2
best value
Swerve Professionals Curl Defining Cream
Pros Shapes and softens curls Great price Cons Some reviews say it can create crispy curls
Dab a little of this rich leave-in conditioner and styling cream hybrid (and less than $5!) from GH Beauty Award-winning Suave into damp waves and spirals. It nourishes while enhancing texture with shea butter and coconut oil. “My curls felt soft and held their shape,” one tester reported. “I also used it for touch-ups on dry hair.”
Main Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Shea Butter Size: 12 oz
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3
perfect for humidity
Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Bounty Balm Rich Curl Cream
Pros Helps detangle hair Moisturizes and minimizes frizz Cons Some reviewers don’t like its thin consistency
For supple curls that easily detangle, check out Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Bounty Balm, which Ashley describes as her “absolute favorite curl cream.” She says the product is “the perfect balance of moisture and frizz control.” The brand claims that this cream helps protect curls from moisture.
Key Ingredients: Olive Fruit Oil, Citric Acid, Glycerin Size: 5 oz.
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5
Ideal for dry 4C hair
tgin buttercream daily moisturizer
Pros Reviewers love the scent Provides great curl definition Cons Can be too heavy for fine hair
Dry coils will love this rich cream packed with moisture and hydration. According to the brand, it’s infused with coconut oil and vitamin E to help promote curl retention. An Amazon reviewer said, “The moment I applied a generous amount of this cream to my dry 4C hair, it was like drinking ice cold water.” “The coil popped out and was instantly defined.”
Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Vitamin E Size: 12 oz.
6
Ideal for medium hair textures
All about curls bouncy cream
Advantages Lightweight Provides a soft hold Outlet Fragrance is easy to bias
Formulated with soft hold and anti-frizz ingredients, this curl cream provides soft-touch definition to each curl. “I love how it keeps my curls moisturized and reduces frizz without sacrificing volume,” said one GH editor. “Unlike other products I’ve used, this cream doesn’t weigh down my 3C hair or make it oily, and when air-dried it leaves defined, voluminous curls. You can.”
Main Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, Monoi Oil, Rishi Berry Extract, Blackcurrant Extract Size: 5.1 oz.
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7
most moisturizing
pattern styling cream
Pros Provides long-lasting moisture with two scents Cons Some reviews say it can be difficult to use on dry hair
Whether you’re looking to revitalize and liven up a dull wash, or need some extra hold for your twists and braids, this rich, buttercream-rich styling cream is versatile enough to be used on a variety of hairstyles. It’s versatile. One reviewer said, “I highly recommend this styling cream. Absolutely one of the best creams out there.” “It penetrates the hair shaft without leaving any white residue, leaving your hair shiny, healthy and smooth.”
Main Ingredients: Castor Oil, Cocoa Butter, Sweet Almond Oil Size: 25 0z.
8
best gel cream
Kenra Professional All Curl Defining Jelly
Pros Holds curls in place Great for medium to coarse curls Cons Can weigh down fine curls
According to some of GH Beauty Lab’s professional hairstylist testers, this signature jelly delivered touchable hold and minimal frizz. “It really defined the curls and held them in place. If I left it to air dry, almost all the frizz was gone,” said one hairstylist. “I recommend this for people with curly medium or coarse hair. I think this is too heavy for people with soft, fine curls.”
Main Ingredients: Castor Oil, Tucuma Seed Butter Size: 3 oz
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10
best lightweight curl cream
Ocore Hydrating Curl Cream
Pros Reviewers saw little to no buildup in the product Lightweight Cons High price
This lightweight curl cream is praised for its ability to lock in moisture and define luscious curls. Some reviewers say it helps control frizz even in humid environments. “My hair curled instantly with this and stayed moisturized all week. I live in Florida, so the product can leave my hair dry from the humidity and heat for a few days after I wash it. It can feel dirty,” says a reviewer. “Not only did my hair feel lighter and more hydrated, but it also felt cleaner.”
Main Ingredients: Hibiscus, Mango Butter, Marula Oil Size: 8 0z.
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11
perfect for curly hair
Amika Curl Corpse Defining Cream
Pros Fights frizz Enhances curl definition Cons Some people find it sticky
Amika claims that the tapioca starch in this product provides definition while the oat peptides form a protective barrier and enhance hair shine. “I compared different curl creams and kept coming back to Amika, and for good reason,” raved an Amazon reviewer. “I have naturally wavy, curly hair, but it tends to get flat as the day goes on. With Amika, my hair stays defined and curly all day with very little frizz. ”
• Main ingredients: oat peptides, tapioca starch, sea buckthorn.
• Size: 6.7 fl oz.
12
perfect for thick hair
Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus Curl Strengthening Smoothie
Pros Works well on thick hair texture, conditions, smoothes and moisturizes hair Cons Can be too thick for fine hair
If you have thick curls, look no further than SheaMoisture’s Custard Curl Cream. “It minimizes frizz, conditions curls, and hydrates, but doesn’t feel sticky or oily,” said one GH editor. “A little goes a long way, which is a plus for curly, product-dependent hair. If I could only use one product, this would be it.” Plus, “it smells like a tropical smoothie,” she says. added.
