Curl Defining CreamsHelping You Find the Best

10 Best Curl Defining Creams

Q: Top 5 Curl Defining Cream

Q: How to Choose Curl Defining Cream

・Prioritize Creams Rich in Humectants, Oils, and Butters to Nourish and Moisturize Your Hair ・To Keep Your Hair Healthy, Avoid Creams With Sulfates, Parabens, and Alcohol ・Choose a Silicone-Free Cream That Won’t Weigh Down Your Hair or Leave Residue ・Select Creams Based on Your Hair Texture ・Sensitive Scalp? Go for Gentle Creams Containing Aloe Vera ・Consider User-Friendly Packaging Like Pump Dispensers or Tubes for Hassle-Free Application >> Click here for details >> View Full Ranking

If you’re looking to enhance your natural curls and waves while keeping them hydrated and frizz-free, curl defining creams (or just curl creams) are your go-to. These curl enhancing smoothies usually have a mix of humectants, oils, and butters that not only nourish your hair but also give it a flexible hold without that annoying stiffness.

Finding the right curl cream can be a bit tricky, especially with so many options out there and the need to dodge harmful ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and alcohol. That’s why we teamed up with Kurlified, a hairstylist and texture expert, to help us pick out the best curl defining creams. Whether your curls are loose waves or tight coils, we’ve got something for everyone.

Don’t miss our top 10 list of best-selling curl defining creams on Amazon—it's a great place to start finding the perfect product for your hair type and styling needs.

Last updated 08/20/2024

Quick List - Top Curl Defining Cream

OGX

OGX ｜ Moroccan Curling Perfection Defining Cream

Moisturize and Define Your Curls With Natural Shine

SheaMoisture

SheaMoisture ｜ Coconut Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Enhance and Define Curls With Natural Hydration and Shine

Cantu

Cantu ｜ Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream

Reveal Frizz-Free, Bouncy Curls With Enhanced Shine

Not Your Mother's

Not Your Mother's ｜ Curl Talk Defining Cream

Frizz Control Without Any Harsh Ingredients

Moroccanoil

Curl Defining Cream

Define Your Curls With Touchable Softness and Shine

Hairstylist, Educator, and Texture Expert: Kurlified

Kurlified, AKA Keyonna Tillman, is a hairstylist, educator, and texture expert specializing in treating, shaping, and styling curly hair. Her dedication to curly hair began with her own. As a little girl with massive curls, all she heard was, "Unmanageable! Untameable! Unbelievable!" And the only option available was a chemical straightener--a nasty, smelly solution that could have dissolved paint! This experience inspired her to teach one-on-one classes, educating future hair stylists on wet and dry cutting techniques, product application, and finishing techniques. Kurlified means undeniable confidence. Kurlified by Keyonna makes people feel great about their natural hair texture, no matter their desired style. Her goal is to make her clients feel like superstars! She strives to bring high energy, enthusiasm, professionalism, and a strong work ethic to every head of hair.

Kurlified's Profile

Editor: Jessica Farrington

Jessica holds a master's degree in English and has six years of experience in copywriting and editing. As a copy editor at mybest, she focuses on editing articles across various categories to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance to current trends. Jessica also utilizes SEO practices to optimize content, aiming to maximize visibility and engagement while meeting audience needs and search engine requirements.

Jessica Farrington's Profile

The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.

Table of Contents

How Curl Defining Creams Help Your Hair
How to Choose Curl Defining Cream
1
Prioritize Creams Rich in Humectants, Oils, and Butters to Nourish and Moisturize Your Hair
2
To Keep Your Hair Healthy, Avoid Creams With Sulfates, Parabens, and Alcohol
3
Choose a Silicone-Free Cream That Won’t Weigh Down Your Hair or Leave Residue
4
Select Creams Based on Your Hair Texture
5
Sensitive Scalp? Go for Gentle Creams Containing Aloe Vera
6
Consider User-Friendly Packaging Like Pump Dispensers or Tubes for Hassle-Free Application
10 Best Curl Defining Creams
No. 1
OGX | OGX｜Moroccan Curling Perfection Defining Cream
No. 2
SheaMoisture | SheaMoisture｜Coconut Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
No. 3
Cantu | Cantu｜Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
No. 4
Not Your Mother's | Not Your Mother's｜Curl Talk Defining Cream
No. 5
Moroccanoil | Curl Defining Cream
5 more products
Determining Your Hair Type

