If you've ever used a gel that's pure hold and nothin' else in your protective style, you already know that too much structure can be a drying nightmare. "The best product for curly hair," an Amazon reviewer said. Coat your hands with gel then rake and scrunch it through your soaking-wet hair section by section (here’s a gel cast tutorial I love, if you need a visual). If you've got fluffy waves or loose curls that need a little extra help in the curling and clumping department, try this medium-hold hair gel. Cosmopolitan participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. This sweetly-scented Cake curl cream is highly-rated for fine hair on Ulta. You can't spend a minute (a second? The light scent smells clean, and the formula is sulfate-free. 04. Behold! on a curly hair website/forum without someone raving about their recipe for homemade flaxseed gel. Listen, there's low-key nothing worse than seeing flakes in your hair only a couple days after washing your hair. Tayshia Was Spotted Wearing an Engagement Ring! This rich, cult-favorite twisting gel brings out your curls and keeps them defined and shiny (shout out to the itty-bitty flecks of gold shimmer in the gel). It has a bit of hold and a bit of hydration, which actually makes it killer for either adding a moisturizing layer to protective styles (try it in place of cream in the LOC method) or for helping 2c to 3c curls clump together without weighing them down. Medium/normal curly hair can take heavier products but in moderation. “I used it to touch up dry hair too.”. "They help to define and amplify natural curls, eliminate frizz and add soft hold," says Nunzio Saviano, a hairstylist and founder of the eponymous salon in New York City. This could lead to excessive breakage and hair fall. Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Gel. It moisturizes curls without weighing them down— plus, it leaves your hair soft … Water, cetearyl alcohol, mineral oil, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride (conditioning agent), and glycerin make up a gel-cream leave-in that controls unruly curls while still maintaining an effortless bounce. Packed with linseed gel and molasses to moisturise, define and celebrate curls. 4. Similarly, use anti-dandruff shampoo or conditioner only if you have dandruff. SheaMoisture Curling Gel Souffle for Thick, Curly Hair Coconut and Hibiscus to Moisturize and Protect Hair 12 oz 2.9 out of 5 stars 827 $10.49 $ 10 . This way, you would not end up buying the wrong products. Promise. This gel works really well when applied throughout damp curls, fresh from the … Gels made for waves and curls (think type 2c-4a hair) are usually super-high in hold and lower in moisture, giving curls that crunchy, ramen-noodle finish. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 10 Best Hair Styling Tools and Products of 2020, 15 Latinx-Owned Beauty Brands You'll Adore, Best Hand Creams You Probably Need Right Now, The Best Drugstore Beauty Products of 2020, 8 Best Gray Hair Dyes for Silvery Strands, 12 Best Retinol Products That Actually Work, Take 20% Off Meghan Markle’s Go-To Skincare, Professionals for Natural Hair Curl Defining Cream, Dove Amplified Textures Shaping Butter Cream, Curl Charisma Rice Amino & Avocado Leave-In Defining Creme, Fructis Style Curl Sculpt Conditioning Cream Gel, StyleSign Curly Twist Curl Control Moisturizing Curl Cream, Coco Creme Coil Enhancing Moisture Butter, Fructis Style Curl Treat Hydrating Butter. Thanks to shea butter, aloe juice, and coconut oil, … Ouidad call themselves “The Curl Experts” and their special technique for cutting curly hair has helped put Ouidad on the map in the Curly Girl community. Do it correctly, and you'll be left with this before-and-after magic). Quench dehydrated curls with this intensely nourishing Carol's Daughter curl moisturizing butter cream, made with mango seed butter and coconut oil. Help!) If this is your first custard encounter, think of it as a thicker, heavier, way-more-moisturizing gel (so less is more if you have super-fine or low-porosity hair). "Works well to define curly and kinky hair, moisturizes while also providing hold, and smells absolutely divine!" 15 Curl Creams That’ll Give You the Best Twist Out Ever. The gel heard 'round the world! 