The best curl creams can really take your hair care routine to the next level. For the uninitiated, these are styling products designed for use on coily, curly, and wavy hair types to create more defined curls while addressing issues such as frizz and dryness.
When picking out a good curl-defining cream, consider your curl pattern, and the condition of your hair. My type 4 hair, for example, is prone to dryness, and I’ve noticed that it respond to formulas that contain ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil, which help seal moisture to reduce frizz.
The good news is that there are dozens of options to choose from, and we spent months incorporating several different types into our hair care routines before narrowing down our favorites to the list ahead. Whether you’re looking for a multitasker that hydrates and prevents breakage (like our best overall winner) or one that perfectly defines waves for your wash-and-go, there’s something here for every hair type and need.
The best curl defining creams, at a glance:
How we tested
Glamour editors and contributors with a range of curly hair types—from bouncy waves to coils—tried each curl cream on freshly washed hair over the course of several months. Testers applied the products according to package directions, often pairing them with leave-ins or gels as part of a typical curly routine. They evaluated how easily the cream distributed through wet hair, whether it created a cast, and how defined curls looked and felt post application. We noted how well each cream controlled frizz, how long definition lasted between washdays, and whether the formula caused any buildup or flaking. We narrowed down the list to the ones below.
Best Overall: Pattern Beauty Styling Cream
Best for: Styling type 3 and 4 curls
Pros: Defines curls; prevents breakage
Cons: Thick and may leave residue on the hair
Typically, curl creams are looked at as styling products that only help with definition, but that’s only partly true. Some can also address issues that people with curly, wavy, and coily hair frequently face, such as damage and breakage. That’s where the Pattern Beauty Styling Cream comes in—it’s made with shea butter, cacay oil, and almond oil to promote length and moisture retention and to prevent breakage at the ends. So not only will it give type 3 and 4 curls a solid amount of definition, it puts in even more work to strengthen the hair from the inside out, something not all curl creams claim to do.
Testing notes: “The texture for this one was really thick, but it gave my curls nice definition when I applied it,” says Condé Nast content licensing associate Paton Hardy, who has very fine, curly hair. “After the fact, it was a little drying for me, so I found it best to be used with hair oil. It also smelled super fresh!”
Best Drugstore Curl Cream: SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
Best for: Taming frizz and definition
Pros: Moisturizes really well at under $15; manages frizz
Cons: It’s really thick, so your hair might not fully absorb it.
This SheaMoisture bestseller is an oldie but goodie, and it was highly recommended by people in my immediate friend group when I first went natural in college. I’m happy to say it definitely lives up to the hype. It features ingredients like coconut oil and silk protein, which moisturize the hair from inside the shaft, and prevents common curl concerns like frizziness.
Testing notes: Sometimes I use this after washing and blowing out my coils (I prefer to do twist-outs on stretched hair), and even after applying it to my hair in a stretched state, the curls still manage to look like healthy spirals. I’m also a really big fan of the way this product makes my hair feel—after unraveling my twists, I usually find myself continuously touching my curls because of how satisfied I am with how soft and moisturized my hair feels. My only gripe is that this is a product that sort of sits on your hair—it’s pretty thick, so that’s to be expected—so if you’re someone who touches your hair often, you’ll definitely be able to feel that there’s something on your strands.
Best for Moisturizing: Briogeo Curl Charisma Leave-In Conditioner
Best for: Moisture retention
Pros: Scent is long-lasting and pleasant; light texture so doesn’t weigh hair down
Cons: Doesn’t address frizz
This one doesn’t have the thickness of a curl cream (because it’s not a curl cream, per se), but it has easily become one of my favorite products in recent months. Our editors recommend this leave-in conditioner for curly hair. It has a milky texture that’s just a tad runnier than a lotion, and it features unique add-ins like rice amino acids, which can seal the outer cuticles and ensure your curls don’t become frizzy, and tomato, which is supposed to support moisture retention.
Testing notes: This is another cream that I typically like to apply on blown-out hair before twisting and setting for a few hours or overnight. I typically apply it from root to end before adding mousse. Mousse can sometimes harden my curls (it’s a holding product for a reason) or dry them out, but I’ve noticed that whenever I apply this to my hair first, I can alleviate that issue and wake up with very soft, defined, and moisturized curls.
