Navigating Curly Haircare in the GCC - Expert Tips

If you’re new to the GCC or have been here a while, yet still struggle to get access to the best products for your hair texture or simply don’t know where to start with your curly hair routine in 2025, this blog post is for you.

You’re not alone if you find yourself asking, why have my curls become more unmanageable, frizzy with increased hair fall.

Curly hair in the Middle East does present its own unique set of challenges but doesn’t every climate? Some of the curly hair challenges faced here in the UAE include: hard water mineral build up, humidity, dry air and high heat exposure from the sun. Where you have such challenges and the wrong curly hair products have been selected as part of your regimen, your curls will fall victim to endless frizz, dryness, loss of elasticity - in a nutshell dull and lifeless curls.

As we move through 2025, if feels like summer has arrived earlier and curlies across the GCC are now realizing that frizz free curls is just luck, based on genetics or curly type, it’s about choosing the right products for your  environment and climate.

Now, are you ready to master a curl routine that actually works for the regional climate?

Why the GCC Climate Is Tough On Curly Hair Textures?

Experimenting with different curly hair routines in the UAE or Saudi can be fun, however endless searches for products that are suited to your curls and climate can be exhausting, especially when trying to achieve what appears to be an moving target of frizz free curls particularly in major cities such as Dubai or mastering frizz controlled curly hair in Riyadh. In the major Middle Eastern Cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh, curly hair is often up against:

Hard Water Build Up

Hard Water, unfortunately results in mineral build up on the hair. Overtime this build up reduces your curl’s ability to absorb moisture. We unpack this further in our blog post dedicated to hard water solutions, the good news? With the right knowledge and tools this can be a fairly straightforward fix for your curls.

Humidity & Frizz

High humidity, the greatest challenge curlies in the region face, the fight against frizz and loss of definition.

Sun & Air Conditioning

Over exposure to the sun, causes heat damage and weakens the hair shaft, leaving your curls damaged leading to increased porosity as the bond in the shaft are damaged, therefore more gaps. More gaps = more escape routes for moisture.

Air conditioning, the evil necessity you can’t live without but will leave your curls dehydrated, dry and brittle.

Consider Emerson your on the go curl coach for advising on the best curly hair products in UAE, Saudi and beyond. As well as how to care for curly hair in the Middle East and achieve your best curls which are frizz resistant and humidity proof; we’ve tried, tested and evaluated cult favourites loved by ‘000s of curls worldwide.

Our 2025 Emerson-approved picks reflect what’s truly working for curls in extreme summer heat and humidity.

Tried & Tested: Top Curly Hair Products in UAE and Saudi

1. Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic

As the name says it all, it’s quite literally curl magic in a bottle, this styling gel has well over 3,000 + 5 star reviews and has become a cult favourite for so many reasons, it creates beautiful, elongated curls, making it a go to styler for all curl patterns.

We couldn’t exclude this from the list of top products for curly hair even if we wanted to - it’s one of the best curl defining gels in the market.

The aloe base makes it perfect for detangling and defining whilst defending curls from humidity through use of hydrolyzed wheat protein in the formula - this helps provide balance and fill in the gaps in your curls, the less gaps in the hair shaft, the better your moisture retention meaning your curls are less likely to draw moisture from the hair. Frizz is a natural by-product of a moisture - protein imbalance.

Perfect for:

·       Frizz free, defined curls

·       Elongating

·       Protect against moisture loss with a moisture - protein balanced formula.

Why It’s an Emerson Top Pick:

This made our list as it’s one of the few gels in the market that offers both elongation and curl definition in a moisture - protein balanced formula - a key requirement for humidity proof curl routines. We recommend using this as a base gel in the summer, layered with Innersense I Create Hold for the extra holding power and frizz protection. This powerful duo will leave you with beautifully defined curls without the weight all summer long!

2. Kinky-Curly Knot Today

A lightweight protein free leave in and detangling, this is a holy grail for curlies across the globe.

Why? It’s humectant rich but in a balanced botanical formula so you curls can enjoy easily absorbed hydration and conditioning needed in high humidity and dry climates without the frizz. A perfect match for the UAE and Saudi climate.

Marshmallow root in the formula works to completely smooth the hair cuticle, minimising escape routes for moisture, keeping your curls hydrated for longer. Hydrated curls don’t seek out moisture which helps to keep frizz at bay in high humidity environments such as UAE and Saudi. Frizz free curls in and out of summer is the goal. If you’re looking for frizz control products for curls, this is one of them.

