Taking care of our natural curls is often a game of trial and error (with a high amount of frizz and regret along the way). And as many of us can unfortunately attest, winter time doesn’t just dry out sensitive skin. Even the slightest drizzle is enough to bring “it’s the humidity!” Monica back.
It’s much easier to stick to a range of products that makes our hair appear healthier and more defined, than treating our hair as a science experiment and endlessly cycling through new formulas. So when curly-haired people find a product (or entire range, if luck strikes) that just about works, they know it’s marriage material.
Tootilab’s curly hair range aims to simplify the process of taking care of our curls, offering them nourishment and definition. But does it deliver? Over the past few weeks, I put four of their products to the test: the shampoo, conditioner, leave-in cream, and styling gel. Here’s how they performed.
Disclaimer: My hair leans more wavy than curly, so I wasn’t expecting tight, well-defined ringlets. I was aiming more for enhanced definition and shape.
Step 1: Gentle shampoo
The first thing I noticed about Tootilab’s shampoo was the lather—rich, indulgent, and surprisingly ample for a formula that steers clear of harsh sulphates. It had a wonderfully lightweight feel, cleansing thoroughly without that dreaded stripped sensation. My hair is naturally on the drier side and felt clean but not parched. Scent-wise, the absence of a strong fragrance was very welcomed—this isn’t one of those overpowering, perfume-heavy formulations. Instead, it felt refreshing. It retails for £32 and is available here.
Step 2: Lightweight conditioner
Conditioners can be tricky for curly hair; too rich, and they weigh curls down, too light, and they don’t deliver the necessary moisture. Tootilab’s smoothed through my strands effortlessly, offering just enough slip to detangle without leaving a heavy residue. One squeeze of product was enough to make my hair feel soft and moisturised. It’s not a deep-conditioning treatment, but as a daily or every-other-wash option, it does its job. Retail price is £32 and it is available here.
Step 3: Leave-in cream
The leave-in cream came with a firm recommendation: a pea-sized amount would go a long way. Following instructions to the letter, I applied the smallest dab to wet hair, scrunching gently to encourage shape. The texture was silky rather than sticky, absorbing well without that telltale product build-up. While it didn’t miraculously transform my looser waves into ringlets, it did provide some noticeable definition. The only drawback is that you need to apply it on wet hair, so this isn’t your everyday product. It retails for £34 and you can buy it here.
Step 4:Styling gel for definition
For final shaping, I layered in the styling gel, again sticking to a minimal amount. While it left my hair slightly crunchy, this is needed to hold form (as I’ve learned from reading the small print on the back of the product). I tried to push my hair upwards (no scientific evidence to back this technique), hoping it would ease curl definition. Ultimately, it did create a more structured wave pattern across my hair. As my hair dried, the crispiness actually softened slightly. This gel retails for £34 (full 300ml) and is available here.
The final verdict: Is Tootilab’s range worth the premium pricing?
There’s no doubt that Tootilab’s curly hair range is high-quality—everything from the formulation to the feel of the products speaks to a well-crafted and experience-based approach to curl care. The shampoo and conditioner set a strong foundation, while the leave-in cream and gel offer controlled styling, albeit with some textural quirks. The biggest downside is really that the leave-in and gel require wet hair, so they’re not your products for on-the-go touch-ups. That said, it’s worth noting that the range is vegan-free, cruelty-free, and dermatologically-tested, so if you’re planning on investing in new products for defined curls, this may be a strong contender.