GH Commerce Editor Jacqueline Sagin also attests to the wonders of this curl cream. “It accentuates my waves and makes it easier to embrace my natural hair texture.”
• Main ingredients: coconut fruit juice, coconut oil, avocado oil
• Size: 12 oz.
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14
best multi-use curl cream
EVO Total Recoil Curl Definer
Pros Polishes and curls definition Can be used on wet or dry hair Fragrance may be divisive
If you’re looking for a curl cream that’s a true multitasker, look no further than Evo. “In my job, I try out a lot of curl creams and hair products. Often my friends and family don’t notice as much of a difference as I do, but when I tested Evo’s curl product line, everything changed. ” says Bianca Rodriguez. , Commerce Editor and Writer at Hearst Magazines Digital Media. “My curls looked absolutely amazing. This product works equally well on wet hair as well as dry hair, which is the ideal scenario for someone like me who is always on the go.” , reviewers have given varying ratings about the product’s scent, with some saying it has a “fresh, clean scent” and others saying it’s “very fragrant.”
• Main Ingredients: Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Shea Butter
• Size: 6.7 oz.
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15
Best curl cream for wavy hair
Pacifica Salty Waves Beach Hair Balm
Now 16% off
Credit: Pacifica Beauty Pros Increases waves Softens and moisturizes hair Cons May be too thick for fine hair
Promote the curl of wavy hair with this balm-like Pacifica Curl Cream made with soy protein and jojoba seed oil. “It does wonders at raising vibrations and actually hydrates and softens hair,” reported an Ulta reviewer.
• Main ingredients: seaweed, banana, chia
• Size: 4.0 oz.
16
Best curl cream for thin hair
Cake Beauty Curl Friend Defining Curl Cream
Pros Lightweight curl definition for thin or fine hair Cons Fragrance can be polarizing
The sweet-scented Cake Curl Cream is a favorite for fine hair at Ulta. “This is definitely the best product I’ve ever used on my fine natural curls,” said a reviewer. “It stays crisp even in high humidity.” However, some reviewers reported not liking the scent, while others raved about its sweet lemon cake scent.
Key Ingredients: Avocado Oil, Soybean Oil, Shea Butter Size: 6 oz.
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17
Best curl cream for type 2 hair
Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding
14% off now
Credit: Miss Jessie’s Pros Works with different curl types Smoothes and contours Cons Some reviewers found it oily
A cult classic, this Miss Jessie’s Curl Pudding Cream is versatile enough to be used for everything from waves to twists to braided styles. An Amazon reviewer says, “Great product for curly hair.” “My curls are no longer frizzy, bouncy, and weightless.”
• Main ingredients: soybean oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil
• Size: 8.5 oz.
18
Best curl cream for type 3 hair
Dove Amplified Textures Shaping Butter Cream
Pros Defines and holds curls with a firm texture Softening effect Cons Can be too heavy for fine hair
For fine or coarse curls, use this Dove Curl Butter Cream. “It’s great for highlighting curly or frizzy hair, provides hold while moisturizing, and smells absolutely divine!” a Walmart reviewer noted. “This works best on extremely curly to frizzy hair, so I use it for my daughter’s coils, braids, etc.”
• Main ingredients: coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba seed oil
• Size: 10.5 oz.
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19
Curl cream perfect for straight hair
aveda be curly curl enhancer
Pros Strengthens curls for all hair types Made with natural ingredients Cons Some reviewers found it watery and sticky
Aveda’s Curl Cream has more than 2,400 reviews on Nordstrom, averaging nearly 5 stars, and is an excellent preparatory step for creating curls on straight hair. “I have very straight hair and this product is really helpful when I want to add a little curl,” says a reviewer. “This is the best product I’ve found and makes my normally flat hair hold curls.”
• Main ingredients: flaxseed extract, marshmallow root extract, aloe
• Size: 6.7 oz.
20
best curl defining cream
Garnier Fructis Style Curl Sculpt Conditioning Cream Gel
50% off now
Credit: Garnier Pros Offers hold and tame benefits Great price Cons Some reviewers noticed that it leaves a residue
A combination of curl cream and gel, this Garnier formula is top rated at Walmart. “My hair is so thick and curly,” the reviewer reported. “Other products made my hair stiff, but I love how it calms and softens my curls.”
• Main ingredients: avocado oil, mango glycerides, shea butter
• Size: 5.1 fl oz.
April (she) is the beauty director for Good Housekeeping, Prevention, and Woman’s Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience and began her career as a Beauty Editorial Assistant at GH in 2007 and has worked in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Cameron (she) is a staff writer at Good Housekeeping, covering everything from vacations to food. She graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism. In her spare time, she can be found scrolling through TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching a season of Project Runway, or shopping online.
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