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How Curl Defining Creams Help Your Hair

Expert

Using curl defining creams helps hydrate the hair, eliminating frizz and making hair soft to the touch.

Curl defining creams are a staple for anyone with curly or wavy hair who wants to enhance their natural curl pattern. These creams usually mix moisturizing and conditioning ingredients to reduce frizz, add shine, and provide a soft hold while keeping hair hydrated and healthy. This allows curls to maintain their definition without the stiffness or crunchiness often associated with styling products like gels. By locking in moisture, these creams help prevent dryness that can lead to frizz, making your curls easier to manage and style.

Unlike leave-in conditioners, curl defining creams help control volume while adding moisture, making them perfect for weighing down high-density or frizz-prone hair. Since they have a softer hold than mousses or gels, they’re also fantastic for curl clumping, where your curls group together naturally to form bigger, healthier curls.

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How to Choose Curl Defining Cream

With so many products, finding the right one for your hair is challenging. So we asked Kurlified to help us sort through the good and the bad.

Prioritize Creams Rich in Humectants, Oils, and Butters to Nourish and Moisturize Your Hair

Expert

Humectants and butters help hydrate hair, while oils provide shine and lock in moisture, keeping it from drying out.

When picking a curl defining cream, look for ones with humectants, oils, and butters. These ingredients are key to giving curly hair the deep hydration and nourishment it craves.

Humectants like glycerin are great for attracting moisture from the air to keep your hair hydrated. Meanwhile, oils and butters like shea and cocoa form a protective layer that locks in that moisture, adds shine, and keeps your hair from drying out. Butters are especially helpful for providing maximum hydration to hair that's dehydrated or damaged from color treatments or hot tools.

Hair serums are excellent for protecting hair from the heat and sun while eliminating frizz.

Hairstylist, Educator, and Texture Expert

Kurlified

Oils can be used on wet or dry hair, on or off the scalp, and can range from heavy to light, depending on the hair's texture and needs.

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To Keep Your Hair Healthy, Avoid Creams With Sulfates, Parabens, and Alcohol

Expert

Sulfates, parabens, and alcohol can dry out your hair, causing frizziness, potential breakage, and scalp irritation.

Selecting curl defining creams free from sulfates, parabens, and alcohol is crucial to your hair's long-term health. These ingredients can strip natural oils from the hair, leading to increased dryness and frizz.

Sulfates can be harsh on curly hair, disrupting the natural curl pattern and compromising hair health.
Parabens can strip and dry the hair and scalp, causing flakiness, itchiness, and irritation.
Alcohol can leave hair frizzy and brittle, leading to breakage and possible hair loss.

Choosing products without these harmful chemicals ensures your hair retains its natural moisture and integrity.

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Choose a Silicone-Free Cream That Won’t Weigh Down Your Hair or Leave Residue

Expert

Although silicones can help in the short term, continued exposure leaves a residue that can block other products from penetrating through the hair strands.

Choosing a silicone-free curl defining cream is a smart move if you want to keep your curls light and bouncy. While silicones can help with detangling and add temporary softness and shine, they also leave a film that builds up over time, blocking other products from penetrating your hair. This can make your hair feel heavy and look dull. On the other hand, water-based formulas wash out easily, so they won't leave any build-up behind.

Choosing a cream that washes out easily without leaving a residue is critical to maintaining your curls' natural vitality and shine.

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Select Creams Based on Your Hair Texture

Different hair textures will have different needs, so choosing curl defining creams that suit your hair is essential to achieve the best results.

