Are there some products that help promote curly hair to help make it more managable and decent looking?

My hair is very thick and curly. When I let my hair air dry, it looks curly, but when I brush it, it becomes thicker and more wavy looking. It's not decent looking. I'm sick of always puting it in a ponytail. Straightening my hair isn't an option because it's destroyed enough. I found curl consience products at bumbleandbumble.com, but the prices are outrageous. Are there some products that help promote curly hair to help make it more managable and decent looking?