49 ($0.87/Ounce) It fully depends on your hair type, texture, and the look you’re going for (e.g., a protective style doesn’t require a gel cast and won’t necessarily use the same application method as a wash and go or). Breaking the gel cast is pretty self-explanatory and simple. You've now made your very own curly hair product. This lightweight, formula was actually my first step back into the 2020 world of hair gels, and I was really, truly shocked by how well it defined and clumped my super-fine 2c/3a curls without making them greasy. Flaxseed gels + curly hair = BFFs. 10 Best Mousses for Crunch-Free Curly Hair. Kinky-Curly Knot Today is a great leave-in conditioner for dry climates. It’s not an exact science, but gels made for protective styles, wash and gos, and twist/braid-outs are usually high in moisture and soft or medium in hold, making them excellent choices for drier, type 4 hair. For every type of wave and curl from 2A to 4C, Curl creams are like the love child of a leave-in conditioner and a curl styling product. Step two is to “scrunch out the crunch” or “break the cast.". Includes reviews of shampoo, co-washes, conditioners, and more. It's also packed with coconut, almond, and avocado oils to keep 3c to 4c hair moisturized and lightly held all day without feeling stiff or crunchy. The brand's Superfruit line is beloved by curl fiends, and its gel-cream is tied with the conditioner for best product. This does-it-all Moroccanoil styling cream is GH's resident curly girl's go-to. ", A curl cream and gel combo, this Garnier formula is top-rated at Walmart. But this can be easily avoided by picking a hair serum with a cream-based formula. The good news is, as you address these issues, your curls become the bouncy, defined, healthy spirals and loops they are meant to be. 3. Yes, to all of this. a Walmart reviewer noted. Works well to define curly and kinky hair, moisturizes while also providing hold , and smells absolutely divine!" Play around with using your gel alone, or on top of a leave-in conditioner and an oil. "It defines even in high humidity. But this formula uses aloe and mallow extract to define thinner, drier curls and create a strong gel cast—all without weighing them down. ", The Best 25 Christmas Decorations You Can Buy, 40 Gifts That Are Sure to Warm Grandma's Heart, 40 Gorgeous Gifts for the Best Sister Ever, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Frizzy hair is natural, especially during the hotter months, but sometimes you just want frizz-free days. Pamper your locks with our picks of the best drugstore products for curly hair. So it depends on what type of hair type and hairstyle you’re working with (FYI: You’ll wanna figure out your hair type for this). It smells like almond joy candy. Afro Sheen Texture Gel Cream. "I have very straight hair, but this product really helps when I want to add a bit of curl," a reveiwer noted. Use an anti-frizz hair cream or gel if your hair requires it. Bonus: “It smells like a tropical smoothie,” she adds. Definition, shine, volume, joy, etc. “It minimizes frizz, defines curls, and moisturizes, but doesn’t feel sticky or oily,” says GH consumer services and Seal manager Sakinah Ali. Not only is this shampoo sulfate-free —so it cleanses your hair without stripping your curls— but it's also soooo hydrating. They work for anyone, including children and adults with the finest of curls. As your hair dries, the gel forms a crunchy shell around each of your curls/waves, defining it while protecting it from humidity and frizz. The Royal Family Is "Frustrated" by The Crown, ‘The Bachelorette’ Season 16, Ep 8: Getting Deep, The Biggest 'Grey’s Anatomy' Deaths, Ranked. For co-wash, apply a generous amount into wet hair from mid-length to ends, then work toward the roots. 6. For waves, Hardges recommends covering your hands in gel and using your fingers to rake through your hair, squeezing your curls as you go. Explore Matrix curly hair products and find the best shampoo, cleansing conditioner, or curl defining cream for your curl type whether its coils or waves. "My hair is super thick and curly," a reviewer reported. If you have dense curls, look no further than Shea Moisture's custard curl cream. "My curls are no longer frizzy, have great bounce, and are not weighed down. Made with pure shea butter and dermatologist reviewed. Begin with be curly ™ shampoo or co-wash. To use: For shampoo, massage inot hair and rinse. For coarse, curly hair, thick creams work best. For best use, rub between hands with a little bit of water after co-washing and … "I've never had a product work so well. VitalCurl+ Define & Shine Styling Gel-Cream