Best for Wash-and-Gos: Fenty Beauty The Homecurl Curl-Defining Styling Cream
Best for: Wash-and-go styling
Pros: Holds hair in place without hardening or scrunchy texture
Cons: Scent might be overpowering if you don’t like fragrance
This is one of our favorites because of its hybrid gel-cream texture: It has the softness of a moisturizer but provides the hold and definition of a gel, which you don’t find in too many curl creams. The star ingredient is mango butter, which moisturizes and gives the product a sweet, fruity scent that doesn’t linger too much.
Testing notes: “My hair is coily with medium porosity and loves a moisture-balanced curl cream,” says Glamour editorial assistant Monique Wilson. “One of the reasons why the Fenty Hair Curl Cream separates itself from my cult-favorite products is its gel-cream formula. It moisturizes and enhances my curls while controlling frizz and maintaining my wash-and-go style for multiple days.”
Best for Volume: DevaCurl Curl Heights Volume + Boost Curl Cream
Best for: Adding weightless volume
Pros: Great option for fine hair; great value jar
Cons: Testers say this cream might not work best for coily or tighter curls
It’s easy to think that curly hair is never affected by dullness or flatness, but it happens, and when that’s the case, you need something that’ll revive your hair while also providing some curl definition. That’s essentially what DevaCurl’s Volume + Boost Curl Cream does, as it’s meant to add more volume to fine hair from the roots.
Testing notes: “It’s like the cherry on top that lifts my curls, adds that effortless volume, and brings my hair back to life,” says Glamour contributor Ru Wolle. “Plus, it doesn’t weigh my hair down or make it feel sticky, which is a rare find for volume products.”
Best for Frizz Control: Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Defining & Frizz Taming Hair Cream
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Best for: Smoothing frizz
Pros: Inexpensive; addresses frizziness
Cons: Has a sticky texture
In a lot of cases, frizziness occurs when hair is lacking moisture, so this cream features a blend of keratin amino acids and rice protein to address dryness from inside the strands. Remember: Keratin is a protein that can repair the structure of the hair, but it can also moisturize and smooth the cuticle so that frizz is less of an issue. Rice protein can also coat the hair and provide a light protective barrier so that said moisture can be retained, resulting in less frizz overall. The cream has a semi-thick, lotion-y texture that can be used to define wet or dry curls, and it doesn’t hurt that you can purchase it for just $11.
Testing notes: “I loved the definition on this one,” Hardy says. “When my hair dried down, it fluffed up nicely while still maintaining the definition.” According to Hardy, this cream’s only downside is that the texture feels a bit sticky.
Best for Coily Hair: Amika Curl Corps Defining Cream
Best for: Light hold and curl definition
Pros: Provides hold all day; works on coily hair
Cons: Pricey for amount of product
This is a curl “cream” that actually has the consistency of a gel, which would explain how it does such a great job of holding your hair in place. Products like this often have a reputation of making the hair feel hard, dry, or crunchy, but thanks to the inclusion of moisturizing ingredients like oat peptide, you can expect your curls to feel soft whether you style it in a braid-out, a twist-out, or an air-dried style.
Testing notes: “This smells really good and has a super-smooth texture,” Hardy says. “I saw a lot of definition and it didn’t leave my hair feeling crunchy or weighed down. Eight out of 10 in my opinion!”
Best for Wavy Hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream
Best for: Controlling frizz
Pros: Provides long-lasting hold; works great on wavy and curly coiled textures
Cons: Might feel heavy if you use too much product
This curl cream marries the anti-humidity properties we love in Ouidad’s classic anti-humidity hair gel with the soft texture of a lightweight cream. You’ll get bouncy, noticeable definition with this and you don’t have to follow up with gel or mousse (though you can if you prefer). While this is suitable for all curl types, Jason Hallman, a Ouidad stylist, says that he recommends it to his clients in his salon with waves for “definition without weight.”
Testing notes: Glamour contributor Aimee Simeon has curlier hair but loves that this formula feels really lightweight, therefore making it a versatile option for a range of curl types. “Though my hair is on the curlier side, this cream is a great option for coils, waves, and everything in between, thanks to its superlight texture. It has a thin, cream-like consistency that I’d reach for when I want bouncy curl definition without the crunch that you’d get from a gel or mousse,” she says. “I like using this one in small sections in the shower (so, applying while my hair is essentially sopping wet). This gives me the best fluffy, bouncy definition that looks and feels effortless.”
