLING YOUR CURL PRODUCTS?

Has your curl pattern changed?

If sections that used to coil now fall straight after colour, bleach, or heat — that's bond damage. Curl products won't restore the pattern. Bond repair comes first.

breakage & weak hair →

SHOP ALL CURLY & COILY

TIGI Bedhead Curls Rock Amplifier - Zennkai

TIGI Bedhead Curls Rock Amplifier

Relaxus Beauty Twist & Dry Quick Drying Hair Towel - Zennkai

Relaxus Beauty Twist & Dry Quick Drying Hair Towel

Kevin Murphy Killer.Curls Defining Creme - Zennkai

Kevin Murphy Killer.Curls Defining Creme

AG Re:coil Curl Activator - Zennkai

AG Re:coil Curl Activator

Davines This Is A Curl Building Serum - Zennkai

Davines This Is A Curl Building Serum

Kevin Murphy Killer.Waves Curl Enhancer - Zennkai

Kevin Murphy Killer.Waves Curl Enhancer

MoroccanOil Curl Defining Cream - Zennkai

MoroccanOil Curl Defining Cream

Evo Salty Dog Salt Spray - Zennkai

Evo Salty Dog Salt Spray

Kevin Murphy Motion.Lotion Curl Enhancing Lotion - Zennkai

Kevin Murphy Motion.Lotion Curl Enhancing Lotion

Kevin Murphy Hair.Resort Spray - Zennkai

Kevin Murphy Hair.Resort Spray

Davines Essential LOVE Curl Conditioner - Zennkai

Davines Essential LOVE Curl Conditioner

Milkshake Curl Passion Shampoo - Zennkai

Milkshake Curl Passion Shampoo

VIEW ALL

FAQ

Why is curly hair so much drier than straight hair?

Curly and coily hair is structurally drier than straight hair because of the shape of the strand. Natural sebum produced at the scalp travels down the hair shaft by coating it progressively. A straight shaft allows oils to travel easily from root to tip. A spiral or coiled strand creates multiple bends that slow and interrupt that travel — leaving mid-lengths and ends chronically under-moisturized regardless of scalp oil production. The tighter the curl pattern, the more pronounced this effect: 4C coily hair can have a healthy, oily scalp while the ends remain bone dry. This is why deep conditioning is the foundational step in any curly routine — replacing the moisture that the curl pattern itself prevents from arriving naturally.

What is the best professional curl defining product available in Canada?

The most consistently recommended professional curl defining products in Canada are Kérastase Curl Manifesto Crème de Jour Fondamentale, Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream, and Redken All Soft Mega Curl Defining Butter Cream. Kérastase Curl Manifesto uses Manoi Oil and Pro-Keratin to deliver 72-hour moisture retention alongside frizz control and curl definition — the most comprehensive single-product option for wavy through curly types. Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream uses Argan Oil and Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein for flexible hold and natural movement in wavy through 3C types. Redken All Soft Mega Curl Butter Cream uses Shea Butter and Amino Acids for rich elongating definition in coily types (3C–4C). All are available at Zennkai across six Metro Vancouver locations and online.

Does Vancouver's humidity help or hurt curly hair?

Vancouver's maritime humidity can either enhance or damage curly hair depending on the state of the cuticle. Well-moisturized, properly sealed curly hair benefits from coastal humidity — the atmospheric moisture actually supports curl definition and prevents the static that causes frizz in dry climates. However, curly hair with an open or compromised cuticle absorbs atmospheric moisture unevenly, causing swelling, frizz, and pattern disruption. The professional solution for Vancouver's climate is to seal the cuticle after every wash with a curl cream or gel (Kérastase Curl Manifesto Crème de Jour or Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream) and finish with a lightweight oil to maintain that seal through the day. Done correctly, Vancouver's humidity is an asset for curly hair, not an obstacle.

What does porosity mean for curly hair and why does it matter?

Hair porosity refers to how readily the hair cuticle absorbs and retains moisture. Low-porosity curly hair has tightly closed cuticles that resist moisture uptake — products sit on top rather than absorbing, causing buildup. High-porosity curly hair has open or damaged cuticles that absorb moisture quickly but can't hold it — hair feels moisturized immediately after washing but dries out fast. Most curly and coily hair falls in the medium-to-high porosity range because the spiral structure creates natural points of raised cuticle. High-porosity curly hair responds best to protein-containing products (Kérastase Curl Manifesto with Ceramide Cx, Redken All Soft Mega Curl with Amino Acids) that fill gaps in the cuticle. Low-porosity curly hair needs lighter, water-based products and heat to open the cuticle during conditioning.

Can heat damage permanently remove curl pattern?

Yes. Excessive or repeated heat styling breaks the disulfide bonds that create the curl pattern — the same bonds that keratin treatments and chemical relaxers target intentionally. When enough bonds are broken, the strand can no longer spring back into its natural coil. This is visible as sections of hair that are permanently straight or loosened where they used to curl, and as frizz and breakage in areas of concentrated heat damage. Bond repair products — K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask (K18PEPTIDE™) and Olaplex No.3 (Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate) — can reconnect broken disulfide bonds and restore some of the structural integrity that creates curl pattern. Severe or long-standing heat damage may not fully reverse, but consistent bond repair improves elasticity, reduces breakage, and can recover a significant amount of pattern over 8–12 weeks of treatment.

How often should curly hair be washed?

Wash frequency for curly hair depends on the curl type. Wavy hair (2A–2C) can typically be washed 2–3 times per week using a sulfate-free shampoo without drying out. Medium curly hair (3A–3C) generally does well with 1–2 shampoo washes per week, with co-washing (conditioner-only washing) in between to refresh moisture. Coily hair (3C–4C) has the highest moisture needs and lowest oil travel — weekly or bi-weekly shampoo with co-washing between sessions is the professional standard. Over-washing any curl type strips the natural oils that the curl structure already struggles to distribute, causing dryness, frizz, and breakage. Using a sulfate-free cleanser like Kérastase Curl Manifesto Bain Hydratation Douceur preserves natural oils and allows more frequent washing without the stripping effect.

What's the difference between a curl cream and a curl gel — which one should I use?

Curl creams and curl gels perform different functions in a curl routine and are often most effective when used together. Curl creams — like Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream and Kérastase Curl Manifesto Crème de Jour — deliver moisture and build soft definition. They create soft, touchable curls with natural movement but less hold. Curl gels provide structure, hold, and frizz control by forming a cast around the curl as it dries — the "crunch" of a dried gel breaks away when scrunched to reveal defined curls. The professional approach for most curl types is to layer: apply curl cream first to moisturize and begin defining, then apply a small amount of gel over the top to lock in the pattern and extend hold. Wavy hair typically needs less gel; coily hair often skips the gel in favour of a heavier curl butter or cream.

Does Zennkai carry professional curly hair products — are they the same as salon?

Yes. Zennkai carries 100% authenticated professional curly hair products as an authorized retailer for Kérastase, Redken, Moroccanoil, Kevin Murphy, K18, and Olaplex — the identical formulas used in Vancouver salons. Professional curl formulas use higher concentrations of active ingredients — Manoi Oil, Argan Oil, Shea Butter, Ceramide Cx, Amino Acids — than consumer versions of the same brands. The breadth of professional curl brands at Zennkai means you can build the system matched to your specific curl type and porosity rather than the one brand a single-brand retailer happens to carry. Canada-lowest professional prices, free shipping on orders over $50, Beauty with Benefits loyalty points on every purchase, and free in-store consultations at all six Metro Vancouver locations.