for those who can’t decide if they want a cream or a gel for styling their hair. Purpose: Buy products only as per the needs of your curly hair. ", Briogeo's curl cream with rice protein and avocado oil has earned near cult status for defining natural hair textures. It's lightweight, non-sticky, and silicone-free, so it'll help define your wavy hair without weighing it down. Infused with argan oil, this lightweight product will help add volume, making it ideal for all types of curls and lengths. But if you’re going for the gel cast, you'll need a lot of gel—like a huge handful of gel for fine, shoulder-length hair. Certified organic Shea Butter, Honey, Mafura and Baobab Oils are blended with antioxidant-rich … We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. A cult classic, this Miss Jessie's curl pudding cream is versatile enough to work on everything from waves to twist and braid-out styles. try this strong-hold gel. "Amazing at enhancing waves and actually moisturizing and making my hair softer," an Ulta reviewer reported. For tightly-textured or coarse curls, turn to this Dove curl butter cream. " “My curls felt soft and held their shape,” a fan reported. Have you ever heard of an Ouidad Cut? "I air-dried my wavy hair with this cream, and the curls were well-shaped, bouncy, and less unruly than they normally are with other leave-in products," GH's beauty director says. From gel to curl cream, discover our top picks for all types of curls. Alberto VO5 It's incredibly thick and rich (thanks to the zillion different oils in the formula), so a little goes a long way, but even if you go overboard, your coils won't be left with any crunch or flakes. Also, without the proper hair products and care, the curls may quickly turn into… The Curl Cream Gel by Royal Locks is a professional-grade curl definer that will hydrate and condition your curly hair yet provide a high-hold for all day styling. an Amazon reviewer raved. Curl Creams SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Hair Smoothie Cream. Innersense Sweet Spirit and the Slick Kids Hair Detangler come in spray form. One of the great things about these products is that you can customize what your curls need, and you're also in control of exactly what you're putting on your strands. You can smooth it onto... Mixed Chicks Coil Kink Style Cream… And, because it's glycerin free (a rarity in hair gels), it won't cause intense frizzing if you live in humid areas. "It defines my curls without making them crunchy, eliminates frizz, gives my curls a boost, smells great, makes my hair soft, and is so easy to use," a Dermstore reviewer enthused. “A small amount goes along way which is a plus for curly product-dependent hair — if I were to use just one product it would be this one." The richer, creamier formula coats your hair in moisture better than runny, gel-based ones, leaving your hair looking super shiny and glossy in just a few seconds. Massage into your scalp, make sure you've covered your curls completely, then rinse. For curls and coils, don't rake through your hair at … This curl gel (or ~jelly~ if we're gettin' fancy) has a super-thin consistency, making it easy to spread throughout your type 3 to type 4 hair. ", For tightly-textured or coarse curls, turn to this Dove curl butter cream. But if you’re still skeptical, or if you’ve tried curl gels in the past with meh results, allow me to crack open the world for you, starting with…. Chloe Metzger Deputy Beauty Director Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, obsessively writing about new makeup launches, the best hair products (curly … MATRIX Biolage Defining Gel-Cream For Curly Hair Enhance your curl definition without buildup with Matrix gel-cream for curly hair. It'll clump your curls to help protect them against frizz and humidity while you diffuse or air-dry. The ~key~ to a ridiculously good twist-out? "I absolutely love this cream," an Amazon reviewer raved. All Beauty, All the Time—For Everyone. "Bought this and had it shipped to the USA and I’m glad I did. "Using your fingertips, gently smooth onto hair beginning below the roots so you don’t create a flat, limp top.". Best Cream for Curly Hair and BEST FOR ALL HAIR TYPES: 4 / 12 Bounce Curl Avocado & Rose Oil Clump and Define Cream The Define Cream is a multi-purpose luxurious leave-in cream that will leave your curls soft, bouncy and defined. It coats every last coil with intense moisture to instantly eliminate frizz and