If You Have Textured Hair, Look for Versatile Creams That Work on Wavy to Coily Hair

Expert

Choosing a cream that can be used on a range of different hair textures is essential, as hair's texture can change depending on its moisture level.

When selecting a curl defining cream for textured hair, look for versatile products that can work with different hair types. Each hair texture has its own needs, and your hair's hydration level can change its texture. If your hair is well-moisturized or wavy, a lighter curl defining cream can enhance your natural waves and keep the volume. On the other hand, curly hair or hair that needs extra moisture will do better with a heavier cream that provides intensive hydration and frizz control to define and shape curls. For coily or very dry hair, go for something with maximum hydration to help with length, define tight curls, reduce shrinkage, and make your hair more manageable overall.

A versatile curl cream should adapt to your hair's needs without causing stiffness or buildup. Check for formulations that highlight their suitability for multiple hair types to adapt to your hair's changing needs across varying moisture levels. This way, you can be sure the product will enhance your hair's natural pattern while keeping it healthy and hydrated across any changes in textures resulting from different hydration levels.

For Damaged or Transitioning Hair, Select Creams Rich in Protein

Expert

Protein helps to strengthen hair and rebuild hair strands damaged by color treatments or heat.

If your hair is damaged or transitioning, picking a curl defining cream rich in protein can make a big difference. When your hair has been affected by color treatments or heat, it needs all the hydration it can get to look and feel its best. Proteins help to reconstruct the hair shaft, reduce breakage, and enhance elasticity. They reinforce the strength and resilience of your hair's structure, which is vital for restoring health and definition to your curls. Protein-rich creams can also provide the support needed for transitioning hair as natural texture gradually returns.

Here are some examples of proteins to look for:

Hydrolyzed Keratin: improves strength and reduces breakage by mimicking the natural keratin found in hair.
Hydrolyzed Silk Protein: penetrates the hair shaft and improves elasticity, adding a smooth, shiny finish.
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein: improves the hair's ability to retain moisture, giving a more voluminous appearance and enhancing the curl pattern.

Ideally, these proteins should be listed within the first half of the ingredient list, indicating a sufficient concentration.

Hairstylist, Educator, and Texture Expert

Kurlified

For even better results, spray a leave-in conditioner before applying a protein-rich curl defining cream. This provides more hydration to repair damaged hair strands.

For Straight Hair, Choose a Light, Water-Based Curl Cream

Expert

Although straight (Type 1) hair has little to no curl, a lightweight curl defining cream can add essential moisture and softness while eliminating frizz.

Even straight (Type 1) hair can get a boost from a small amount of light, water-based curl defining cream. These products add a touch of texture and volume, control frizz, and provide a soft hold, making them perfect for occasional styling without committing to heavier products.

For fine hair, it's best to choose creams that won't weigh your hair down but will help tame frizz. Steer clear of heavy oils and waxes, which can make straight hair feel greasy. Instead, choose water-based formulas that wash out easily, keeping your hair light and manageable.

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Sensitive Scalp? Go for Gentle Creams Containing Aloe Vera

Expert

Aloe vera makes creams more soothing and gentle.

If you have a sensitive scalp, selecting a gentle, soothing curl cream is key. Look for products formulated with natural, calming ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile, and other botanicals known for their soothing properties.

These ingredients help to calm scalp irritation and provide a comfortable base for your curls.

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Consider User-Friendly Packaging Like Pump Dispensers or Tubes for Hassle-Free Application

Expert

Since most people will have wet hands when applying curl defining creams, convenient packaging can be a lifesaver.

Packaging plays a significant role when it comes to applying curl defining cream. User-friendly options like pump dispensers or squeeze tubes can make the process much easier. Look for creams packaged in pump dispensers, soft squeeze tubes, or even easy-to-open jars to ensure a smooth, no-fuss application.

Pumps also offer controlled dispensing, which helps you use the right amount of product, reduce waste, and ensure even application across your curls.

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