Best for Fine Hair: JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Styling Cream
Best for: Air-drying waves or fine curls
Pros: Lightweight formula; ideal for fine strands
Cons: Not enough product for thick, coarse hair
If your hair is on the fine side, you need a curl cream that is lightweight and buildable if you want more definition. We love this cream from JVN, which offers equal parts moisturizing and holding power. “The formula is buildable, providing light hold if you start with a smaller amount,” says Jonathan Van Ness, the brand’s founder, who has wavy hair. “My favorite way to use it is to apply Air Dry Cream into very wet, detangled hair and then either scrunch, brush through, or do any curly/coily technique and let air-dry, or use a diffuser for the most beautiful version of your natural texture with just one product.”
Testing notes: Glamour tester Corinne Court liked this formula on her fine coils for definition without the crunch. “This was great for those air-dry days when I want soft, touchable definition,” she says. “It definitely is more of a lightweight product, which I appreciated, since heavier formulas typically weigh down my hair.”
Best for Low-Porosity Hair: Matrix A Curl Can Dream Moisturizing Cream
Best for: Dry curl textures
Pros: A little goes a long way; extremely hydrating
Cons: Might feel too heavy for waves
This is a thick cream formula (that comes in a jar) designed to define and moisturize without leaving behind a crunchy cast. If you have low-porosity hair (tightly closed cuticles that take a long time to absorb moisture), you might love the super-moisturizing, thicker texture of this product, which will slick down flyaways and add slip to the hair’s cuticles, making your coils look smoother and more defined. A little goes a long way with this, and we recommend working in sections to distribute the formula evenly through your curls.
Testing notes: “I’ve tried a lot of curl creams over the years, and I’ve been scorned by formulas that leave a white cast of product on my curls—it’s the worst,” says Glamour contributor Aimee Simeon, who has tight 3c-4a coils. This formula is white in the jar but melts into the hair, leaving a cast-free shine that doesn’t feel heavy. A little goes a long way on hair with low porosity, and I usually find the most success when I apply it to small, wet sections using a spray bottle as I go. My coils are always very defined without the crunch of a gel or mousse.”
Best for High-Porosity Hair: Curlsmith Curlshield Cream
Best for: Taming frizz
Pros: Lightweight, serum-like formula; addresses frizz
Cons: Might be too runny for thick coils
This cream has a lightweight, silky texture that will vanish into your skin if you rub it between your fingers. It does the same when applied to frizzy hair, gently reducing flyaways without making curls feel limp or flat. It also protects against heat from tools or the environment, so you don’t have to worry about frizz caused by humidity. It’s also light enough to reapply daily to areas that require extra smoothing without restyling your entire head.
Testing notes: Glamour tester Courtney Quinn loves that this helps define her curls while temporarily mending the look of split ends. “I am terrible about getting curly haircuts so I love using this on my ends to smooth and extend my time between salon visits,” she says. “It’s super lightweight and does a good job at locking in moisture without feeling heavy.” The best part? Quinn loves the refreshing smell of this, which makes her actually want to apply it every day.
Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when shopping for a curl cream?
When shopping for a curl cream, consider formulas with hydrating oils like coconut and avocado for shine. Finer textures might prefer a lightweight liquid cream or serums (like the Curlsmith Curlshield Cream), while thicker textures might like heavier formulas (typically found in jars) to pack moisture.
What’s better, curling creams or gels? What about curling creams or mousse?
It all boils down to your preferences. For definition without crunch, a curling cream is gold. Gels tend to provide a stronger hold that lasts for days but may leave strands stiff, while curly-hair mousses give a hold that feels more airy but may be sticky. Regardless of the formula you choose, test it out on a small section of hair before applying all over the head.
How often can you use curl cream?
You can use curl cream as often as you’d like, but since most sit on top of the hair, you may experience product buildup. In that case, be sure to cleanse with a clarifying shampoo when you want to reset your hair.
Tips for applying curl creams
- Work in small, wet sections if possible.
- Rake and distribute product through your hair from ends to roots to make sure curls are evenly coated.
- If air-drying or diffusing your curls, avoid fluffing and touching while damp to reduce frizz; fluff your curls with a pick or your hands when your hair is completely dry.
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