dryness. If you’re using gel for a protective style, twist/braid-out, or literally any other style that’s not a gel cast, you’ll have to experiment with which application works best for your texture, whether that’s praying-hands, shingling, finger-raking, or Denman-brushing. "It's the best product I've found that makes my normally flat hair hold curl. Proprietary, fragrance-free formulas designed to gently cleanse and condition sensitive scalps with ease. While some gels will give you all the hold (and all the dryness and accidental shrinkage), other gels, like this protein-spiked formula from Aunt Jackie's, will keep your hair defined and moisturized, and—when paired with a good curl cream and/or oil—stretched and healthy, even in your wash and go. To prevent frizz and add shine, you can rub a few drops of a lightweight hair oil between your hands before scrunching out the crunch (finer hair types might want to skip this and just use clean hands). Curls are all we do! Remember to wait until your hair is 100 percent dry, though, before breaking the cast or "scrunching out the crunch," lest you awaken the frizz demons. This custard is on the lighter end of the custard spectrum, so it won't feel as heavy on finer hair types (hi!). Why trust us? "It makes my 4B/C hair ultra soft and bouncy.". "I have high-porosity hair that dries really quickly so to keep it from frizzing up my hair on application, I add a bit of water to the product to thin it down before smoothing onto curls. It's best for medium-to-thick curls, so if your hair is easily weighed down like mine, don't go overboard on the application. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, These Products Will Level Up Your 4b Hair, PSA: It‘s Time to Upgrade Your Hair Straightener, Why Argan Oil Is So Freaking Good for Your Hair, The Best Hair Steamers (and How TF to Use Them), Turns Out You Need to Be Cleaning Your Hair Brush, How to Blow-Out Your Natural Hair in 5 Easy Steps, Fix Your Botched Dye Job With These Color Removers, And Now for a Crash Course on Your 3c Curls, These Are the *Only* Products Your 3b Curls Need, Level Up Your Hair Routine With a Bonnet Dryer RN, Adwoa Baomint Moisturizing Curl Defining Gel, The Mane Choice Ancient Egyptian 24 Karat Gold Twisting Gel, Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel, Aussie Instant Freeze 20-Hour Hold Hair Gel, Innersense Organic Beauty I Create Hold Styling Gel, Aunt Jackie's Flaxseed Don't Shrink Curling Gel, Giovanni L.A. Natural Styling Gel Strong Hold, Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, obsessively writing about new makeup launches, the best hair products (curly girl here; whattup), and the skincare formulas that really work for every skin type (. ", To apply a curl cream, "start with a dime-sized amount for fine, thin hair types and a quarter-sized amount for thicker, coarser hair types," he advises. My coarse curly hair loves then both! "Gels are best used on wavy to curly hair [types 2 and 3] that doesn't have moisture deficiencies," explains hairstylist Andre Walker, who works … "Other products left my hair very stiff, but I love how this tames my curls and leaves them feeling soft. Embrace your curly, coily or wavy hair with Cantu. Congratulations! Rake it through your sopping-wet hair in sections, re-wetting each section as you work (trust the process), then air-dry or diffuse. "My miracle in a jar," an Amazon reviewer enthused. Boost bend in wavy hair with this balm-esque Pacifica curl cream, made with soy protein and jojoba seed oil. It's more moisturizing than it is defining, so it'll add softness and shine while helping to encourage your natural curl pattern without a crunchy finish. On clean, sopping-wet hair, I just rake and scrunch a quarter-size squeeze through my flipped-over, sopping-wet hair, then immediately plop for 20 minutes and air-dry. They add the perfect amount of definition, shine, protein, and hold to type 2, 3, and 4 hair...but they're usually annoying to DIY. These Magical Diffusers Will Transform Your Curls, You Can Still Keep Up Your Gel Mani Habit at Home, Pick Your Hair Type and We'll Help You Style It, These 10 Curl Shampoos Will Transform Your Hair, How To Style Curly Hair For a Job Interview. "Curls need to be moisturized and protected to stay bouncy, separated, defined, and smooth, and curl creams can offer the necessary hydration for a perfect style. Made with pure shea butter, Cantu restores your real, authentic