Perfect for:

·       Climates that see high humidity and dry heat

·     Low and high porosity curls

·     Detangling

·     Low protein curly routines

Why It’s an Emerson Pick:

It’s tried, tested and true over and over again. This leave in is a phenomenal multi purpose product - leave in, detangler and primer all in one. It’s deeply hydrating with a clean and minimalist formula, so your curls are not left craving moisture whilst also smoothing the hair cuticle to minimise external moisture from entering the hair shaft. It offers your curls a two pronged approach to fighting frizz.

3. Camille Rose Curl Love

If your curls need instant deep hydration and a dense moisture boost, this moisture milk will leave parched curls from dry heat or overexposure to air conditioning silky soft, defined and protected from everyday environmental aggressors. With a creamy rich rice milk base mixed with rich plant-based oils, your curls will enjoy moisture that lasts with the added protection from. Where other rich leave ins or curl creams leave your curls weighed down, the layered formulation allows for easy and quick and absorption in the hair strands to avoid your curls feeling weighed down or coated in build-up.

If you want moisture with beautiful curl definition, pair this with Camille Rose Curl Maker.

Perfect for:

·    Dry, brittle curls

·    High porosity curls

·       Softness and manageability

 Why it’s an Emerson pick:

From the dry heat to hard water and air conditioning, curly hair in the Middle East is bound to experience bouts of dryness and this moisture milk provides an indulgent dose of moisture that is so easily absorbed in the hair shaft. Think rich moisture without the heaviness. The cherry on top is this moisturiser has the ability to define your curls. If you have a little one, they can also enjoy the added nourishment while taking in the natural sweet scent.

4. Innersense Hydrating Cream Hairbath

Indulgently rich sulfate free cleanser for dry and brittle curls.

If you want to experience luxurious curl love in a cleanser form, this is your go to for a premium salon worthy indulgent cleanser, balanced for high performance to gently cleanse your strands from root to tip with an ultra-rich creamy sulfate free cleanse base to remove dirt and replenish hydration in dry thirsty strands. Incorporate this weekly into your curly hair routine and watch your moisture retention improve as the moisture-protein balanced formula allows hydration and moisture into your curls whilst cleanse and the protein rich ingredients reinforce the integrity of the hair shaft.

Perfect for:

·    Dry, brittle curls

·    Weekly cleansing

·       Softness and manageability

Why it’s an Emerson pick:

This moisture - protein balanced cleanser should be a staple in any curly hair routine. It provides your curls with just what it needs to set the right foundation, a clean slate that has been infused with both hydration and moisture powered by certified organic clean ingredients. It delivers a rich salon like cleansing experience whether in the salon or at home. With a highly concentrated cleansing formula a little goes a long well.

 5. Ecoslay Banana Cream Deep Conditioner

A conditioning treat for curls in need of replenishment and nourishment, with a beautifully thick consistency this conditioning treatment does what a lot of other thick textured conditioners cannot, quickly absorb in the hair shaft, don’t let the consistency fool you, even finer curls can benefit from this. The value of this conditioner lies in it’s ability to condition in 3 ways, it could serve as your primer for styling – leave in conditioner, a quick instant conditioner which allows you to rinse out after 3-5 mins or a real deep conditioning treat, use it the way it best works for your curls and your lifestyle. It is certainly one to have in your curly hair routine if you suffer from dry, frizzy or damaged curls.

Perfect for:

·    Intense conditioning

·    Softness and manageability

·       Detangling and Priming

Why it’s an Emerson pick:

This conditioning treatment provides the pick me up parch strands need to thrive in Middle East. It’s a trusted favourite for its richness, spreadability and conditioning power. Don’t let the thick texture fool you, the rich, thick texture penetrates the hair shaft leaving you with dreamy, soft, moisturised curls. With consistent use you’ll find your curls retain moisture for longer.

Let Emerson Guide Your Curly Hair Journey

If you’re ready to transform your curls and allow them to thrive, we’re here to help and empower you along the way. Join thousands of curlies from UAE to Saudi, Qatar and Kuwait who we’ve empowered with the relevant curl education and product selection that actually works for their curls. Let us help you take the guesswork out of healthy, climate conscious curl care. 

Need help choosing your products?

Explore our curated collection of Summer 2025 must haves - heat protecting, frizz fighting, humidity proof curly hair essentials for thriving curls in the Middle East here.

Reach out to us at:

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