beauty. Here, the best curl creams you can buy for all curl types, according to reviewers and editors and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts, including drugstore picks, curl enhancers for wavy and straight hair, and defining creams for natural hair from 2A to 4C curls. In 2020, we call this step one. It's Curly Girl Method-approved (as are most of these gels on this list), safe for low-porosity hair, and under $10. All the know-how and products you need to cleanse, condition, & style your curls with definition and shine. Aveda's curl cream boasts over 2,300 reviews on Nordstrom averaging almost five stars, and is a great prep step for creating curls in straight hair. This gel is basically all aloe, water, and honey, making it a hydrating, lightweight, defining dream for low-porosity curls (not sure WTF your hair porosity is? AND THAT CRUNCH IS A GOOD THING. "It transforms my hair from dry to moisture rich and my twist-outs look amazing!" Redken offers the shampoo and conditioner for curly or wavy hair you need plus refining and taming products for wavy or curly hair such as curl cream or curl spray. Shea butter and coconut oil are usual suspects when it comes to DIY curl creams. This rich butter-like curl cream from Camille Rose, rich in botanical oils like almond, sesame, and jojoba, was formulated specifically for twist-out hairstyles. A moisturizing, medium-hold gel that'll still give you body and movement without flakes or stiffness. ), through damp waves or spirals. Use just the right amount Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. This drugstore curl serum with buriti oil is basically a moisturizing dream for your curly hair. Best Cream: Ouidad Curl Quencher Hydrafusion Intense Curl Cream. Softening Shea Butter Curl Cream . Try layering it over your leave-in conditioner on sopping-wet hair in sections, then plop and dry your curls, or smooth on a curl cream or butter for more moisture before twisting, braiding, or drying your hair. It’s the stiff, hardened coating that stronger-hold gels often leave behind on curly hair. And, folks, I truly cannot emphasize this revelation enough: Hair gel is the freaking key to perfect curls and coils. Some curly folks like to use a diffuser to break their cast, or find that sleeping on their gel cast naturally breaks it by morning. But you may also keep scrolling to find what you really came here for: the best curly hair gels of 2020 (like, actually. SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque: This intense conditioning deep treatment infuses hair with a powerful dose of moisture and nutrients. I still struggle! As in I read reviews and studied ingredients and consulted with stylists). If you already knew this, then wow, very rude of you not to TELL ME SOONER?! Curl Cream vs. Curl Gel – Styling Your Curls. Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta. Waves and loose curls fall into a very finicky territory where the right products can magically enhance their texture...while the wrong products can fully straighten them out. If you want a curl defining cream that will make your hair look soft, healthy, and shiny, then make sure to choose one that tends to your hair type’s needs. If you legit cannot get a gel cast to save your life (it's an art! 1. Amika Curl Corps Defining Cream. ", Work a dollop of this rich leave-in conditioner/styling cream hybrid from Suave, a GH Beauty Award winner (and less than $5! Uh, take this quiz immediately pls). "It defines my curls while leaving my hair soft and manageable. The lightweight formula is filled with aloe vera and sugar beet root to keep curls hydrated and softly defined—this definitely isn't a strong- or even medium-hold gel—though drier hair types will want to layer this one over your leave-in or oil. Like all hair products, it’s a trial-and-error situation. Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream is a beauty cult-favorite for curly hair girls. Repeat if needed. But after getting deep into the Curly Girl Method last year (a technique—nay, a way of life—of getting truly excellent curls) and finding that a main component of said perfect curls was hair gel, I decided to revisit the nemesis of my past. But this castor oil-based gel has enough slip and hydration to keep your braids, knots, and twists moisturized and held without drying them out or feeling stiff. Stay healthy, stay … People with coarse, curly hair love this product (we're talking nearly... MOROCCANOIL Curl Defining Cream. In junior high, we called this a ~lewk~. 2. Cool, so now that we’ve thoroughly got your junior-high brain up to speed on today’s world of gels, please keep reading to find the 15 best (but actually) curly hair gels for types 3 and 4 hair. ", Created by celebrity hairstylist Vernon François, who specializes in textured hair, this curl defining cream was made to work especially well for coily and kinky curl types, including 4C hair. Once your hair is 100 percent dry (whether that’s via diffusing, air-drying, or using a hooded dryer), gently scrunch your hair up toward your scalp with your hands, scrunching section after section until the crunch is gone and the cast is broken (check out this tutorial for a visual). Best Hair Products For Curly Hair Men If you are gifted with curly or wavy hair, then you know that sometimes it may be hard to shape your hair the way you want it to be. Think of this curl cream like nutrient-rich food for your curly hair. "It adds flexible hold that's not crunchy at all and keeps curls intact and fuzz-free for days," says Goodhousekeeping.com editor Jessica Teich. What exactly do curl creams do? Shop the Glamour Beauty Award–winning, best curly hair products for textured and natural hair. This styling gel is natural, organic, and fully edible (JK, please don't eat it, despite how yummy it smells). The Cantu Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream is hugely popular within the Curly Girl community, especially since you only need to use a pea-sized amount. There's a reason why this this hair gel is one of the most popular recs for curly and coily hair: It lightly clumps, moisturizes, and defines, without leaving behind flakes. A cult favorite, this rich cream is great for taming thick hair. Despite being a beauty editor, I spent the majority of my adult life thinking of hair gels as the quickest way to leave my curls crunchy, flakey, and stiff…just like 13-year-old me liked it. The result? Or, like, even remotely equal. This particular recipe makes use of both while incorporating aloe vera gel for texture and refreshing essential oils for that added oomph. Great for 3b to 4c hair. Best Curly Hair Gel for Protective Styles, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. The enemy of my childhood is actually my new BFF!? That thing we all hated is actually called a “gel cast,” and it’s the magic behind traditional curly hair gels. Curly hair simply has more issues with humidity and lack there of. Usually, strong-hold gels can just weigh down fine curls. Regardless of your method, there is only one rule: Your hair must be totally, completely, 120 percent dry or you’ll be left with a frizzy, undefined mess. This protein-rich hair cream will help you bounce back from damage. It’s super moisturizing and much thicker than r and b. If the last time you used hair gel on your curls was before you had a driver’s license/a real sense of self, then hi, yeah, same. April Franzino is the Beauty Director at Good Housekeeping, part of the Hearst Women’s Lifestyle Beauty Group. There's a reason why this this hair gel is one of the most popular recs for curly and coily hair: It lightly clumps, moisturizes, and defines, without leaving behind flakes. Enter: this flaxseed gel that uses a touch of glycerin and oil (the type of oil depends on which of the five fragrances you choose) to amp up hydration and shine without the crunch. This cream-gel hybrid is pure moisturizing goodness in a jar, and basically every reviewer swears by its wash-and-go powers. It enhances texture while nourishing with shea butter and coconut oil. "This is without a doubt the best product I have ever used on my fine natural curls," a reviewer said. Rub a squeeze of gel between your palms, flip your sopping-wet hair over, and gently scrunch the gel to encourage your wave/curl pattern. Not all hair gels are created equal. Get smooth, shapely waves and curls with Goldwell's curl cream. This protein-rich gel, however, is one of the good guys. "My hair stays moisturized for days and my curls look great," an Amazon reviewer said. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. ", It's affordably-priced, yet this Garnier curl butter cream is made from almost 100% naturally-derived ingredients, including coconut oil and cocoa butter. Millisecond?!) Time to love your natural hair. "This works best on super curly to kinky hair so I've used it on my daughter for coils, braids, etc.".